PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Frank Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Zubkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrey Zubkov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Johnson
vs
Zubkov

174 cm
25
146 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
27
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frank Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrey Zubkov!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zubkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zubkov dives in and grabs Johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes down on Zubkov's head and hops out.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Zubkov.
Zubkov throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.

Johnson clinches up with Zubkov and pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Zubkov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zubkov working hard to break the clinch.
Zubkov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Zubkov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zubkov tries to break free but Johnson pushes him back against the cage.

Johnson gets control of Zubkov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Johnson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Johnson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Zubkov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zubkov gets to his feet. Johnson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Johnson scores with a shot to the body.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Zubkov against the cage.

Johnson has picked Zubkov up - he's going for a ride! Johnson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Zubkov is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Zubkov wants to get back to his feet.

Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zubkov is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.

Zubkov has one foot on Johnson's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zubkov shoots in but Johnson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Johnson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt - Zubkov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Zubkov moves out of range easily.
Johnson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A telegraphed right hand from Zubkov misses the target.
Johnson lands a nice looking body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Zubkov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zubkov continues to drive forward.
Zubkov wants to get back to striking at distance but Johnson won't allow it.
Johnson with a knee to the head.

Zubkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Zubkov.
Zubkov throws a big shot that misses.
Zubkov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johnson on the side of the head.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zubkov throws a leg kick that misses.
Zubkov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Johnson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zubkov's guard.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zubkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Zubkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zubkov wants to stand up but Johnson is controlling him.
Zubkov has a closed guard, preventing Johnson from standing up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Johnson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Zubkov enables Johnson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Zubkov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Zubkov is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Johnson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zubkov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in but Zubkov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice cross by Zubkov.

Zubkov dives in and scores a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Zubkov wants to stand but Johnson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Frank Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Johnson prevents Zubkov from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Johnson trying to control from half guard but Zubkov is working away.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Johnson in particular looking to stall.
Johnson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zubkov keeps working.

We're going to have a standup here because Frank Johnson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Zubkov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to clinch but Zubkov moves out of range.
Zubkov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
Zubkov lands with an uppercut that bounces Johnson off the cage and back into range.
Zubkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Zubkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.

Zubkov clinches.
Johnson leaning against his opponent.
Zubkov is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Zubkov is trying to force a seperation but Johnson has the dominant position.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zubkov pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson moves out of range as Zubkov strikes.
Frank Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johnson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zubkov was covering up waiting for the punch and Johnson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Zubkov is retaining full guard.

Johnson stands up from Zubkov's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Andrey Zubkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice uppercut there from Zubkov.
Zubkov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zubkov lands a nice looking body shot.
Zubkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Johnson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Zubkov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
Zubkov misses with a kick to the body.
Zubkov shoots in but no luck this time.
A swing and a miss from Zubkov.

Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson wants a takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Zubkov after a bit of a struggle.

Zubkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Zubkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zubkov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nice takedown defense from Zubkov. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.

Zubkov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrey Zubkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nice jab there from Zubkov.
Zubkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zubkov is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but Zubkov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Johnson to get the leverage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zubkov is trying to stand.
Johnson looks to land a strike but Zubkov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Johnson throwing strikes from guard but Zubkov blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson gets to his feet - Zubkov follows without any prompting.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zubkov misses with a jab, cross combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Zubkov, as that shot connected.
Zubkov looks to land a combination. Johnson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Zubkov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zubkov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zubkov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johnson.
Zubkov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zubkov tries to avoid it but Johnson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zubkov to the ground. Zubkov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson needs to keep his hands up - Zubkov had a free shot at his head there.
Zubkov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zubkov moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.
Zubkov dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Johnson.
Zubkov wants to break free but Johnson has control.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zubkov to keep the fight standing.

Johnson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zubkov uses from the top position.

Zubkov stands and steps away. Johnson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Zubkov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Johnson's head backwards.
Johnson walks into a stiff left hand from Zubkov.
Zubkov scores with a body shot.
Zubkov lands a lovely overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Johnson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Johnson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Zubkov to his feet.
Zubkov stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Decent striking displayed by Zubkov there.
Zubkov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Johnson's head.
Zubkov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zubkov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Johnson momentarily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Johnson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andrey Zubkov.
I think Zubkov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrey Zubkov!