PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mike Blow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tarik Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Blow might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Slippin. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Tarik Johnson enters the cage!

Blow
vs
Johnson

175 cm
25
170 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

184 cm
25
171 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Blow!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tarik Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Jeff Smith and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blow throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Blow counters with a nice double leg into side control. Johnson won't be happy with that.
Blow is chipping away with strikes.
Johnson manages to get back to half guard.
Blow seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johnson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Blow is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blow pulls his head out easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blow seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Johnson taking some punishment here, with Blow in his half guard.

Johnson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blow takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Blow perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Johnson is in trouble now - Blow has advanced to mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Blow cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The referee warns Johnson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Johnson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Blow has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Johnson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blow manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.

Blow trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Blow loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Blow is aware though and is defending well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Blow.
Blow scoring with some ground and pound.
Blow landing with the ground and pound.
Blow stands and throws Johnson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Blow lands an elbow.
Johnson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Blow connects with a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Blow connects with a decent elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson tries to bench press Blow off him but Blow keeps the position.
Blow scores with a couple of short elbows.
Blow scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Johnson to see if he's OK.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.

Blow is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Blow working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Johnson tries to buck Blow off but Blow is having none of it.
Johnson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blow trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Blow wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Johnson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Blow in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Johnson tries to bench press Blow off him but Blow keeps the position.
Johnson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Blow scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blow pulls his head out easily.
Blow is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Blow is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Johnson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Blow's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Blow's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Blow dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Blow tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt
letting Blow counter with a right hand.
Blow misses with a straight right.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Blow sprawls well. Blow wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Blow counters with a stiff right hand.
Mike Blow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tarik Johnson.
Blow fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.

Blow is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Johnson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Blow postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Blow scoring with punches to the head and body.

Blow avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Blow is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blow stands and throws Johnson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Blow is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Johnson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Blow wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Blow landing strikes.
Blow trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Johnson is trying to improve his position.
Blow connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Johnson some visible discomfort.
Johnson is trying to improve his position.
Blow scores with punches from side control.
Blow is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Blow off and has taken his back!
Blow tries to escape but Johnson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Blow tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Johnson prevents Blow from getting the reversal.

Johnson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Blow is trying to escape the mount.
Johnson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blow sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blow makes his way to full guard, as Johnson worked for a kimura.
Blow is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Blow is keeping the position.
Johnson is still trying to improve position.
Blow is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Blow bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Blow pushes his legs off easily.

Johnson working for submissions but it's allowed Blow to get to half guard.
Blow prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Blow is looking to advance position but Johnson won't allow it.
Blow landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Blow is nestled in close to Johnson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Blow is controlling well.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blow pulls his head out easily.
Blow trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Blow dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johnson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Blow sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Blow is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Blow shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Johnson napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Blow is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Johnson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Blow wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Johnson, who protects the arm well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Blow wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Johnson, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blow content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Johnson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Blow connects with a decent elbow.
Johnson tries to bench press Blow off him but Blow keeps the position.
Johnson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Blow's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Johnson is refusing to be controlled, as Blow sits in half guard.
Blow lands with a punch from half guard.
Blow wants to take a breather but Johnson is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blow pulls his head out easily.

Blow is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Blow eventually gives up the hold.
Johnson gets back to full guard.
Blow controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Blow doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Blow manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blow wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Blow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Blow lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Blow pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blow trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Blow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Blow trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Blow postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Blow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Blow trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Blow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Blow clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Blow shows good takedown defense.
Blow throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Johnson has his takedown stuffed
and Blow counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Mike Blow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tarik Johnson.

Johnson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Blow's half guard.

Johnson is working for a kimura but Blow is defending it quite comfortably.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson seems to be working for a kimura but Blow defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is thwarting Blow's attempts to control the position.
Blow punching from the bottom.

Johnson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Blow sees it coming and defends easily.

Johnson is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Blow as he works his way to full guard.
Blow bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Blow drops back looking for a leg! Johnson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnson manages to kick Blow off! Blow jumps back into Johnson's guard.
Blow passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Blow scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Johnson to see if he's OK.
Blow wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Johnson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Johnson taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
Blow trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard.
Blow wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.
Blow lands a few punches from side control.
Blow connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Johnson some visible discomfort.
Blow wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Blow lands a decent elbow from side control.
Johnson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Johnson tries to buck Blow off but Blow is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blow landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Blow trying to control the action but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Blow is chipping away with strikes.
Johnson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Johnson manages to get back to half guard.
Johnson is pressing down on Blow's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Johnson throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Blow escapes and throws Johnson's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Johnson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Blow wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Blow had his way with Tarik Johnson in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Johnson shoots and misses

and Blow counters with a takedown into side control.

Blow is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Johnson taking punishment in the form of punches.

Blow is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Johnson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Blow controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blow wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.
Johnson tries to bench press Blow off him but Blow keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Blow stalls from top position.
Blow lands an elbow.

Blow is trying to get an arm triangle but Johnson is defending well.
Johnson is trying to get back to half guard.
Blow scores with punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blow lands an elbow.
Johnson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Blow scores with punches from side control.
Johnson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Johnson is staying active underneath Blow, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Johnson is trying to get back to full guard.
Blow seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johnson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blow looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Johnson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Blow lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Blow's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Blow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Johnson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Blow is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Blow's best efforts.
Blow is trying to control. Johnson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Blow is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Johnson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Blow is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson is not content to let Blow control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blow pulls his head out easily.
Blow looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Johnson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Blow showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Blow has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Blow!
Mike Blow retains his lightweight title!
Mike Blow decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.