PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabe Zagarno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Gabe Zagarno was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Johnson
vs
Zagarno

168 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bryan Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gabe Zagarno!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zagarno missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A left lands for Johnson.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zagarno manages to avoid it.
Zagarno feints the counter takedown.
Zagarno looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Johnson wants to slow Zagarno down by chopping away at his legs.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Zagarno pushes him off.
Zagarno fails with a takedown attempt.
Zagarno slips under a jab.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zagarno moves away.
Zagarno moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as Zagarno shoots in.
Johnson lands with a nice body punch.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Zagarno throws a fast counter high kick but Johnson manages to duck under it in time.
Zagarno fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Johnson is out of range.
Zagarno checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zagarno throws a counter combo.

Zagarno decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zagarno tries to stand and escape but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Zagarno is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.
Zagarno not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zagarno is looking to advance position but Johnson won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zagarno keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Zagarno has him pressed against the cage.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zagarno keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Zagarno.
Zagarno takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Johnson connects with a body shot that sends Zagarno's belly button to the back.
Zagarno missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zagarno tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson fires out a quick counter leg kick but Zagarno just manages to avoid it.
Zagarno avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Zagarno tries to clinch up.
Johnson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zagarno circles away.

Zagarno looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Zagarno tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.
Zagarno is trying to control. Johnson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Zagarno is looking to advance position but Johnson won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zagarno stalling.
Let's hope that Zagarno has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Johnson is not content to let Zagarno control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zagarno is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Johnson 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.

Zagarno misses with a takedown attempt - Johnson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zagarno is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Zagarno closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.
Gabe Zagarno is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Zagarno pinned against the cage. Zagarno gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Zagarno tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Bryan Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabe Zagarno.
Zagarno goes for a takedown attempt but Johnson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zagarno misses with a body kick.
Johnson is looking to wear down Zagarno with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Johnson leaves Zagarno with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zagarno manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zagarno shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zagarno's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zagarno circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson throws a body punch but Zagarno moves out of range.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Zagarno is just out of range.
Johnson connects with a looping right hand.
Johnson fails with the takedown.
Johnson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zagarno shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zagarno has a takedown stuffed.
Zagarno is breathing heavily.
Nice takedown defense from Zagarno. No joy for Johnson on that attempt.
Zagarno tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zagarno walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bryan Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zagarno throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Zagarno tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zagarno manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson throws a body punch but Zagarno moves out of range.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Zagarno is just out of range.

Zagarno closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Johnson's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zagarno stays in close to Johnson's body and controls the position.
My spies in Nonprofit Vegas Elite $50 ($1000 value) inform me that Zagarno has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Zagarno wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zagarno stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Johnson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zagarno in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zagarno pushing down on Johnson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Zagarno content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zagarno moves away.
Zagarno doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zagarno moves away.
Zagarno missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zagarno shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Johnson swings for the body but Zagarno moves out of range.
Zagarno looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnson doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Zagarno counters with a single leg into guard. Johnson didn't expect that.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zagarno showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bryan Johnson will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Johnson takes a swing at Zagarno's ribcage but misses.
Johnson scores with a hook to the body. Zagarno takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Zagarno drives through with a takedown into guard.
Zagarno passes Johnson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Zagarno lands strikes from half guard.
Zagarno is looking to advance position but Johnson won't allow it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Zagarno in particular looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zagarno wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zagarno is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Johnson defends it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Zagarno has control of the leg.
Zagarno not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zagarno sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Johnson defending well though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zagarno was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson takes a swing at Zagarno's ribcage but misses.
Zagarno unleashes a big counter combination but Johnson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zagarno moves away.
As Johnson backs off Zagarno throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zagarno shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zagarno is defended easily by Johnson.
Zagarno slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zagarno wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Zagarno throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zagarno scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Zagarno thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Zagarno controls the position from side control.
Bryan Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to control Zagarno's posture but Zagarno avoids it.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
Johnson prevents Zagarno from improving position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Zagarno controlling the position from side mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gabe Zagarno comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bryan Johnson!