PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddie Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson has chosen Eminem - Not Afraid as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hamidovich Saitiev
vs
Johnson

183 cm
27
185 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

187 cm
26
190 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Machine Fight Gear

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eddie Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Aafke Stam and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hamidovich Saitiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hamidovich Saitiev sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Hamidovich Saitiev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hamidovich Saitiev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson scores with a hook.
Johnson lands a slapping body shot.
Hamidovich Saitiev avoids a punch combination nicely.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Hamidovich Saitiev is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson taking some punishment here, with Hamidovich Saitiev in his half guard.
Johnson wants to control but Hamidovich Saitiev is keeping busy.
Johnson has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Hamidovich Saitiev lands strikes from half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Hamidovich Saitiev passes to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control but Hamidovich Saitiev postures up.
Hamidovich Saitiev remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Johnson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hamidovich Saitiev pulls his head out easily.
Hamidovich Saitiev lands strikes from half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hamidovich Saitiev scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hamidovich Saitiev performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnson is defending against the submission attempts here by Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hamidovich Saitiev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev 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.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
Hamidovich Saitiev working over Johnson with some ground and pound. Johnson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
Hamidovich Saitiev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hamidovich Saitiev's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Hamidovich Saitiev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev dominated that round.
That's time! Hamidovich Saitiev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hamidovich Saitiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Johnson clinches up against the cage.
Johnson misses with a knee to the head.
Johnson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Johnson stops a takedown attempt from Hamidovich Saitiev.
Hamidovich Saitiev jumps guard but Johnson stands there with Hamidovich Saitiev around his waist. Hamidovich Saitiev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Johnson prevents the takedown attempt.
Johnson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Johnson with a knee to the head.
Johnson is pressed up against the cage. Hamidovich Saitiev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Johnson down to the mat. Johnson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamidovich Saitiev looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.

Hamidovich Saitiev feints and as Johnson raises his hands in defense, Hamidovich Saitiev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
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 throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hamidovich Saitiev escapes and throws Johnson's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Hamidovich Saitiev is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Johnson's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is pushing Hamidovich Saitiev's head away, looking to escape. Hamidovich Saitiev manages to hold on to the position though.
Johnson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hamidovich Saitiev cracks Johnson with a big right hand but Johnson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnson throws Hamidovich Saitiev to one side and escapes!
Eddie Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Hamidovich Saitiev with that takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Hamidovich Saitiev avoids nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A telegraphed right hand from Hamidovich Saitiev misses the target.
Johnson unleashes a big counter combination but Hamidovich Saitiev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Johnson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev misses with a body shot.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Hamidovich Saitiev counters with a 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!
Hamidovich Saitiev works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Hamidovich Saitiev working the body and head with strikes.
Johnson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to pass to mount but Johnson is defending the position.
Hamidovich Saitiev not doing much here.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Hamidovich Saitiev has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev controlling the action here.
Johnson tries to kick Hamidovich Saitiev off but Hamidovich Saitiev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hamidovich Saitiev winds up and cracks Johnson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hamidovich Saitiev pulls his head out easily.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hamidovich Saitiev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Hamidovich Saitiev distracts Johnson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four 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.
Hamidovich Saitiev looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Hamidovich Saitiev wants to sweep but no luck.
Hamidovich Saitiev pulls Johnson in to control the position.
Hamidovich Saitiev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hamidovich Saitiev holds on and takes a little breather.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hamidovich Saitiev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Eddie Johnson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hamidovich Saitiev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johnson tries to clinch but Hamidovich Saitiev moves out of range.
Hamidovich Saitiev misses the shot to the body.
Hamidovich Saitiev dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hamidovich Saitiev takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Hamidovich Saitiev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hamidovich Saitiev feinted with a counter takedown.
Nice body kick from Johnson.
Hamidovich Saitiev misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Johnson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hamidovich Saitiev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat.
Johnson tries to clinch but Hamidovich Saitiev is having none of it.
Hamidovich Saitiev moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.
Hamidovich Saitiev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
Hamidovich Saitiev misses with a left hand
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.
Eddie Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hamidovich Saitiev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Johnson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Hamidovich Saitiev off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Eddie Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hamidovich Saitiev if he has to take too many more of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson throws a combination. Hamidovich Saitiev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hamidovich Saitiev goes for a double leg but Johnson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnson continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Buvaisar Hamidovich Saitiev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hamidovich Saitiev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Johnson feints and then cracks Hamidovich Saitiev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hamidovich Saitiev down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hamidovich Saitiev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Johnson to the mat! Johnson manages to get full guard.

Johnson pushes Hamidovich Saitiev off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Johnson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Johnson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hamidovich Saitiev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Johnson lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hamidovich Saitiev will feel that in the morning.
Johnson connects with a leg kick. Hamidovich Saitiev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Johnson throws a push kick but Hamidovich Saitiev slaps the foot to one side.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to move into range but Johnson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Johnson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hamidovich Saitiev swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Johnson.

Hamidovich Saitiev scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Hamidovich Saitiev drags him back down.
Hamidovich Saitiev tries to advance to mount but Johnson denies him.
Johnson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hamidovich Saitiev off and has taken his back!
Hamidovich Saitiev turns into Johnson and is now in his guard.
Johnson wants to stand and escape but Hamidovich Saitiev is having none of it.
Hamidovich Saitiev works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
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!
Hamidovich Saitiev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamidovich Saitiev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Hamidovich Saitiev from controlling successfully.
Hamidovich Saitiev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hamidovich Saitiev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hamidovich Saitiev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Johnson working for a triangle but Hamidovich Saitiev defends it easily.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Hamidovich Saitiev postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eddie Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johnson 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie Johnson!
During a confident post fight interview, Eddie Johnson thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.