PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Orlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franco Murphy Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Orlov comes into the arena with Straight Outta Compton blaring out of the sound system. Johnson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by perfect enemies. Franco Murphy Johnson has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Orlov
vs
Murphy Johnson

180 cm
34
159 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

193 cm
28
145 lbs
3 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

On Tap (160Q)

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 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alexander Orlov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Franco Murphy Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Orlov rushes Johnson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Orlov lands a body shot in the clinch.
We've been informed that Johnson has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Johnson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Orlov pulls his leg out and moves away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Orlov.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Orlov decides to stand back up.
Johnson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Orlov is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Orlov circles away and we're back to standing.
It looked like Orlov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Orlov takes the fight into the clinch.

Orlov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Johnson regains guard.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Orlov manages to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson looks winded!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Orlov decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Orlov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Johnson's guard.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Orlov passes into half guard.

Orlov stands up from half guard.
Orlov shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Orlov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johnson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Orlov with a body shot.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Orlov.
Franco Murphy Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Orlov instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orlov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Johnsons head.
Orlov scores with a shoulder strike.

Orlov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Orlov lands a hook that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Orlov.
Orlov working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Orlov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Orlov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet here but Orlov is keeping cool and he's managed to take Johnson's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Orlov off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Orlov decides to get back to his feet. A strange decision but one that the crowd certainly appreciate.

Orlov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Orlov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Orlov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Alexander Orlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Franco Murphy Johnson.

Orlov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Orlov closes the distance and clinches.

Orlov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Orlov closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Orlov manages to pull guard.

Orlov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Orlov gets control of Johnson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Orlov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Orlov pushes Johnson off and gets back to his feet.

Orlov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Our sources have told us that Orlov has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Orlov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Orlov keeps control of Johnson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Orlov breaks from the clinch.

Orlov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Orlov breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Orlov has managed to clinch.
Orlov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Orlov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Johnson is trying to pull guard but Orlov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Orlov manages to break the clinch.
Johnson shoots and misses

and Orlov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Orlov.
Orlov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Johnsons head.
Johnson letting Orlov take a breather here.

Orlov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Orlov takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Orlov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Orlov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Johnson.
Alexander Orlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Franco Murphy Johnson.
Johnson is breathing heavily.

Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Orlov. Orlov maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Orlov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Orlov moves into the clinch.
Alexander Orlov has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Orlov pulls Johnson into guard.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Orlov keeps moving.

Orlov scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Orlov rushes Johnson and presses him up against the cage.
Johnson is pressed up against the cage. Orlov 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.

Orlov instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Orlov breaks the clinch.

Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Orlov. Orlov maintains the clinch.

Orlov manages to break the clinch.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Orlov, pushing him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Orlov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Orlov lands a nice uppercut.

Orlov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Orlov clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.

Orlov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Orlov drives through and clinches with Johnson against the cage.

Orlov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Orlov counters with a head kick. That will keep Johnson thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Orlov forces Johnson back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Orlov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Orlov closes the distance and clinches.
Orlov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Orlov - that landed with a thud.
Orlov lands a good knee to the midsection. Johnson won't want to take too many of those.
Orlov effectively controlling the action here.
A bit of stalling here from Orlov.
A short uppercut from Orlov.
Orlov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Orlov manages to break the clinch.

Orlov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Johnson is wriggling around but Orlov manages to pass to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Orlov stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Orlov rushes Johnson and presses him up against the cage.
A short right from Orlov on the inside.
Orlov connects with a knee to the head.

Johnson is rocked!
Orlov is struggling to control the position.
Johnson is still on wobbly legs! Can Orlov finish him?

Orlov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Johnson seems to have recovered his senses.

Orlov darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
Johnson is pressed up against the cage. Orlov 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.
Orlov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Orlov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Orlov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnson, pushing him back against the cage.
Orlov just leaning against Johnson, taking a breather.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.

Orlov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Orlov closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!

Orlov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Orlov circles away easily
and Orlov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Orlov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Orlov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Orlov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Johnson up against the cage.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Orlov for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Orlov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Orlov clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Orlov lands a right hand.
Johnson jumps guard but Orlov stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alexander Orlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Franco Murphy Johnson.
A nice right hand lands inside from Orlov.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Orlov breaks the clinch.

Orlov forces Johnson back against the cage and clinches.

Orlov wants the takedown. Johnson is fighting it off but Orlov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Johnson's guard against the cage.
Orlov is standing up over Johnson. Johnson looks to escape but Orlov dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Orlov stands up.

Orlov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Orlov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Johnson's face.
Orlov slowing the pace effectively.

Orlov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Orlov closes the distance and clinches.

Orlov breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Orlov gets a clinch.
Johnson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Orlov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Orlov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Johnson prevents it.
Orlov prevents the takedown attempt.

Orlov pulls Johnson into guard.
Orlov is pulling down on Johnson's head. It's preventing any offense from Johnson, at least for the moment.

Orlov has his feet on Johnson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Alexander Orlov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Orlov moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Orlov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Orlov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Johnson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Alexander Orlov is winning the standup battle so far.

Orlov moves into the clinch successfully.
Stalling in the clinch from Orlov.

Orlov is trying to trip Johnson. He has hold of a leg but Johnson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Orlov persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Orlov gets to his feet. Johnson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Orlov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Orlov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Franco Murphy Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Orlov tightens his grip and picks Johnson up, before dumping him to the ground. Johnson manages to land in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Orlov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Orlov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Orlov!
Alexander Orlov thanked the fans post fight for their support.