PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dwayne Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felix Katov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Katov

196 cm
25
260 lbs
6 - 18 - 1

202 cm
18
265 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Dwayne Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Felix Katov!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson clinches.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Katov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Johnson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Felix Katov has been cut.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Johnson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Katov backwards.
Johnson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Katov is keeping busy.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Johnson blocking some punches.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson moves into the clinch.

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 Katov uses from the top position.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Katov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Katov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Katov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Johnson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Johnson wanted to stand there but Katov had control of the position.
Katov working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Katov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Katov can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Johnson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Johnson controlling from the top position.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Katov keeps moving.

Katov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Katov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Katov being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson'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.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Katov working a defensive guard here.
Johnson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Johnson happy to just control the position for now.
Johnson wants to stand but Katov has his arm trapped.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson trying to control the position but Katov is working away.
Johnson lands a nice forearm strike.
Johnson wants to control but Katov is keeping him busy.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Katov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Katov is trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson staying calm.
Johnson tries to stand but Katov is controlling his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Felix Katov's cut.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Katov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Katov sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johnson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Katov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Johnson somewhat.
Katov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dwayne Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Katov clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Katov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Johnson pulls guard effortlessly.
Katov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Katov looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katov trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.
Johnson advances to half guard.
Johnson wants to stand but Katov has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Johnson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Katov is looking for a sweep. Johnson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.
Katov is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
Johnson sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katov trying to hold on to Johnson's head to control him but Johnson postures up.
Johnson trying to control the pace.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Katov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Katov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Johnson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Katov wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Katov is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson is controlling the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Katov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Katov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Johnson won't be happy with that.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet here but Katov is keeping cool and he's managed to take Johnson's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Katov not allowing Johnson to control his hands.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but Katov has full control of the position and if anything, Johnson has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Katov goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Johnson escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Johnson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Johnson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Felix Katov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Johnson tries to keep at a distance but Katov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Katov throws a punch but it's blocked by Johnson.
Johnson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short left from Johnson.
A head punch on the inside from Katov fails to land.
Katov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Katov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Katov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Katov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Katov throws a punch but it's blocked by Johnson.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Johnson.
Johnson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Katov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dwayne Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson drags the fight down to the ground.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Katov from controlling successfully.
Johnson is pulling down on Katov's head to control his posture.
Katov wants to pass the guard but Johnson is keeping the position.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Katov can do to turn this around?
Katov is looking to advance position but Johnson has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson controlling his opponent.
Katov is trying desperately to improve position.

Johnson jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Katov is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Katov and Johnson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Katov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Johnson lands a few punches from side control.
Katov takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Johnson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Katov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Johnson stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Johnson looking to score a takedown here. Katov is defending well but Johnson drives through and ends up in Katov's guard.
Katov is wriggling around but Johnson manages to pass to half guard.
Katov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Katov wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Dwayne Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Katov is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Katov is still in real trouble! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Katov seems to have recovered his senses.
Further stalling from Johnson.
Katov tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson controlling the position easily from mount.
Felix Katov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dwayne Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dwayne Johnson!