PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicolai Demikovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Demikovic might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Russian National Anthem. Johnson has chosen Voodoo People as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Demikovic
vs
Johnson

191 cm
50
250 lbs
30 - 33 - 2

202 cm
53
250 lbs
46 - 48 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 30 - 33 - 2, fighting out of London, Nicolai Demikovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 46 - 48 - 1, fighting out of London, Thomas Johnson!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson wants to clinch up but Demikovic keeps it at a distance.
Johnson throws a jab when Demikovic was well out of range.
Demikovic half committed to a counter leg kick.
Johnson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Demikovic scores with a decent looking hook.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Demikovic moves out of range easily.
Nicolai Demikovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Demikovic has Johnson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Demikovic pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Johnson tumbling to the mat - Demikovic dives into Johnson's guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Demikovic isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Demikovic preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Demikovic wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Demikovic postures up.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Demikovic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Demikovic tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.
Demikovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Demikovic slips an elbow through the middle.
Demikovic won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.
Demikovic is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demikovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Johnson gets a double leg takedown into Demikovic's guard.
Demikovic looking to control.

Demikovic working for a triangle but Johnson defends it easily.
We've been informed that Johnson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.
Demikovic on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Demikovic tries to get out of the position.
Demikovic is trying to keep Johnson in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Demikovic is trying to stand back up but Johnson is controlling him
Johnson is keen to just control but Demikovic is a slippery customer.
Johnson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson tries to control but Demikovic wriggling away.
Demikovic is working to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Demikovic is just holding on here. Johnson manages to take his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Johnson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Demikovic moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
Johnson is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Demikovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Demikovic throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Johnson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Demikovic with a body shot.
Demikovic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson counters with a one-two to the body.
Demikovic tries a head kick but it misses.

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

Johnson bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Demikovic closes the distance looking to clinch
and Johnson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Demikovic darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
Johnson is working for takedown but Demikovic is calmly controlling the position for now.
Good body shot from Demikovic.
Demikovic has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Johnson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Demikovic tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicolai Demikovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Demikovic is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Johnson can't fight it off and eventually Demikovic manages to take the fight to the floor. Johnson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Demikovic is standing up over Johnson. Johnson looks to escape but Demikovic dives into side control.

Johnson regains half guard.
Demikovic content to control rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Demikovic.
Demikovic throws a strike but Johnson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.
Demikovic keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Demikovic keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Johnson tries to stand but Demikovic is controlling from the bottom.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Demikovic is keeping the position for now.
Demikovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnson throws an elbow that misses. Demikovic uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Johnson's guard. Nice move by Demikovic!

Johnson is trying to keep Demikovic in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Demikovic trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Demikovic tries to pass.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Johnson manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Johnson staying out of range there.

Demikovic manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Johnson on his heels. He'll look to pass Johnson's guard now, I'm sure.

Johnson kicks Demikovic off and gets to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Demikovic defends it well.
Demikovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson lands a nice looking body shot.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Demikovic, pushing him back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Demikovic wants to break free but Johnson has control.

Demikovic manages to break the clinch.
Nicolai Demikovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demikovic shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Nicolai Demikovic has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Demikovic sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Demikovic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Demikovic wants it to stay on the feet.
Demikovic appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Demikovic drops down looking for a counter takedown but Johnson sprawls and moves away.

Demikovic forces Johnson back against the cage and clinches.
Demikovic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Johnson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Demikovic is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nicolai Demikovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Johnson.
Demikovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Demikovic tries for a takedown but Johnson manages to get underhooks.
Demikovic is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Demikovic wants to take the fight to the mat but Johnson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Johnson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Johnson trying to control but Demikovic is working from the bottom.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Demikovic is retaining full guard.
Demikovic keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Demikovic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Demikovic manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Demikovic's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Johnson stands and throws Demikovic's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnson wants to control but Demikovic is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Demikovic tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Johnson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Johnson controlling the position.

Johnson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Demikovic rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Johnson's guard! Nice work there by Demikovic!
Nicolai Demikovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Demikovic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Johnson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Johnson!
A victorious Thomas Johnson thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.