PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tarkhan Naranbaatar (ranked 633 p4p, 98 weight class) and DeShawn Johnson (ranked 649 p4p, 100 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Naranbaatar might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Batzorig Vaanchig. Johnson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Eazy e- real mother fuckin gs kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Naranbaatar
vs
Johnson

178 cm
27
176 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

183 cm
32
177 lbs
21 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Tarkhan Naranbaatar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, DeShawn Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Naranbaatar pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Johnson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Naranbaatar misses with a hook.
Johnson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Naranbaatar connects with the punch.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
Naranbaatar lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts.
Johnson slips a jab from Naranbaatar.
Johnson wants to counter the offense by Naranbaatar and move into the clinch position.
Naranbaatar misses with an uppercut.
Naranbaatar's jab looks to have found its range, popping Johnson under the eye.
Naranbaatar misses with a low kick as Johnson jumps back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Naranbaatar comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson slips a jab from Naranbaatar.
Johnson tries to counter with a clinch but Naranbaatar shakes him off and moves away.
Naranbaatar swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Naranbaatar moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Naranbaatar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Naranbaatar sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Naranbaatar looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Naranbaatar.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Naranbaatar is just out of range.
Naranbaatar misses with a hook
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.

It looks like Tarkhan Naranbaatar has been cut.
Naranbaatar connects with a body shot that sends Johnson's belly button to the back.
Johnson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Naranbaatar. Naranbaatar circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Naranbaatar scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson seems a little lost for a moment, as Naranbaatar dominates the positioning.
Naranbaatar wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Johnson will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Naranbaatar throws an elbow but Johnson slips to the side and avoids it well.
Naranbaatar trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.

Naranbaatar is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Johnson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Naranbaatar moves into full mount!
Naranbaatar controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Naranbaatar definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Johnson tries to reverse the position but Naranbaatar maintains control.
Johnson wants to control but Naranbaatar is having none of it.
Naranbaatar trying to control but Johnson is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Naranbaatar content just to control the position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Naranbaatar trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tarkhan Naranbaatar dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tarkhan Naranbaatar's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Johnson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Naranbaatar under the eye.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Naranbaatar.
Johnson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Naranbaatar ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Naranbaatar shoots for a double leg takedown but Johnson sprawls well. He's pushed Naranbaatar's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson digs a good hook to Naranbaatar's body.
Johnson misses with a hook
and Naranbaatar counters with a two punch combo.
Tarkhan Naranbaatar is winning the standup battle so far.
Naranbaatar thumps Johnson with a low kick.
Naranbaatar fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Naranbaatar throws an off balance right hand
and Johnson counters with a left to the body.
Naranbaatar throws a nice looking combination but Johnson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A countering left hand to the body from Johnson misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Naranbaatar displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
Naranbaatar swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.
Naranbaatar misses with a looping left.
A good leg kick by Naranbaatar.
Johnson cracks Naranbaatar with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Johnson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Naranbaatar missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Naranbaatar throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Johnson's waist but Johnson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Naranbaatar off to one side.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Naranbaatar can pounce on him.
Naranbaatar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Naranbaatar is looking to counter punch.
Johnson stuns Naranbaatar with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice body kick there by Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Johnson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Naranbaatar throws a body kick that misses.
Naranbaatar swings widly with a right hand
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Naranbaatar.
Johnson scores with a jab.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Naranbaatar can pounce on him.
Naranbaatar misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Naranbaatar swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Naranbaatar scores with a body shot.
Johnson has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Naranbaatar throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Naranbaatar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
Naranbaatar fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Naranbaatar connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Johnson avoids a kick to the body.
Naranbaatar swings widly with a right hand
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Tarkhan Naranbaatar's cut is getting worse.
Tarkhan Naranbaatar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Naranbaatar misses with a low kick as Johnson jumps back.
Johnson wants to counter the offense by Naranbaatar and move into the clinch position.
Naranbaatar throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Naranbaatar throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Johnson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Johnson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Naranbaatar has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tarkhan Naranbaatar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson lands a jab.
Johnson moves out of range of the leg kick from Naranbaatar.
Johnson scores with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar throws a half hearted mid kick.
Johnson throws out a counter right but Naranbaatar avoids it with no problem.
Johnson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Naranbaatar blocks a head kick by Johnson.
DeShawn Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Naranbaatar misses with a leg kick.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Naranbaatar cracks Johnson with an open hand slap.
Johnson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Naranbaatar throws a nice inside leg kick.
A low kick from Naranbaatar is predictable there
and Johnson counters with a left to the body.
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Naranbaatar.
Johnson unleashes a big counter combination but Naranbaatar bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

DeShawn Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tarkhan Naranbaatar's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Naranbaatar throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Naranbaatar dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Naranbaatar was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Naranbaatar throws an off balance right hand

and Johnson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Naranbaatar throws a punch but it's blocked by Johnson.
Naranbaatar misses with some punches.
Good body shot from Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naranbaatar misses with a punch to the body.
A short left from Johnson.

Naranbaatar is trying to trip Johnson. He has hold of a leg but Johnson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Naranbaatar persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Naranbaatar wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Naranbaatar sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naranbaatar wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson can't keep his opponent in guard - Naranbaatar advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Naranbaatar stalling away here and it's allowed Johnson to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

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.
Naranbaatar trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Naranbaatar pushing down on Johnson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Naranbaatar prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Naranbaatar is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.
Naranbaatar with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Johnson trying to hold on to Naranbaatar's head to control him but Naranbaatar postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naranbaatar keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Naranbaatar'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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Naranbaatar tries to land a front kick but Johnson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Johnson thuds a left hand into Naranbaatar's body.
Naranbaatar fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johnson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Johnson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Naranbaatar at a distance.
A solid body kick from Naranbaatar.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Naranbaatar moves away.
Naranbaatar shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Naranbaatar's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A nice side step and Johnson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Naranbaatar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a hook to the body
and Naranbaatar counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Johnson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A shot to the body from Johnson misses
and Naranbaatar counters with an outside leg kick.
Johnson moves forwards but Naranbaatar connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
A quick step to the side and Naranbaatar tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Good leg kick by Johnson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Naranbaatar scores with a decent looking hook.
Naranbaatar throws a solid leg kick but Johnson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Naranbaatar.
Naranbaatar throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Naranbaatar stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Naranbaatar was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tarkhan Naranbaatar.
I think Naranbaatar 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tarkhan Naranbaatar!
Tarkhan Naranbaatar seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.