PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ray Johnson (ranked 6072 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rapsputin Cherno (ranked 5367 p4p, 411 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by We Don't Play. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnson
vs
Cherno

194 cm
21
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
264 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Dr. Dogood (160 quality for $135)

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ray Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rapsputin Cherno!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson lands with a cross.

It looks like Rapsputin Cherno has been cut.

Johnson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Cherno!
Johnson throws an elbow but Cherno slips to the side and avoids it well.
Johnson working the ground and pound.
Cherno can't do much from the bottom here.
Cherno manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Johnson has hold of Cherno's hands but Cherno slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Johnson tries to kick Cherno off but Cherno keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cherno stalling.
Cherno has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cherno looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cherno thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Johnson's head.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but Cherno is controlling him
Cherno trying to control the pace.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cherno on the ground.
Cherno trying to pass the guard but Johnson defending well.
Cherno working the head and body with strikes.
Cherno controlling the action here.
Johnson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cherno not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cherno is looking to advance position but Johnson won't allow it.
Cherno controlling the pace.
Cherno trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cherno steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Cherno moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Cherno lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Johnson connects with a right hand. Cherno shakes it off.
Johnson lands a jab.

Johnson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Cherno blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Cherno keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Johnson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cherno defending well though.
Cherno controlling the position for now.
Johnson is trying to control. Cherno wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cherno blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnson.
Cherno gets full guard.
Cherno wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.

Johnson has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Cherno to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Johnson is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Cherno pulls down on the head and he's put Johnson to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rapsputin Cherno!
Ray Johnson was interviewed post fight and said 'It was his night. I'll be back.'.