PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Babul Abubalib (ranked 25505 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Johnson (ranked 6771 p4p, 0 weight class). Babul Abubalib has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Abubalib
vs
Johnson

200 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Babul Abubalib!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joey Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Eddie Farnsworth and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Abubalib looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Abubalib.
Johnson has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Abubalib fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd cheers as Johnson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Abubalib doesn't seem phased though.
Abubalib takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abubalib dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Johnson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Abubalib avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Abubalib as he avoids it easily.
Abubalib tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
As Abubalib backs off Johnson throws a huge counter combo but Abubalib manages to avoid it all.
Johnson scores with a jab.
Abubalib slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Babul Abubalib has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Johnson.

Abubalib darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
Johnson gets underhooks to prevent Abubalib's takedown attempt.
Abubalib has been working on his balance at Dream Big Academy, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Johnson.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abubalib keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Johnson's efforts to push away.
Johnson wants to take the fight to the mat but Abubalib manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Abubalib tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Abubalib is controlling him.

Abubalib pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Abubalib shows good takedown defense.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Abubalib avoids it well.

Abubalib gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Johnson to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abubalib is working an open guard so Johnson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson works over Abubalib's head and body with a nice combination.
Abubalib avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Abubalib sprawls well.
Abubalib tries to clinch up.
Johnson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Abubalib shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson is looking for the big counter here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
Abubalib attempts a counter takedown but Johnson avoids it well and moves away.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johnson lands a right hook to the body.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Abubalib avoids nicely.
Johnson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
Abubalib is looking for a counter combo.
Abubalib slaps away a takedown attempt from Johnson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Johnson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Abubalib throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Johnson lands with a cross.
Johnson thuds a left hand into Abubalib's body.
No joy there for Abubalib, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johnson throws a counter combo.
Abubalib takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Abubalib takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes from Johnson. Those never looked like landing.
Babul Abubalib is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Abubalib as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Abubalib closes the distance but Johnson moves to the side
and Johnson counters with a one-two to the body.
Abubalib takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a double jab.
Abubalib checks a leg kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to bum rush Abubalib with a series of wild strikes but Abubalib uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Abubalib fails with an attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Joey Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abubalib fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Abubalib shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Abubalib.
Abubalib avoids a kick to the body.
Johnson throws a front kick aimed at Abubalib's knee but Abubalib avoids it well.
Abubalib slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a right hand that Abubalib ducks under and follows up with a left that Abubalib also avoids with ease.
Abubalib dives in and grabs Johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes down on Abubalib's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Babul Abubalib. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice straight punches there by Johnson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Johnson.
Abubalib throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson stalks Abubalib and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Abubalib's face. Abubalib staggers backwards, shaken.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Babul Abubalib seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Abubalib, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Abubalib against the cage but Abubalib circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Johnson shoots for a double leg takedown but Abubalib sprawls well. He's pushed Johnson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Abubalib shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson moves away from the strike by Abubalib.
Johnson throws out a counter right but Abubalib avoids it with no problem.
Johnson throws a leg kick
and Abubalib counters with a head kick.
Sloppy strikes from Johnson. Those never looked like landing.
Abubalib fires out a quick counter leg kick but Johnson just manages to avoid it.
Johnson throws a push kick but Abubalib slaps the foot to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Babul Abubalib has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Johnson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson misses with a double jab.
Left hook, right uppercut from Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Abubalib has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson counters with a left and a right that stings Abubalib.
Abubalib closes this distance looking for a takedown but Johnson circles away.
As Abubalib backs off Johnson throws a huge counter combo but Abubalib manages to avoid it all.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Abubalib shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Johnson with a hook.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Johnson counters with a series of strikes. Abubalib will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abubalib stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Abubalib wants it to stay on the feet.
Abubalib tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnson throws a counter combo.
Abubalib moves to clinch but Johnson breaks away
and Johnson counters with a series of strikes. Abubalib will be more careful next time no doubt.
Abubalib darts in looking for a takedown but Johnson gets double underhooks and turns Abubalib into the cage.
Johnson looks to land a combination. Abubalib sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Abubalib tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson lands a jab to Abubalib's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
As Johnson looks to move away, Abubalib throws a big counter combo but Johnson just gets out of the way.
Johnson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Abubalib moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Abubalib drops down looking for a counter takedown but Johnson sprawls and moves away.
Abubalib dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Johnson shoots in for a double leg but Abubalib sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Abubalib avoids it well.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Abubalib wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Danga de danga de dang - Johnson scores with a four punch combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abubalib shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Abubalib manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Abubalib went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Abubalib lands a nice looking body kick.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Abubalib fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Johnson!
A relieved looking Joey Johnson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.