PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Luke Johnson (ranked 3924 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kim Il Sung (ranked 4791 p4p, 231 weight class). Luke Johnson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Johnson
vs
Il Sung

179 cm
25
136 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kim Il Sung!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Il Sung swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Il Sung tries a head kick but it misses.
Il Sung lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
A head kick misses from Il Sung.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Il Sung was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Il Sung throws a right hand that Johnson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johnson also avoids with ease.
A quick step to the side and Johnson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Il Sung throws a lazy uppercut
and Johnson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Il Sung misses with a head kick.
Il Sung throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Il Sung was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Il Sung connects with a high kick.
Il Sung throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Il Sung lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Il Sung manages to avoid it.
Il Sung scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Johnson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Johnson has managed to clinch.
Il Sung looking to stall.
Il Sung tries to stall but Johnson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Il Sung working aggressively here.
Il Sung is looking to control Johnson's arms but Johnson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Il Sung has his back to the cage.
Johnson stalling.
Johnson stalling in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Johnson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Il Sung misses with a punch on the inside.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Il Sung keeps him there for the moment.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Still in the clinch, Johnson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Il Sung is trying to stall.
Johnson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Johnson presses Il Sung against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Il Sung misses with a punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Il Sung is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Il Sung is trying to stall.
Johnson wants to break free but Il Sung has control.
Johnson cracks Il Sung with a nice body shot.
Johnson looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Johnson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A short body shot lands from Johnson as the two fighters clinch.
Johnson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Il Sungs head.
Il Sung tries to stall but Johnson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Johnson slows down the pace here.
Il Sung keeps control of Johnson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The referee is keeping an eye on Johnson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Johnson is trying to force a seperation but Il Sung has the dominant position.
A head punch on the inside from Il Sung fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Il Sung working aggressively here.
Il Sung is looking to control Johnson's arms but Johnson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Il Sung has his back to the cage.
Il Sung tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Il Sung swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Il Sung prevents Johnson from breaking the clinch.
Johnson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Il Sung fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Il Sung is looking to control Johnson's arms but Johnson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Il Sung has his back to the cage.
Johnson wants to break free but Il Sung has control.
Il Sung looking to stall.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Johnson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Johnson lands a hook to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Johnson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Il Sung.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short right from Johnson on the inside.
Johnson controlling the action here for a moment.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Il Sung has double underhooks.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Il Sung wants to stall.
Johnson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Il Sung swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Il Sung fails to pull guard.
Il Sung is trying to pull guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Johnson wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Luke Johnson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Johnson forces Il Sung back against the cage and clinches.
Johnson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Il Sung up against the cage.
Il Sung stalling in the clinch but Johnson improves position.
Johnson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Il Sung misses with the head strike.
Johnson tries to break free but Il Sung pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson is leaning against Il Sung and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Il Sung has double underhooks.
Johnson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Il Sung trying to control the position but instead, Johnson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Il Sung into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Il Sung is trying to maintain a safe position but Johnson gets an underhook and turns Il Sung into the cage.
Il Sung is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Johnson is keeping busy.
Il Sung is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Johnson has denied him.
Il Sung tries to stall but Johnson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kim Il Sung.
Johnson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Il Sung misses its intended target.

Johnson has Il Sung up against the cage in a clinch.
Il Sung trying to stall but Johnson improves his position.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.
A head punch on the inside from Il Sung fails to land.
Il Sung is looking to control Johnson's arms but Johnson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Il Sung has his back to the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Il Sung is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Johnson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Il Sungs head.
Johnson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Il Sung backwards.
A right hand to the body from Johnson.
Johnson works on Il Sung's body with a couple of short punches.
Johnson scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to break free.
A hook to the body from Johnson.
Johnson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Il Sung swings wildly with an uppercut but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Il Sung is trying to stall.
Johnson digs a right hand underneath Il Sung's ribcage. Il Sung let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Il Sung misses with the head strike.
A short uppercut from Johnson.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Il Sung trying to control the position but instead, Johnson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Il Sung into the cage.
Il Sung misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Johnson.
Il Sung is trying to pull guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Johnson lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working hard to break the clinch.
Johnson blocks an uppercut.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Il Sung is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Johnson is keeping busy.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Il Sung tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Il Sung fails to land.
Johnson lands an uppercut.
Luke Johnson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Il Sung misses with some punches.
Johnson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Il Sung taking a breather.
Il Sung has a couple of punches blocked by Johnson.
Il Sung is trying to stall.
Johnson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Il Sung trying to control the position but instead, Johnson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Il Sung into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Johnson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Johnson wants to get back to striking at distance but Il Sung won't allow it.
Il Sung is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Kim Il Sung.
Johnson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Il Sung under the eye.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Johnson duly obliges.
A nice combination there by Johnson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Il Sung gets tackled into the cage by Johnson. Johnson maintains the clinch.
Il Sung is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Il Sung being controlled against the cage.
Il Sung is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Johnson to keep the fight standing.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Il Sung moves away.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Il Sung throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kim Il Sung seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Il Sung tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Il Sung pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Il Sung has time to react.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.
Il Sung plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Johnson pushes Il Sung up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Johnson.
Il Sung is trying to pull guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Johnson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson digs a right hand underneath Il Sung's ribcage. Il Sung let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Johnson presses Il Sung against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Il Sung is trying to pull guard but Johnson has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson lands a shot to the body.
Il Sung looking to stall.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Il Sung lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.

Johnson clinches.
Johnson is trying to force a seperation but Il Sung has the dominant position.
Il Sung trying to stall but Johnson improves his position.
Il Sung is trying to stall.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Il Sung can do to turn this around?
Il Sung misses with a hook from the clinch.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Il Sung has him pressed against the cage.
A hook to the body from Johnson.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as Il Sung tries to tie him up.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Il Sung was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Il Sung tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Il Sung misses with a body punch
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Il Sung cracks Johnson with an open hand slap.
Johnson takes one to the chin there.
Il Sung takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Il Sung catches Johnson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Johnson closes the distance and pushes Il Sung back into the cage.
Johnson tries to break free but Il Sung pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson lands a body shot.
Johnson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Il Sung.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Johnson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Il Sung or not.
Johnson stalling against the cage.
Il Sung stalling in the clinch but Johnson improves position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Il Sung trying to stall but Johnson improves his position.
Il Sung fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson slows down the pace here.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Il Sung tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Il Sung looking to slow down the pace here.
Il Sung tries to stall but Johnson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Il Sung seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Johnson presses Il Sung against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Johnson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Il Sung is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Johnson lands a shot to the body.
Il Sung wants to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson pushes Il Sung back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Johnson pushes Il Sung back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Johnson is leaning against Il Sung and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Il Sung swings wildly with an uppercut but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Il Sung working aggressively here.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.
Johnson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Il Sung.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Il Sung has him pressed against the cage.
Il Sung taking a breather.
Il Sung is trying to stall.
Johnson avoiding damage.
Luke Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Il Sung fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kim Il Sung has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Il Sung throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

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