PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Johnston (ranked 4130 p4p, 344 weight class) and Zibi Kaufer (ranked 4029 p4p, 339 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Johnston
vs
Kaufer

170 cm
25
153 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

155 cm
25
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Johnston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zibi Kaufer!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaufer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kaufer scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Kaufer clinches up with Johnston and pushes him back against the cage.
Kaufer can't get the takedown.

Johnston has picked Kaufer up - he's going for a ride! Johnston dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Kaufer manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Johnston keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Johnston is trying to pull guard but Kaufer turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Johnston jumps guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaufer passes Johnston's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kaufer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Johnston is defending against the submission attempts here by Kaufer.
Kaufer controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Kaufer might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Johnston is looking to escape.

Kaufer decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Johnston blocks a head kick by Kaufer.

Johnston bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kaufer bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnston looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Kaufer has one foot on Johnston's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnston connects with a leg kick. Kaufer looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kaufer fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnston avoids it really well and circles away.
John Johnston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zibi Kaufer.
No luck for Kaufer with that takedown attempt.

Johnston tries to keep at a distance but Kaufer has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnston escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A nice combination there by Johnston.
Kaufer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnston defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kaufer.
Johnston throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kaufer finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A shot to the liver by Johnston. Beautiful body shot.

Johnston tries to keep at a distance but Kaufer has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johnston has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kaufer after a bit of a struggle.
Johnston jumps guard but Kaufer stands there with Johnston around his waist. Johnston gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnston tries to pull guard but Kaufer won't allow it.

Johnston manages to break the clinch.
Johnston fails with an attempt to clinch.

Kaufer gets tackled into the cage by Johnston. Johnston maintains the clinch.
Kaufer tries to pull guard but Johnston holds him up against the cage and eventually Kaufer drops back down to his feet.
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!
Johnston is looking for a takedown.

Johnston escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kaufer darts in looking for a takedown but Johnston gets double underhooks and turns Kaufer into the cage.
Johnston lands a high kick!
Johnston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zibi Kaufer will probably get the nod.
That's time! Johnston's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnston gets a takedown into half guard.
Johnston controlling the action here.
Kaufer is looking to control Johnston's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kaufer avoid being mounted?
Kaufer pushes Johnston off looking to stand but Johnston dives back in and keeps control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kaufer is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnston pulls his head out easily.
Kaufer has his hands clasped together around Johnston's back. He's all about the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnston stands up and beckons Kaufer to join him on the feet.
Johnston throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kaufer's waist but Kaufer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Johnston off to one side.

Johnston bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kaufer throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
John Johnston is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnston stuffs the takedown attempt from Kaufer. Kaufer gets slowly back to his feet.
Kaufer shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnston defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnston throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A nice side step and Kaufer releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Johnston shoots in but no luck this time.
And Kaufer tries to counter it with a takedown but Johnston pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Some wild striking there from Johnston.

Kaufer rushes Johnston and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Johnston tries to pull guard but Kaufer won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Johnston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaufer is pressed up against the cage. Johnston has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kaufer down to the mat. Kaufer avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Johnston keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnston stuffs the takedown attempt from Kaufer. Kaufer gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kaufer closes the distance and pushes Johnston back into the cage.

Johnston has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kaufer uses from the top position.
Kaufer advances to half guard.

Kaufer is looking for a kimura here.
Johnston wants to get back to full guard.
Johnston knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kaufer on the ground.

Kaufer stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Johnston to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnston shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kaufer defends it nicely.
Kaufer looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kaufer just misses with a punch to the body.
Kaufer fails with an attempt to clinch.

Johnston shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kaufer is trying to defend but Johnston finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Kaufer manages to escape and get back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnston shoots for a takedown but Kaufer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnston is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zibi Kaufer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kaufer shoots in for a takedown but Johnston shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kaufer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnston.
Kaufer is looking for the big counter here.
Johnston tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kaufer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnston closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kaufer circles away.
John Johnston is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kaufer gets tackled into the cage by Johnston. Johnston maintains the clinch.

Johnston pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnston is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnston swats away the attempt to clinch by Kaufer.
Kaufer is looking to clinch.
Johnston closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kaufer circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kaufer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kaufer! But no joy.
Johnston cracks the inside of Kaufer's front leg.
Kaufer tries for a takedown but Johnston sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kaufer fails to land the takedown.
John Johnston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zibi Kaufer.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kaufer is defended easily by Johnston.
Johnston fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kaufer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Johnston fails with the takedown
enabling Kaufer to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Johnston or perhaps it was just good defense by Kaufer, which made it look bad.
Kaufer lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnston misses with a head kick.
Johnston swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kaufer.
Johnston misses with a body shot.
Kaufer avoids the body shot from Johnston.
Johnston with a poor takedown
letting Kaufer counter with a right hand.
Kaufer thows a leg kick but Johnston checks it
and Johnston counters with a leg kick.
Johnston lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kaufer at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnston shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kaufer as he avoids it easily.
Kaufer closes the distance and clinches up with Johnston, looking for a takedown. Kaufer pushes Johnston against the cage but Johnston circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaufer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johnston is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A jab from Johnston misses.
Johnston darts in trying to clinch
and Kaufer counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Kaufer rushes Johnston and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kaufer goes for a takedown attempt but Johnston pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kaufer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnston seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaufer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnston.
Kaufer keeps the fight on the outside.
Kaufer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnston pinned against the cage. Johnston gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnston swinging wildly here.
Johnston fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnston paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Johnston showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kaufer has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zibi Kaufer!