PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karim Johnson (ranked 4297 p4p, 5425 weight class) and Stipe Velasquez (ranked 427 p4p, 473 weight class). Johnson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Don't say nuthin'. Velasquez has chosen Gaining Momentum by MC Hammer as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Velasquez

195 cm
22
270
3 - 1 - 0

187 cm
33
240
10 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Karim Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stipe Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paulsen Ambrosius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Velasquez manages to avoid it.
We've been informed that Velasquez has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Johnson wants to land a leg kick but Velasquez is out of range.
Johnson wants to land a leg kick but Velasquez is out of range.
Johnson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Johnson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Velasquez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Velasquez lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Velasquez is looking to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Johnson misses the target.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Johnson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Velasquez has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Velasquez and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Velasquez fails to land with a series of punches.
Velasquez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Johnson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Velasquez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Dr Hatsumi's Clinic in the buildup to the fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Velasquez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Velasquez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Johnson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson is looking to counter with a body kick.
Velasquez with a hook.
Velasquez lands a jab-cross combination.
Velasquez tries to clinch
and Johnson counters with a left to the body.
Velasquez tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson cracks a nice hook into Velasquez's ribs.

Velasquez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
Johnson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson is positioning himself well to prevent Velasquez advancing to mount.
Johnson trying to hold on to Velasquez's head to control him but Velasquez postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is controlling Velasquez's trapped leg to prevent Velasquez from advancing to side control.

Velasquez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Johnson tries to roll over but Velasquez keeps him under control.

Velasquez is looking for a kimura here.
Johnson is controlling Velasquez's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Velasquez looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Velasquez is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is doing well to control the position and prevent Velasquez from advancing to side control.
Johnson misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Velasquez is trying to work for a kimura but Johnson is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnson trying to get back to full guard but Velasquez takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Velasquez with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

Velasquez working for a submission but Johnson is keeping him at bay.
Velasquez tries to push Johnson's head away but Johnson is holding on tight.
Johnson working to try and regain half guard.

Velasquez looking for a guillotine from mount but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Velasquez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Velasquez lands in his opponent's guard.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Velasquez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson pulls Velasquez in to control the position.

Velasquez has gone for a leg lock! Johnson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Velasquez's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Velasquez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Johnson controlling the position.
Johnson trying to control the position.
Velasquez slips nicely into half guard.

Velasquez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Johnson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Velasquez.
Johnson trying to hold on to Velasquez's head to control him but Velasquez postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Johnson is holding on to half guard well.

Velasquez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johnson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Johnson is trying to get back to full guard.

Johnson is defending against the submission attempts here by Velasquez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez is looking for a kimura but Johnson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Velasquez to get the leverage.
Velasquez tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.
Johnson trying to control here.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.

Velasquez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johnson has managed to free his arm - good work.

Velasquez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Velasquez passes to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to improve his position but Velasquez isn't that keen on the idea.

Velasquez goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Johnson turns into him and now he's in Velasquez's guard.

Velasquez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stipe Velasquez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
A good leg kick by Johnson.
Velasquez misses with a wild combination.
Velasquez tries to clinch up.
Velasquez throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Velasquez walks into a left hand.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Johnson.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Velasquez is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Velasquez moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
Velasquez misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Velasquez's head.
Velasquez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Velasquez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Velasquez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Velasquez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson counters with a nice body shot.
Johnson throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Johnson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Johnson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Velasquez has time to react.
A nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat of the thigh.
Velasquez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Johnson lands an uppercut out of nowhere! Velasquez falls backwards - clearly groggy! Johnson dives in and finishes the fight with more strikes for a TKO finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Karim Johnson!
Our winner, Karim Johnson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.