PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Fleece Johnson (ranked 15919 p4p, 3525 weight class) and Samran Darweshi (ranked 606 p4p, 434 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Darweshi

200 cm
40
185
37 - 20 - 1

193 cm
34
188
17 - 9 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Granite chin

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Fleece Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Samran Darweshi!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Johnson looks to land a combination but Darweshi avoids it well.
Darweshi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Darweshi lunges at Johnson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Johnson's hand.
Darweshi takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Johnson has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Hey Steves Fight Shack in the buildup to the fight.
A nice inside leg kick there by Darweshi. That's going to slow Johnson down.
A shot to the liver by Darweshi. Beautiful body shot.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
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.
Darweshi scores with a decent looking hook.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've been informed that Darweshi 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Darweshi with a nice calf kick.
Darweshi lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.

Johnson throws out a head kick that Darweshi doesn't see coming - it connects and sends Darweshi crashing to the mat face first! He's bounced up to his knees and is scrambling to get back to his feet and beat the count. He's up on 5 but still looks a bit groggy; will the referee allow it to continue??? He's taking a good look into Darweshi's eyes and has decided to let it go on!

It looks like Samran Darweshi has been cut.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Darweshi was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Darweshi throws a leg kick which misses Johnson's front leg but catches the back leg as Johnson tries to avoid it.
Darweshi connects with a single shot there.
Darweshi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Darweshi moves out of range as Johnson strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darweshi misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Darweshi misses with a left hand
and Johnson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Darweshi.
Darweshi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Darweshi moves out of range of the strikes.
Darweshi throws a lazy uppercut
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson blocks a jab.
Darweshi throws an off balance right hand
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson moves out of range as Darweshi strikes.
Darweshi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Darweshi.
A quick step to the side and Johnson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Darweshi's head back.
Johnson misses with a jab to the body
and Darweshi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson walks into a left hand.
Johnson lands with a nice body punch.
Darweshi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Darweshi moved out of range.
Darweshi scores with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darweshi throws a leg kick but Johnson moved away.
Darweshi misses with a hook to the body
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Darweshi checks the leg kick.
Darweshi connects with a looping right hand.
Darweshi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Darweshi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Johnson. That did some damage!

Johnson connects with a beautiful left hand that drops Darweshi onto his butt! Darweshi bounces straight back up though - he's OK. After the ref checks him out, we're back to the action.
A good leg kick by Darweshi.
Darweshi looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Darweshi moves away.
Darweshi staying out of range there.
Darweshi moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Johnson drops his hands momentarily and Darweshi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Darweshi feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down.
Johnson slips under a jab.
Good leg kick by Darweshi.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Darweshi to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fleece Johnson takes that one as he scored multiple knockdowns. Samran Darweshi was lucky to get out of the first round.
The cut man is working on Samran Darweshi's cut.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Darweshi lands a leg kick that knocks Johnson off balance momentarily.
Darweshi lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.
Johnson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Darweshi. Darweshi obviously looking to wear him down.
Johnson slips a straight right by Darweshi.
Darweshi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Johnson half committed to a counter leg kick.
Darweshi misses with an uppercut
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A punch lands to the side of Johnson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Darweshi down.
Johnson throws a hook but Darweshi avoids it easily.
Johnson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Darweshi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Johnson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Darweshi.
Johnson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Darweshi. Darweshi obviously looking to wear him down.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Darweshi scores with a jab to the head.
Darweshi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Johnson misses with the body kick
and Darweshi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Darweshi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Johnson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Johnson.
Darweshi connects with a nice looking jab.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Darweshi throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Darweshi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Johnson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Darweshi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Darweshi throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Darweshi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Darweshi lands a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Darweshi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Johnson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A shot to the liver by Darweshi. Beautiful body shot.
Darweshi takes a swing at Johnson's ribcage but misses.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Darweshi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Johnson's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darweshi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Johnson moves forwards but Darweshi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johnson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Darweshi scores with a leg kick.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Darweshi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Johnson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A jab from Darweshi finds it's way through Johnson's defenses.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Darweshi is looking to land body kicks.
A little feinted left hand from Johnson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but Darweshi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice straight punches there by Darweshi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Darweshi.
Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Darweshi.
Samran Darweshi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Darweshi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samran Darweshi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Samran Darweshi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Johnson with a nice cross.
Darweshi connects with a solid leg kick.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darweshi.
Darweshi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Darweshi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Darweshi is just out of range.
Darweshi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Darweshi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johnson.
A slapping leg kick lands for Darweshi.
The fighters circle momentarily. Darweshi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
An inside leg kick lands from Darweshi.
Darweshi thumps Johnson with a low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters circling - Darweshi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Darweshi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Darweshi is just out of range.
Darweshi let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Johnson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Darweshi.
Samran Darweshi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson scores with a decent looking hook.
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
Nice body kick there by Darweshi.
Darweshi is looking to slow Johnson down with leg kicks.
Darweshi throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Donk. Darweshi catches Johnson right on the button with a cross.
Darweshi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Johnson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Darweshi has time to react.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson misses with a wild combination.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Darweshi jabs Johnson to the body, keeping him 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!
Darweshi slips under a jab.
A nice leg kick from Darweshi, right into the meat of the thigh.
Darweshi swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson walks forward, straight into a front kick from Darweshi.
Darweshi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johnson on the side of the head.
Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Darweshi.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Darweshi.
Darweshi misses with a body kick.
Darweshi throws a one two combo.
A telegraphed right hand from Darweshi misses the target.
Johnson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Darweshi! But no joy.
Darweshi moves away from the strike by Johnson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Darweshi! But no joy.
Darweshi throws a leg kick which misses Johnson's front leg but catches the back leg as Johnson tries to avoid it.
Darweshi moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Johnson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Darweshi throws a chopping leg kick but Johnson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Darweshi moves away.
Darweshi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
Darweshi scores with a sloppy right hand. Johnson should have avoided that one.
Darweshi tries to move into range but Johnson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samran Darweshi really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Samran Darweshi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A big left from Johnson misses.
Darweshi misses with a lunging right hand
and Johnson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Johnson takes a swing at Darweshi's ribcage but misses.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Darweshi moved out of range nicely.
Darweshi cracks Johnson with an open hand slap.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Darweshi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Johnson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A shot to the liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Darweshi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johnson doesn't seem bothered though.
Darweshi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Darweshi lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Darweshi.
Darweshi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A low kick lands for Darweshi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darweshi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Darweshi scores with a jab to the body.
Darweshi throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Johnson is looking for a counter combo.
A thudding body kick lands there by Johnson!
Darweshi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Darweshi only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Darweshi throws a leg kick
and Johnson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Johnson is looking to score with low kicks.
Darweshi looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Darweshi cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Darweshi defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Darweshi throws a counter combo.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab by Johnson.
Darweshi jabs Johnson right on the nose. Johnson blinks but takes it well.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Darweshi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 scores with a jab to the body.
Darweshi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nice defenses there by Darweshi.
Darweshi misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Darweshi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Darweshi is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Darweshi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Darweshi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Johnson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.
Darweshi scores with a hook to the body. Johnson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Darweshi lands the left hand.
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Darweshi finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Darweshi dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darweshi.
Darweshi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Samran Darweshi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Samran Darweshi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Johnson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fleece Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson tries to bum rush Darweshi with a series of wild strikes but Darweshi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Darweshi lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A slapping leg kick lands for Darweshi.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Darweshi, as that shot connected.
Darweshi cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Johnson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Darweshi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Johnson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Darweshi doesn't seem bothered though.
Darweshi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Darweshi thows a body kick. Johnson tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Darweshi swings widly with a right hand
and Johnson counters with a nice body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Darweshi throws out a loose jab but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Good work by Darweshi as he checks the leg kick.
Darweshi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Darweshi.
Darweshi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Darweshi on the side of the head.
Nice defenses there by Darweshi.
Darweshi slips under a jab from Johnson.
Darweshi misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Darweshi scores with the left hand. Johnson knows he should have avoided that one.
Johnson misses with a double jab
and Johnson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Darweshi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Darweshi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Darweshi.
Darweshi misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming.
Johnson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Darweshi connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson moves forwards but Darweshi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson walks into a stiff left hand from Darweshi.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Darweshi checks the leg kick.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Darweshi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Darweshi works Johnson's body with a nice hook.
Darweshi throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Darweshi throws a body shot but no joy.
Darweshi thuds his right hand into Johnson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters circle momentarily. Darweshi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Samran Darweshi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Johnson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Darweshi.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samran Darweshi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Darweshi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 46:47
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 46:47
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 46:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samran Darweshi!
During a confident post fight interview, Samran Darweshi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.