PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karim Johnson (ranked 1286 p4p, 570 weight class) and Grant Alyoshin (ranked 149 p4p, 77 weight class). Johnson comes into the arena with Don't say nuthin' blaring out of the sound system. Alyoshin has chosen Video killed the radio star as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Johnson
vs
Alyoshin

195 cm
23
270
6 - 1 - 0

200 cm
27
265
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Core Combat

Voodoo Nutrition
Shadow Warrior Nutrition

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 6 - 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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Grant Alyoshin!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Mauricio Rocha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Alyoshin.
Alyoshin catches Johnson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

It looks like Karim Johnson has been cut.
Alyoshin misses the shot to the body.
Johnson throwing a counter right hand but Alyoshin manages to avoid it.
Alyoshin moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alyoshin moves away.
Alyoshin lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Johnson misses with the body kick
and Alyoshin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson checks a leg kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Johnson duly obliges.
Alyoshin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Johnson sets himself, and Alyoshin steps forward looking for the clinch! Johnson avoids it this time.
Johnson drops his hands momentarily and Alyoshin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alyoshin's jab looks to have found its range, popping Johnson under the eye.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Alyoshin listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Johnson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Alyoshin under the eye.
Johnson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Alyoshin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Johnson scores with a nice right hand.
Johnson thumps Alyoshin with a low kick.
Alyoshin misses with an uppercut
and Johnson counters with a nice body shot.
Johnson lands with a hook. Alyoshin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Alyoshin.
Johnson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Alyoshin. Alyoshin circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Alyoshin connects with an inside leg kick.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Alyoshin's head but Alyoshin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Alyoshin takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Johnson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Johnson fires out a quick counter leg kick but Alyoshin just manages to avoid it.
Alyoshin sizes up Johnson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Johnson lands a slapping body shot.
Alyoshin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Alyoshin scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a hook but Alyoshin avoids it easily.
Alyoshin misses with a hook.
Alyoshin throws a leg kick but Johnson moved away.
Johnson misses with an uppercut
enabling Alyoshin to counter with a crisp jab.
A jab from Alyoshin misses.
Alyoshin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat of the thigh.
Alyoshin tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
Johnson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Johnson throws a chopping leg kick but Alyoshin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Johnson looks for the body kick but Alyoshin saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alyoshin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Alyoshin slips under a jab from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Alyoshin feints a counter leg kick.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Alyoshin moved away.
Alyoshin swings widly with a right hand
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alyoshin misses the jab.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Alyoshin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Alyoshin is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Johnson with a body shot.
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

A clash of legs there as Johnson blocks the low kick.
Johnson connects with a leg kick.
Alyoshin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Alyoshin blocks a leg kick.
Alyoshin throws out a counter right but Johnson avoids it with no problem.
Johnson blocks a low kick nicely.
Johnson is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alyoshin tries to clinch up.
Johnson misses with a lunging right hand
and Alyoshin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Alyoshin tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson throws a push kick but Alyoshin slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alyoshin chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Johnson slips a straight right by Alyoshin.
Johnson throws the kick towards the body but Alyoshin avoids it.
A little jabbing left from Alyoshin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Alyoshin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alyoshin moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Johnson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Alyoshin has closed the distance and engaged Johnson in a clinch.
Johnson tries to work over Alyoshin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A hook to the body from Johnson.
Alyoshin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Johnson.
Alyoshin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Alyoshin is breathing heavily.
Johnson presses Alyoshin against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Johnson scores with a shot to the side of Alyoshin's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alyoshin missing with knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Johnson.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Alyoshin backwards.
Johnson misses with the head strike.
Johnson lands with a light punch inside.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Alyoshin controls the action.
Alyoshin has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Johnson seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Alyoshin can turn it around.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Alyoshin.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson tries a body shot but Alyoshin blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Alyoshin.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Alyoshin avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Alyoshin controls the action.
Johnson lands a body punch in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Johnson.
Karim Johnson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Alyoshin scores with a knee to the head.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson is working Alyoshin over against the cage.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alyoshin can do to turn this around?
Johnson works on Alyoshin's body with a couple of short punches.
Johnson lands an uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.
Johnson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Johnson scores with a shoulder strike.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Johnson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alyoshin is defending well for now.
Johnson lands with a left to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Johnson struggles to land a body shot inside as Alyoshin controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alyoshin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alyoshin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Johnson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A short body shot lands from Johnson as the two fighters clinch.
Johnson scores with a hook to the body.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Alyoshin avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Alyoshin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alyoshin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Alyoshin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Johnson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Alyoshin backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Johnson.
A short right from Johnson on the inside.
Alyoshin prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Alyoshin.
Johnson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Alyoshin backwards.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson lands with a left to the head.
Johnson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Karim Johnson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Karim Johnson's cut.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Johnson swings for the body but Alyoshin moves out of range.
Alyoshin missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Alyoshin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Johnson throws a quick inside leg kick.

Johnson cracks Alyoshin with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Alyoshin looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Johnson finish him?

Alyoshin is rocked!
A nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat of the thigh.
Alyoshin throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Karim Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alyoshin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Johnson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Alyoshin misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Johnson appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Alyoshin misses with a low kick.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Alyoshin slips the punch.
Alyoshin doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Nice jab there from Alyoshin.
Johnson misses with a body kick.
Alyoshin only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Alyoshin is looking to chop away at Johnson's legs.
Alyoshin misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson throwing a counter right hand but Alyoshin manages to avoid it.
Johnson throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alyoshin throws a low kick, looking for Johnson's leg but Johnson calmly moves out of range.
Johnson misses with an uppercut

and Alyoshin counters by moving into the clinch.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Alyoshin.
Alyoshin trying to land knees to the body.
Johnson lands an uppercut.
Alyoshin digs a right hand underneath Johnson's ribcage. Johnson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A hook to the body from Alyoshin.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A short body shot lands from Alyoshin as the two fighters clinch.
A short right from Alyoshin on the inside.
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!
Alyoshin scores with a shot to the side of Johnson's head.
Alyoshin looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Alyoshin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Alyoshin.

Alyoshin drops Johnson with a big knee straight up the middle! Johnson is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
Johnson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Johnson is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alyoshin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jab from Alyoshin.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Alyoshin feints a counter leg kick.
Grant Alyoshin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Alyoshin tries a head kick but it misses.
Alyoshin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Johnson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Johnson gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alyoshin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Alyoshin misses with a leg kick.
Johnson thinks about countering with a body kick.

Alyoshin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A knee to the head by Alyoshin.
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!
Alyoshin connects with a nasty looking knee right to Johnson's face.
Johnson struggles to land a body shot inside as Alyoshin controls his hands.
Alyoshin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Oh Johnson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Alyoshin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Johnson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alyoshin.
Alyoshin lands a hook that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Alyoshin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson struggles to land a body shot inside as Alyoshin controls his hands.
Johnson scores with a shot to the side of Alyoshin's head.
Alyoshin gets through Johnson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Alyoshin avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Grant Alyoshin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28

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