PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karim Johnson (ranked 2 p4p, 40 weight class) and Zahbit Lovanov (ranked 1 p4p, 3 weight class). Johnson's entrance music is Don't say nuthin'. A fine choice. Karim Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Lovanov

195 cm
31
270
29 - 6 - 0

199 cm
26
265
18 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

PWNAGEâ„¢
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Karim Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zahbit Lovanov!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Chris Edwards and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Lovanov. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice combination there by Lovanov.
Lovanov dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Johnson swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Lovanov to counter with a crisp jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Johnson.
Johnson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lovanov.
Johnson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Lovanov throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Lovanov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lovanov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Karim Johnson has been cut.
Lovanov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Lovanov scores with a jab. Johnson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Johnson throws a sloppy body shot
and Lovanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Lovanov's shoulder, as Lovanov tries to avoid the shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
Lovanov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lovanov misses with a hook
and Lovanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Johnson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lovanov on the side of the head.
Johnson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Lovanov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson misses with a right hand
and Lovanov counters with a left to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Lovanov on that attempt.
Lovanov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Johnson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Johnson lunges at Lovanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lovanov's hand.
Lovanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johnson.
Karim Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lovanov misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson throws a lazy uppercut
and Lovanov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lovanov cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.
Lovanov blocks a jab.
Johnson moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson swinging wildly here.
Lovanov lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Lovanov counters with a nice uppercut.
Johnson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lovanov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Johnson lands with a good body shot.
Lovanov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Johnson's hands.
Johnson lands with a shot to the body.
Johnson throws the left hand but Lovanov avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Johnson misses
and Lovanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice uppercut there from Lovanov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lovanov misses with a looping right.
Lovanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a leg kick
and Lovanov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Johnson thinking.
Lovanov throws a combination that misses

and Johnson counters with a crisp one two that drops Lovanov! Johnson thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Lovanov to his feet! Lovanov is in big trouble!
Lovanov scores with a hook to the body. Johnson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lovanov shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zahbit Lovanov dominated that 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.

Lovanov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A counter left hand to the body from Johnson misses its target.
Lovanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lovanov swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
It looked like Johnson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Johnson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Lovanov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A big left from Lovanov misses.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Lovanov is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson slips a jab from Lovanov.
Lovanov misses with a two punch combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lovanov. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lovanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Johnson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lovanov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Johnson on the side of the head.
Johnson walks into a straight right hand from Lovanov.
A slow jab from Lovanov misses its intended target.

Johnson ducks straight into an uppercut from Lovanov and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Johnson manages to regain guard straight away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lovanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lovanov postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lovanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lovanov throwing strikes but missing.
Lovanov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Lovanov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lovanov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Johnson controlling the position.
Lovanov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lovanov wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Lovanov stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lovanov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lovanov controls the pace.
Lovanov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lovanov chips away with some ground and pound.
Lovanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lovanov postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Lovanov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Johnson is on top in guard.

Lovanov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Johnson defends well.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Lovanov keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lovanov managing to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lovanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.

Johnson seems keen to control Lovanov's posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lovanov wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lovanov with a nice head shot there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zahbit Lovanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Karim Johnson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Johnson moves out of range as Lovanov strikes.
Lovanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Lovanov.
It looked like Johnson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Lovanov.
Lovanov throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Johnson thinks about countering with a body kick.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lovanov.
Johnson scores with a jab.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lovanov misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Lovanov's shoulder, as Lovanov tries to avoid the shot.
Lovanov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Johnson misses with a left hand
and Lovanov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lovanov stuns Johnson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Johnson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lovanov.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lovanov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lovanov lands a nice looking body shot.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Lovanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lovanov swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lovanov slips under a jab.
A big left from Lovanov misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lovanov. Johnson does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson stuns Lovanov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lovanov slips under a jab.
Johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Johnson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lovanov finds it's way round the side to connect with Johnson's head.
Johnson slips under a jab from Lovanov.
A little feinted left hand from Johnson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lovanov misses the body punch
and Lovanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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.
Lovanov shoots for a takedown but Johnson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lovanov misses with a right hand
and Johnson counters with an outside leg kick.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lovanov manages to avoid it.
Lovanov throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Lovanov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A left lands for Johnson.
Johnson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Lovanov counters with a straight right hand.
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Lovanov drives through with a takedown into Johnson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Lovanov from controlling successfully.
Johnson is trying to keep Lovanov in close.
Lovanov throwing strikes from guard but Johnson blocks nicely.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Lovanov slips an elbow through the middle.
Lovanov won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.
Lovanov passes Johnson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zahbit Lovanov really dominated that 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.

Johnson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice shot lands for Lovanov.
Johnson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lovanov.
Johnson moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Lovanov's head but Lovanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lovanov.
Lovanov throws the left hand but Johnson avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lovanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Johnson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Johnson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lovanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lovanov misses with a low kick.
Johnson thinks about countering with a head kick.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lovanov.
Lovanov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Lovanov swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Lovanov misses with a hook. Johnson ducked under it nicely.
Lovanov digs a good body shot into Johnson's ribs.
Johnson misses with a body shot
enabling Lovanov to counter with a crisp jab.
Johnson lands a nice shot that snaps Lovanov's head back.
Johnson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lovanov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lovanov throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson is looking to counter punch.
Lovanov slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
A punch lands to the side of Johnson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Johnson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zahbit Lovanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson throws a body punch but Lovanov moves out of range.
Johnson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Lovanov to score with a decent uppercut.
Lovanov misses with a low kick.
Johnson with a nice cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lovanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A counter left hand to the body from Johnson misses its target.
Lovanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Lovanov misses with an uppercut.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lovanov will feel that in the morning.
Lovanov misses with a lunging right hand
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.
Lovanov lands a jab to the nose.
A combination from Lovanov does no damage.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lovanov.
Zahbit Lovanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lovanov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Johnson tries to sprawl but Lovanov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Lovanov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
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 keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Lovanov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson trying to hold on to Lovanov's head to control him but Lovanov postures up.
Lovanov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zahbit Lovanov dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Karim Johnson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lovanov throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
An attempted straight right counter from Johnson misses the target.
Lovanov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lovanov's corner calls for a 1-2. Lovanov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Johnson there.
Lovanov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson dips to his left and cracks Lovanov with an uppercut!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lovanov throws a body shot but no joy.
Lovanov throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Johnson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big right from Lovanov misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lovanov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lovanov throws a counter combo.
Lovanov misses with a hook to the body
and Johnson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Lovanov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Lovanov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Johnson's head backwards.
Lovanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Johnson misses with a shot to the body
and Lovanov counters with a nice uppercut.
Lovanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Lovanov lands with a shot to the body.
Lovanov misses with a lunging right hand
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lovanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Johnson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Karim Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lovanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lovanov misses with a hook to the body
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Johnson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
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 Lovanov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Lovanov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lovanov throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Lovanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Lovanov slips the punch.
Lovanov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Johnson defends well and Lovanov ends up having to push Johnson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Johnson throws a hook but Lovanov blocks it.
Lovanov throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Lovanov's shoulder, as Lovanov tries to avoid the shot.
Lovanov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lovanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Lovanov misses its intended target.
Johnson appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Johnson throws a body punch but Lovanov moves out of range.
Lovanov looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson misses with a body shot
and Lovanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lovanov cracks Johnson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
A telegraphed right hand from Lovanov misses the target.
An attempted straight right counter from Johnson misses the target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lovanov misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson thinks about countering with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Karim Johnson.
Well Lovanov 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 46:49
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zahbit Lovanov!
Zahbit Lovanov is the new super heavyweight champion!
Our winner, Zahbit Lovanov, 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.