PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dusty Sleeth (ranked 1050 p4p, 2026 weight class) and Damien Johnson (ranked 149 p4p, 257 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Sleeth
vs
Johnson

180 cm
26
166
5 - 1 - 0

175 cm
26
169
5 - 0 - 1

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dusty Sleeth!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Damien Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sleeth drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sleeth doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sleeth manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sleeth scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Johnson has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Montreal. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Sleeth throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sleeth postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Sleeth got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sleeth has managed to get both his arms back between Johnson's legs - danger averted.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've been hearing good reports from Sleeth's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Sleeth defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sleeth working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Johnson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sleeth doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sleeth manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sleeth trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sleeth's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sleeth is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sleeth defends well.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sleeth is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
Sleeth is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sleeth lands some shots froms side control.
Johnson tries to buck Sleeth off but Sleeth is having none of it.
Sleeth trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Sleeth cracks Johnson with a big right hand but Johnson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

It looks like Damien Johnson has been cut.
Sleeth lands an elbow.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
Johnson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Johnson is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Johnson is still in real trouble! Can Sleeth finish him?
Sleeth lands a strong strike to the head of Johnson. That's dazed him! Sleeth looking to finish here. Johnson is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Sleeth lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dusty Sleeth!
Dusty Sleeth retains his lightweight title!