PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Muhammad Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Johansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johansson has chosen All These Things That I've Done as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Ali
vs
Johansson

175 cm
22
134 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

160 cm
22
130 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Muhammad Ali!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Markus Johansson!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ali tries to keep at a distance but Johansson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johansson tries a knee to the head but Ali blocks it.
Johansson misses with a knee strike.
Johansson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ali blocks it with crossed arms.
Ali tries for a takedown but Johansson manages to get underhooks.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johansson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ali has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Ali jumps guard and drags Johansson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Johansson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Johansson won't allow Ali to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ali has a closed guard, preventing Johansson from standing up.
Ali wants to get back to his feet but Johansson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johansson passes Ali's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ali is trying to stand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ali swats away the attempt to clinch by Johansson.
Ali moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ali fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johansson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Johansson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ali in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ali looking to stall.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but Ali blocks with his arms.
Ali avoiding damage as Johansson throws knees to the body.
Ali fails to pull guard.
Ali scores with a hook to the body.
Ali is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johansson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Muhammad Ali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ali tries to pull guard but Johansson holds him up against the cage and eventually Ali drops back down to his feet.
Ali wants to get back to striking at distance but Johansson won't allow it.
Ali is looking to control Johansson's arms but Johansson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ali has his back to the cage.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but Ali blocks with his arms.
Ali looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ali jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Johansson walks away with a smile on his face. Ali gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ali swats away the attempt to clinch by Johansson.
Johansson moves in looking to clinch but Ali pushes him off.
Johansson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Ali both land. Nice combination.
Johansson looks gassed!

Johansson rushes Ali and presses him up against the cage.
Johansson looking to throw knees to the head but Ali is blocking nicely.
Ali is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johansson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ali tries to pull guard but Johansson holds him up against the cage and eventually Ali drops back down to his feet.
Ali jumps guard but Johansson stands there with Ali around his waist. Ali gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ali can't get the takedown.
Johansson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ali tries to stall but Johansson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Johansson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ali tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johansson just stands there and leans against the cage.

Ali manages to break the clinch.
Johansson tries to clinch but Ali is having none of it.
Johansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johansson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ali paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ali tries a low kick but Johansson avoids it.
Ali digs a good hook to Johansson's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johansson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Johansson tries to clinch there but Ali circles away.
Ali throws a series of strikes that have Johansson backpedaling.
Danga de danga de dang - Ali scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ali scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Johansson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ali connects with a single shot there.
Ali is working the combinations to good effect here.
Ali stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Johansson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ali looks to land a combination. Johansson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ali throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ali is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ali scores with a hook to the body. Johansson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ali throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ali lands a jab to the nose.
Some wild striking there from Ali.
A nice combination there by Ali.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhammad Ali dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Johansson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ali lands with a nice combination. Johansson backs away looking to recover.
Muhammad Ali is winning the standup battle so far.
Ali throws a head kick that half lands.
Ali connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Johansson instigates a clinch.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but Ali blocks with his arms.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but Ali blocks with his arms.
Johansson trying to land knees to the body.
Ali tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johansson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johansson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ali has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johansson prevents the takedown attempt.
Ali tries to break the clinch but Johansson is controlling the position.
Ali drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Muhammad Ali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ali wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ali is trying to force a seperation but Johansson has the dominant position.
Ali changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Johansson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ali really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Johansson is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ali fails to land with a series of punches.
Ali circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ali misses with a double jab.
Ali swats away the attempt to clinch by Johansson.
Johansson wants to clinch up but Ali keeps it at a distance.
Ali stalks Johansson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Johansson's face. Johansson staggers backwards, shaken.
Johansson doesn't manage to clinch there - Ali circles away.
Ali throws a nice looking combination but Johansson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ali avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Some wild striking there from Ali.
Ali throws a good cross that connects.
Ali thuds his right hand into Johansson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ali scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali tries to land a front kick but Johansson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ali throws a series of punches but Johansson moves out of range.
Ali lands a jab to Johansson's midsection.
Ali scores with a jab.
Ali keeps the fight on the outside.
Ali scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ali tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johansson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Johansson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ali.
Nice shot by Ali.
Markus Johansson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johansson moves out of range as Ali throws a body kick.
Ali throws a series of punches but Johansson moves out of range.
Ali lands a slapping body shot.
Ali moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ali punishes Johansson's body with a nice straight punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ali scores with a one two! Johansson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Muhammad Ali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ali throws out a powerful jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johansson blocks a head kick by Ali.
Johansson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ali paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Johansson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Johansson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ali fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johansson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Johansson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ali scores with a shot to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ali.
Johansson slips a jab and a cross from Ali.
Ali throws a shot to the body.
Ali throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johansson.
Johansson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ali.
Ali misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johansson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ali looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ali is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Johansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ali is looking to wear down Johansson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Johansson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ali throws a right hand that Johansson ducks under and follows up with a left that Johansson also avoids with ease.
Johansson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ali swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A left and a right from Ali both land. Nice combination.
Johansson avoids the head kick by Ali.
No joy there for Ali, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ali lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Johansson at a distance.
Ali swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johansson moves in looking to clinch but Ali pushes him off.
Ali circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ali closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ali throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhammad Ali dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ali lands with a right hand.
Johansson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ali throws a right and a left that Johansson avoids nicely.
Johansson doesn't manage to clinch there - Ali circles away.
Ali throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Johansson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A combination from Ali does no damage.
Ali with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Johansson moves forwards but Ali connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johansson tries to clinch up but Ali circles away and keeps his distance.
A shot to de liver by Ali. Beautiful body shot.
Ali throws a sloppy head kick and Johansson moves out of range easily.
Johansson dodges the punch combination from Ali.
Ali throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Johansson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johansson tries to clinch there but Ali circles away.
Ali misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johansson doesn't manage to clinch there - Ali circles away.
Ali throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ali misses with the combination.
Ali goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Ali circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johansson avoids the body shot from Ali.
Ali keeps the fight on the outside.
Ali dips to his left and cracks Johansson with an uppercut!
Johansson slips a jab and a cross from Ali.
Ali will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johansson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ali scores with a decent looking hook.

Johansson takes the fight into the clinch.
Ali is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali is trying to force a seperation but Johansson has the dominant position.
A knee to the head by Johansson.
Johansson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Johansson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ali blocks it with crossed arms.
Ali wants to get back to striking at distance but Johansson won't allow it.
Ali is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ali on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ali is looking to break free of the clinch but Johansson has double underhooks.
Ali has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Johansson has Ali pressed against the cage, preventing Ali from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ali fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johansson misses with a knee strike.
Ali looking to slow down the pace here.
Johansson missing with knees to the body.
Ali jumps guard but Johansson stands there with Ali around his waist. Ali gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Johansson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ali blocks it with crossed arms.
Ali looking to slow down the pace here.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ali avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ali pulls Johansson into guard.
Ali is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Ali pushes Johansson off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Ali moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ali lands the left hand.
Ali fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Johansson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ali misses with the combination.
Ali is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johansson can do to turn this around?
Johansson is looking to clinch.
Ali tries to bum rush Johansson with a series of wild strikes but Johansson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johansson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ali lands a with a good body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali throws a shot to the body.
Johansson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ali connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johansson. Johansson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Johansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ali lands with a nice combination. Johansson backs away looking to recover.
Ali works Johansson's body with a nice hook.
Ali swinging wildly here.
Ali lands a with a good body shot.
Ali looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ali goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Ali lands a slapping body shot.
Ali swinging wildly here.
Johansson is looking to clinch.
Ali comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhammad Ali clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ali throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ali circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johansson tries to clinch up but Ali circles away and keeps his distance.
Johansson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ali swinging wildly here.
Ali avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ali misses with a wild combination.
Johansson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ali paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ali misses with a few strikes there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ali throws a head kick but Johansson moves out of range.
Ali dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ali will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ali swats away the attempt to clinch by Johansson.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johansson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali clobbers Johansson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ali misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ali throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Johansson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Johansson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johansson wants to clinch.
Johansson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ali moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ali cracks Johansson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johansson wants to clinch up but Ali keeps it at a distance.
Johansson tries to clinch there but Ali circles away.
Ali misses with a jab, cross combination.
Johansson drops his hands momentarily and Ali takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ali comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johansson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ali.
Johansson tries to clinch but Ali moves out of range.
Johansson wants to clinch.
Ali lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
No joy there for Ali, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ali throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johansson tries to clinch up but Ali circles away and keeps his distance.
Ali lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johansson circles away quickly and effectively.
Ali lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johansson tries to clinch but Ali moves out of range.
Ali throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Donk. Ali catches Johansson right on the button with a cross.
Johansson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ali misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johansson moves in looking to clinch but Ali pushes him off.
Ali scores with a three punch combo!
Ali avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A punch combination from Ali misses.
Ali misses with a series of wild punches.
Johansson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice cross by Ali.
Ali avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ali lands a right hook to the body.
Ali lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johansson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ali throws a series of strikes that have Johansson backpedaling.
Ali swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johansson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Johansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johansson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ali swats away the attempt to clinch by Johansson.
Ali misses with a two punch combination.
Ali moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johansson doesn't manage to clinch there - Ali circles away.
Ali scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Johansson is looking to clinch but Ali is avoiding it.
Johansson tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhammad Ali had his way with Markus Johansson in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Johansson is looking to clinch.
Ali swinging wildly here.
Ali keeps the fight on the outside.
Ali misses with a body kick.
Ali goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Johansson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johansson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Ali scores with a four punch combination!
Ali scores with a hook to the body. Johansson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ali works over Johansson's head and body with a nice combination.
Ali lands a nice shot to the body.
Ali misses with a series of wild punches.
Ali lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Johansson dodges the punch combination from Ali.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johansson moves into the clinch successfully.
Johansson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ali's face.
Johansson crunches a lovely knee into Ali's ribcage.
Johansson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ali fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johansson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Johansson avoiding damage as Ali throws knees to the body.
Ali tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johansson smiles and moves away.
Ali scores with a crisp jab that stopped Johansson in his tracks.
Johansson wants to clinch.
Johansson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johansson moves in looking to clinch but Ali pushes him off.
Ali throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ali misses with a few strikes there.
Ali throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johansson dodges the punch combination from Ali.
A left and a right from Ali both land. Nice combination.
Johansson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Johansson is looking to clinch but Ali is avoiding it.
No joy there for Ali, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johansson is looking to clinch.
Ali will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ali connects with a right hand. Johansson shakes it off.
Ali throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Johansson moves into the clinch successfully.
Johansson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Ali decides to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali keeping moving, preventing Johansson from controlling successfully.
Johansson prevents Ali from getting back to his feet.
Johansson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ali is looking to stand up but Johansson isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Markus Johansson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Muhammad Ali is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ali lands a glancing blow to the side of Johansson's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Muhammad Ali showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ali, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Muhammad Ali!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Muhammad Ali!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Muhammad Ali!

Muhammad Ali wins by unanimous decision!
Muhammad Ali retains his bantamweight title!