PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Notch Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zhang Fei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Johnson
vs
Fei

189 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Notch Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zhang Fei!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fei shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Johnson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fei is trying to defend but Johnson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but Fei defending well.
Fei is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fei on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Johnson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Johnson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson drops an elbow to the side of Fei's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fei avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fei manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Fei wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Fei keeps moving.
Johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fei swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Fei.
Johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Fei is retaining full guard.
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fei works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fei keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Fei wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
Johnson stands and throws Fei's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnson wants to control for a moment but Fei uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fei is looking to improve his position.
Johnson passes the guard and advances to mount!
A nice elbow there by Johnson.
Johnson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Johnson is landing with some decent strikes but Fei is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Johnson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Fei looks a forlorn figure.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fei is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Johnson landing strikes from the mount.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the head.
Fei has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Johnson's lack of action.
Johnson works his foot free and advances to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Fei is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Notch Johnson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fei gets the takedown into side control.
Fei tries to advance to mount but can't.

Fei goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Johnson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Fei but great work by Johnson.
Fei manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Fei wants to control but Johnson is keeping him busy.

Fei is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Fei eventually gives up the hold.

Fei looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.
Fei is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fei trying to pass the guard but Johnson defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fei stops Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Fei wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

Fei is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fei is trying to control. Johnson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Johnson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fei manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Johnson forces his way into half guard.
Johnson wants to control but Fei is keeping him busy.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johnson wants to take a breather but Fei is having none of it.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Notch Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson wants to pass to mount but Fei is defending the position.
Johnson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is nestled in close to Fei, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fei is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fei misses with a takedown attempt

and Johnson moves into the clinch.
Johnson is trying to drag Fei to the mat but Fei just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fei wants a takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fei wants a takedown.
Notch Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zhang Fei.
Fei goes for a takedown in the clinch but Johnson prevents it.

Johnson has hold of one of Fei's legs. Fei is fighting the takedown attempt but Johnson gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Notch Johnson 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. This is the final round!

Johnson punishes Fei's body with a nice straight punch.
Fei tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Johnson counters with a shoot takedown. Fei fights it but they end up in guard.
Johnson trying to control but Fei is working from the bottom.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Fei gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Fei looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Fei from controlling successfully.
Fei trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Fei has gone for a leg lock! Johnson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fei's guard.
Fei takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson stays in close to Fei's body and controls the position.
Johnson pushing down on Fei's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Zhang Fei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Fei is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johnson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnson is looking to stall here but Fei recovers full guard.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.
Fei keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson slips nicely into half guard.
Fei makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Fei.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fei keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Fei wants to hit a switch here but Johnson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Fei there!
Fei is looking to improve his position but Johnson isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Johnson lands a big shot there that rocks Fei but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Johnson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Notch Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fei is trying desperately to improve position.
Johnson tries to control but Fei wriggling away.
A nice elbow there by Johnson.
Fei tries to get back to half guard but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Notch Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Notch Johnson!
Notch Johnson is the new light heavyweight champion!