PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between CJ Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zhang Xianfa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is 2pac & Dr.Dre - California Love. CJ Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Xianfa

170 cm
24
144 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

164 cm
20
146 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Gilop®
Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30)

KINGDOM
Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags & 95% Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, CJ Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zhang Xianfa!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Xianfa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson moves forwards but Xianfa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Xianfa slips under a jab from Johnson.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Xianfa counters with a right hand to the body.
Xianfa throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Xianfa falls off balance throwing a combination
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Xianfa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xianfa can't keep his opponent in guard - Johnson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Johnson wants to control but Xianfa is keeping him busy.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Johnson wants to control but Xianfa is keeping him busy.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Xianfa is defending well.
Johnson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Xianfa is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Xianfa won't allow it.
Johnson is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

CJ Johnson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Xianfa staying out of range there.
Xianfa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Xianfa is looking to slow Johnson down with leg kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Xianfa moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xianfa throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A clash of legs there as Xianfa blocks the low kick.
Johnson throws a jab when Xianfa was well out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Xianfa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Johnson misses the jab.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Xianfa ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson throws out a powerful jab.
Johnson throws a lazy body kick
and Johnson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Johnson throws a poor cross that misses
and Xianfa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Xianfa avoids nicely.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Xianfa sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xianfa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Xianfa avoids it really well and circles away.
Xianfa is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Xianfa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Johnson misses with a right hand
and Xianfa counters with a one-two to the body.
Xianfa misses with a jab, cross combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Xianfa moved out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A right-left combo lands from Xianfa.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CJ Johnson dominated that 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.

Johnson misses with a body shot
and Xianfa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Xianfa misses with a combination
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Johnson jabs Xianfa right on the nose. Xianfa blinks but takes it well.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
Zhang Xianfa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson catches Xianfa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xianfa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Johnson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Xianfa slips the punch.
Johnson misses with an uppercut. Xianfa saw that one coming.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Xianfa, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Xianfa against the cage but Xianfa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for CJ Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xianfa misses with a wild body shot.
Xianfa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson misses the jab.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Xianfa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Xianfa shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Johnson eats them both and turns towards Xianfa to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Xianfa fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xianfa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Johnson throws a jab when Xianfa was well out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Johnson misses the target.
CJ Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Xianfa is looking to slow Johnson down with leg kicks.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xianfa moves away.
Johnson swings widly with a right hand
and Xianfa counters with a two punch combo.
Xianfa moves forwards but Johnson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Xianfa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.

Xianfa moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xianfa taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Xianfa tries to throw a body punch but Johnson avoids it by throwing Xianfa back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as Xianfa tries to tie him up.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Xianfa.
Xianfa tries to stall but Johnson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Xianfa.
Xianfa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Xianfa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Johnson tries to work over Xianfa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to maintain a safe position but Xianfa gets an underhook and turns Johnson into the cage.
Johnson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Xianfa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A bit of stalling here from Xianfa.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Xianfa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Johnson pushes Xianfa back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Xianfa stalling the fight.
Xianfa tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xianfa is trying to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Zhang Xianfa.
Johnson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Xianfa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Zhang Xianfa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson cracks a nice hook into Xianfa's ribs.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Xianfa's head but Xianfa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Xianfa staying out of range there.
Xianfa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Xianfa looks to clinch
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Johnson looks to land a body kick but Xianfa moved away.
Johnson connects with a jab.
Good work by Johnson as he checks the leg kick.
Johnson looks to land a body kick but Xianfa moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Xianfa sprawls well.
CJ Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson tries to land a front kick but Xianfa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Johnson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Xianfa.
Xianfa drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Xianfa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Xianfa walks into a straight right hand from Johnson.
A punch combination from Xianfa misses.
Xianfa lands a nice looking body shot.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xianfa throws a series of punches but Johnson moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Xianfa is out of range.
Zhang Xianfa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Xianfa moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice cross by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
A big right from Johnson misses.
Johnson scores with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson throws a leg kick but Xianfa sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Xianfa's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Xianfa duly obliges.
Xianfa falls off balance throwing a combination

and Johnson counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xianfa tries to buck Johnson off but Johnson is having none of it.
Xianfa is pushing Johnson's head away, looking to escape. Johnson manages to hold on to the position though.
Johnson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Xianfa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Xianfa dodges the ground and pound from Johnson.
Xianfa can't do much from the bottom here.
Xianfa is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Johnson.
Johnson working the strikes but Xianfa uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Xianfa is looking to escape.
Xianfa is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Xianfa won't allow it.
Xianfa is staying active underneath Johnson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Johnson wants to control but Xianfa is keeping him busy.
Johnson trying to control from Xianfa's half guard. Xianfa has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
CJ Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Johnson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... CJ Johnson!
CJ Johnson managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Gilop®, into his post fight interview.