PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kale Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cruz comes to the cage accompanied by Welcome to the Jungle. Johnson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: It's A Fight. Andy Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cruz
vs
Johnson

168 cm
36
163 lbs
36 - 20 - 0

180 cm
29
169 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kale Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andy Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz misses the body punch
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cruz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Cruz.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cruz misses with a straight right.
Cruz has a takedown stuffed.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Cruz is just out of range.
Cruz throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Cruz throws a nice outside leg kick.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cruz.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Cruz.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
No joy there for Cruz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johnson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cruz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cruz looks to land a body kick but Johnson moved away.
Cruz scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Cruz pushes him off.
Johnson tries to score with a low kick but Cruz moves his leg out of the way.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cruz.
Johnson scores with a hook.
Johnson lands with a good body shot.

Johnson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cruz's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson preventing the sweep.
Cruz keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cruz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cruz manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Cruz is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Johnson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Johnson is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Cruz stands up from half guard.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz checks a low kick from Johnson.
Cruz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cruz connects with a solid leg kick.
Cruz looks to land a left hand but Johnson moved out of range nicely.
Cruz fakes the leg kick and cracks Johnson in the body.
Cruz shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Johnson is looking to chop away at Cruz's legs.
Cruz misses with a jab to the body
and Johnson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Johnson staying out of range there.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cruz checks the leg kick.
Cruz misses with a right hand
and Johnson counters with a leg kick.
Good work by Cruz as he checks the leg kick.
Kale Cruz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Cruz throws a leg kick
and Johnson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz looks for a takedown but Johnson sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kale Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big left from Cruz misses.
A jab lands there for Cruz.
Cruz with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cruz tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cruz lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cruz.
Johnson scores with a leg kick.
Cruz swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Johnson moves in looking to clinch but Cruz pushes him off.
Johnson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson takes a swing at Cruz's ribcage but misses.
Cruz misses the shot to the body.
Johnson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cruz rather than just go for the knockout.
Cruz connects with a solid leg kick.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cruz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Johnson, right into the meat.
Cruz tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cruz won't be happy with that.
Cruz is looking for a sweep.
Cruz is working hard here to advance position.
Johnson scoring with punches and elbows.
Johnson working the ground and pound but Cruz is defending the strikes.
Johnson trying to control the action but Cruz is working from the bottom.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson working away.
Johnson trying to control the action but Cruz is working from the bottom.
Cruz is looking for a sweep.
Johnson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Johnson tries to score with some ground and pound. Cruz controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Cruz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Johnson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Cruz gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Johnson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cruz tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
Cruz controlling the position well.
Cruz keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Johnson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Cruz trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Johnson manages to pass to mount!
Cruz is in a horrible position here. Johnson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Cruz tries to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
Johnson cracks Cruz with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Johnson thowing shots but they're missing.
Johnson avoids the attempt from Cruz to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cruz really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Cruz takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Johnson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Johnson thowing shots but they're missing.
Johnson lands a big shot there that rocks Cruz but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Johnson landing shots from mount.
Cruz tries to reverse the position but Johnson maintains control.
Cruz takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Johnson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Cruz looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice elbow there by Johnson.

Cruz is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson with the ground and pound from mount.
Oh Cruz is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Cruz takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy 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 is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cruz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cruz seems to have got his legs back now.
Cruz misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming.
Cruz tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Johnson wants to clinch.
Johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Andy Johnson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cruz shoots in but no luck this time.
Johnson moves forwards but Cruz connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johnson checks a leg kick.
Cruz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jab, jab by Johnson - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Cruz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Johnson thows a body shot but no joy.
Johnson connects with a solid leg kick.
Johnson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cruz on the side of the head.
Cruz tries a low kick but Johnson avoids it.
Cruz scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Johnson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cruz swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnson.
Cruz shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Johnson as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kale Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Johnson rushes Cruz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cruz stalling against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The referee is keeping an eye on Cruz - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Johnson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Johnson pushes Cruz back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Johnson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cruzs head.
A short left from Johnson.
Cruz blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson controlling the action here for a moment.
Cruz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a right hand.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cruz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Johnson struggles to land a body shot inside as Cruz controls his hands.
Cruz is trying to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson tries a body shot but Cruz blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
Johnson slowing the pace effectively.
A shot in the inside from Johnson.
Cruz being controlled against the cage.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cruz's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.

Cruz manages to break the clinch.
Cruz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cruz loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Cruz stuns Johnson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Cruz circles away.
Cruz walks into a jab.
Cruz misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson throws a head kick but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz throws a low kick but Johnson avoids it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scores with a hook to the body. Cruz takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cruz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cruz pinned against the cage. Cruz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Cruz misses with a low kick as Johnson jumps back.
Johnson misses the jab.
The fighters circling - Cruz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnson dodges the punch combination from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Cruz uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Johnson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Johnson clinches up against the cage.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Cruz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johnson smiles and moves away.
Good leg kick by Cruz there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cruz throws a hook but Johnson avoids it easily.
Johnson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cruz throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Cruz closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cruz.
Cruz throws a one two combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cruz throws a series of punches but Johnson avoids them all with ease.
Cruz misses with an uppercut.
Johnson wants to clinch up but Cruz keeps it at a distance.
Cruz with a poor takedown
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cruz, pushing him back against the cage.
Johnson slowing the pace effectively.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is pressed up against the cage. Cruz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Johnson down to the mat. Johnson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The fighters circling - Cruz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Cruz down.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cruz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Johnson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cruz's sensitive parts.
An inside leg kick from Johnson misses.
Johnson is looking to clinch.
Johnson checks a leg kick.
Johnson tries to clinch but Cruz moves out of range.
Cruz swings for the body but Johnson moves out of range.
Cruz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnson.
Cruz throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson darts in trying to clinch
letting Cruz counter with a right hand.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johnson. That's going to slow Cruz down.
Cruz shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Johnson.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cruz lunges at Johnson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Johnson's hand.
Sloppy strikes from Cruz. Those never looked like landing.
Johnson lands the left hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cruz motions for Johnson to come forward. Cruz throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a double jab.

Johnson has Cruz up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson is stalling here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a body punch.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cruz is trying to drag Johnson to the mat but Johnson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Andy Johnson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Johnson is trying to maintain a safe position but Cruz gets an underhook and turns Johnson into the cage.
Johnson misses with some punches.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cruz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Cruz.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Johnson slips a jab from Cruz.
Johnson lands with a shot to the body.
Johnson scores with a punch to the head.

Johnson forces Cruz back against the cage and clinches.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Cruz blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Johnson tries a body shot but Cruz blocks it.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Johnson keeps control of Cruz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Johnson lands a left hand.
Johnson lands a body punch.
Johnson misses with a body punch.
Cruz is trying to drag Johnson to the mat but Johnson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Cruz is working for takedown but Johnson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cruz throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A hook to the body from Johnson.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Johnson as Cruz tries to tie him up.
Johnson stalls.
Johnson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Johnson looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Johnson pushes Cruz back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Cruz.
Cruz has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Johnson letting Cruz take a breather here.
Cruz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson is working Cruz over against the cage.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cruz is working Johnson over against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Johnson works on Cruz's body with a couple of short punches.
Cruz is trying to push Johnson away but Johnson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short uppercut from Johnson.

Johnson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Cruz regains guard immediately.
Johnson being controlled here momentarily.
Johnson working some strikes from top position.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Cruz keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Cruz is looking for a triangle but Johnson pushes his legs off easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cruz keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Cruz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Cruz trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Cruz stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Cruz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cruz landing with the ground and pound.
Johnson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Cruz trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Andy Johnson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cruz postures up.
Cruz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Cruz is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
Johnson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Johnson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cruz defends well.
Cruz won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cruz controls the pace.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Cruz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Johnson slips a jab and a cross from Cruz.
Cruz misses with a wild combination.
Well,Cruz is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cruz throws a series of strikes that have Johnson backpedaling.
Cruz throws a jab when Johnson was well out of range.
Cruz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Johnson's head backwards.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Cruz scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Johnson blocks a jab.
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Johnson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Cruz's calf.
Cruz throws a looping overhand right but Johnson ducks down to avoid it.

Johnson darts in and clinches Cruz up against the cage.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Cruz avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Johnson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cruz backwards.
Johnson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson lands with a light punch inside.
Johnson tries a body shot but Cruz blocks it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The crowd are getting on Johnson's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Kale Cruz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cruz looking to slow down the pace here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cruz misses with a punch to the body.
Cruz blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Cruz tries to break the clinch but Johnson is controlling the position.
Johnson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nice body punch from Cruz - that landed with a thud.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Cruz.
Johnson blocks a body shot from Cruz.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cruz blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cruz slowing the pace effectively.
Cruz misses with a body punch.

Cruz has clasped his hands together around Johnson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Johnson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Andy Johnson!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Andy Johnson!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Andy Johnson!

Andy Johnson wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Andy Johnson thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.