PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Raziq (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brody Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Abdul Raziq has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Abdul Raziq seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Raziq
vs
Johnson

185 cm
33
175 lbs
6 - 20 - 0

190 cm
25
170 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Abdul Raziq!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Brody Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raziq tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Despite the aggression on Johnson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Johnson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Abdul Raziq seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses.
Johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raziq.
Johnson is looking to clinch but Raziq is avoiding it.
Johnson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Johnson stuffs the takedown attempt from Raziq. Raziq gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Raziq. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raziq lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.

It looks like Brody Johnson has been cut.
Raziq has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Johnson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Johnson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Raziq's brow.
Raziq wants a takedown but no success here.
Johnson tries to land knees in the clinch but Raziq avoids the damage to the body.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Raziq avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.
Johnson looking to throw knees to the head but Raziq is blocking nicely.
Raziq lands an elbow inside that Johnson shrugs off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson prevents the takedown attempt.
Raziq tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Raziq tries to pull guard but Johnson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Raziq blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Raziq.
Raziq lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson blocks an elbow strike from Raziq.
Johnson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Raziq.
Johnson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Raziq avoids it.
Johnson takes an elbow to the temple.
Johnson is looking to control Raziq's arms but Raziq gets an underhook and turns him. Now Johnson has his back to the cage.
Johnson can't break the clinch.
Johnson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson misses with a knee strike.
Raziq has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Johnson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Raziq lands an elbow just above Johnson 's eye.
Johnson stops a takedown attempt from Raziq.
Raziq is looking for a takedown.
Raziq creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Raziq avoids them all with ease.
Raziq looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Raziq persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
Raziq circles away from the clinch attempt.
Raziq fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
As Raziq backs off Johnson throws a huge counter combo but Raziq manages to avoid it all.
Raziq fails with the takedown.
As Raziq backs off Johnson throws a huge counter combo but Raziq manages to avoid it all.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raziq fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Raziq keeps the fight on the outside.
A thudding body kick lands there by Johnson!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raziq tries for a takedown but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Raziq fails to land the takedown.

Johnson clinches up against the cage.
Johnson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Raziq blocks it with crossed arms.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but Raziq blocks with his arms.
Raziq blocks an elbow strike from Johnson.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raziq has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johnson misses with a knee strike.
Raziq lands an elbow inside that Johnson shrugs off.
Raziq lands an elbow that stopped Johnson in his tracks for a moment.
Raziq lands a nice elbow.
Johnson tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Raziq has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson wants to stall.
Raziq fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johnson is trying to break free.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but Raziq blocks it.
Raziq prevents the takedown attempt.
Raziq is trying to pull guard but Johnson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Johnson misses with a knee to the head.
Raziq tries to pull guard but Johnson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Raziq lands an elbow that stopped Johnson in his tracks for a moment.

That has opened up Brody Johnson's cut even more.
Johnson is trying to stall.
Raziq gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Johnson is rocked!
Johnson avoids a wild elbow strike from Raziq.
Raziq is working for takedown but Johnson is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but Raziq blocks with his arms.
Johnson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raziq has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Raziq prevents a takedown attempt there.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Raziq.
Johnson is still on wobbly legs! Can Raziq finish him?
Raziq misses with an elbow strike.
Raziq creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson misses with an elbow over the top.
Raziq looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raziq creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson avoids the elbow strike from Raziq, against the cage.
Raziq keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Johnson's efforts to push away.

Raziq manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Raziq is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Johnson is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson wants to stand but Raziq is controlling his posture from full guard.
Raziq wants to stand and escape but Johnson is having none of it.

Raziq uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Raziq or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson, which made it look bad.
Raziq is breathing heavily.
Raziq pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Raziq just misses with a elbow thrown towards Johnson's brow.
Raziq throws an elbow but it misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Raziq throws an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Abdul Raziq will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Brody Johnson's cut.
That's time! Raziq's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Johnson seems to have recovered his senses.
Raziq lands an elbow inside that Johnson shrugs off.
Raziq tries to pull guard but Johnson won't allow it.

Raziq jumps guard and drags Johnson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Raziq is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson is looking to work some ground and pound but Raziq has wrist control.
Raziq working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Raziq is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson postures up in Raziq's guard and throws a big left but Raziq blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raziq utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Raziq wants to stand but Johnson is controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raziq fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson scores with a head kick.
Johnson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Raziq checks a low kick from Johnson.
Raziq dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Raziq. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raziq misses with a takedown attempt - Johnson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
An inside leg kick from Johnson misses.
We've been informed that Johnson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Raziq is defended easily by Johnson.
Johnson unleashes a big counter combination but Raziq bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Johnson instigates a clinch.
Raziq drops down looking for an ankle pick but Johnson pulls his leg out and moves away.

Johnson takes the fight into the clinch.
Johnson digs a right hand underneath Raziq's ribcage. Raziq let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch but Raziq keeps him there for the moment.
Raziq creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Johnson's defenses.

The cut above Brody Johnson's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Raziq.

Raziq drags the fight down to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Raziq utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Johnson stands up from Raziq's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Johnson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raziq has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johnson wants to stall.

Raziq gets control of Johnson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Raziq will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Johnson pushes down on Raziq's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Raziq's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raziq is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson stalling.
Johnson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Raziq's head.

Johnson stands up from half guard.
Raziq shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
An inside leg kick from Johnson misses.
Johnson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Raziq went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Johnson throws a chopping leg kick but Raziq manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Raziq has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson leaves Raziq with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Johnson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Johnson looking to throw knees to the head but Raziq is blocking nicely.
Raziq managing to block the knees to the body from Johnson.
Johnson is trying to maintain a safe position but Raziq gets an underhook and turns Johnson into the cage.
Abdul Raziq has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raziq has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Raziq creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Johnson's defenses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Raziq fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johnson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Raziq is defending well for now.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but Raziq blocks with his arms.
Raziq lands a nice elbow.

Brody Johnson's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
The referee calls for Johnson to work.
Johnson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Raziq has him pressed against the cage.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brody Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Brody Johnson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Johnson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Johnson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Johnson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Raziq.
Raziq has Johnson pressed against the cage. He pushes Johnson back and as he springs towards him off the cage, Raziq throws a beautiful elbow that sends Johnson crashing to the floor! Raziq piles on the pressure with more strikes! Johnson is flailing away but he's not defending himself and the referee steps in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Abdul Raziq!
After the fight, Abdul Raziq was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.