PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steven Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khadzhimurat Gatsalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Johnson
vs
Gatsalov

192 cm
22
215 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

184 cm
21
209 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

MMA Hype Apparel
Sun-Tzu

Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steven Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Khadzhimurat Gatsalov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson lands with a straight right. Gatsalov didn't see that one coming.
Johnson misses with a head kick.
Johnson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Johnson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Johnson has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Elite build in the buildup to the fight.
Gatsalov defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Gatsalov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Johnson.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gatsalov is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Johnson throws a hook but Gatsalov avoids it easily.
Gatsalov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Gatsalov misses with a right hand
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Khadzhimurat Gatsalov has been cut.
Gatsalov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Johnson if he has to take too many more of those.
Gatsalov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Johnson throws a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Johnson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Johnson works Gatsalov's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatsalov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Johnson counters with a good low kick that Gatsalov was not able to check.
Gatsalov moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gatsalov was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Gatsalov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Gatsalov misses with a shot to the body
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gatsalov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Johnson to score with a decent uppercut.
Johnson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gatsalov.
Johnson tries to work over Gatsalov's front leg with a kick but Gatsalov checks it.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Gatsalov tries to counter with a clinch but Johnson shakes him off and moves away.
Johnson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gatsalov counters with a straight right hand.
Gatsalov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johnson.
Johnson misses with a low kick.
Johnson misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov tries to land a leg kick but Johnson saw it coming and moves away.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gatsalov scores with a push kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gatsalov throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. Gatsalov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Steven Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gatsalov lands a nice hook to Johnson's body. Johnson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Johnson throws a combination. Gatsalov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Gatsalov ducks down to avoid it.
Gatsalov misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Steven Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gatsalov throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov thuds his shin into the meat of Johnson's side.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses
and Gatsalov counters with a leg kick.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gatsalov moves away.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gatsalov wants to counter the offense by Johnson and move into the clinch position.
Johnson misses with a hook. Gatsalov ducked under it nicely.
Gatsalov lands with a nice body punch.
Johnson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Gatsalov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Nice body kick from Gatsalov.
Gatsalov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gatsalov tries to counter with a clinch but Johnson shakes him off and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.
Gatsalov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Gatsalov persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
Gatsalov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Gatsalov is just out of range.
Gatsalov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gatsalov.
Gatsalov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gatsalov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice body kick from Gatsalov.
Gatsalov looks for the body kick but Johnson saw that one coming.
Gatsalov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Johnson moves away.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gatsalov manages to avoid it.
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 Steven Johnson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Khadzhimurat Gatsalov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gatsalov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Johnson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gatsalov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Gatsalov instigates a clinch.
Gatsalov scores with a hook to the body.

Gatsalov breaks the clinch.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Gatsalov avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gatsalov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johnson scores with a nice strike.
Johnson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Gatsalov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatsalov misses with a kick to the body.
Johnson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Gatsalov wants to counter the offense by Johnson and move into the clinch position.
Gatsalov moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice jab there from Gatsalov.
Gatsalov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Gatsalov tries to clinch but Johnson moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Johnson.
Johnson takes a swing at Gatsalov's ribcage but misses.
Johnson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Johnson takes one to the chin there.
Gatsalov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Johnson as he avoids it easily.
Johnson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gatsalov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Johnson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gatsalov checks it well.
A cross from Johnson lands.
Jab, jab by Gatsalov - just one landing.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Gatsalov moves out of range.
Gatsalov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Johnson is out of range.
Gatsalov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gatsalov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gatsalov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Gatsalov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a leg kick
letting Gatsalov counter with a right hand.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gatsalov.
Johnson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gatsalov.
Johnson misses with an uppercut.
Gatsalov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Gatsalov with a hook.
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 will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Gatsalov throws the kick towards the body but Johnson avoids it.
Johnson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Gatsalov lands a nice hook to Johnson's body. Johnson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gatsalov throws a nice head kick!
Gatsalov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Johnson is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gatsalov moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson takes a swing at Gatsalov's ribcage but misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Johnson.
Johnson moves forwards but Gatsalov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Oh Johnson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gatsalov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
Johnson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Johnson checks a leg kick nicely.
Gatsalov throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Johnson moves out of range of the body kick.
Gatsalov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Gatsalov is just out of range.
Gatsalov feints a counter leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Khadzhimurat Gatsalov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Khadzhimurat Gatsalov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gatsalov lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gatsalov can pounce on him.
Gatsalov avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Gatsalov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Nice shot lands for Gatsalov.
Johnson cracks the inside of Gatsalov's front leg.
Johnson misses the body punch
and Gatsalov counters with a two punch combo.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gatsalov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Johnson with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gatsalov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A telegraphed right hand from Gatsalov misses the target.
Johnson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Johnson slips under a jab from Gatsalov.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Gatsalov moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatsalov throws a nice head kick!
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gatsalov moves away.
Gatsalov misses with a wild body shot.
Gatsalov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Johnson misses with a hook

and Gatsalov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Gatsalov controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Johnson fails to land.
Gatsalov blocks a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson swings wildly with an uppercut but Gatsalov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gatsalov throws a head punch that misses.
Johnson has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Johnson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Gatsalov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gatsalov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Johnson or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Johnson has a couple of punches blocked by Gatsalov.
Gatsalov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Johnson's elbow.
Gatsalov misses with the head strike.
Gatsalov working aggressively here.
Gatsalov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Still in the clinch, Gatsalov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gatsalov lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gatsalov.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gatsalov's elbow.
A nice left hand lands by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gatsalov presses Johnson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gatsalov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gatsalov lands a hook that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.
Gatsalov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnson avoids it.
Gatsalov is working Johnson over against the cage.
Gatsalov looking to slow down the pace here.
Johnson misses with some punches.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Johnson misses with a punch on the inside.
A short left from Gatsalov.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson tries a body shot but Gatsalov blocks it.
Johnson swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsalov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Johnson is trying to maintain a safe position but Gatsalov gets an underhook and turns Johnson into the cage.
Gatsalov pushes Johnson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gatsalov presses Johnson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gatsalov tries to pull guard but Johnson holds him up against the cage and eventually Gatsalov drops back down to his feet.
Gatsalov avoiding damage.
A short right from Gatsalov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gatsalov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Johnson taking a breather.
Gatsalov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gatsalov tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson can't find room to land a body shot as Gatsalov controls the action.
Khadzhimurat Gatsalov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gatsalov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gatsalov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gatsalov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khadzhimurat Gatsalov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gatsalov 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Khadzhimurat Gatsalov!
A victorious Khadzhimurat Gatsalov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.