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TWGC 23 (185lbs, D3): London Qualifier - Round 1 PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight Tycoon World Grappling Championship rules bout between Ahti Kaleva (ranked 16119 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shaka Johnson (ranked 24558 p4p, 662 weight class). Johnson has chosen Mandoza - Nkalakatha as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Los Angeles, with a TWGC record of 11 wins and 8 losses; Ahti Kaleva! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Helsinki, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 0 losses; Shaka Johnson!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Steven Brown and Sam Margolis.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kaleva shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kaleva was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure! Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Kaleva (4) vs (0) Johnson
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 tries to improve position but can't.
Kaleva is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Johnson is trying to control Kaleva's posture but Kaleva avoids it.
Kaleva is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Johnson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kaleva wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kaleva is trying to get an arm triangle but Johnson is defending well.
Kaleva trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaleva is trying to get an arm triangle but Johnson is defending well.
Kaleva laying and praying for a moment but Johnson takes advantage and regains half guard.
Johnson has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Hardpunch (13 Elite / 1000$. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Kaleva is trying to work for a kimura but Johnson is defending well.
Kaleva is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kaleva prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Johnson is defending against the submission attempts here by Kaleva.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Kaleva has control of the leg.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kaleva is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kaleva is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Johnson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kaleva.
Kaleva is looking for a kimura here.
Kaleva is figuring out what he wants to do next.
We've been hearing good reports from Kaleva's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Kaleva is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaleva is keen to just control but Johnson is a slippery customer.
Kaleva is looking for a kimura but Johnson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kaleva to get the leverage.
Kaleva is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kaleva in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Johnson tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Kaleva!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ahti Kaleva!
During a confident post fight interview, Ahti Kaleva thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Shaka Johnson was interviewed post fight and said 'Sometimes you have to lose to learn how to win.'. |
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