PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyndon Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grigori Belikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Sunbeam - One Minute in Heaven. Belikov has chosen Black Label Society - Doomsday Jesus as his entrance music. Lyndon Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Belikov

213 cm
23
300 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

201 cm
22
305 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Valhalla War Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lyndon Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Grigori Belikov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Belikov pinned against the cage. Belikov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Belikov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Belikov stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Johnson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Belikov counters with a low kick, right behind Johnson 's knee.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Johnson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Belikov won't allow it.
Johnson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Belikov manages to get to full guard.
Belikov has Johnson pulled in close to control his posture.
Belikov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belikov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Johnson!
Johnson is trying to escape the mount.
Johnson wants to control but Belikov is having none of it.
Belikov trying to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Belikov avoids the attempt from Johnson to control.
Belikov looking to control but Johnson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Belikov landing strikes from the mount and Johnson is in trouble!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Belikov swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Johnson is now in Belikov's guard. A big mistake from Belikov there, giving up the dominant position!
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Belikov pulls Johnson in to control the position.
Johnson content to stall in guard here.
Johnson is working Belikov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Belikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson stopping the sweep attempt from Belikov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson stays in close to Belikov's body and controls the position.
Belikov is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Belikov wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
Johnson misses with a double jab
and Belikov counters with a thumping low kick.
Belikov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Johnson tries for a takedown but Belikov circles away easily
and Belikov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyndon Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Belikov.

Belikov forces Johnson back against the cage and clinches.
A right hook to the body lands for Belikov.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Johnson jumps guard but Belikov stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Belikov landing knees to the head.
A short body shot lands from Belikov as the two fighters clinch.
Belikov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Johnson up against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Belikov.
Belikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Belikov digs a right hand into Johnson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Johnson's gas tank.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Belikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Belikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Belikov.
Belikov wants to stall.
Belikov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grigori Belikov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Belikov.

Belikov clinches.
A right hook to the body lands for Belikov.
Johnson looking to slow down the pace here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Belikov obliges.
Belikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Belikov crunches a lovely knee into Johnson's ribcage.
Nice body punch from Belikov - that landed with a thud.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Belikov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Belikov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Belikov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Johnson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Belikov avoiding damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belikov digs a right hand into Johnson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Johnson's gas tank.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Belikov holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Belikov pushes Johnson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belikov lands a nice elbow.
Johnson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Belikov landing knees to the body.
Johnson takes a knee to the side of the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Belikov.
A body shot lands from Belikov.
Belikov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Johnson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Belikov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Belikov with a knee to the head.
Belikov effectively controlling the action here.
Belikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Belikov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Johnson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Belikov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Belikov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Belikov lands an uppercut.
Belikov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Belikov lands a body shot.
Belikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Belikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyndon Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Belikov lands with a short shot to the head.
Johnson fails to pull guard.
Belikov misses with a knee to the head.
Johnson avoiding damage as Belikov throws knees to the body.
Johnson jumps guard but Belikov stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Johnson leaning against his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Belikov landing knees to the body.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Belikov tries to stall but Johnson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Johnson jumps into guard, dragging Belikov to the mat.
Johnson is pulling down on Belikov's head to control his posture.
Belikov wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.
Johnson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Belikov wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands strikes from half guard.

Belikov kicks Johnson off and gets back to his feet.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Lyndon Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Belikov tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson has his takedown stuffed
and Belikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Belikov gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belikov lands a knee to the head.
Belikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Johnson stalling in the clinch but Belikov improves position.
Belikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Johnson managing to block the knees to the body from Belikov.
Grigori Belikov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Johnson jumps guard but Belikov stands there with Johnson around his waist. Johnson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Belikov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Johnson.
Johnson looking to stall.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Belikov has him pressed against the cage.
Belikov lands a knee to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson takes an elbow to the temple.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Belikov wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grigori Belikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Johnson.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Belikov keeps working.
Belikov wants to control but Johnson postures up.
Belikov 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.
Belikov is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson looks up at the clock and then as Belikov takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Johnson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Belikov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Johnson's best efforts.
Belikov trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belikov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Johnson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Belikov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Well, if Johnson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Belikov trying to control from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Johnson there.
Belikov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
Belikov wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
Johnson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Belikov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belikov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
Johnson is taking a breather. Belikov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Belikov is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
Johnson working over Belikov with some ground and pound. Belikov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Belikov wants to get back to his feet.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Belikov gets full guard.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Belikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Belikov wants to stand and escape but Johnson is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lyndon Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Belikov controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.
Belikov wants to stand up but Johnson is controlling him.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A leg kick checked by Johnson.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Belikov.

Belikov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belikov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Belikov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Belikov is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
Johnson distracts Belikov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Belikov trying to control the position.
Johnson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Lyndon Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grigori Belikov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson distracts Belikov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyndon Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Belikov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Grigori Belikov!