PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Corey Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson's entrance music is Beat It. A fine choice. Steven Knight acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Johnson
vs
Knight

170 cm
25
155 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
160 lbs
8 - 3 - 1

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Divine - Drugs (158 products)
Divine - Drugs (158 products)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Corey Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Steven Knight!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson moves out of range as Knight strikes.

A big head kick from Knight and Johnson is sent sprawling to the canvas!

It looks like Corey Johnson has been cut.
Knight sitting in guard here, content to control.
Knight wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Johnson is trying to keep Knight in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson keeping full guard, as Knight tries to pass.
Johnson pulls Knight in close to his closed guard and prevents Knight from doing any damage or advancing position.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Knight wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight wants to get up but he can't break Johnson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Johnson lands a slapping body shot.
Knight misses with a looping left.
Johnson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Knight at a distance.
Steven Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson works over Knight's head and body with a nice combination.
The fighters circling - Knight throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Knight closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Johnson pulls Knight into guard.
Knight tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.
Johnson trying to control the position.
Knight is pushing down on Johnson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Johnson is fighting to maintain full guard but Knight has managed to sneak the leg through.
Johnson is trying to control but can't.
Johnson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Knight's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Knight from getting back to his feet.
Johnson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Knight will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Knight is striking from the bottom but Johnson uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Knight is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Knight is defending well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Knight works his way to full guard. Good work.
Knight controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Knight swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Knight is trying to control the position from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Johnson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Knight.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Johnson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Johnson dominating with strikes here.
Johnson lands a big shot there that rocks Knight but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Johnson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Johnson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Knight can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Johnson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Johnson working the ground and pound effectively.
Johnson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Knight is in all sorts of trouble here.
Johnson trying to control but Knight is having none of 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 Corey Johnson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Corey Johnson's cut.
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 checks a leg kick nicely.
Knight throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Johnson counters with a left to the body.
Knight gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Knight takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Knight misses with a hook.
Knight lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Knight is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Knight circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Knight.
Knight misses with a body kick.
Johnson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Knight walks into a jab.
Knight throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Knight loads up on a big right hand but Johnson slips the punch.
Steven Knight is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Knight rushes Johnson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Knight breaks the clinch.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Knight.
Knight throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Knight utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Knight looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson thows a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Knight is looking to stand up but Johnson isn't so interested in that idea.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Knight misses with a looping left.
Johnson shoots in but Knight avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A big right from Knight misses.
Knight clinches but Johnson breaks the clinch
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.

Knight closes the distance and clinches.

Knight breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steven Knight is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson thuds a left hand into Knight's body.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Knight manages to avoid it.

Johnson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Knight's guard.
Knight keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Knight working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is in close to Knight's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Johnson stops Knight from standing up.
Knight looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Knight is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Knight's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Knight is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Knight's shoulder. That is not cool.
Johnson tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Johnson working away.
Knight tries to buck Johnson off but Johnson is having none of it.
Knight is trying to buck Johnson off.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Knight tries to clinch there but Johnson circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Corey Johnson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Corey Johnson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Knight walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A swing and a miss from Knight.
A big right from Knight misses.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Knight waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Johnson.
Johnson throws a body punch but Knight moves out of range.
Johnson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Johnson prevents Knight from standing back up.

Knight actively working from the bottom here.

Knight looking for submissions off his back.
Knight gets full guard.
Knight takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Knight is keeping the position.
Knight wants to sweep here but Johnson controlling him for the moment.
Johnson trying to control but Knight is working from the bottom.
Johnson thows a big elbow that misses.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Johnson stalks Knight and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Knight's face. Knight staggers backwards, shaken.
Knight swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnson counters with a series of strikes. Knight will be more careful next time no doubt.
Johnson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Knight circles away quickly and effectively.
Knight throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Johnson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johnson takes a swing at Knight's ribcage but misses.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Johnson's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Johnson duly obliges.

Johnson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Knight is trying to defend but Johnson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Knight is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Johnson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Johnson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Knight for as long as he can get away with.
Johnson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Knight knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Knight is trying to maintain the position but Johnson is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson wants to take a breather but Knight is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson prevents Knight from improving his position.
Knight is not content to let Johnson control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Knight lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Knight is refusing to be controlled, as Johnson sits in half guard.
Knight trying to control from the bottom.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johnson stops Knight from getting back to his feet.
Knight has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
Johnson trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight is trying to stand up here but Johnson is controlling him well.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knight keeps working.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Johnson defending well as Knight loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson moves away from the strike by Knight.
Knight throws a half hearted mid kick.
Knight lands a slapping body shot.
Johnson lands with a hook. Knight tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Knight thows a left - swing and a miss!
Johnson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Johnson lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Johnson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Corey Johnson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Knight misses with a body punch

and Johnson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Knight!
Knight is trying to escape the mount.
Johnson tries to control but Knight wriggling away.
Johnson working the ground and pound effectively.
Knight tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.
Knight gets back to half guard.
Knight trying to control here.
Knight is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Johnson jumps into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson working the head with strikes.
Johnson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Knight to see if he's OK.
Knight wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Knight is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Johnson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Johnson grinds an elbow into Knight's temple.
Johnson trying to control the position but Knight is working away.
Knight manages to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson passes to full mount!
Knight is trying to stand up.
Johnson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Johnson controlling the position easily from mount.
Johnson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Knight looks a forlorn figure.
Johnson lands with some strikes.
Corey Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Knight tries to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Johnson looking to control but Knight is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Knight is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Knight takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Knight is wriggling around trying to escape.
Knight is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Johnson cracks Knight with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Johnson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Johnson trying to control but Knight is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight wants to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
Johnson with good strikes from the mount here!
Knight squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Knight taking shots to the head.
Johnson lands with some strikes.
Knight tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Knight is desperately trying to improve his position but Johnson has a good base and remains in mount.
Johnson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Johnson had his way with Steven Knight in that round.
The cut man is working on Corey Johnson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Johnson scores with a takedown into Knight's guard.
Johnson controlling from the top position.
Johnson trying to control but Knight is working from the bottom.
Knight wants to stand up but Johnson is controlling him.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight striking off his back but it's not causing Johnson any problems.

Knight looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Knight is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Johnson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Knight lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Johnson circles away quickly and effectively.
Johnson defending well as Knight loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson scores with a jab to the head.
Knight throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Corey Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Knight missing with a left hand there. Johnson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson slips a straight right by Knight.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Knight.
Knight on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Johnson is looking to wear down Knight with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Knight.

Johnson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Knight to the mat! Knight manages to get full guard.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Knight has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Johnson has managed to get both his arms back between Knight's legs - danger averted.
Knight being controlled here, momentarily.
Knight working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a couple of digs.
Johnson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Johnson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Knight's head.
Johnson won't allow Knight to get back to his feet.
Johnson stands and throws Knight's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Knight tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Johnson tries to advance to mount but Knight denies him.
Knight is letting Johnson control him for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Johnson working away.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Knight down.
Knight tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Johnson easily slips into full mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Steven Knight has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knight is trying to escape the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Corey Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 50:45
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 50:45
Judge William Peck scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Corey Johnson!
Corey Johnson retains his lightweight title!