PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Corey Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacques Shellac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes into the arena with Decision blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnson
vs
Shellac

170 cm
26
155 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

178 cm
24
167 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp
Syndicate Drugs

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 13 - 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 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jacques Shellac!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson blocks a head kick by Shellac.
Shellac misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shellac stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Shellac lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Corey Johnson has been cut.
Shellac throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Shellac finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Johnson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Shellac sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Shellac is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but Shellac defending well.
Shellac really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Johnson in particular looking to stall.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura but Shellac is defending well.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Shellac is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Johnson not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shellac tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Johnson connects with the punch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Shellac. That's going to slow Johnson down.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shellac can pounce on him.
Shellac is looking to clinch.
Johnson with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.

Johnson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Johnson is looking to take a break and control but Shellac is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but Shellac is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Johnson to get the leverage.
Johnson tries to pass to full mount but Shellac defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnson is working for a kimura but Shellac is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shellac wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but Shellac defending well.

Johnson is working for a kimura but Shellac is defending it quite comfortably.
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.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Shellac defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson cracks a nice hook into Shellac's ribs.
Johnson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Shellac lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Johnson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Johnson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Shellac napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Johnson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shellac has escaped the position, nice work there.

Johnson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Shellac has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Johnson but great work by Shellac.
Johnson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson struggling a bit here.
Johnson is looking to regain half guard here but Shellac keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Johnson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson is staying active underneath Shellac, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Shellac throws a low kick, looking for Johnson's leg but Johnson calmly moves out of range.
Shellac throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Johnson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shellac lands with a slapping head kick.
Shellac leaves Johnson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A jab from Johnson finds it's way through Shellac's defenses.
Shellac throws a head kick that misses.
Shellac throws a solid leg kick but Johnson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Shellac.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Shellac tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Shellac on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Shellac tries to clinch but Johnson is having none of it.
Shellac tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A right-left combo lands from Johnson.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Good standup being displayed there by Johnson as he connects with a hook.
Shellac is looking to score with low kicks.
Johnson tests Shellac's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jacques Shellac is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Shellac tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A decent looking cross lands there for Johnson.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shellac looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shellac tries a low kick but Johnson avoids it.
Johnson thuds a left hand into Shellac's body.
Johnson lands with an overhand left.
Johnson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Johnson stays in close to Shellac's body and controls the position.
Shellac is trying to control the position but Johnson postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Johnson dominated that second 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!

Shellac throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Shellac lands a head kick!
Johnson connects with a nice looking jab.
Shellac lands a head kick!

Johnson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Shellac is trying to defend but Johnson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shellac keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Johnson is working for a kimura but Shellac is defending it quite comfortably.
Johnson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is looking for a kimura but Shellac is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Johnson to get the leverage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shellac can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shellac is not content to let Johnson control the position.
Johnson controlling the action here.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Corey Johnson just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Johnson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shellac on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Johnson scores with a nice strike.
Shellac takes one to the side of the head.
Shellac throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shellac moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
Johnson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Johnson moves out of range as Shellac throws a body kick.
Johnson scores with a body shot.
Shellac tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Johnson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Johnson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shellac at a distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson connects with the punch.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but Shellac sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jacques Shellac is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shellac uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.

Johnson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Shellac looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Shellac trying to remain calm as Johnson controls from the top position.
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.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Shellac is out of range.
Shellac swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shellac throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Johnson lands with an uppercut that bounces Shellac off the cage and back into rage.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Shellac.
Johnson throws the left hand but Shellac avoids the punch easily.

Johnson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Johnson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Shellac keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson stands and throws Shellac's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Johnson content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Johnson wants to control but Shellac is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Johnson controlling the position.
Johnson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Shellac sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Johnson wants to control but Shellac is keeping him busy.
Johnson happy to just control the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shellac is not content to let Johnson control the position.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Corey Johnson just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Johnson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shellac keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Shellac's face as Johnson controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shellac is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Shellac manages to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson throws a strike but Shellac avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Johnson had his way with Jacques Shellac in that round.
The cut man is working on Corey Johnson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Johnson's corner calls for a 1-2. Johnson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Johnson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Shellac will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shellac with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Johnson to score with a decent uppercut.
Shellac pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shellac tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shellac is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Shellac circles away and we're back to standing.
Shellac swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.
Shellac throws a lazy head kick

so Johnson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Johnson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Johnson prevents Shellac from getting back to his feet.
Shellac is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Johnson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Johnson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Corey Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Shellac is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shellac manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Shellac's guard.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Shellac is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shellac manages to avoid it.
Johnson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shellac.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Shellac on the side of the head.
Shellac keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shellac is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Jacques Shellac seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shellac pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four 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.
Johnson stalks Shellac and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Shellac's face. Shellac staggers backwards, shaken.
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
Shellac walks into a jab.
Shellac has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johnson scores with a nice right hand.
Shellac throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Shellac moved out of range.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jacques Shellac has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Corey Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson checks a low kick from Shellac.
Shellac throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Shellac keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The crowd cheers as Johnson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shellac doesn't seem phased though.
Johnson lands with a shot to the body.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Shellac avoids nicely.

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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:46
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 50:46
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 50:45

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