PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johan Herberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyson Kawajiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tyson Kawajiri will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Herberg
vs
Kawajiri

160 cm
25
167 lbs
9 - 2 - 1

178 cm
23
163 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Australian Xtreme - 159 Energy!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Johan Herberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tyson Kawajiri!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herberg uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kawajiri.
Herberg looks to land a right hand but Kawajiri moved out of range.
Herberg ducks under a wild hook from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri moves away from the strike by Herberg.
Kawajiri smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Herberg moves away from the strike by Kawajiri.
Kawajiri lands a right hook to the body.
Herberg takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kawajiri moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Herberg takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kawajiri takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kawajiri misses with a wild body shot.
Kawajiri throws a hook but Herberg avoids it easily.
Herberg is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kawajiri.
Herberg tests Kawajiri's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice body punch from Kawajiri.
A big left from Herberg misses.
Herberg lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri misses with a hook. Herberg ducked under it nicely.
Tyson Kawajiri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kawajiri misses with a wild body shot.
Kawajiri missing with a left hand there. Herberg was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kawajiri thows a body shot but no joy.
Kawajiri misses with a body shot.
Herberg loads up on a big right hand but Kawajiri slips the punch.
Kawajiri misses with a hook to the body
and Herberg counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kawajiri misses with a looping right.
Herberg shoots in for a takedown but Kawajiri shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tyson Kawajiri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Herberg throws a lazy right hand but Kawajiri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kawajiri fails to land with a series of punches.
Herberg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kawajiri.
Herberg scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kawajiri doesn't seem bothered though.
Herberg lands with a cross.
Kawajiri throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Herberg bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herberg scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kawajiri ducks under a wild hook from Herberg.
Kawajiri lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kawajiri swings away with a body shot that misses
and Herberg counters with a stiff right hand.
Herberg dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kawajiri misses with a body shot.
Kawajiri throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Herberg.
Herberg dives in and grabs Kawajiri's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kawajiri pushes down on Herberg's head and hops out.
Kawajiri misses with a two punch combination.
A slow jab from Herberg misses its intended target.
Kawajiri throws a combination that misses

and Herberg counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kawajiri won't be happy with that.
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!
Kawajiri tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kawajiri misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Kawajiri is trying to get back to half guard.
Herberg in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herberg wants to control but Kawajiri is keeping him busy.

Herberg thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kawajiri is looking for a sweep.
Kawajiri throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kawajiri is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kawajiri is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Herberg scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kawajiri misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Herberg drops an elbow to the side of Kawajiri's head.

Kawajiri looking for a kimura from the bottom but Herberg passes into side control!
Kawajiri takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Kawajiri can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herberg landing strikes.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Herberg cracks Kawajiri with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Kawajiri regains half guard.
Kawajiri is trying to get back to full guard.
Kawajiri throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Herberg is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kawajiri is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Herberg slips a nice elbow through Kawajiri's hands, connecting with Kawajiri's forehead.
Herberg looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kawajiri with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kawajiri punching from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Herberg dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kawajiri misses with a hook.
Kawajiri ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Herberg shoots in for a takedown but Kawajiri shows good takedown defense.
Kawajiri swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tyson Kawajiri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kawajiri connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kawajiri misses with a shot to the body

and Herberg counters with a shoot takedown. Kawajiri fights it but they end up in guard.
Kawajiri trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Kawajiri striking off his back but it's not causing Herberg any problems.
Kawajiri trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Herberg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kawajiri working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Herberg.
Kawajiri wants to sweep but no luck.
Kawajiri is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kawajiri is striking from the bottom but Herberg uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Herberg passes to side control.
Herberg slips into full mount, dodging the strikes by Kawajiri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Herberg.
Herberg scoring with strikes but Kawajiri is staying in there.
Herberg is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kawajiri slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Herberg is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kawajiri missing with punches from the bottom.
Herberg lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kawajiri tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Johan Herberg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kawajiri trying to control but Herberg postures up.
Herberg is looking to advance position but Kawajiri won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Kawajiri flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Kawajiri misses with some strikes from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kawajiri moves out of range as Herberg strikes.
Kawajiri thows a body shot but no joy.
Kawajiri is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Herberg rather than just go for the knockout.
Decent striking displayed by Kawajiri there.
Kawajiri displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kawajiri tests Herberg's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kawajiri misses with a hook to the body
and Herberg counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kawajiri throws a left and a right that both miss

and Herberg counters with a takedown into side control.
Herberg has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
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!
Herberg is chipping away with strikes.
Kawajiri throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Kawajiri is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kawajiri is looking to control Herberg's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kawajiri avoid being mounted?
Kawajiri is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herberg working over Kawajiri with some ground and pound. Kawajiri looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kawajiri flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Kawajiri tries to roll over but Herberg keeps him under control.
Herberg scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kawajiri throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Herberg working over Kawajiri with some ground and pound. Kawajiri looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kawajiri punching from the bottom.
Kawajiri is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Herberg's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Herberg's back!
Herberg rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Herberg wants to control but Kawajiri is keeping busy.
Kawajiri looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Herberg with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kawajiri misses with a head shot. Herberg uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kawajiri throws and elbow that misses. Herberg uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kawajiri's guard. Nice move by Herberg!
Herberg wants to control from the top but Kawajiri keeps moving.
Kawajiri looking to hit a scissor sweep but Herberg is one step ahead there.
Kawajiri trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kawajiri is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kawajiri missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Herberg dominated that second round.
That's time! Herberg's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Herberg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kawajiri.
Kawajiri thows a body shot but no joy.
Kawajiri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kawajiri misses with a combination
and Herberg counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

It looks like Tyson Kawajiri has been cut.
Kawajiri will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Herberg jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Herberg loads up on a big right hand but Kawajiri slips the punch.
Kawajiri connects with a right hand. Herberg shakes it off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawajiri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Herberg circles away quickly and effectively.
Kawajiri misses the shot to the body.
Some wild striking there from Kawajiri.
Herberg dodges the punch combination from Kawajiri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawajiri lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Herberg moves out of range as Kawajiri strikes.
Kawajiri misses with a hook to the body

and Herberg counters with a single leg into guard. Kawajiri didn't expect that.
Herberg stands and throws Kawajiri's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Check out the look on Herberg's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kawajiri on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Herberg is chipping away with strikes.
Herberg lands an elbow.
Kawajiri tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Kawajiri is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kawajiri taking some punishment here, with Herberg in his half guard.
Kawajiri is trying to control but can't.
Herberg lands strikes from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawajiri is looking to improve his position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kawajiri can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawajiri is not content to let Herberg control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kawajiri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Herberg sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Herberg fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kawajiri manages to avoid it.
Kawajiri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Herberg.
A big right from Herberg misses.
Kawajiri lands a right hook to the body.
A big left from Herberg misses.
Kawajiri catches Herberg with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herberg takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kawajiri swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Herberg counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Kawajiri looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Herberg passes into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Herberg works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Tyson Kawajiri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
You can see the frustration on Kawajiri's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The referee asks Herberg politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Herberg prefers to stall for the moment though.
Kawajiri tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Herberg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kawajiri is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Herberg off and has taken his back!
Herberg manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kawajiri's guard. Nice work there by Herberg.
Kawajiri trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herberg throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kawajiri works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Kawajiri throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kawajiri tries to strike from the bottom.
Herberg landing some decent shots from guard.
Kawajiri looking to hit a scissor sweep but Herberg is one step ahead there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kawajiri misses with an uppercut. Herberg saw that one coming.
Kawajiri misses with a body shot

and Herberg counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kawajiri's guard now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Herberg is in close to Kawajiri's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Johan Herberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Herberg content to stall in guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johan Herberg showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Herberg, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johan Herberg!