PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tony Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Siphiwe Tshabalala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Tshabalala

180 cm
22
164 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

170 cm
19
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

Legal High's - 158+ Recovery And 159+ Stamina $40

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tony Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Siphiwe Tshabalala!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paul Aken and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tshabalala throws out a loose jab but Johnson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Johnson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tshabalala misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tshabalala wants to clinch.
Tshabalala takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tshabalala cracks Johnson with a right hand to the side of the head.

Johnson moves into the clinch successfully.
Tshabalala scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Tshabalala.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Tshabalala is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Johnson is defending well for now.
Tshabalala tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Tshabalala scores a nice knee to the body.
Johnson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tshabalala lands a knee to the head.
Tshabalala tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Johnson avoids it.
Tshabalala throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnson blocks it with crossed arms.
Tshabalala is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Come on Tshabalala - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Johnson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Tshabalala regains guard.
Johnson trying to control but Tshabalala is working from the bottom.
Tshabalala keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control but Tshabalala is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Tshabalala is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tshabalala manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Tshabalala's guard.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Tshabalala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tshabalala wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tshabalala smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses
and Tshabalala counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good leg kick by Tshabalala there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Johnson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Tshabalala instigates a clinch.

Tshabalala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tshabalala lands a nice looking body kick.

Tshabalala moves into the clinch successfully.
Tshabalala lands a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tshabalala scores a nice knee to the body.
Tshabalala connects with a nasty looking knee right to Johnson's face.
Tshabalala landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tshabalala unloads a knee to the mid-section. Johnson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tshabalala crunches a lovely knee into Johnson's ribcage.
Tshabalala looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Tshabalala using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tshabalala unloads a knee to the mid-section. Johnson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tshabalala connects with a knee to the head.
Tshabalala working Johnson over with knees to the body.
Tshabalala tries a knee to the head but Johnson blocks it.

Tshabalala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tshabalala throws a nice head kick!
Some wild striking there from Johnson.
Tshabalala scores with a hook.
Johnson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tshabalala scores with the left hand. Johnson knows he should have avoided that one.
Tshabalala lands a glancing blow to the side of Johnson's head.
Tshabalala swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Johnson.
Tshabalala's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Tshabalala duly obliges.
Johnson throws a lazy body kick
and Tshabalala connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tshabalala misses with a straight left.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tshabalala is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Tshabalala circles away and we're back to standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tshabalala throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Siphiwe Tshabalala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tshabalala tests Johnson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tshabalala lands a head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Siphiwe Tshabalala dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tshabalala sprawls well. Tshabalala wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Tshabalala throws a combination. Johnson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Tshabalala might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Tshabalala gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Johnson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A knee to the head by Tshabalala.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Johnson can't break the clinch.
Tshabalala throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Johnson blocks it with crossed arms.
Tshabalala blocks the elbow strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Tshabalala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Tshabalala has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Johnson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tshabalala.
Johnson has Tshabalala pressed against the cage.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Tshabalala has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tshabalala has Johnson pushed against the cage.

Tshabalala manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick by Tshabalala misses

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Johnson is trying to control the action in half guard but Tshabalala is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Johnson is looking to advance position but Tshabalala won't allow it.

Johnson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tshabalala is just riding it out for now. Johnson eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson wants to control but Tshabalala is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala wants to get back to his feet.

Johnson wants to work for an arm triangle but Tshabalala is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tshabalala is trying to stand.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tshabalala pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tshabalala blocks a low kick nicely.
Tshabalala misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tshabalala fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tony Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Tshabalala counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Tshabalala closes the distance and clinches.
Tshabalala stalling the fight.
Tshabalala is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Johnson is defending well for now.

Tshabalala breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnson.
Tshabalala lands a glancing blow to the side of Johnson's head.
Johnson throws a shot to the body.
Donk. Tshabalala catches Johnson right on the button with a cross.
Johnson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tshabalala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tshabalala wants it to stay on the feet.
Tshabalala digs a good hook to Johnson's body.
Tshabalala lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tshabalala lands with a nice combination. Johnson backs away looking to recover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala scores with a nice strike.
Tshabalala throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but Tshabalala shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tshabalala fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tshabalala tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson walks into a jab.
Tshabalala tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Johnson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Tshabalala closes the distance and pushes Johnson back into the cage.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Johnson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tony Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tshabalala lands a glancing blow to the side of Johnson's head.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Tshabalala slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Siphiwe Tshabalala will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A head kick from Tshabalala lands but Johnson takes it in his stride.
Johnson throws a low kick, looking for Tshabalala's leg but Tshabalala calmly moves out of range.
Tshabalala's corner calls for a 1-2. Tshabalala obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Johnson gets a clinch.
Tshabalala looking to throw knees to the head but Johnson is blocking nicely.
A knee to the head by Tshabalala.
Johnson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Johnson tries to break free but Tshabalala pushes him back against the cage.
Johnson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tshabalala obliges.
Tshabalala misses with a knee strike.
Tshabalala with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tshabalala tries to land a knee to the head but Johnson blocks with his arms.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tshabalala pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tshabalala is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Tshabalala breaks from the clinch.
Tshabalala throws a shot from downtown. Johnson moves away and avoids it.
Johnson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Johnson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson stands and throws Tshabalala's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Tshabalala is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Johnson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tshabalala is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tshabalala pushes Johnson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Johnson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in 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 wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tshabalala keeps working.

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

Johnson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control but Tshabalala is keeping him busy.
Tshabalala tries to escape but Johnson is in control.
Tshabalala is not content to let Johnson control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tshabalala can do anything to dispel that myth.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A jab from Tshabalala does it's job there.
Tony Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tshabalala wants to clinch.
Tshabalala slips under a jab from Johnson.
Tshabalala wants to clinch.
Tshabalala uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.
Tshabalala plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tshabalala fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Tshabalala moved out of range nicely.
Johnson misses with a hook.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tshabalala moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Tshabalala stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tshabalala connects with a high kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Siphiwe Tshabalala.
I've got Tshabalala winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Siphiwe Tshabalala!