PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Johnsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Sheznik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnsson's entrance music is Kashmir - Led Zeppelin. A fine choice. 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.

Johnsson
vs
Sheznik

180 cm
28
182 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

180 cm
28
180 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gunnar Johnsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nick Sheznik!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sheznik tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Johnsson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Sheznik changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnsson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Sheznik tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sheznik has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Sheznik trying to control the position but Johnsson is working away.
Johnsson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnsson is defending against the submission attempts here by Sheznik.
Johnsson manages to get to full guard.
Sheznik loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sheznik can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Johnsson is trying to control the position but Sheznik postures up.
Sheznik loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sheznik wants to stand but Johnsson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sheznik showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Johnsson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sheznik.

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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sheznik accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sheznik is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnsson has wrist control.
Sheznik must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sheznik is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnsson has wrist control.
Johnsson managing to control the position.
Sheznik with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnsson keeping moving, preventing Sheznik from controlling successfully.
Johnsson 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.
Johnsson is working hard here to advance position.
Sheznik not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nick Sheznik hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Sheznik fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Sheznik shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Johnsson wants to improve his position but Sheznik is controlling well.
Johnsson trying to control but Sheznik postures up.
Sheznik is looking to take a break and control but Johnsson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sheznik tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson is trying to get back to full guard.
Sheznik takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Johnsson is trying to get back to full guard.
Sheznik is pressing down on Johnsson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Johnsson is holding on for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sheznik working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sheznik landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Sheznik dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sheznik shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Johnsson as he jumps to the side.
Nick Sheznik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sheznik misses with a looping right.
A cross from Johnsson lands.
Johnsson lands a right hook to the body.
Johnsson misses with a few strikes there.
Sheznik connects with a good right hand that stumbles Johnsson. Johnsson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Johnsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sheznik wants to clinch.
The fighters circling - Johnsson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sheznik has a takedown stuffed.
Sheznik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnsson throws a head punch that misses.

Johnsson pulls guard successfully.
Johnsson keeping moving, preventing Sheznik from controlling successfully.

Sheznik drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Johnsson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sheznik has Johnsson in his guard.
Johnsson wants to control from the top but Sheznik keeps moving.
Johnsson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sheznik working a defensive guard here.
Johnsson trying to control but Sheznik is working from the bottom.
Johnsson landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson stopping the sweep attempt from Sheznik.
Sheznik throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Johnsson landing some decent shots from guard.
Sheznik not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnsson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Johnsson drops back looking for a leg! Sheznik is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sheznik manages to kick Johnsson off! Johnsson jumps back into Sheznik's guard.
Johnsson postures up and lands a big shot to Sheznik's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Johnsson tries to advance position but instead Sheznik slips a leg back in to half guard.
Sheznik is trying to get back to full guard.
Sheznik is looking to control Johnsson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sheznik avoid being mounted?

Sheznik is defending against the submission attempts here by Johnsson.
Sheznik taking some punishment here, with Johnsson in his half guard.

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.
Johnsson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Johnsson is looking for a kimura here.
Johnsson wants to control but Sheznik is keeping him busy.
Sheznik moves into full guard.
Johnsson is standing up over Sheznik. Sheznik looks to escape but Johnsson dives into side control.
Sheznik tries to buck Johnsson off but Johnsson is having none of it.
Sheznik regains half guard.
Johnsson works his way into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Johnsson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Johnsson scores with a jab. Sheznik acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Johnsson throws a jab but it's blocked by Sheznik.
Johnsson slaps away a takedown attempt from Sheznik, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sheznik ducks right into an uppercut from Johnsson.

Sheznik closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sheznik lands in his opponent's guard.
Sheznik throws a strike but Johnsson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sheznik looking to control but Johnsson passes into half guard.
Johnsson lands with a punch from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnsson drops an elbow to the side of Sheznik's head.

Johnsson seems to be working for a kimura but Sheznik defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sheznik manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sheznik keeping moving, preventing Johnsson from controlling successfully.
Sheznik is trying to control the position but Johnsson postures up.
Johnsson throwing strikes from guard but Sheznik blocks nicely.
Sheznik striking off his back but it's not causing Johnsson any problems.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnsson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Johnsson stops Sheznik from standing up.
Johnsson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sheznik's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheznik tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sheznik takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sheznik being controlled here, momentarily.
Sheznik tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sheznik trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Johnsson tries to free his leg and advance position but Sheznik is retaining full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnsson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sheznik 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.
Johnsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sheznik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sheznik throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson trying to control but Sheznik is working from the bottom.
Sheznik wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnsson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnsson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sheznik trying to control the position here.
Johnsson working some strikes from top position.
Sheznik trying to keep a closed guard but Johnsson is proving a slippery customer.

Johnsson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Johnsson postures up in Sheznik's guard and throws a big left but Sheznik blocks it.

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.
Johnsson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sheznik's head.
Sheznik avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnsson won't allow Sheznik to get back to his feet.
Sheznik utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnsson postures up and lands a big shot to Sheznik's brow.
Sheznik manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Johnsson is in a horrible position here. Sheznik smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sheznik with good strikes from the mount here!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gunnar Johnsson.
I think Johnsson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gunnar Johnsson!