PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Evgeni Klebanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Klebanov's entrance music is Your Worst Nightmare. 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.

Klebanov
vs
Johnson

168 cm
25
166 lbs
11 - 3 - 1

176 cm
25
157 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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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 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evgeni Klebanov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kevin Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klebanov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Klebanov cracks the inside of Johnson's front leg.
Johnson thuds his right hand into Klebanov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Johnson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Klebanov moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.

Klebanov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Klebanov lands in his opponent's guard.
Klebanov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Johnson can't keep his opponent in guard - Klebanov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Klebanov is taking a breather. Johnson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Johnson wants to stand back up but Klebanov manages to pass into side control.
A lull in the action here.
Johnson pushes Klebanov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Klebanov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Klebanov remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Klebanov drags him back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Klebanov is staying tight to Johnson's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Johnson tries to escape but Klebanov is in control.
Johnson trying to remain calm as Klebanov controls from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Evgeni Klebanov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Johnson connects with a right hand. Klebanov shakes it off.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Klebanov moves away and avoids it.
Johnson misses with a body punch
and Klebanov counters with a slapping leg kick.
Klebanov cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.

Klebanov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Johnson was covering up waiting for the punch and Klebanov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Klebanov passes Johnson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Klebanov passes to side control.

Johnson explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson misses the body punch

and Klebanov moves into the clinch.
Johnson looks gassed!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Klebanov.
A hook to the body from Klebanov.
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!
Klebanov lands a right hand.
Klebanov cracks Johnson with a nice body shot.

Klebanov jumps guard.
Johnson is fighting to break Klebanov's control of his arms but Klebanov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Klebanov is on top in guard.
Klebanov stays in close to Johnson's body and controls the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Klebanov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Klebanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Klebanov.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Klebanov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Johnson's knee momentarily.
Klebanov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Johnson. That did some damage!
Klebanov lands with a good body shot.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Klebanov on the side of the head.
Klebanov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Klebanov can pounce on him.
Crunch! Klebanov slams his shin into Johnson's torso.
Klebanov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Johnson's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klebanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Klebanov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Klebanov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Klebanov works his way into side control.
Johnson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Klebanov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Klebanov taking a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Johnson for as long as he can get away with.
Johnson pushes Klebanov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Klebanov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov 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 Johnson's shoulder. That is not cool.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Evgeni Klebanov wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Klebanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A right hook to the body lands for Klebanov.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Klebanov lands a left hand.
Klebanov scores with a hook to the body.

Klebanov decides to pull guard.
Klebanov seems keen to control Johnson's posture.
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Klebanov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson wants to pass the guard but Klebanov is keeping the position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Klebanov holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Evgeni Klebanov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Klebanov works Johnson's body with a nice hook.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Klebanov ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.

Klebanov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Johnson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Klebanov feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down.
A lazy left from Johnson finds it's target.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Klebanov is out of range.
Klebanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Klebanov.
Johnson is letting Klebanov control him for a moment.

Johnson sneaks out the side door and pushes Klebanov away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Kevin Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a combination that misses
and Klebanov counters with a body kick.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Klebanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Klebanov moves away from the strike by Johnson.

Johnson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson can't keep his opponent in guard - Klebanov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Johnson tries to kick Klebanov off in order to stand up. Klebanov Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Klebanov working the ground and pound from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov slows the pace down.
Klebanov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Johnson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Klebanov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Klebanov controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Evgeni Klebanov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Johnson misses with a combination
and Klebanov counters with a leg kick.
Johnson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Klebanov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Johnson 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.
Klebanov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Johnson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Klebanov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Klebanov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Klebanov not doing much here.
Johnson is in trouble now - Klebanov has advanced to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Johnson is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Klebanov has taken his back!
Klebanov is riding his opponent, not letting Johnson buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Klebanov clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Klebanov makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Johnson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Klebanov counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Johnson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Klebanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Johnson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Klebanov.
Klebanov moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Klebanov moves out of range as Johnson strikes.

Klebanov closes the distance and clinches.
A left hand lands to the body for Klebanov.
A hook to the body from Klebanov.
Klebanov lands a body punch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Klebanov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Kevin Johnson has been cut.
Klebanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
A right hook to the body lands for Klebanov.
Johnson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Klebanov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson is trying to get back to his feet.

Klebanov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Johnson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klebanov remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Johnson pushes Klebanov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Klebanov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Klebanov controls the position from side control.

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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Evgeni Klebanov just wasn't active enough.
Klebanov thuds his shin into the meat of Johnson's side.
Nice body kick from Klebanov.
Klebanov scores with a leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Klebanov. That's going to slow Johnson down.
Klebanov feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov lands a jab to Johnson's midsection.

Klebanov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Klebanov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Klebanov looking to control and managing it successfully.

Klebanov jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Johnson manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is letting Klebanov control him for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Klebanov had his way with Kevin Johnson in that round.
The cut man is working on Kevin Johnson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A shot to the body from Johnson misses
and Klebanov counters with a leg kick.
Johnson throws a combination that misses

and Klebanov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Klebanov.
Klebanov stops Johnson from standing up.
Klebanov passes Johnson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Klebanov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Klebanov eventually gives up the hold.
Klebanov is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson tries to kick Klebanov off but Klebanov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Johnson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Klebanov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Klebanov wants to pass to mount but Johnson is defending the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Evgeni Klebanov just wasn't active enough.
Johnson misses the jab.
Klebanov is looking to wear down Johnson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnson moves forwards but Klebanov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johnson misses with a combination

and Klebanov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Klebanov isn't so interested in that idea.
Klebanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Klebanov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Klebanov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Johnson is looking to stand back up but Klebanov counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Johnson.
Klebanov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to escape back to his feet but Klebanov uses the scramble to pass into side control.
A lull in the action here as Klebanov stalls from top position.
Kevin Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Evgeni Klebanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Klebanov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:44
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 50:43
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evgeni Klebanov!
Evgeni Klebanov retains his lightweight title!