PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fjodor Fedja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joni Johnsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fedja comes to the cage accompanied by The Sex Pistols - Anarchy in the UK . 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.

Fedja
vs
Johnsson

192 cm
24
215 lbs
12 - 5 - 1

185 cm
27
220 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Fjodor Fedja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Joni Johnsson!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fedja fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnsson sprawls well initially but Fedja persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fedja lands a nice short elbow.

Fedja seems to be working for a kimura but Johnsson defends the submission attempt.
Johnsson wants to control but Fedja is keeping busy.
Fedja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johnsson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fedja not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fedja 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.

Fedja is looking for a kimura here.
Johnsson pushes Fedja off looking to stand but Fedja dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fedja is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johnsson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Fedja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Johnsson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fedja thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fedja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnsson keeps working.
Fedja throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johnsson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fedja. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fedja stops Johnsson from getting back to his feet.

Fedja is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Johnsson sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fedja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnsson keeps working.

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.
Johnsson is trying to get back to full guard.
Fedja thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Johnsson to regain full guard.
Fedja stopping the sweep attempt from Johnsson.

Fedja gets to his feet. Johnsson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Johnsson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Johnsson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Fedja manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fedja throws the left hand but Johnsson avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fedja gets a clinch.
Johnsson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fedja or not.
A frustrated look appears on Fedja's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Fedja's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnsson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fedja under the eye.
Fedja avoids the body shot from Johnsson.
Johnsson looks to throw the jab but Fedja is out of range.
No luck for Fedja with that takedown attempt.
Johnsson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nice defenses there by Fedja.
Johnsson scores with a spinning back kick!
Fedja is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Fedja bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Fedja steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnsson.
Fedja displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnsson throws out the jab.
Fedja 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.
Johnsson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Fedja circles away from the clinch attempt

and Fedja counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnsson's guard now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fedja won't allow Johnsson to get back to his feet.
Johnsson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
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 Fjodor Fedja will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Johnsson throws a lazy right hand but Fedja sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Johnsson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fedja closes the distance and clinches up with Johnsson, looking for a takedown. Fedja pushes Johnsson against the cage but Johnsson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Johnsson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnsson misses the jab.
Fedja throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fedja uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnsson.
Johnsson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Decent striking displayed by Johnsson there.
Johnsson throws a wild body kick that Fedja sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fedja shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Johnsson sprawls well. Johnsson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fedja gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Johnsson as Fedja shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fjodor Fedja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fedja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johnsson tries to clinch there but Fedja circles away.
Fedja fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnsson keeps Fedja at a distance using the push kick.
Joni Johnsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fedja drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnsson.
Fedja takes one to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fedja chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnsson can pounce on him.
Johnsson darts in trying to clinch
and Fedja counters with a nice uppercut.
Fedja's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Johnsson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Fedja scrambles back to his feet.
Johnsson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johnsson lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fedja moves out of range of the strikes.
Fedja shoots in for a double leg but Johnsson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Johnsson lands with a slapping head kick.
Johnsson throws a head kick but Fedja moves out of range.
Johnsson throws a shot from downtown. Fedja moves away and avoids it.
Joni Johnsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fedja shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnsson defends it nicely.
Johnsson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fedja. That did some damage!
Johnsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fedja moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson moves away from the strike by Fedja.
Johnsson lands a nice looking body kick.
Fedja throws a shot from downtown. Johnsson moves away and avoids it.
Johnsson scores with a leg kick.
Johnsson lands with a straight right. Fedja didn't see that one coming.
Fedja looks to throw the jab but Johnsson is out of range.
Johnsson lands with a cross.
Fjodor Fedja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fedja missing with a left hand there. Johnsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fedja shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnsson defends it nicely.
Fedja looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joni Johnsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Donk. Johnsson catches Fedja right on the button with a cross.
Joni Johnsson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A slow jab from Fedja misses its intended target.
Johnsson misses with a looping left.
Johnsson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Johnsson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnsson slips a jab from Fedja.
Johnsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fedja paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Johnsson throws a hook but Fedja avoids it easily.
Fedja ducks under a wild hook from Johnsson.

Fedja has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnsson scores with a shoulder strike.
Fedja drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fedja blocks a body shot from Johnsson.
Johnsson tries to work over Fedja's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Johnsson lands a left hand.
Fedja has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Johnsson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Johnsson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short left from Johnsson.
Johnsson misses with a punch to the body.
Johnsson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnsson pushes Fedja back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short uppercut from Johnsson.
Johnsson lands a hook that snaps the head of Fedja backwards.
Nice body punch from Johnsson - that landed with a thud.

Johnsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fedja takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Johnsson thows a body shot but no joy.
Johnsson throws the kick towards the body but Fedja avoids it.
Nice sprawl there from Johnsson as Fedja shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fjodor Fedja. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnsson scores with a one two! Fedja had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Johnsson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fedja fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johnsson misses with a straight right.
Johnsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Fedja circles away.
Johnsson tries to close the distance and clinch but Fedja swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fedja shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fedja swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnsson.
Johnsson lands a leg kick that knocks Fedja off balance momentarily.
Fedja fails to land the takedown.
Fedja swats away the attempt to clinch by Johnsson.
Johnsson slips under a jab.
Fedja connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Johnsson momentarily.
Johnsson scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Johnsson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Fedja. Fedja circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fedja on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The fighters circling - Fedja throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johnsson thuds his shin into the meat of Fedja's side.
Fedja shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnsson but Johnsson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johnsson.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnsson lands a nice shot to the body.
Fedja slips under a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joni Johnsson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johnsson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joni Johnsson!