PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kevin Zarate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hector Johannson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hector Johannson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Zarate
vs
Johannson

175 cm
26
159 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

176 cm
28
159 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kevin Zarate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hector Johannson!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jorge Garcia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zarate tries to clinch there but Johannson circles away.
Zarate fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zarate is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Johannson.
Zarate is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Johannson.
Johannson shoots in for a takedown but Zarate shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Johannson.
Zarate misses with a body shot.
Johannson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Johannson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Johannson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Johannson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zarate defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johannson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Johannson throwing shots but Zarate is blocking nicely.
Zarate blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johannson.
Johannson with the ground and pound but Zarate uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Johannson wants to pass the guard but Zarate is keeping the position.
Johannson wants to control from the top but Zarate keeps moving.
Johannson looking to pass the guard.
Johannson landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zarate is controlling Johannson's posture.
Johannson postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kevin Zarate just wasn't active enough.
Johannson needs to keep his hands up - Zarate had a free shot at his head there.
No joy there for Zarate, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zarate doesn't manage to clinch there - Johannson circles away.
Johannson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zarate ducks under a wild hook from Johannson.
Johannson throws a head kick but Zarate moves out of range.
Johannson misses with a wild combination.
The crowd cheers as Johannson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Zarate doesn't seem phased though.
Johannson throws a body punch but Zarate moves out of range.

Zarate gets caught napping as Johannson dives in and scores a takedown. Zarate manages to retain guard.
Johannson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Zarate can't keep his opponent in guard - Johannson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johannson trying to control from half guard but Zarate is working away.
Zarate wants to get back to full guard.
Johannson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Johannson looking to control and managing it successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Johannson lands a heavy elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Johannson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Johannson looks to land a combination but Zarate avoids it well.
A lazy left from Zarate finds it's target.
Johannson throws a shot from downtown. Zarate moves away and avoids it.
Zarate tries to clinch but Johannson is having none of it.
Zarate tries to clinch there but Johannson circles away.
Zarate scores with a jab to the head.
Hector Johannson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johannson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johannson closes the distance and clinches up with Zarate, looking for a takedown. Johannson pushes Zarate against the cage but Zarate circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zarate staying out of range there.
Zarate scores with a crisp jab that stopped Johannson in his tracks.
Johannson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Zarate is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarate is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zarate misses with a wild combination.
Zarate moves out of range as Johannson strikes.
Zarate takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Johannson has a takedown stuffed.
Zarate lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kevin Zarate is winning the standup battle so far.
Johannson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johannson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zarate throws a sloppy head kick and Johannson moves out of range easily.
Johannson lands with a shot to the body.
Hector Johannson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johannson tests Zarate's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zarate wants to clinch.
Johannson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zarate tries to close the distance and clinch but Johannson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johannson with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johannson misses with a wild body shot.
Johannson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zarate.
Johannson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zarate was well out of range. Poor timing from Johannson.
Johannson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zarate manages to avoid it.
Zarate looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Johannson just misses with a punch to the body.
Johannson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Johannson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kevin Zarate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hector Johannson.
Johannson moves forwards but Zarate connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johannson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zarate looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zarate uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johannson has time to react.
Johannson throws a hook to the side of Zarate's head but Zarate sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zarate lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Johannson misses with a two punch combination.
Johannson misses with a hook. Zarate ducked under it nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zarate fails in his attempt to clinch.
A slow jab from Johannson misses its intended target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zarate tries to clinch there but Johannson circles away.
Zarate on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Johannson scores with a jab to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kevin Zarate will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Johannson misses with a combination
and Zarate counters with a straight right hand.
Johannson moves out of range as Zarate strikes.
Zarate lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Johannson at a distance.
Johannson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zarate fails to land the takedown.
Zarate uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johannson.
Zarate shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johannson but Johannson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Johannson moves out of range as Zarate strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zarate dodges the punch combination from Johannson.
Johannson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Zarate avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Johannson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johannson is pressing down on Zarate's thigh, looking to free his foot. Zarate is holding on for now.
Zarate is staying active underneath Johannson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johannson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Johannson landing punches.
Johannson controlling from the full mount.
Hector Johannson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zarate is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Zarate sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johannson is taking a breather. Zarate 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Johannson is trying to control. Zarate wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Johannson stops Zarate from getting back to his feet.
Johannson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Zarate is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Johannson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Johannson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Johannson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zarate's head.
Johannson working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Zarate's thigh. Zarate counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johannson looking to pass the guard.
Johannson advances position into side control!
Johannson in side control, throwing shots but Zarate defends.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johannson is looking to take a break and control but Zarate is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johannson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zarate defending against the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector Johannson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Johannson 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hector Johannson!