PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Morris McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McDonald
vs
Johnson

173 cm
29
169 lbs
18 - 13 - 1

173 cm
25
155 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Grace Grappling Gear

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 18 - 13 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Morris McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michael Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonald lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

McDonald shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McDonald showed some decent athleticism there.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
McDonald prevents Johnson from standing back up.
McDonald lands strikes from half guard.
McDonald sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Johnson defending well though.
Johnson tries to kick McDonald off but McDonald keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
McDonald working the head and body with strikes.

Johnson kicks off McDonald and gets to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McDonald on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A jab from McDonald misses.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch but McDonald swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Johnson rushes McDonald and presses him up against the cage.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but McDonald has double underhooks.

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

McDonald closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Johnson is trying to buck McDonald off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McDonald is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Johnson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Johnson sneaks out the side door and pushes McDonald away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Johnson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McDonald counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Michael Johnson has been cut.
Johnson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
McDonald dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
A decent looking cross lands there for Johnson.
McDonald misses with a hook.
Johnson misses with a combination
and McDonald counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.
Johnson throws a right hand that McDonald ducks under and follows up with a left that McDonald also avoids with ease.
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson thows a body shot but no joy.
McDonald pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McDonald displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
McDonald tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
A swing and a miss from McDonald.
A big right from Johnson misses.

McDonald scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

McDonald is trying to get an arm triangle but Johnson is defending well.
Johnson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but McDonald is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald cracks Johnson with a big elbow.
Johnson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
McDonald creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Johnson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Johnson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McDonald landing a few strikes.
McDonald cracks Johnson with a big elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
McDonald lands some shots froms side control.
Johnson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McDonald lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Johnson down.
McDonald postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Johnson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
McDonald connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Johnson some visible discomfort.
Johnson is trying to buck McDonald off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
McDonald misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
McDonald landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Johnson is working to avoid the ground and pound but McDonald connects with a decent elbow.
Johnson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
McDonald lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Johnson explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Johnson looks gassed!
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johnson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

McDonald looking to score a takedown here. Johnson is defending well but McDonald drives through and ends up in Johnson's guard.
McDonald 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.
McDonald prevents Johnson from getting back to his feet.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McDonald.

McDonald 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morris McDonald dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Johnson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

McDonald misses the shot to the body.
McDonald throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
McDonald looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Johnson gets caught napping as McDonald dives in and scores a takedown. Johnson manages to retain guard.
Johnson wants to stand but McDonald is controlling the position.
McDonald postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McDonald working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McDonald trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Johnson has his feet on McDonald's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
McDonald is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Johnson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Good shot there by McDonald.
Michael Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDonald takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
McDonald takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but McDonald sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McDonald takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
McDonald slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Johnson avoids the body shot from McDonald.
Johnson throws a series of punches but McDonald moves out of range.
McDonald misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - McDonald throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McDonald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
McDonald dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
McDonald scores with a leg kick.
McDonald cracks a nice hook into Johnson's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Johnson checks a leg kick.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
McDonald just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson slips under a jab from McDonald.
Johnson lands a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Johnson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McDonald doesn't seem bothered though.
McDonald throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
McDonald pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McDonald showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johnson.
McDonald throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McDonald throws a shot to the body.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Johnson is breathing heavily.

Johnson kicks off McDonald and gets to his feet.
McDonald misses with a looping right.
McDonald misses with a hook.
Johnson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McDonald throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
McDonald cracks Johnson with an open hand slap.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson avoids the body shot from McDonald.
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Johnson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McDonald looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
McDonald throws a hook to the side of Johnson's head but Johnson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Michael Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson stalks McDonald and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McDonald's face. McDonald staggers backwards, shaken.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDonald defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson throws a hook but McDonald avoids it easily.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Johnson has McDonald up against the cage in a clinch.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
McDonald swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Johnson.
Michael Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Johnson. McDonald does a little dance to reset his feet.
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Johnson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McDonald.
McDonald slips a straight right by Johnson.
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 Morris McDonald will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Michael Johnson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McDonald fails to land the takedown.
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on McDonald's shoulder, as McDonald tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McDonald.
Johnson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from McDonald.
McDonald throws a big shot that misses.
A left and a right from Johnson both land. Nice combination.
McDonald looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
Morris McDonald is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson lands a nice leg kick that just misses McDonald's sensitive parts.
McDonald blocks a head kick by Johnson.
The fighters circling - Johnson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McDonald shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McDonald manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McDonald lands a really nice looking cross but Johnson seems unphased.
McDonald throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McDonald looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but McDonald sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Johnson tries to clinch but McDonald moves out of range.
McDonald misses with a hook.
McDonald blocks a leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McDonald is defended easily by Johnson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Morris McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but McDonald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McDonald throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Morris McDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Johnson.
Johnson swings for the body but McDonald moves out of range.
Johnson connects with a jab.
Nice sprawl there from Johnson as McDonald shoots in.
McDonald looks to throw the jab but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
McDonald misses with an uppercut.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
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!
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Johnson looks to land a combination but McDonald avoids it well.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A good leg kick by McDonald.
A solid leg kick lands there for McDonald.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.

McDonald shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Johnson is trying to defend but McDonald finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
McDonald controlling the action here.
Johnson is trying to stand back up but McDonald is controlling him
McDonald controlling the pace.
McDonald'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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
McDonald 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 because Morris McDonald just wasn't active enough.
McDonald fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johnson.
Michael Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McDonald shoots in for a double leg but Johnson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Johnson throws a head kick but McDonald moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Johnson tries to bum rush McDonald with a series of wild strikes but McDonald uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Johnson tries a head kick but it misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McDonald lands a body shot.

McDonald fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnson sprawls well initially but McDonald persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
McDonald is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Michael Johnson.
I think McDonald 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Morris McDonald!