PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikael Johansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Herzog (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Herzog's choice of entrance music: Takida - Curly Sue. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johansson
vs
Herzog

175 cm
33
156 lbs
22 - 14 - 0

175 cm
39
158 lbs
35 - 20 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Steel Penn's All 160
Hellbent

Steel Penn's All 160
//buriedALIVE// Fight 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 22 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikael Johansson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 20 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Chris Herzog!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herzog moves out of range of the leg kick from Johansson.
Herzog jabs Johansson right on the nose. Johansson blinks but takes it well.
Herzog scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johansson doesn't seem bothered though.
Herzog blocks a head kick by Johansson.
Herzog misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johansson.
Johansson throws a head kick but Herzog moves out of range.
Johansson throws a series of punches but Herzog avoids them all with ease.
Johansson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Herzog has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Herzog fakes the leg kick and cracks Johansson in the body.
Johansson avoids a kick to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Herzog.
Herzog throws a series of punches but Johansson avoids them all with ease.
Johansson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Johansson throws a hook but Herzog avoids it easily.
Herzog lands with a thumping leg kick.
Johansson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice inside leg kick there by Johansson. That's going to slow Herzog down.
Herzog moves away from the strike by Johansson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog checks a leg kick.
Chris Herzog seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johansson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Herzog misses with a head kick.
Johansson looks to throw the jab but Herzog is out of range.
Herzog dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Johansson. That did some damage!
Johansson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Herzog counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johansson's guard now.
Herzog throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Herzog tries to free his leg and advance position but Johansson is retaining full guard.
Herzog is still trying to improve position.
Johansson keeping moving, preventing Herzog from controlling successfully.
Herzog is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Herzog throws a strike but Johansson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Herzog is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Herzog throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Herzog wants to sweep here but Johansson controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johansson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A clash of legs there as Johansson blocks the low kick.
Johansson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johansson looks to score with a jab to the body but Herzog is just out of range.
Herzog scores with a jab to the body.
Johansson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Herzog lands with a nice body punch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Herzog. That's going to slow Johansson down.
Johansson misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johansson throws a sloppy head kick and Herzog moves out of range easily.
Johansson moves out of range as Herzog throws a body kick.
Johansson throws a hook but Herzog blocks it.
Johansson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mikael Johansson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Herzog feints and then cracks Johansson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johansson down.
Herzog cracks Johansson with a right hand to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Herzog lands a head kick. Johansson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Johansson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Herzog.
Herzog scoring well with a low kick there.
Herzog misses with a wild body shot.
Johansson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Herzog's calf.
Johansson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Herzog throws a leg kick but Johansson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Johansson scores with a head kick.

It looks like Chris Herzog has been cut.
Johansson avoids a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Herzog dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chris Herzog's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Johansson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Johansson swings for the body but Herzog moves out of range.
Johansson checks a leg kick nicely.
We've been told by Johansson's head coaches at GTi Boot Camp that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Herzog throws a low kick but Johansson avoids it.
Johansson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Johansson lands with a shot to the body.
Johansson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Herzog was well out of range. Poor timing from Johansson.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Johansson.
Johansson throws a lazy right hand but Herzog sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Johansson lands a body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Johansson.
Good leg kick by Herzog there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Herzog showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Johansson.
Johansson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Herzog's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johansson throws a jab when Herzog was well out of range.
Herzog defending well as Johansson loads up on a big left hand.
Herzog throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Herzog scores with a kick to the midsection.
Herzog connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Johansson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The fighters circling - Herzog throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Johansson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johansson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Johansson tried to score with a low kick but Herzog checks it.
Johansson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Johansson misses with a series of wild punches.
Johansson tries to score with a low kick but Herzog moves his leg out of the way.
Herzog throws a good cross that connects.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herzog takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Herzog catches Johansson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Herzog shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Herzog showed some decent athleticism there.
Johansson gets back to full guard.
Herzog trying to control the position from guard on top but Johansson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Herzog postures up.
Herzog stopping the sweep attempt from Johansson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johansson has control of Herzog's left arm, preventing Herzog from doing any damage.
Herzog throwing strikes but missing.
Herzog postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Herzog wants to pass the guard but Johansson is keeping the position.
Herzog working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Herzog postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Herzog throws a big right hand that misses.
Herzog throws an elbow that misses. Johansson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Herzog's guard. Nice move by Johansson!
Herzog manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Herzog thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A nice elbow there by Herzog.
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 Mikael Johansson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chris Herzog's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Johansson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Johansson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Johansson misses with a body shot.
Johansson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Johansson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Johansson tries to land a front kick but Herzog steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Johansson misses with a hook. Herzog ducked under it nicely.
Johansson takes a swing at Herzog's ribcage but misses.
Herzog lands a high kick!
Herzog avoids the head kick by Johansson.
Herzog cracks Johansson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Herzog takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Herzog throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Johansson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Herzog lands a jab.
Johansson blocks a head kick by Herzog.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog shoots for a takedown but Johansson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Herzog takes a swing at Johansson's ribcage but misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Johansson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Herzog has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Herzog and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Herzog throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johansson on the side of the head.
Johansson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Herzog buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Johansson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Herzog checks it well.
Herzog finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Johansson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Herzog - the referee stops the clock and Johansson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Herzog. Johansson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Johansson tries to close the distance and clinch but Herzog swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Herzog 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.
Herzog keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Herzog throws a front kick that sends Johansson stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johansson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Herzog takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Herzog tries a head kick but it misses.
Mikael Johansson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Herzog scores with a leg kick.
Herzog connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johansson misses with a low kick.
Herzog slips a straight right by Johansson.
Herzog connects with a looping right hand.
Johansson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mikael Johansson is winning the standup battle so far.
Herzog throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johansson on the side of the head.
Herzog throws a push kick but Johansson slaps the foot to one side.
Herzog on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Herzog throws a jab but it's blocked by Johansson.
Johansson fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herzog misses with a hook. Johansson ducked under it nicely.
Herzog shoots in but no luck this time.
Johansson scores with a sloppy right hand. Herzog should have avoided that one.
A leg kick checked by Johansson.
Johansson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Herzog moves away.
Johansson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johansson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Herzog scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Herzog has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Herzog not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johansson is staying active underneath Herzog, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Herzog looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Herzog throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herzog prevents Johansson from improving his position.
Herzog with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Herzog trying to pass the guard but Johansson defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Herzog wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johansson keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Herzog not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chris Herzog.
I think Herzog 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Herzog!
After the fight, Chris Herzog was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.