PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Craig Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Loblaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by Blood of Heroes!. Loblaw has chosen Bob Loblaw Song as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Johnson
vs
Loblaw

168 cm
31
200 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

182 cm
29
193 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bob Loblaw!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Steve Montenegro and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson misses with a lunging right hand

so Loblaw counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Loblaw's guard.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.
Loblaw wants to sweep but no luck.

Johnson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Johnson throws a leg kick

and Loblaw counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Loblaw's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Loblaw's back!
Loblaw tries to break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson doesn't have the hooks in and Loblaw manages to turn into his guard.
Loblaw loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Johnson controlling the position.
Loblaw trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Loblaw has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loblaw throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Johnson working for a triangle but Loblaw defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Johnson is really struggling to control Loblaw but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Loblaw chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson controls Loblaw momentarily but Loblaw frees himself.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Loblaw controls the pace.
Johnson tries to strike from the bottom.
Loblaw is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Johnson is looking to stand up but Loblaw isn't so interested in that idea.
Loblaw is fighting to break Johnson's control of his arms but Johnson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Loblaw content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Loblaw's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Johnson stands up and waves to Loblaw to follow him.
A solid leg kick lands there for Loblaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Loblaw avoids nicely.

Loblaw manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Johnson on his heels. He'll look to pass Johnson's guard now, I'm sure.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Loblaw preventing the sweep.
Johnson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Loblaw wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson throws a strike but Loblaw avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Loblaw looking for a sweep. Not yet Loblaw, not yet.
Johnson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Johnson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Loblaw is keeping the position for now.
Loblaw looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Loblaw manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.
Johnson is striking off his back. Loblaw thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.
Loblaw lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Loblaw not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Loblaw in particular looking to stall.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Loblaw tries to pass to full mount but Johnson defends it.
Johnson looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bob Loblaw will probably get the nod.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Johnson swings for the body but Loblaw moves out of range.
Loblaw just misses with a punch to the body.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Craig Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Loblaw fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Johnson checks it well.
Loblaw checks a leg kick.
Johnson checks the leg kick.
Johnson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Loblaw throws a leg kick but Johnson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Loblaw keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
Johnson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice defenses there by Loblaw.
Loblaw scores with a leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Loblaw. That's going to slow Johnson down.
Johnson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Loblaw swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Johnson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson misses with a kick to the body.
Craig Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loblaw darts in looking for a takedown but Johnson gets double underhooks and turns Loblaw into the cage.
Johnson tries to stall but Loblaw uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Loblaw keeps control of Johnson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Johnson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Johnson scores a nice knee to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Johnson working hard to break the clinch.
Johnson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Loblaw tries a body shot but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson trying to stall but Loblaw improves his position.

Loblaw breaks the clinch.
Johnson throws a sloppy head kick and Loblaw moves out of range easily.

Loblaw clinches with his opponent.
Loblaw lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Loblaw has Johnson pressed against the cage.
Loblaw keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Johnson's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Loblaw has picked Johnson up - he's going for a ride! Loblaw dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bob Loblaw has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Loblaw is one step ahead there.
Loblaw in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Loblaw gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.
Loblaw paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Loblaw counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnson's guard now.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Loblaw is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Loblaw passes into half guard.
Loblaw prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Loblaw is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Johnson tries to kick Loblaw off but Loblaw keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Johnson wants to control but Loblaw is keeping busy.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
Loblaw throwing shots but Johnson is blocking nicely.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Loblaw is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Loblaw working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Loblaw slips a nice elbow through Johnson's hands, connecting with Johnson's forehead.
Loblaw looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Loblaw has control of the leg.
Loblaw is controlling the pace.
Loblaw landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Loblaw is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson is in trouble now - Loblaw has advanced to mount!
A nice elbow there by Loblaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Loblaw 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!

A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Johnson is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Loblaw's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Johnson stalks Loblaw and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Loblaw's face. Loblaw staggers backwards, shaken.
Craig Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Loblaw with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Loblaw slips under a jab.
Johnson digs a good hook to Loblaw's body.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Decent striking displayed by Johnson there.

Johnson gets caught flat footed, as Loblaw shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
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!
Loblaw throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Johnson has his foot on Loblaw's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Loblaw works his way back into a safe position though.
Loblaw works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Loblaw lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Loblaw trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Loblaw passes Johnson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Johnson is looking to escape.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
Loblaw controlling the action here.
Johnson taking some punishment here, with Loblaw in his half guard.
Johnson tries to roll over but Loblaw keeps him under control.
Loblaw controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Loblaw.
Loblaw takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Loblaw scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Loblaw prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Loblaw prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Loblaw lands strikes from half guard.
Loblaw is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson kicks off Loblaw and gets to his feet.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Loblaw decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Johnson's guard.
Loblaw works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Loblaw is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Loblaw lands a couple of digs.
Loblaw slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Loblaw connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Johnson some visible discomfort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loblaw is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Loblaw scoring with punches and elbows.
Loblaw advances to full mount.
Loblaw is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Johnson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Loblaw looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson is squirming around, avoiding Loblaw's attempts to control the action.
Johnson in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Johnson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Loblaw really 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.

Loblaw closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Johnson is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Loblaw presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Loblaw prevents Johnson from breaking the clinch.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Loblaw throws a nice outside leg kick.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson tries to land a body kick

so Loblaw counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Loblaw is aware though and is defending well.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Loblaw from controlling successfully.
Loblaw content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loblaw trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson controls Loblaw momentarily but Loblaw frees himself.
Loblaw preventing the sweep.
Loblaw trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Loblaw controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.

Bob Loblaw has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Loblaw. Loblaw maintains the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Johnson.
Our sources have told us that Johnson has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Loblaw avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.

Loblaw's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Loblaw throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loblaw throws a right hand that misses
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Loblaw's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Johnson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Loblaw scrambles back to his feet.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Loblaw.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Johnson misses with a looping left.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson tries to clinch there but Loblaw circles away.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Loblaw staying out of range there.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Johnson misses with a low kick.

Loblaw gets a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Loblaw has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Johnson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Johnson working aggressively here.
Johnson being controlled against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to maintain a safe position but Loblaw gets an underhook and turns Johnson into the cage.
Loblaw cracks Johnson with a nice body shot.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Loblaw has him pressed against the cage.
Loblaw scores with a shoulder strike.
Loblaw lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Johnson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Johnson tries to break free but Loblaw pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Loblaw.
Johnson blocking some punches.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Loblaw has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Loblaw keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Johnson's efforts to push away.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A body shot lands from Johnson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to throw a body punch but Loblaw avoids it by throwing Johnson back against the cage.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Loblaw circles away.
Johnson scores with a jab. Loblaw acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Loblaw buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson avoids the body shot from Loblaw.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Loblaw 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 Johnson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Johnson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Loblaw avoids the head kick by Johnson.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Loblaw.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Loblaw is out of range.
Johnson doesn't manage to clinch there - Loblaw circles away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Loblaw moves out of range as Johnson throws a body kick.
Johnson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Loblaw stuns Johnson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Bob Loblaw will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Johnson works Loblaw's body with a nice hook.
Loblaw avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Johnson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Loblaw momentarily.
Johnson throws a hook to the side of Loblaw's head but Loblaw sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Loblaw takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Loblaw slips the punch.
Loblaw misses with a looping right.
Johnson throws a body punch but Loblaw moves out of range.
Loblaw dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Loblaw struggles to land a body shot inside as Johnson controls his hands.
Loblaw lands a hook that snaps the head of Johnson backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but Loblaw has double underhooks.
Loblaw blocking some punches.
Loblaw keeps control of Johnson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Johnson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Johnson prevents the takedown attempt.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Loblaw misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Loblaw is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Johnson can't fight it off and eventually Loblaw manages to take the fight to the floor. Johnson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Loblaw in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Loblaw throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnson looking to control.
Loblaw works over Johnson with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Loblaw accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Loblaw accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Loblaw trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson striking off his back but it's not causing Loblaw any problems.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Johnson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson throws a strike but Loblaw rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Johnson trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loblaw pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.

Johnson scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Johnson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Loblaw with a nice cross.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Johnson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Loblaw on the side of the head.
Johnson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Loblaw buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Johnson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Loblaw doesn't seem phased though.
Johnson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Loblaw eats them both and turns towards Johnson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Loblaw is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
Loblaw is still on wobbly legs! Can Johnson finish him?
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Loblaw shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Loblaw was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Johnson tries to escape but Loblaw is in control.
Johnson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Johnson wants to control but Loblaw postures up.
Johnson is looking to get back to his feet here but Loblaw is keeping cool and he's managed to take Johnson's back.
Johnson can't escape the position.
Loblaw lands a shot to the body.
Loblaw seems to have recovered his senses.
Loblaw is trying to stick to Johnson's back but Johnson is turning into Loblaw. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Loblaw's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Johnson.
Johnson wants to get up but he can't break Loblaw's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Johnson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Loblaw is retaining full guard.
Craig Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Loblaw is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Loblaw tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Loblaw 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 46:49
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Loblaw!
Bob Loblaw is the new middleweight champion!