PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steven Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tien Shinhan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shinhan is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Linkin Park - What I've Done. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Johnson
vs
Shinhan

192 cm
21
215 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

191 cm
21
214 lbs
4 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Powerful

MMA Hype Apparel
Sun-Tzu

Arcticus University: London

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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steven Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tien Shinhan!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Radbod Blank and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shinhan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Johnson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shinhan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Johnson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Johnson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Shinhan looks to clinch
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Tien Shinhan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shinhan misses with a leg kick
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Shinhan wants to land a leg kick but Johnson is out of range.
Johnson keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Johnson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Johnson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Shinhan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Johnson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Shinhan's coach down at NexGen Fight Team was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Shinhan's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Johnson misses with a body shot
and Shinhan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Johnson punishes Shinhan's body with a nice straight punch.
Shinhan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Shinhan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Shinhan blocks a low kick nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson lands a glancing blow to the side of Shinhan's head.
Shinhan throws a nice outside leg kick.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shinhan.
Shinhan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson checks a leg kick.
Shinhan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Johnson checks it well.
Johnson thuds a left hand into Shinhan's body.
Shinhan avoids a kick to the body.
Johnson throws a nice looking combination but Shinhan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shinhan staying out of range there.
Shinhan throws a low kick, looking for Johnson's leg but Johnson calmly moves out of range.
Shinhan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Johnson is able to avoid easily.
Johnson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Shinhan throws a leg kick but Johnson moved away.
Shinhan moves out of range of the strikes.
Shinhan feints and then cracks Johnson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Johnson down.
Shinhan throws a leg kick but Johnson checks it.
Johnson misses with a hook to the body
and Shinhan counters with a nice low kick that buckles Johnson's knee momentarily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Johnson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Shinhan throws a leg kick
and Johnson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Shinhan throws a leg kick that is checked

and Johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Shinhan keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shinhan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Shinhan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.

Shinhan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Shinhan pushes his legs off easily.
Shinhan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Johnson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Shinhan defends easily.
Shinhan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Johnson is not content to let Shinhan control the position.
Johnson tries to buck Shinhan off but Shinhan is having none of it.
Johnson is not content to let Shinhan control the position.
Shinhan controls the position from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Johnson is not content to let Shinhan control the position.
Johnson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Johnson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shinhan fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Johnson.
Shinhan thows a leg kick but Johnson checks it
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shinhan.
Shinhan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Johnson is able to avoid easily.

Johnson shoots in and gets a takedown into Shinhan's guard.
Johnson passes Shinhan's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Shinhan is doing well to control the position and prevent Johnson from advancing to side control.

Johnson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shinhan defends it well.
Shinhan preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Let's hope that Shinhan has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinhan trying to hold on to Johnson's head to control him but Johnson postures up.

Johnson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Shinhan is trying to control but can't.
Shinhan tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
Shinhan is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Johnson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Johnson's back!
Johnson is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Shinhan.
Johnson is keeping busy.
Johnson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Johnson trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Johnson tries to hold on but Shinhan pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson can't escape the position.
Shinhan trying to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Shinhan avoids the attempt from Johnson to control.
Johnson is wriggling around trying to escape.
Shinhan controlling from the full mount.
Johnson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Shinhan controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to reverse the position but Shinhan maintains control.
Shinhan takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shinhan can do to turn this around?
Yet more stalling tactics from Shinhan.
Johnson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shinhan content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tien Shinhan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Shinhan fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Johnson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shinhan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Shinhan 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.
A clash of legs there as Johnson blocks the low kick.
Shinhan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shinhan moves away.
Shinhan slips a jab from Johnson.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Shinhan moves away and avoids it.
Shinhan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Shinhan wants to slow Johnson down by chopping away at his legs.
Shinhan tries to land a leg kick but Johnson saw it coming and moves away.
Johnson attempts a counter takedown but Shinhan avoids it well and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shinhan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Shinhan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Shinhan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Johnson lands a jab to Shinhan's midsection.

Shinhan has Johnson up against the cage in a clinch.
Shinhan looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinhan misses with an elbow over the top.
Shinhan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Shinhan lands a damaging elbow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shinhan throws an elbow but misses.
A nice left hand lands by Johnson.
Shinhan misses with an elbow over the top.
Shinhan misses with an elbow strike.
Johnson is trying to maintain a safe position but Shinhan gets an underhook and turns Johnson into the cage.
Johnson taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shinhan.
Shinhan blocking some punches.
Shinhan creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Johnson slowing the pace effectively.
Johnson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Shinhan pushes off an throws an elbow but Johnson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
Shinhan lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shinhan misses with an elbow over the top.
Johnson avoids a wild elbow strike from Shinhan.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike.
Johnson tries to work over Shinhan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson wants to stall.
Johnson avoids the elbow strike from Shinhan, against the cage.
Shinhan lands an elbow inside that Johnson shrugs off.
Shinhan pushes off an throws an elbow but Johnson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Shinhan throws an elbow that misses.
Johnson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shinhan.
A short right from Johnson.
Shinhan throws an elbow that misses.
Shinhan lands an elbow inside that Johnson shrugs off.
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
A shot in the inside from Johnson.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shinhan just misses with a elbow thrown towards Johnson's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shinhan misses with an elbow strike.
Johnson avoids a wild elbow strike from Shinhan.
Shinhan pushes off an throws an elbow but Johnson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Johnson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shinhan throws an elbow but it misses.
Johnson blocks the elbow strike.
Johnson dodges an elbow strike from Shinhan.
Johnson working aggressively here.
Shinhan prevents a body shot from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Johnson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A hook to the body from Johnson.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
Shinhan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Shinhan throws an elbow that misses.
Johnson avoids the elbow strike from Shinhan, against the cage.
Tien Shinhan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shinhan throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shinhan throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Johnson pushes Shinhan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Johnson swings wildly with an uppercut but Shinhan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Johnson dodges an elbow strike from Shinhan.
Johnson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shinhan backwards.
Shinhan blocks an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson blocks an elbow strike.
Johnson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Shinhan throws an elbow that misses.
Johnson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Johnson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Johnson throws a punch but it's blocked by Shinhan.
Shinhan throws an elbow that misses.
Shinhan throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Johnson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Johnson lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Shinhan is rocked!
A short right from Johnson on the inside.
Shinhan is still on wobbly legs! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.
Shinhan blocking some punches.
Johnson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shinhan.
Shinhan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shinhan letting Johnson take a breather here.
Johnson lands a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Steven Johnson.
I think Johnson 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steven Johnson!
Steven Johnson managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Worldwide Nutrition (160q), into his post fight interview.