PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tarik Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steffan Stove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stove is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by God will fuck you up. Tarik Johnson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Johnson
vs
Stove

184 cm
29
155 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

165 cm
27
148 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

MayheM sportswear
Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tarik Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steffan Stove!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stove throws the kick towards the body but Johnson avoids it.
Johnson misses with an uppercut
and Stove cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stove throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Stove.
A combination from Johnson does no damage.
Stove dips to his left and cracks Johnson with an uppercut!
Johnson throws a leg kick but Stove checks it.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Stove misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Stove's shoulder, as Stove tries to avoid the shot.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.
Stove takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stove throws a head kick that misses.
Stove misses with a head kick.
Johnson throws a big counter combination but Stove scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Johnson has been working on his boxing with his coaches at H-13 Alpha Elite Training in the buildup to the fight.
No joy there for Stove, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Stove was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stove takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Johnson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stove defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stove stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Stove fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.

Johnson gets a takedown into half guard.
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stove keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stove wants to get back to full guard.
Johnson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stove on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Stove avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Stove controlling the position well.
Johnson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Johnson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson seems to be looking for submissions.
Stove keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stove avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Johnson throws a strike but Stove avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stove works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Johnson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.
Johnson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Stove gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Johnson trying to strike off his back.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stove can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Johnson wants to sweep but no luck.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Stove is proving a slippery customer.

Johnson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Stove has passed into half guard!
Johnson trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson missing with punches from the bottom.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Stove is controlling well.

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Stove looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Johnson is trying to get back to full guard.
Stove takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stove blocks the strikes from Johnson.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tarik Johnson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stove throws a lazy right hand but Johnson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stove ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Stove looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stove ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Stove dodges the punch combination from Johnson.
Stove lands a high kick!
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Stove was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stove misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stove steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
Stove moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Stove moves away from the strike by Johnson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stove lands with a straight right. Johnson didn't see that one coming.
Stove tries to land a front kick but Johnson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Johnson attempts a counter takedown but Stove avoids it well and moves away.
Donk. Johnson catches Stove right on the button with a cross.
Stove misses with a double jab.
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 jab to the nose.

It looks like Steffan Stove has been cut.
Johnson looks for a takedown but Stove sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson throws a jab when Stove was well out of range.
Stove swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Stove takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stove.
Stove throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Stove throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Stove bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stove looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Johnson misses with a lunging right hand
and Stove counters with a straight right hand.
Stove throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Stove pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Stove motions for Johnson to come forward. Stove throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson lands with a right hand.
Stove tries a head kick but it misses.
Stove misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stove misses with a body kick.

Johnson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stove manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Stove has control of Johnson's left arm, preventing Johnson from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Johnson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.
Stove preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stove preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stove utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Stove keeps moving.
Johnson tries to free his leg and advance position but Stove is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is working Stove over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Johnson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Stove keeps moving.
Johnson is looking to pass into half guard but Stove pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Stove is in guard.

Tarik Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stove won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.
Johnson working a defensive guard but Stove manages to pass into side control anyway.
Johnson struggling a bit here.
Johnson is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to control Stove's posture but Stove avoids it.
Johnson tries to buck Stove off but Stove is having none of it.
Stove in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Johnson tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Johnson gets back to half guard.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
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 Tarik Johnson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Steffan Stove's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
Stove is trying to counter with his kicks.
Johnson throws a right hand that misses
and Stove counters with a body kick that stops Johnson in his tracks momentarily.
Johnson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Johnson fails to land the takedown.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Steffan Stove seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson misses the jab.
Stove scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johnson doesn't seem bothered though.
Stove scores with a body shot.
Stove moves out of range as Johnson strikes.
Johnson misses with a hook.
Stove throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Stove misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Johnson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A lazy left from Stove finds it's target.
Stove ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stove slips under a jab.
Stove moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Stove connects with a high kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stove tries to move into range but Johnson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Stove plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Stove misses with a head kick.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Stove.
Stove defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Stove throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Stove tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Johnson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stove keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnson.
Stove scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Johnson doesn't seem bothered though.
Johnson digs a good hook to Stove's body.
Stove tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by Stove.
Johnson swings for the body but Stove moves out of range.
Stove pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson misses with a series of wild punches.
Stove with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson throws the left hand but Stove avoids the punch easily.
Stove misses with a head kick.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stove ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A punch combination from Stove misses.
Stove throws a lazy head kick

and Johnson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Johnson.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson throws a big right hand that misses.
Stove manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Johnson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stove defends it easily.
Johnson looking to control but Stove passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stove pulls his head out easily.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stove pulls his head out easily.
Johnson tries to get to full guard but Stove has control of the leg.

Johnson actively working from the bottom here.
Johnson 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.

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Johnson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Johnson wants to control but Stove is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johnson is looking for a sweep. Stove is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stove trying to control from half guard but Johnson is working away.
Johnson tries to roll over but Stove keeps him under control.
Johnson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Stove is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Stove throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Johnson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Johnson throws a low kick, looking for Stove's leg but Stove calmly moves out of range.
Johnson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Stove.
Stove tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson throws a front kick aimed at Stove's knee but Stove avoids it well.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stove sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stove pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Stove.
Stove scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Stove throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stove as he avoids it easily.
Nice body kick there by Stove.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stove lands with a shot to the body.
Stove throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Stove throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Nice body kick there by Stove.
Stove bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Stove 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 swinging wildly here.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Johnson throws a hook but Stove blocks it.
Johnson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Stove misses with a body kick.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stove as he jumps to the side.
Johnson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stove on the side of the head.
Stove lands a nice looking kick to the body. Johnson takes a step back to recover.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stove manages to avoid it.
Johnson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Stove counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stove lands a nice looking kick to the body. Johnson takes a step back to recover.
Johnson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Stove throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Stove throws a head kick but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stove sprawls and moves away.
Stove throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Stove lands a nice looking kick to the body. Johnson takes a step back to recover.
Both fighters circling a little - Stove finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Steffan Stove is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stove tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson ducks under a wild hook from Stove.
Johnson avoids the head kick by Stove.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
Stove misses with a head kick.
Johnson catches Stove with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Johnson misses with an uppercut. Stove saw that one coming.
Johnson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Johnson throws an overhand right that lands on Stove's shoulder, as Stove tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tarik Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stove connects with a solid leg kick.
A combination from Stove does no damage.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stove slips a straight right by Johnson.
Johnson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stove is fending him off so far but Johnson persists. Nope, Stove circles away and we're back to standing.
A swing and a miss from Johnson.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Stove is out of range.
Stove pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stove scores with a head kick.
Stove throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Johnson throws a right and a left that Stove avoids nicely.
Johnson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A head kick misses from Stove.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt.
Stove throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stove lands a head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stove moves out of range of the strikes.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Stove avoids them all with ease.
Stove slips a straight right by Johnson.
Stove is looking to slow Johnson down with leg kicks.
Stove slips under a jab.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Johnson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Stove - the referee stops the clock and Johnson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Stove. Johnson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Stove throws a front kick that sends Johnson stumbling back into the cage.
A jab from Johnson misses.
A head kick misses from Stove.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Stove.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Stove pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Johnson throws a series of punches but Stove avoids them all with ease.
Steffan Stove is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stove ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steffan Stove dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Steffan Stove's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Johnson throws a lazy uppercut
and Stove counters with a low kick, right behind Johnson 's knee.
Johnson throws a shot from downtown. Stove moves away and avoids it.
Stove looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Stove was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnson blocks the body kick.
Stove scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A head kick misses from Stove.
Stove walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.
And Stove responds with a good body kick, but Johnson manages to step out the way in time.
Stove throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Stove throws the kick towards the body but Johnson avoids it.
Stove blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stove misses with a wild combination.
Stove tries a head kick but it misses.
Johnson feinted with a counter takedown.
Johnson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stove sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stove raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Stove ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stove throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Johnson.
Stove moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Stove.
Stove connects with a high kick.
Johnson tests Stove's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Johnson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Stove moved out of range.
Johnson shoots for a takedown but Stove saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
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.
Stove slips a straight right by Johnson.
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Johnson blocks a head kick by Stove.
Stove tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson throws a hook but Stove blocks it.
Stove throws out a counter right but Johnson avoids it with no problem.
Stove looks to score with a jab to the body but Johnson is just out of range.
Stove uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stove moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Stove moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Stove throws a head kick that misses.

Johnson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnson lands in his opponent's guard.
Johnson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Johnson lands a couple of elbows.
Stove keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
Johnson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Johnson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stove works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stove looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stove lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Johnson has his foot on Stove's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stove works his way back into a safe position though.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Stove controlling him for the moment.

Johnson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Stove passes into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Johnson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stove doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnson.

Johnson is looking for submissions but instead, Stove has regained full guard.
Johnson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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 Tarik 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 48:48
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 47:50
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Tarik Johnson retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!