PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Craig Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Quiet Monkey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Johnson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Blood of Heroes!. Monkey has chosen Epic - Faith No More as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Monkey

168 cm
37
200 lbs
19 - 17 - 0

199 cm
35
199 lbs
15 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Quiet Monkey!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Ian Loll and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson gets a clinch.
Johnson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Monkey's elbow.
Johnson pressing his opponent against the cage.
I was talking to Johnson's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Monkey working aggressively here.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Johnson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johnson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson lands an elbow just above Monkey 's eye.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Monkey jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Johnson walks away with a smile on his face. Monkey gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Johnson takes one to the chin there.

It looks like Craig Johnson has been cut.
Monkey doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Monkey was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.

Monkey clinches up against the cage.
Johnson has Monkey pressed against the cage.
Johnson misses with a knee strike.

Johnson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A leg kick checked by Monkey.
Monkey misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Monkey.
Johnson swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Monkey!
Quiet Monkey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Monkey wants to slow Johnson down by chopping away at his legs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Monkey looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Monkey, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Monkey's coach down at Canadian Dragon MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Monkey's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Monkey uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Monkey closes the distance and clinches.
Monkey fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.
Johnson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Monkey misses with some punches.
Johnson stalls.
Johnson working aggressively here.

Johnson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Johnson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Monkey drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Johnson has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Monkey off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Johnson misses.

Monkey moves into the clinch.
Johnson taking a breather.
Come on Johnson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Johnson tries to break the clinch but Monkey is controlling the position.
Monkey letting Johnson take a breather here.
Johnson lands a good knee to the midsection. Monkey won't want to take too many of those.
Johnson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Monkey in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Johnson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson stalling the fight.
Monkey can't get the takedown.
Johnson tries to work over Monkey's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Monkey keeps control of Johnson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Johnson wants to get back to striking at distance but Monkey won't allow it.

Monkey has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Johnson uses from the top position.

Monkey looking for a guillotine here but Johnson defends easily.
Johnson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Johnson controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Johnson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Craig Johnson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Johnson blocks a leg kick.
Johnson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Monkey doesn't seem bothered though.
Monkey dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
As Monkey backs away, Johnson returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Monkey lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A punch combination from Monkey misses.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Johnson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Johnson stuffs the takedown.
A quick step to the side and Johnson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Quiet Monkey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Monkey listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Monkey is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Monkey gets tackled into the cage by Johnson. Johnson maintains the clinch.
Johnson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Johnson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Quiet Monkey seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Johnson moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monkey tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Monkey can do to turn this around?
Monkey lands with a cross.
Monkey has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Johnson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Johnson wants it to stay on the feet.
Craig Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Quiet Monkey.
Monkey uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Monkey fails in his attempt to clinch.
A counter left hand to the body from Johnson misses its target.
Johnson misses with a body shot.
Left hook, right uppercut from Monkey.
Johnson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Johnson misses with a double jab

and Monkey counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Monkey throws a big right hand that misses.
Monkey looking to sit in guard and control but Johnson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Monkey looking for a sweep. Not yet Monkey, not yet.

Monkey is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Johnson defends well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to stand but Monkey has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Monkey bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Johnson's guard.

Monkey pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnson is keeping the position for now.
Johnson controls Monkey momentarily but Monkey frees himself.
Monkey looking to pass the guard.
Quiet Monkey has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monkey is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Johnson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Johnson has escaped and now he's on top!

Johnson gets to his feet. Monkey looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Monkey feints and as Johnson raises his hands in defense, Monkey changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Johnson manages to escape and get back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Johnson.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson misses with a hook.
Craig Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson swings for the body but Monkey moves out of range.
Monkey tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Johnson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Monkey.
Monkey tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Monkey keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Monkey misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Johnson.
Monkey tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Monkey fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Monkey manages to avoid it.
Monkey looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Monkey uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.
Johnson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monkey throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.
Johnson lands with a cross.
Johnson scores with a shot to the body.
Monkey is breathing heavily.
Johnson lands with a good body shot.
Monkey shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Monkey takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Monkey is looking to clinch but Johnson is avoiding it.
Monkey has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Johnson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Craig Johnson'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. This is the final round!

Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Monkey is just out of range.
Monkey scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Monkey doesn't manage to clinch there - Johnson circles away.
Johnson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Monkey looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Monkey is just out of range.
Monkey tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Johnson lands a jab to the head.
Monkey slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Johnson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Monkey lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Monkey looks to land a right hand but Johnson moved out of range.

Johnson clinches up against the cage.
Johnson trying to land knees to the body.
Johnson is trying to force a seperation but Monkey has the dominant position.
Monkey drops down looking for an ankle pick but Johnson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Monkey uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monkey lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Monkey fails to land the takedown.
Craig Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Quiet Monkey.
Monkey takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Monkey uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Monkey looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Johnson takes a swing at Monkey's ribcage but misses.
No joy there for Monkey, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
A right hook to the body lands for Johnson.
Monkey tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Craig Johnson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Johnson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Johnson is trying to break the clinch but Monkey has him pressed against the cage.
Monkey blocks an uppercut.
Stalling in the clinch from Monkey.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Monkey misses with a punch on the inside.
Johnson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Johnson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Monkey has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monkey breaks from the clinch.
Nice uppercut lands for Monkey. That snapped Johnson's head back.
Monkey wants to clinch.
Monkey avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Monkey throws a body punch but Johnson moves out of range.
Johnson throws a body punch but Monkey moves out of range.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Monkey fails to land the takedown.
A quick step to the side and Johnson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monkey closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. Monkey pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Monkey misses with an uppercut
and Johnson counters with a nice body shot.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Monkey was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Monkey misses with an uppercut. Johnson saw that one coming.
Monkey shoots in looking for a takedown. Johnson tries to sprawl out of it but Monkey keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Johnson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Quiet Monkey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monkey moves out of range of the body kick.
Monkey tries to counter by closing the distance.
Johnson connects with a nice looking jab.
Johnson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Monkey is looking to clinch.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Monkey moves away.
Monkey fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Johnson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Monkey tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Monkey somewhat.
Monkey uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Monkey tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Craig Johnson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Monkey dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson connects with a body shot.
Monkey takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Johnson lands with a good body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Johnson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Johnson!
Craig Johnson thanked the fans post fight for their support.
The defeated Quiet Monkey had this to say: 'Did I just poop my pants?'.