PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kajan Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Simenkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnson comes to the cage accompanied by A Tribe Called Red - Native Puppy Love. Sergei Simenkov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Simenkov

180 cm
20
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
44
169 lbs
27 - 23 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kajan Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 23 - 1, fighting out of New York, Sergei Simenkov!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Robert Douchet and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Simenkov clinches up with Johnson and pushes him back against the cage.

Simenkov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Johnson is trying to keep an underhook but Simenkov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Simenkov prevents Johnson from standing back up.
Johnson wants to get back to full guard.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.

Simenkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Johnson misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Simenkov 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Simenkov connects with a nice short shot to Johnson's temple.
Simenkov drops an elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
Simenkov stalling.
Simenkov lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson taking some punishment here, with Simenkov in his half guard.
Simenkov lands with a punch from half guard.
Simenkov is trying to control the action in half guard but Johnson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Johnson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Simenkov pulls his head out easily.
Simenkov working the head and body with strikes.
Johnson has hold of Simenkov's hands but Simenkov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Simenkov controlling the action here.

Simenkov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson is looking to improve his position.
Simenkov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Johnson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Simenkov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Johnson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Simenkov with a nice head shot there.
Simenkov pushes down on Johnson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Simenkov controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov 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.
Johnson tries to roll over but Simenkov keeps him under control.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
Simenkov lands with a punch from half guard.
Simenkov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Johnson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Simenkov scores with a couple of nice shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simenkov controlling the pace.
Simenkov lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov is nestled in close to Johnson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnson wants to improve his position but Simenkov is controlling well.

Simenkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Johnson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Simenkov.
Simenkov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Simenkov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Johnson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Simenkov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Simenkov's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Simenkov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Simenkov gets a takedown into half guard.

Simenkov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnson is just riding it out for now. Simenkov eventually gives up the hold.
Simenkov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Simenkov is very close to passing his half guard.
Simenkov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Simenkov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Simenkov controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simenkov working the head and body with strikes.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Simenkov is very close to passing his half guard.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.
Simenkov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Simenkov is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Johnson still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Johnson has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

Johnson is trying to get an arm triangle but Simenkov is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Johnson's best efforts.
Simenkov pushes Johnson off looking to stand but Johnson dives back in and keeps control.
Johnson wants to take a breather but Simenkov is having none of it.
Simenkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Johnson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Simenkov sees it coming and defends easily.
Simenkov tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
Simenkov taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.
Simenkov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Johnson wants to control but Simenkov is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Simenkov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Simenkov has a hand on Johnson's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Johnson takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

Johnson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Simenkov wants to hold on but Johnson pushes him away.
Johnson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Simenkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Simenkov is still trying to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sergei Simenkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Johnson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Simenkov throwing hammer fists to the chest of Johnson. What's that going to do exactly?
Johnson is landing with some decent strikes but Simenkov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Simenkov is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
Johnson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
BOOM! Johnson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Simenkov is squirming around, avoiding Johnson's attempts to control the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simenkov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simenkov regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kajan Johnson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Johnson fails in his attempt to clinch.

Simenkov moves into the clinch.

Simenkov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Johnson can't fight it off and eventually Simenkov manages to take the fight to the floor. Johnson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Johnson is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Simenkov dives into side control.

Simenkov cracks Johnson with a big elbow.
Johnson tries to control but Simenkov manages to take his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Simenkov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Johnson defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
You can see the frustration on Johnson's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Johnson showing good submission defense here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simenkov connects with a big shot to the side of Johnson's head.
Simenkov scores with strikes from the back.
Simenkov trying to control momentarily.
Simenkov trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Johnson doesn't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Johnson to escape the position.
Simenkov controlling well, preventing Johnson from escaping the position.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.

Simenkov is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Johnson knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Johnson for a finish.
Simenkov scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Simenkov is landing with strikes from the back.
Simenkov lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Johnson.

Johnson is rocked!

Simenkov working for a choke but Johnson reverses nicely into Simenkov 's guard.
Oh Johnson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Simenkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnson seems to have got his legs back now.
Simenkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Johnson is one step ahead there.
Johnson looking to sit in guard and control but Simenkov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Simenkov is proving a slippery customer.
Johnson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Simenkov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Simenkov content to stall in guard here.
Johnson trying to strike off his back.

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Simenkov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Simenkov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Johnson looking to control.
Simenkov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Simenkov landing some decent shots from guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergei Simenkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Simenkov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergei Simenkov!
After winning the bout, Sergei Simenkov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.