PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Maximov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drake Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Ivan Maximov has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Ivan Maximov seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Maximov
vs
Johnson

170 cm
23
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ivan Maximov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Drake Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maximov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Maximov lands in his opponent's guard.
Maximov won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

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

Maximov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maximov controlling from side mount.
Johnson tries to buck Maximov off but Maximov is having none of it.
Johnson struggling a bit here.
Johnson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maximov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Johnson keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson struggling a bit here.
Maximov trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.

Maximov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Johnson tries to buck Maximov off but Maximov is having none of it.
Maximov landing a few strikes.
Johnson is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Maximov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Maximov in side control lands a decent elbow.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Maximov wants to stand but Johnson has his arm trapped.
Johnson prevents Maximov from improving position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maximov decides to stand back up. Maximov steps back and let's Johnson get back to his feet.

Maximov drives through and clinches with Johnson against the cage.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maximov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Johnson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Maximov after a bit of a struggle.

Maximov lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Maximov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Johnson.
Johnson is not content to let Maximov control the position.
Johnson tries to roll over but Maximov keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximov blocks the strikes from Johnson.
Maximov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Johnson wants to sweep but Maximov has passed to side control!
Maximov tries to advance to mount but can't.
Johnson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maximov 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 tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Maximov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Maximov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

No luck for Johnson with that takedown attempt.
Johnson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Maximov pinned against the cage. Maximov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Maximov throws a right and a left that Johnson avoids nicely.

Maximov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Johnson's guard.
Johnson looking to control but Maximov passes into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Johnson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson trying to keep a closed guard but Maximov is proving a slippery customer.
Maximov trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Maximov is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is striking off his back. Maximov thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Johnson gets full guard.
Maximov looking to pass the guard.
Maximov lands a couple of digs.
Maximov stops Johnson from standing up.
Johnson is trying to keep Maximov in close.

Johnson working for submissions but it's allowed Maximov to get to half guard.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximov working Johnson over with strikes.
Johnson is pressing down on Maximov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Maximov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Johnson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Maximov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivan Maximov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Drake Johnson.
Johnson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Maximov.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Johnson is defended easily by Maximov.

Maximov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Johnson is trying to defend but Maximov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Still in half guard, Maximov seems content to control.
Maximov works his foot free and advances to mount.
Johnson is trying desperately to improve position.
Maximov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

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.
Maximov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Johnson is looking to escape.
Maximov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Maximov trying to control but Johnson is having none of it.
Maximov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Johnson looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maximov content just to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Maximov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Maximov.
Maximov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Maximov.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom here.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ivan Maximov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maximov wants to stand but Johnson has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Maximov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Johnson can do to turn this around?
Maximov trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximov prevents Johnson from improving his position.
Johnson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Maximov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Maximov's back!
Johnson gets his hands free as Maximov looks to control.
Maximov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Maximov preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Johnson.
Johnson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maximov rolls, trying to escape but Johnson keeps control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maximov showing good submission defense here.
Maximov tries to roll but Johnson sticks to his back.

Maximov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Johnson gets his way!

Johnson tightening his grip on Maximov, looking for the choke.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maximov looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Maximov trying to get back to his feet but Johnson is in full control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is persistently looking for the submission but Maximov is defending it well.
Maximov tries to escape but Johnson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Maximov prevents Johnson from getting a body triangle.

Johnson is persistently looking for the submission but Maximov is defending it well.
Johnson doesn't have the hooks in and Maximov manages to turn into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximov is looking to stand up but Johnson won't let him.
Maximov trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Maximov trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Maximov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Drake Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Maximov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Drake Johnson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Maximov 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Ivan Maximov!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Ivan Maximov!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Ivan Maximov!

Ivan Maximov wins by unanimous decision!