PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lee Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kit Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kit Johnson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Lee Fernandez's chin.

Fernandez
vs
Johnson

169 cm
25
130 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
135 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lee Fernandez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kit Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Johnson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fernandez half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Johnson has closed the distance and engaged Fernandez in a clinch.
Johnson lands an elbow inside.
Fernandez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Johnson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fernandez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Johnson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fernandez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Johnson has managed to get both his arms back between Fernandez's legs - danger averted.
Johnson landing some decent shots from guard.

Fernandez has his foot on Johnson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Johnson works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Johnson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fernandez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Johnson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fernandez's guard.
Fernandez has momentary wrist control but Johnson slips an elbow through the middle.
Johnson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Fernandez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Johnson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Johnson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Fernandez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Johnson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Fernandez, up you get!
Johnson has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Fernandez is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Fernandez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Johnson can pounce on him.

Johnson gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez wants to take the fight to the mat but Johnson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Johnson decides to pull guard.

Johnson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fernandez is aware though and is defending well.
Fernandez won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Fernandez tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnson is retaining full guard.

Johnson has his foot on Fernandez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fernandez works his way back into a safe position though.

Johnson has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Fernandez is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Fernandez lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Fernandez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Fernandez is breathing heavily.

Fernandez 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.

Fernandez is looking for a kimura but Johnson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fernandez to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fernandez pulls his head out easily.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is trying to maintain the position but Fernandez is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnson is trying to stand up here but Fernandez is controlling him well.

Fernandez is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Johnson is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Lee Fernandez!
Lee Fernandez is the new bantamweight champion!
As Lee Fernandez got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: "Yes"! I am the champion! I am so lost for words right now that I can't explain how I feel!'.