PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Quiet Monkey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Monkey comes to the cage accompanied by Epic - Faith No More. Johnson has chosen Blood of Heroes! as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Monkey
vs
Johnson

199 cm
37
199 lbs
17 - 16 - 0

168 cm
39
200 lbs
22 - 20 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 17 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Quiet Monkey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Johnson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Trevor Gratis and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monkey fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A nice side step and Johnson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Monkey shoots in and gets a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Monkey not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Johnson wants to stand up but Monkey is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monkey controlling from the top position.
Johnson controls Monkey momentarily but Monkey frees himself.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Monkey uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
Monkey tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Monkey or perhaps it was just good defense by Johnson, which made it look bad.
Monkey on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Johnson throws a body punch but Monkey moves out of range.
Monkey bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Monkey scores with a nice right hand.
Monkey goes for a double leg but Johnson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Johnson continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Quiet Monkey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Monkey.
Quiet Monkey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Monkey closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Johnson quickly recovers to half guard.
Monkey is taking a breather. Johnson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 is looking to escape.
Monkey wants to take a breather but Johnson is having none of it.
Johnson is trying to stand.
Johnson is trying to get back to full guard.
Johnson keeping hold of Monkey's head, controlling as best he can.
Johnson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Monkey is working away from the top position though.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Monkey trying to control the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Monkey connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Johnson scrambles back to his feet.
Monkey throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Monkey avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Monkey lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Craig Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Monkey misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Monkey bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Johnson's head backwards.

Johnson gets caught flat footed, as Monkey shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Monkey slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Johnson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monkey throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Johnson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Monkey scores with a nice right hand.
Johnson throws a body punch but Monkey moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Johnson checks a leg kick.
Johnson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Monkey smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A shot to the liver by Johnson. Beautiful body shot.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Monkey is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Johnson throws a jab when Monkey was well out of range.
Monkey fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Johnson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Monkey is breathing heavily.
Johnson misses the shot to the body.
Monkey throwing a counter right hand but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Monkey ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Johnson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Monkey is able to avoid easily.
Monkey shoots in looking for a takedown but Johnson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Monkey's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Johnson drops Monkey with a left and a right! Oh, Monkey is hurt - Johnson dives into side control looking to finish!

Monkey is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Craig Johnson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Monkey wants to clinch.
Oh Monkey is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

It looks like Quiet Monkey has been cut.
Johnson cracks a nice hook into Monkey's ribs.
Monkey seems to have got his legs back now.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Monkey moves away.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Monkey connects with a right hand. Johnson shakes it off.
Monkey throws an overhand right that lands on Johnson's shoulder, as Johnson tries to avoid the shot.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Monkey 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.
Monkey stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Johnson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but Monkey is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Johnson has his hands on Monkey's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute 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!

Monkey will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Johnson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Monkey seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Monkey manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Johnson manages to get himself to full guard.

Johnson controls Monkey momentarily but Monkey frees himself.
Monkey working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Monkey slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Monkey controlling the position from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Monkey is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Johnson has escaped the position, nice work there.

Johnson sneaks out the side door and pushes Monkey away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Monkey.
Monkey scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Monkey scores with a punch to the head.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Monkey was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Johnson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Monkey rather than just go for the knockout.
Johnson throws a jab but it's blocked by Monkey.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.
Monkey is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Monkey lands a nice shot that snaps Johnson's head back.
Johnson wants to land a leg kick but Monkey is out of range.
It looked like Monkey was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson circles away from the clinch attempt.
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 a straight right.
Johnson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Monkey looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Monkey is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Johnson keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnson takes a swing at Monkey's ribcage but misses.
Johnson throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Johnson misses with a hook. Monkey ducked under it nicely.
Johnson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Monkey is out of range and Johnson settles back down.
Monkey throws a big counter combination but Johnson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Monkey dives in and grabs Johnson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes down on Monkey's head and hops out.
Johnson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Johnson throws a hook but Monkey blocks it.
Monkey on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Monkey slips a jab and a cross from Johnson.
Monkey throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monkey bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Johnson's head backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Johnson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Monkey.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Quiet Monkey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Monkey ducks under a wild hook from Johnson.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Monkey fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
A lazy left from Johnson finds it's target.

A jab-cross combination lands for Johnson and sends Monkey crashing to the mat! Johnson follows him down to the mat - Monkey regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!
Monkey tries to get to full guard but Johnson has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Johnson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Quiet Monkey's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Monkey tries to bum rush Johnson with a series of wild strikes but Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
Monkey is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Monkey tries to clinch up but Johnson circles away and keeps his distance.
Johnson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Johnson waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Monkey. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Monkey to the canvas! Can he finish him!?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnson tries to stand but Monkey is controlling from the bottom.
Johnson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Johnson trying to control the position from guard on top but Monkey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Johnson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Quiet Monkey overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

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

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Monkey.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson scores with a jab to the body.
Monkey takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Johnson cracks Monkey with an uppercut from hell and Monkey crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Johnson's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Johnson gets to his feet. Monkey looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Monkey throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Johnson was covering up waiting for the punch and Monkey finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Johnson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Johnson looks to score with a jab to the body but Monkey is just out of range.
Nice defenses there by Monkey.
Johnson cracks Monkey with a hook to the temple - Monkey is on wobbly legs here! Johnson swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Monkey falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! Johnson wins by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Craig Johnson!
A victorious Craig Johnson thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
The defeated Quiet Monkey had this to say: 'Did I just poop my pants?'.