PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tom Johnson (ranked 22518 p4p, 820 weight class) and Asko Asinen (ranked 8222 p4p, 735 weight class). Tom Johnson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Johnson
vs
Asinen

190 cm
29
219 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

188 cm
22
213 lbs
4 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Asko Asinen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asinen 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.
Nice takedown defense from Johnson. No joy for Asinen on that attempt.
Asinen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Johnson avoids it really well and circles away.
Johnson throwing a counter right hand but Asinen manages to avoid it.
Tom Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Asko Asinen.
Asinen fails with a takedown attempt.
Johnson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Asinen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Asinen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Johnson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Johnson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Asinen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asinen stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Asinen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Johnson is looking for a triangle but Asinen pushes his legs off easily.
Asinen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Asinen is stalling in the full guard.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Asinen scoring with some ground and pound.
Asinen chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson looking for a sweep. Not yet Johnson, not yet.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Asinen with a nice head shot there.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Asinen won't allow Johnson to sweep him here.

Asinen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Asinen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Asinen from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Asinen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Asinen tries to counter with a clinch but Johnson shakes him off and moves away.
Asinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Asinen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Johnson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Asinen somewhat.
Johnson throws a jab when Asinen was well out of range.
Asinen dives in for a single leg takedown but Johnson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Asinen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Johnson but Johnson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Asinen tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Asinen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johnson fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asinen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Johnson defends it nicely.

Asinen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Johnson did well to prevent Asinen getting side control.
My spies in Holding Cell inform me that Asinen has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Asinen is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Asinen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Johnson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Asinen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Asinen's back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Johnson controlling well, preventing Asinen from escaping the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson doesn't have the hooks in and Asinen manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Asko Asinen dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Johnson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Asinen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
It looked like Johnson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Asinen.

Asinen drives through with a takedown into Johnson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Asinen trying to control but Johnson is working from the bottom.
Johnson controls Asinen momentarily but Asinen frees himself.
Asinen stands up over Johnson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Asinen chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.

Johnson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Johnson looking to control.
Asinen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Asinen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Johnson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Johnson is really struggling to control Asinen but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Asinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Asinen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Asinen wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Johnson misses with a body shot.

Asinen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Asinen is now in Johnson's guard.
Asinen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Asinen wants to control from the top but Johnson keeps moving.
Asinen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Asinen is one step ahead there.
Asinen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Asinen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Johnson's head.
Asinen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Johnson keeping moving, preventing Asinen from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Johnson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Asinen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Asinen distracts Johnson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Asinen stopping the sweep attempt from Johnson.
Johnson is working hard here to advance position.
Johnson working a defensive guard here.
Asinen landing some decent shots from guard.

Asinen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Asinen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Asinen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Asinen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Asinen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Johnson is rocked!
Johnson being controlled here, momentarily.
Oh Johnson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Johnson controls Asinen momentarily but Asinen frees himself.
Asinen loads up on a big left hand. Johnson felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Asinen looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Johnson can't hide his disappointment, as Asinen celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Asko Asinen!
Our winner, Asko Asinen, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.