PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Johnson (ranked 2076 p4p, 1608 weight class) and Lasha Abashidze (ranked 266 p4p, 205 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Johnson
vs
Abashidze

190 cm
21
280
5 - 3 - 0

190 cm
21
244
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fedor Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Lasha Abashidze!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Steve Montenegro and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson moves forwards but Abashidze connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Abashidze bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Abashidze lands an elbow.
Abashidze has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Johnson avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Abashidze.
Johnson is trying to improve his position.
Johnson taking a bit of punishment here - Abashidze scoring with strikes.
Abashidze working the ground and pound but Johnson is defending the strikes.
Johnson tries to escape but Abashidze is in control.
Abashidze misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Johnson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Abashidze on the ground.
Abashidze trying to control the position but Johnson is working away.
Abashidze scoring with punches from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abashidze throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Abashidze off and has taken his back!
Johnson not allowing Abashidze to control his hands.
Johnson doesn't have the hooks in and Abashidze manages to turn into his guard.
Abashidze is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Abashidze with a flurry of punches that miss.
Abashidze is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
Abashidze is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnson has wrist control.
Johnson trying to control the position.
Johnson wants to sweep here but Abashidze controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abashidze makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Johnson is trying to control the position but Abashidze postures up.
Abashidze postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Abashidze lands a couple of decent looking shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Abashidze accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abashidze.
Johnson has momentary wrist control but Abashidze slips an elbow through the middle.
Abashidze postures up in Johnson's guard and throws a big left but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abashidze.
Abashidze postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Abashidze loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Johnson scores with a hook.
Lasha Abashidze seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Abashidze fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnson, pushing him back against the cage.
Johnson misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lasha Abashidze dominated that round.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Abashidze throws a body shot but no joy.
Johnson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Oooh a lovely combination from Abashidze sends Johnson down but not out. Abashidze dives into side control looking to finish.

Johnson is rocked!

It looks like Fedor Johnson has been cut.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Oh Johnson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Abashidze cracks Johnson with a big elbow. Oh, he's hurt! Abashidze immediately mounts and start dropping bombs! Johnson is done! The referee jumps in and saves him from any more punishment - a quick and decisive finish by Abashidze!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:36 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lasha Abashidze!