PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Karim Johnson (ranked 23 p4p, 24 weight class) and Zahbit Lovanov (ranked 1 p4p, 2 weight class). Johnson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Don't say nuthin'. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnson
vs
Lovanov

195 cm
32
270
31 - 8 - 0

199 cm
27
265
21 - 7 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Karim Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zahbit Lovanov!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Chris Edwards and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Johnson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Some wild striking there from Lovanov.
Lovanov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Johnson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zahbit Lovanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson lands a jab to the head.
Lovanov misses with a low kick.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lovanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lovanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Johnson misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lovanov throws a jab but it's blocked by Johnson.
Lovanov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like Karim Johnson has been cut.
A jab from Lovanov misses.
Johnson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Johnson gets tackled into the cage by Lovanov. Lovanov maintains the clinch.
Lovanov blocking some punches.
A hook to the body from Johnson.
Johnson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Lovanov looks winded!
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson throws a head punch that misses.
Johnson prevents a body shot from Lovanov.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Johnson.
A shot in the inside from Johnson.
Johnson lands a hook that snaps the head of Lovanov backwards.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lovanov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Johnson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lovanov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Johnson misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lovanov.
Johnson scores with a shot to the side of Lovanov's head.
A short uppercut from Johnson.
A right handed body shot lands from Johnson.
A short right from Johnson on the inside.
Johnson cracks Lovanov with a nice body shot.
Johnson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Johnson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Johnson lands a right hand.
Johnson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Johnson - that landed with a thud.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A left hand lands to the body for Johnson.
Johnson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Johnson tries a body shot but Lovanov blocks it.
Johnson lands an uppercut.
Johnson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Johnson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Johnson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lovanov takes a shot to the head.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Lovanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lovanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Johnson manages to avoid it.
Johnson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Lovanov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Johnson moves away from the strike by Lovanov.
Johnson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lovanov at a distance.

Johnson lands a big uppercut and Lovanov crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Lovanov looks OK. Johnson waves Lovanov back to his feet!

Lovanov is rocked!

It looks like Zahbit Lovanov has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lovanov throws a lazy uppercut
and Johnson counters with a beautiful right hand that knocks Lovanov out cold! What a finish! Johnson is going crazy, running around the mat, summersaulting off the corner posts and screaming into the cameras. Something tells me he's pretty happy!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Karim Johnson!
Karim Johnson retains his super heavyweight title!
In his post fight interview, Karim Johnson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.