PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marc Johnson (ranked 5633 p4p, 4303 weight class) and Branimir Akulov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Johnson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to 300 Violin Orchestra. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Johnson
vs
Akulov

180 cm
24
155
3 - 5 - 0

183 cm
25
145
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marc Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Branimir Akulov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Johnson.
Akulov throws out a counter right but Johnson avoids it with no problem.
Akulov stuffs the takedown attempt from Johnson. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.

Johnson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Akulov's guard.
Johnson postures up in Akulov's guard and throws a big left but Akulov blocks it.
Johnson with a nice head shot there.
Akulov keeping moving, preventing Johnson from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses.
Akulov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Johnson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Johnson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Akulov's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson advances to half guard.
Johnson throwing shots but Akulov is blocking nicely.
Johnson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Akulov taking some punishment here, with Johnson in his half guard.
Johnson is trying to control. Akulov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Johnson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Johnson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Akulov is looking for the big counter here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marc Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Akulov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Akulov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Akulov looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Akulov!
Akulov is not content to let Johnson control the position.

Johnson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Johnson is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Akulov's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson working the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Akulov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Johnson lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Johnson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Akulov to his feet.
Johnson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Akulov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Johnson.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown. Akulov tries to sprawl out of it but Johnson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Akulov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Akulov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Akulov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Johnson.
Johnson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A little jabbing left from Akulov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Johnson closes the distance and clinches up with Akulov, looking for a takedown. Johnson pushes Akulov against the cage but Akulov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A nice side step and Akulov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Johnson darts in looking for a takedown but Akulov gets double underhooks and turns Johnson into the cage.
Akulov feints a counter leg kick.
Johnson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Johnson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akulov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Johnson jumps guard and drags Akulov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Johnson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Johnson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Akulov sprawls well. Akulov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Johnson gets slowly back to his feet.
Akulov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Johnson misses with a wild body shot.
Akulov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Marc Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akulov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Johnson goes for a double leg but Akulov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Akulov continues to drive forward.
As Johnson backs off Akulov throws a huge counter combo but Johnson manages to avoid it all.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
Akulov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Akulov is breathing heavily.
Johnson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson manages to pull guard.
Johnson seems keen to control Akulov's posture.
Johnson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Akulov manages to get himself to full guard.

Johnson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Akulov has momentary wrist control but Johnson slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to control from the top but Akulov keeps moving.

Johnson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Johnson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Johnson pushes down on Akulov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Marc Johnson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Johnson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Akulov has hold of Johnson's hands but Johnson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Johnson lands with a punch from half guard.
Johnson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Johnson working Akulov over with strikes.
Johnson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Johnson slips a nice elbow through Akulov's hands, connecting with Akulov's forehead.

Akulov is rocked!
Johnson working Akulov over with strikes.
Akulov is still in real trouble! Can Johnson finish him?
Johnson lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Akulov! More strikes land and this one is all over! Johnson jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Marc Johnson!
Marc Johnson thanked the fans post fight for their support.