PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Adamek Zabijaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Johansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johansson has chosen All These Things That I've Done as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Zabijaka
vs
Johansson

150 cm
18
130 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

160 cm
22
130 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Adamek Zabijaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Markus Johansson!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zabijaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Johansson wants to clinch up but Zabijaka keeps it at a distance.
Zabijaka could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Johansson moves into the clinch successfully.
Zabijaka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johansson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johansson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but Zabijaka blocks with his arms.
Johansson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Johansson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Zabijaka looking to slow down the pace here.
Zabijaka fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Zabijaka lands a hook that snaps the head of Johansson backwards.
Zabijaka tries to pull guard but Johansson won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adamek Zabijaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johansson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A knee to the head by Johansson.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but Zabijaka blocks with his arms.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Johansson obliges.
Johansson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Johansson with a knee to the head.
Zabijaka is breathing heavily.
Johansson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Johansson lands a knee to the head.
Zabijaka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johansson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Johansson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Johansson tries to land knees in the clinch but Zabijaka avoids the damage to the body.
Johansson looking to throw knees to the head but Zabijaka is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zabijaka pulls guard successfully.
Zabijaka wants to stand and escape but Johansson is having none of it.

Zabijaka throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zabijaka can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Johansson controls the pace.
Johansson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zabijaka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Zabijaka wants to control the position but Johansson says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Johansson trying to pass the guard but Zabijaka defending well.
Zabijaka wants to control but Johansson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zabijaka looks like he's trying to stand up.
Johansson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Let's hope that Johansson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johansson wants to take a breather but Zabijaka is having none of it.
Zabijaka is looking for a sweep. Johansson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zabijaka punching from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Zabijaka is looking to clinch.

Johansson moves into the clinch.
Johansson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zabijaka's face.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zabijaka avoids it.
Johansson misses with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Zabijaka is looking to control Johansson's arms but Johansson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zabijaka has his back to the cage.
Johansson misses with a knee strike.
Johansson misses with a knee to the head.
Zabijaka is trying to stall.
Johansson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zabijaka's face.
Johansson crunches a lovely knee into Zabijaka's ribcage.
Zabijaka wants to break the clinch but can't.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Johansson lands a knee to the head.
Johansson lands a knee to the body.
Johansson avoids a wild elbow strike from Zabijaka.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Johansson.
Johansson lands a knee to the head.
Zabijaka takes a knee right on the jaw!
Johansson scores with a knee to the head.
Zabijaka tries to stall but Johansson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Johansson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Zabijaka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Johansson misses with a knee to the head.
Johansson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zabijaka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johansson connects with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Johansson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Johansson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Johansson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Johansson.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Johansson crunches a lovely knee into Zabijaka's ribcage.
Johansson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zabijaka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zabijaka tries to pull guard but Johansson holds him up against the cage and eventually Zabijaka drops back down to his feet.
Johansson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zabijaka is defending well for now.
Zabijaka changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Johansson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Johansson tries a knee to the head but Zabijaka blocks it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zabijaka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Johansson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adamek Zabijaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Johansson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zabijaka.
A knee to the head by Johansson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johansson with a knee to the head.
Zabijaka is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Zabijaka drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Johansson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A knee to the head by Johansson.
Johansson unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Zabijaka jumps guard.
Zabijaka wants to stand and escape but Johansson is having none of it.
Zabijaka is trying to control the position but Johansson postures up.
Zabijaka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zabijaka is working hard here to advance 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.
Johansson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johansson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Zabijaka, up you get!
Zabijaka throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Johansson on the side of the head.
Zabijaka moves in looking to clinch but Johansson pushes him off.
Zabijaka darts in trying to clinch

and Johansson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Johansson.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Johansson with a knee to the head.
Zabijaka swings wildly with an uppercut but Johansson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Johansson lands a knee to the head.
Johansson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Johansson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Johansson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Zabijaka just misses with a elbow thrown towards Johansson's brow.
Johansson scores with a knee to the head.
Johansson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zabijaka fails to pull guard.
Zabijaka takes a knee to the side of the body.
Johansson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Johansson with a knee to the head.
Johansson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Johansson working Zabijaka over with knees to the body.
Johansson misses with a knee to the head.
Johansson looking to throw knees to the head but Zabijaka is blocking nicely.
Johansson connects with a knee to the head.
Zabijaka lands a right hand.
Zabijaka trying to stall but Johansson improves his position.
Zabijaka fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Johansson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zabijaka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zabijaka looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Johansson connects with a knee to the head.
Johansson looking to throw knees to the head but Zabijaka is blocking nicely.
Johansson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zabijaka blocks it with crossed arms.
Johansson keeps control of Zabijaka as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Markus Johansson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Johansson tries to clinch

and Zabijaka counters by moving into the clinch.
Johansson looking to throw knees to the head but Zabijaka is blocking nicely.
Johansson misses with a knee strike.
Zabijaka just leaning against Johansson, taking a breather.
Zabijaka looking for a takedown.
Johansson prevents Zabijaka from breaking the clinch.
Zabijaka tries for a takedown but Johansson manages to get underhooks.

Zabijaka jumps into guard, dragging Johansson to the mat.
Zabijaka looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Johansson puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Zabijaka tries to kick Johansson off but Johansson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Johansson controlling the action here.
Zabijaka trying to hold on to Johansson's head to control him but Johansson postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johansson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Zabijaka throws an overhand right that lands on Johansson's shoulder, as Johansson tries to avoid the shot.
Johansson tries to clinch
letting Zabijaka counter with a right hand.
Zabijaka tries to clinch there but Johansson circles away.

Johansson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Johansson lands a knee to the body.
Johansson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zabijaka is leaning against Johansson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Zabijaka takes a knee right on the jaw!

Zabijaka decides to pull guard.
Johansson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zabijaka trying to control the position.

Johansson stands and steps away. Zabijaka gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Johansson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Zabijaka counters with a left to the body.
Zabijaka tries to clinch but Johansson is having none of it.

Johansson has Zabijaka up against the cage in a clinch.
Zabijaka jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Johansson walks away with a smile on his face. Zabijaka gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adamek Zabijaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zabijaka throws a big shot that misses.
Zabijaka tries to clinch but Johansson moves away

and Johansson moves into the clinch.
Johansson crunches a lovely knee into Zabijaka's ribcage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johansson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Johansson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Johansson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Johansson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zabijaka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Zabijaka lands a takedown into guard.
Zabijaka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zabijaka preventing the sweep.
Johansson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Zabijaka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zabijaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Johansson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zabijaka drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Johansson dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zabijaka trying to control the position.
Adamek Zabijaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zabijaka 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.
Zabijaka is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Markus Johansson.
I've got Johansson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Markus Johansson!