PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sal Hickman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Johnston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sal Hickman has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Hickman
vs
Johnston

203 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

180 cm
19
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sal Hickman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Johnston!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Sergei Dronov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnston rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hickman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Johnston closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Johnston lands in his opponent's guard.
Hickman is wriggling around but Johnston manages to pass to half guard.

The fighters are battling for position here. Hickman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Johnston stays in close to Hickman's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnston is looking to work some ground and pound but Hickman has wrist control.
Hickman looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnston is pushing down on Hickman's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hickman is fighting to maintain full guard but Johnston has managed to sneak the leg through.
Johnston tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hickman tries to roll over but Johnston keeps him under control.
Johnston trying to control the pace.
Johnston prevents Hickman from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnston tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hickman knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hickman knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Johnston on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Johnston missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Johnston is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Johnston prevents Hickman from standing back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Johnston is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hickman's half guard.
Hickman tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Johnston manages to move to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnston unloading with bombs!
Johnston scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Hickman?

Hickman is rocked!

Johnston is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Oh Hickman is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Johnston throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hickman seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Johnston fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hickman, pushing him back against the cage.
Johnston softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Johnston scrambles and takes Hickman's back. He's looking to land a suplex. Oh, he's managed it! Hickman bangs his head on the mat and seems dazed! The ref takes a look and decides to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Slam). John Johnston!