It may have come as a surprise to everybody outside the camp of Tony Johnson Jr., but here he was in the ring in only his 4^th professional MMA battle fighting for the KOTC Heavyweight Championship.  The 2 belt holding (Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight) champion Tony Lopez needed a tomato can match to retain his belts, the call went out, they figured with such limited experience Tony Johnson would be over matched.  Battles and fights, Johnson has been in many, but being called a tomato can (rather than his long held nickname Hulk) was an insult to the beast in him.  KOTC wanted a fight; they got that and a NEW Heavyweight Champion.  Johnson was too much for Lopez to handle, as Johnson pounded and slammed Lopez for 5 rounds on his way to victory.

Tony Lopez vs. Tony Johnson

Round 1 – Johnson scores first with a jab.  Lopez with an inside leg kick.  Johnson comes back with a right hand, leg kick, right hand combo, then shoots and gets the take down.  Side mount for Johnson now.  Lopez rolls, and Johnson throws about 20 punches from the top, with only a few of them actually landing.  Lopez is staying composed as always.  Lopez grabs and arm, and works to his feet.  Johnson elevates Lopez and slams him to the mat.  Johnson is back on top with Lopez turtled up on his knees.  Lopez works his way back to his feet, and Johnson is landing knees to the thighs of Lopez.  Johnson goes for another slam, but this time Lopez remains on his feet.  Johnson changes levels and takes Lopez down again.  Lopez has an arm and Johnson may be in trouble.  Johnson picks Lopez up and slams him with his arm still stuck.  Lopez lets go of the armbar but is looking for the omaplata.  Lopez has the arm extended, but Johnson rolls out and is back on top, then side control.  Lopez retains half guard, but Johnson passes back to side control with :18 to go in the round.  Johnson is landing some right hands but Lopez is back up on his feet as the bell sounds on Round 1.  Pro MMA Now scores Round 1 for Tony Johnson, 10-9.

Round 2 –  Inside leg kick from Johnson.  Right hand from Johnson.  Lopez is using the push kick to keep Johnson on the outside.  Johnson muscles through the kick and gets another take down.  Johnson in Lopez’s half guard and lands two left elbows.  Lopez retains guard and is working high again.  Lopez working a very high guard, and Johnson stands in his guard briefly.  Lopez is controlling the posture of Johnson nicely, avoiding damage from his back.  Grinding elbows from Johnson.  Lopez is setting up a triangle.  Johnson trying to free his arm, but he’s in trouble now with 1:23 to go in Round 2.  Johnson is standing now and works free from the triangle attempt.  Johnson is now in side control and looking to land elbows.  Lopez works back to half guard, then retains full guard.  Pro MMA Now scores Round 2 for Tony Johnson, 10-9.

Round 3 – Slow start to Round 3.  Leg kick from Lopez.  Johnson misses with a right hand.  Lopez with an inside leg kick that scores.  Johnson shoots and gets another take down.  Lopez looks to stand, and he gets caught in a guillotine.  Johnson going for the standing guillotine.  Lopez finally gets his head out, but eats a couple of shots as he backs out.  Johnson with yet another take down.  Lopez looks to stand but is still on his knees and is eating right hands from Johnson.  The severe size disadvantage is really hurting Lopez in this one.  Lopez is turtled up again, and Johnson is now landing left hands from the top.  Johnson is maintaining top control and landing a ton of left hands.  Lopez tries to stand, but Johnson uses his weight and control to put him back on the mat.  Lopez is trying to control the left arm of Johnson, but Johnson works free and is keeping the pressure on.  Pro MMA Now scores Round 3 for Tony Johnson as well, 10-9.

Round 4 – Johnson misses with the overhand right.  Lopez comes back with an inside leg kick.  Another tentative kick from Lopez followed by a jab.  Johnson with another right hand that misses.  Johnson shoots and gets another easy take down.  Lopez swings his hips looking for an arm, but Johnson recognizes and pulls out.  Not much action from the top at this point.  Lopez still looking for an opening for another sub attempt.  Johnson tries to step over Lopez’s leg to pass but doesn’t get it.  Not much action, and the ref steps in for the stand up.  Lopez throws a straight right, but there isn’t much steam on it.  To the clinch, Lopez gives up his back and Johnson is looking for a big slam.  Johnson gets the lift, but Lopez stays on his feet.  The action has slowed tremendously with about :10 to go.  End of Round 4.  Pro MMA Now scores the Round, 10-9 for Johnson.  Lopez is going to need a finish to pull this fight out in the final round.

Round 5 – Johnson with a right hand, but it’s only used to set up the take down.  Lopez fights it off for the moment, but Johnson is relentless.  Johnson once again puts Lopez on his back.  Lopez is working high, and goes for a triangle attempt, but it’s not there.  Johnson lands a grinding elbow with his left arm, then another with his right elbow.  Lopez switches his hips and locks up an arm.  Johnson rips it out and is working to pass the guard yet again.  Johnson lands a few left hands from half guard with 2:00 to go.  Lopez’s corner is yelling for him to retain guard and go for a submission.  Johnson is riding this one out now with about 1:20 to go in the fight.  Johnson is still in the half guard, but he’s landing the occasional left hand to stay busy enough to keep this one on the ground.  Lopez gets the arm again, and this may be his last shot in this fight.  Johnson is staying calm, defending the arm bar.  Lopez has it extended now with :06 seconds to go and it’s going to be close.  At the very last second, Johnson works his arm free.  Pro MMA Now scores Round 5 for ‘Tony Johnson as well and the fight overall at 50-45 for Tony Johnson.

Tony Johnson def. Tony Lopez via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45), and is now the new KOTC Heavyweight Champion

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