BATTLE OF THE BADGES UCA RESULTS: JOHNSTON FENDS OFF SORGMAN FOR THIRD ROUND TKO

Johnston (L) taking on Sorgman (R) at BOTB.

JOHNSTON SET FOR MMA BOUT LATER THIS MONTH
On the horn:
MattZilla 
SR WRITER 
"(I wanted to) stay fresh until the third round,” Johnston told Matthew (SR) post-fight. "So that way I could catch him with his guard down like I did, and try to pick my shots."
(CONTINUED). . . PHOTOS & REVIEW

       At the October 6 Battle of the Badges event in downtown Sacramento, Zach Bradley was scheduled to face Bubba “The Bull” Sorgman, until Bradley was involved in a tragic car accident that left him unable to compete. Gerald “Zeke” Johnston, a fighter with two amateur MMA bouts under his belt, stepped in for Bradley the night before.

Johnston (Red Gloves) throwing punches during the bout.

“I was preparing for him being amateur, no boxing experience. Now I’ve got a guy that’s an MMA fighter with experience coming over. But roughly the same height, just 25lbs more,” Sorgman told Matthew SR pre-fight. “Basically, I’m gonna try to wear him down with body shots. Body, body, body. Bring him down to my level, and then start going for the head.”

       Sorgman, also a newcomer to amateur boxing, seemed concerned with the change in opponents, though still game to meet the challenge. Shawn Correa, co-owner of The Titan’s Cage, pitched Johnston as Bradley’s replacement.

The finishing blow thrown by Johnston.

“I know how it is man. You’re training your butt off, you’re trying to learn this, you’re getting excited about a fight, and lo and behold your guy backs out because of various reasons, you’re just kind of let down,” Johnston told Matthew (www.srmma.com) pre-fight.  

       In the first round, Johnston used his jab to control the distance, and his footwork to move in and out of striking range. Sorgman showed aggression, coming forward and finding some success with 1-2 and high-low combinations.  However, Johnston’s footwork made him a difficult target to strike.

“I gotta admit, I was getting a little bit tired because that guy can punch a little bit,” Johnston told Matthew (www.srmma.com) post-fight. “My plan was not to get hurt by him, because he’s got hitting power, he can hit, I did take a couple. (I wanted to) stay fresh until the third round so that way I could catch him with his guard down like I did and try to pick my shots.”

Johnston after getting the win.

       Sorgman’s strikes found more success in the second and third rounds. As Johnston’s movement slowed down, Sorgman was able to duck his punches and jab the body. However, Johnston’s accuracy and power gave him the advantage in the clashes. The referee called the fight, declaring Johnston the victor via TKO at 1:44 in the third round. Johnston will be fighting at The Titan’s Cage amateur MMA event on October 20. He fights out of Monstrinho’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Rocklin, CA.

“Honestly, in my past two fights, wild hooks aren’t gonna get it done. My last fight was a loss to a good fighter, Thomas Fallon, and it just comes from wanting to get better,” Johnston told Matthew (www.srmma.com) pre-fight, “I wanna get better. I don’t like losing, I’m here to win.” 

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Editor: J. W