|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Rabbitte (ranked 3772 p4p, 3485 weight class) and Alexander Gustafson (ranked 132 p4p, 431 weight class). Alexander Gustafson acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.
 |
|
 |
| 189 cm
26
220
5 - 12 - 0 |
|
190 cm
34
226
23 - 22 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
|
Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
|
| |
|
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 5 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Rabbitte!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Gustafson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustafson clinches up against the cage.
Gustafson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rabbitte manages to break the clinch.
Rabbitte bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gustafson has managed to clinch.
Rabbitte stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Gustafson can't find room to land a body shot as Rabbitte controls the action.
Gustafson tries to land knees in the clinch but Rabbitte avoids the damage to the body.
Rabbitte is trying to break the clinch but Gustafson has him pressed against the cage.
Rabbitte's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Paul Rabbitte seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rabbitte ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rabbitte throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rabbitte throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gustafson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rabbitte defends it well.
Rabbitte throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafson avoids the head kick by Rabbitte.
Gustafson avoids the head kick by Rabbitte.
Rabbitte has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gustafson finds it's way round the side to connect with Rabbitte's head.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rabbitte breaks the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rabbitte misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rabbitte misses with a head kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Gustafson as he connects with a hook.
It looks like Paul Rabbitte has been cut.
Gustafson lands with a cross.
Gustafson dives in and grabs Rabbitte's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rabbitte pushes down on Gustafson's head and hops out.
Jab, jab by Gustafson - just one landing.
Gustafson has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Gustafson cracks Rabbitte with an open hand slap.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Gustafson throws the kick towards the body but Rabbitte avoids it.
Rabbitte throws a head kick but Gustafson moves out of range.
Gustafson is looking to clinch.
Rabbitte throws a head kick that misses.
Gustafson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rabbitte throws a head kick but Gustafson moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gustafson just misses with a punch to the body.
Gustafson wants to clinch up but Rabbitte keeps it at a distance.
Rabbitte lands a high kick!
Rabbitte misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gustafson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Rabbitte throws a head kick but Gustafson moves out of range.
Rabbitte tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gustafson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafson wants to pass the guard but Rabbitte is keeping the position.
Gustafson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rabbitte trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Gustafson manages to pass to mount!
Rabbitte tries to lock up and control but Gustafson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gustafson fails to move to back control.
Gustafson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rabbitte can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Rabbitte slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Gustafson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rabbitte is defending against the submission attempts here by Gustafson.
Rabbitte manages to get to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rabbitte is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gustafson stops Rabbitte from standing up.
Gustafson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rabbitte is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rabbitte throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Gustafson passes Rabbitte's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gustafson is looking for a kimura but Rabbitte is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gustafson to get the leverage.
Gustafson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rabbitte is looking to escape.
Gustafson thows a huge punch but Rabbitte dodges it nicely.
Rabbitte is staying active underneath Gustafson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gustafson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Rabbitte is trying to maintain the position but Gustafson is very close to passing his half guard.
Gustafson trying to mount his opponent but Rabbitte defends it.
Gustafson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rabbitte keeps working.
Gustafson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rabbitte haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Gustafson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rabbitte is just riding it out for now. Gustafson eventually gives up the hold.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Alexander Gustafson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Rabbitte's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Rabbitte shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gustafson is trying to defend but Rabbitte finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rabbitte lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Gustafson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gustafson won't allow Rabbitte to pass to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rabbitte is controlling the pace.
Gustafson is looking for a sweep. Rabbitte is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabbitte landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gustafson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rabbitte cracks Gustafson with a solid left hand.
Gustafson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rabbitte looking to pass the guard.
Rabbitte throwing strikes but missing.
Gustafson is trying to control the position but Rabbitte postures up.
Rabbitte controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rabbitte wants to control from the top but Gustafson keeps moving.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabbitte lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gustafson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rabbitte has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rabbitte's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rabbitte landing with the ground and pound.
Rabbitte passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rabbitte decides to stand back up. Rabbitte steps back and let's Gustafson get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabbitte misses with a head kick.
Gustafson avoids the head kick by Rabbitte.
Gustafson misses the shot to the body.
Gustafson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rabbitte napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rabbitte is looking to reverse the position.
Gustafson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gustafson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gustafson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rabbitte can't do much from the bottom here.
Gustafson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Rabbitte some visible discomfort.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafson trying to control the position but Rabbitte is working away.
Gustafson throws an elbow but Rabbitte slips to the side and avoids it well.
Gustafson tries to advance to mount but Rabbitte denies him.
Rabbitte is looking for a sweep.
Rabbitte is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rabbitte throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Paul Rabbitte dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Paul Rabbitte's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Rabbitte pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rabbitte takes one to the chin there.
Gustafson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rabbitte to the ground. Gustafson is now in Rabbitte's guard.
Rabbitte has momentary wrist control but Gustafson slips an elbow through the middle.
Rabbitte looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rabbitte is trying to control the position but Gustafson postures up.
Gustafson trying to control the position from guard on top but Rabbitte is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gustafson is looking to work some ground and pound but Rabbitte has wrist control.
Rabbitte is looking to stand up but Gustafson isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rabbitte has Gustafson pulled in close to control his posture.
Gustafson trying to control but Rabbitte is working from the bottom.
Rabbitte manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gustafson manages to get himself to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabbitte missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gustafson looking to control but Rabbitte passes into half guard.
Gustafson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rabbitte is working away from the top position though.
Rabbitte seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gustafson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gustafson actively working from the bottom here.
Rabbitte lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gustafson gets back to full guard.
Rabbitte is working Gustafson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafson has momentary wrist control but Rabbitte slips an elbow through the middle.
Rabbitte lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rabbitte engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Rabbitte is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gustafson trying to control the position.
Rabbitte distracts Gustafson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rabbitte is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gustafson has his foot on Rabbitte's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rabbitte works his way back into a safe position though.
Rabbitte stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gustafson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gustafson looking to control.
Gustafson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabbitte postures up.
Rabbitte avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rabbitte is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rabbitte continues to stall.
Rabbitte is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gustafson keeping moving, preventing Rabbitte from controlling successfully.
Rabbitte trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rabbitte is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rabbitte throws a strike but Gustafson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Gustafson is pushing down on Rabbitte's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rabbitte is fighting to maintain full guard but Gustafson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rabbitte wants to control but Gustafson is keeping busy.
Gustafson trying to control from Rabbitte's half guard. Rabbitte has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Rabbitte wants to stand but Gustafson is controlling the position.
Gustafson throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rabbitte will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Gustafson wants to control from the top but Rabbitte keeps moving.
Gustafson is pushing down on Rabbitte's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rabbitte is fighting to maintain full guard but Gustafson has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Paul Rabbitte.
I think Rabbitte has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Alexander Gustafson!
Alexander Gustafson spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
39% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
