PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Magnus Gunnarsson (ranked 4228 p4p, 2128 weight class) and Marlon John (ranked 505 p4p, 276 weight class). Marlon John told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Gunnarsson
vs
John

190 cm
24
213
5 - 7 - 0

185 cm
24
205
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Pit Bull Development

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 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Magnus Gunnarsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marlon John!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
John keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
A big left from John misses.
Gunnarsson is looking to counter the offense by John and move into the clinch.
Gunnarsson misses with a leg kick.
John tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gunnarsson looks to land a left hand but John moved out of range nicely.
John changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gunnarsson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between John's hands.
Gunnarsson misses with a low kick.
John defending well as Gunnarsson loads up on a big left hand.
And John tries to counter it with a takedown but Gunnarsson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
John on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Gunnarsson pushes John up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
John is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gunnarsson is defending well.
John is trying to drag Gunnarsson to the mat but Gunnarsson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

John ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. John no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gunnarsson landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
John has control of Gunnarsson's left arm, preventing Gunnarsson from doing any damage.
Gunnarsson throws a big right hand that misses.
Gunnarsson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of John's head.

Gunnarsson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gunnarsson looking to pass the guard.
Gunnarsson stopping the sweep attempt from John.
Gunnarsson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gunnarsson throwing strikes from guard but John blocks nicely.
John is trying to hold Gunnarsson in close to prevent damage but Gunnarsson has managed to pass into half guard.
John tries to roll over but Gunnarsson keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
John is trying to maintain the position but Gunnarsson is very close to passing his half guard.
Gunnarsson wants to free his trapped foot but John is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ground and pound from Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
John keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Gunnarsson is looking to take a break and control but John is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
John trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
John is trying to stand up here but Gunnarsson is controlling him well.
Gunnarsson trying to control from half guard but John is working away.
John is looking to get back to full guard here but Gunnarsson has managed to pass to side control instead.
You can see the frustration on John's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Gunnarsson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. John knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
John tries to buck Gunnarsson off but Gunnarsson is having none of it.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Gunnarsson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Gunnarsson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Gunnarsson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gunnarsson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gunnarsson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
John is looking to regain half guard here but Gunnarsson keeps moving and retains side control.
Gunnarsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but John keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
John is trying to control Gunnarsson's posture but Gunnarsson avoids it.
Gunnarsson trying to control the action but John is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Magnus Gunnarsson dominated that round.
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.

Gunnarsson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
It seemed like John was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That kick from Gunnarsson tenderised John's leg. John is trying to keep his angry face on.
Gunnarsson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice sprawl there from John as Gunnarsson shoots in.
Gunnarsson throws a front kick that sends John stumbling back into the cage.
Gunnarsson misses the jab.
John with the counter takedown but Gunnarsson avoids it easily.
Gunnarsson delivers a nice body kick.
Gunnarsson connects with a single shot there.
Gunnarsson thuds his right hand into John's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunnarsson connects with the punch.
John gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Gunnarsson lands with a cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gunnarsson throws a leg kick but John checks it.
Gunnarsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Magnus Gunnarsson is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson tests John's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gunnarsson misses with a hook. John ducked under it nicely.
And John tries to counter it with a takedown but Gunnarsson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gunnarsson lands a jab to John's midsection.
John connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gunnarsson momentarily.
Nice defenses there by John.
Gunnarsson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gunnarsson cracks John with a good jab.
John tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gunnarsson was well out of range. Poor timing from John.
Gunnarsson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Gunnarsson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
John checks a low kick from Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson looks to land a left hand but John moved out of range nicely.
John drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gunnarsson defends it well.
Gunnarsson throws a head kick but John moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Gunnarsson clinches up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gunnarsson prevents a takedown attempt there.
John has Gunnarsson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gunnarsson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gunnarsson has a couple of punches blocked by John.

John's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gunnarsson lands with a shot to the body.
Gunnarsson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Gunnarsson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Gunnarsson with the inside leg kick.
Gunnarsson misses with a low kick.
John swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
John swats away the attempt to clinch by Gunnarsson.
John checks the leg kick nicely there.
John stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and John wants it to stay on the feet.
John changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gunnarsson tries to work over John's front leg with a kick but John checks it.
John takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gunnarsson tries to clinch but John moves out of range.
John drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gunnarsson defends it well.
Jab, jab by Gunnarsson - just one landing.

John gets caught napping as Gunnarsson dives in and scores a takedown. John manages to retain guard.
Gunnarsson postures up in John's guard and throws a big left but John blocks it.
Gunnarsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gunnarsson prevents John from getting back to his feet.
Gunnarsson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and John works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Gunnarsson is trying to control. John wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
John pushes Gunnarsson off looking to stand but Gunnarsson dives back in and keeps control.
Gunnarsson is thwarting John's attempts to control the position.
John tries to get to full guard but Gunnarsson has control of the leg.
John is refusing to be controlled, as Gunnarsson sits in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Magnus Gunnarsson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

John moves forwards but Gunnarsson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
John is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gunnarsson.
John takes one to the side of the head.
Gunnarsson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Gunnarsson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
John tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gunnarsson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
John keeps trying to improve his position.
John avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson trying to control the position but John is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson cracks John with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gunnarsson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
John felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Gunnarsson working away.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Gunnarsson trying to control the position but John is working away.
John is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gunnarsson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
John wants to get back to his feet but Gunnarsson drags him back down.
Gunnarsson trying to control the action but John is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
John is trying to control Gunnarsson's posture but Gunnarsson avoids it.
Gunnarsson trying to control the position but John is working away.
John manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Well, if Gunnarsson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gunnarsson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
John gets full guard.
Magnus Gunnarsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gunnarsson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of John's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
John looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gunnarsson is one step ahead there.
Gunnarsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that John can do to turn this around?
Gunnarsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. John is keeping the position for now.
John is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
John is continuing to stall.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gunnarsson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gunnarsson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Gunnarsson misses.
And John tries to counter it with a takedown but Gunnarsson pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gunnarsson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
John feints the counter takedown.
Marlon John has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Good leg kick by Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has John pinned against the cage. John gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
John drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gunnarsson defends it well.
Gunnarsson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
John changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gunnarsson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Gunnarsson throws a head kick but John moves out of range.
Gunnarsson wants to clinch.
John drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gunnarsson defends it well.
Magnus Gunnarsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Magnus Gunnarsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gunnarsson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. John sees it coming and avoids it easily.
John feints the counter takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Magnus Gunnarsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gunnarsson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magnus Gunnarsson!