PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Johan Costa (ranked 3205 p4p, 1198 weight class) and Rantang Gustus (ranked 321 p4p, 135 weight class). Johan Costa has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Costa
vs
Gustus

175 cm
26
152
7 - 5 - 0

159 cm
27
157
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Johan Costa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rantang Gustus!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Dirk Anderson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Gustus as Costa shoots in.
Costa blocks a low kick nicely.
Costa shoots in for a takedown but Gustus shows good takedown defense.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Costa.
Gustus tries to buck Costa off but Costa is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Gustus's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gustus looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Costa works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Gustus parries the strikes from Costa easily there. Costa is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Gustus to escape.
Costa 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.
Costa working the ground and pound but Gustus is defending the strikes.
Costa is trying to ground and pound but Gustus uses the momentary lack of control by Costa to regain half guard.
Gustus controlling the position for now.
Costa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Costa lands with a punch from half guard.
Gustus taking some punishment here, with Costa in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustus manages to get to full guard.
Costa postures up and lands a big shot to Gustus's brow.
Costa advances position into side control!
Gustus is looking to regain half guard here but Costa keeps moving and retains side control.
Gustus sneaks back into half guard.
Gustus is trying to get back to full guard.
Costa is thwarting Gustus's attempts to control the position.
Costa is keen to just control but Gustus is a slippery customer.
Gustus is trying to control but can't.
Costa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gustus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gustus works his way to full guard. Good work.

Gustus has his foot on Costa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Costa works his way back into a safe position though.
Gustus working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Costa.
Costa is in close to Gustus's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gustus lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Gustus drops back looking for a leg! Costa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Costa manages to kick Gustus off! Gustus jumps back into Costa's guard.
Gustus stopping the sweep attempt from Costa.
Gustus is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gustus trying to control the position from guard on top but Costa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Costa keeping full guard, as Gustus tries to pass.
Costa working a defensive guard but Gustus manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gustus is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Costa has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gustus trying to control the position but Costa is working away.
Costa is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Costa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Gustus is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Costa has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gustus tries to advance to mount but can't.
You can see the frustration on Costa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Costa tries to bench press Gustus off him but Gustus keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa is trying to control Gustus's posture but Gustus avoids it.
Costa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gustus wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Costa is working hard here to advance position.
Costa struggling a bit here.

Gustus is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Costa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Costa is looking for a sweep.
Gustus is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Costa will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Costa tries to bench press Gustus off him but Gustus keeps the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Costa is trying to control Gustus's posture but Gustus avoids it.
Costa tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Gustus tries for a kimura but Costa is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Johan Costa will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Costa slips under a jab from Gustus.
Costa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gustus is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Costa drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Costa throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gustus tries to buck Costa off but Costa is having none of it.
Costa lands a few punches from side control.
Costa landing a few strikes.
Gustus tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Costa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sloppy strikes there by Costa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costa landing a few strikes.
Costa cracks Gustus with a big elbow.
Gustus is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Costa off and has taken his back!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gustus gets his hands free as Costa looks to control.

Gustus looking for the choke but no joy.

Costa is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustus keeps control of the position as Costa tries to break free.

Gustus working for the choke.
Costa avoids the strikes from Gustus.
Gustus avoiding Costa 's attempts to control his hands.
Gustus is hanging on to Costa's back as he tries to escape.
Gustus controlling the position well here. Costa rolled but Gustus kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Gustus avoiding Costa 's attempts to control his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustus tries to keep control of the position but Costa is staying busy.
Costa tries to break free.
Costa is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Costa showing good submission defense here.

Costa defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Gustus's arms.

Gustus tightening his grip on Costa, looking for the choke.
Costa trying to control the hands but Gustus breaks the grip.
Costa looking very determined here, making life difficult for Gustus.

Gustus is cranking Costa's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Costa! He's tightened the choke and Costa is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rantang Gustus!
Rantang Gustus seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.