PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tau Masunwendinghamar (ranked 1182 p4p, 443 weight class) and Oscar Gustafsson (ranked 136 p4p, 60 weight class). Masunwendinghamar comes to the cage accompanied by What You Gonna Do. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Masunwendinghamar
vs
Gustafsson

196 cm
27
260
15 - 8 - 0

198 cm
29
255
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tau Masunwendinghamar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Oscar Gustafsson!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Ben Hemmingworth and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustafsson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Masunwendinghamar swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gustafsson has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Masunwendinghamar throws a looping overhand right but Gustafsson ducks down to avoid it.
Masunwendinghamar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gustafsson.
Masunwendinghamar thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gustafsson shapes to counter with a head kick.

Gustafsson moves into the clinch successfully.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A bit of stalling here from Gustafsson.
Masunwendinghamar is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gustafsson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gustafsson lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson misses with a body punch.

Masunwendinghamar jumps guard.
Gustafsson is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gustafsson postures up in Masunwendinghamar's guard and throws a big left but Masunwendinghamar blocks it.
Masunwendinghamar has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Masunwendinghamar wants to stand but Gustafsson is controlling the position.
Gustafsson won't allow Masunwendinghamar to sweep him here.

Masunwendinghamar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gustafsson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gustafsson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Masunwendinghamar manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gustafsson manages to get himself to full guard.

Gustafsson pulls Masunwendinghamar in close to prevent any damage.

That's two 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.
Masunwendinghamar wants to control from the top but Gustafsson keeps moving.
Masunwendinghamar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Masunwendinghamar looking to pass the guard.
Masunwendinghamar throws a big elbow that misses.
Gustafsson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gustafsson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gustafsson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Masunwendinghamar takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A swing and a miss from Masunwendinghamar.
A big right from Masunwendinghamar misses.
Masunwendinghamar throws a jab but it's blocked by Gustafsson.
A jab lands there for Masunwendinghamar.
Masunwendinghamar swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gustafsson.
Masunwendinghamar slips under a jab from Gustafsson.
Masunwendinghamar scores with a sloppy right hand. Gustafsson should have avoided that one.
Gustafsson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tau Masunwendinghamar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Masunwendinghamar thows a left - swing and a miss!
A jab from Masunwendinghamar misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masunwendinghamar slips a straight right by Gustafsson.

Gustafsson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masunwendinghamar tries to pull guard but Gustafsson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The referee calls for Gustafsson to work.

Masunwendinghamar manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Masunwendinghamar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Masunwendinghamar keeping moving, preventing Gustafsson from controlling successfully.
Gustafsson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Masunwendinghamar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gustafsson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gustafsson throws a big elbow that misses.
Masunwendinghamar looking to control.
Gustafsson wants to control from the top but Masunwendinghamar keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tau Masunwendinghamar dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A combination from Masunwendinghamar does no damage.
Masunwendinghamar backing away here, and Gustafsson unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Masunwendinghamar looks to land a left hand but Gustafsson moved out of range nicely.
Gustafsson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gustafsson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Masunwendinghamar.
Masunwendinghamar walks into a stiff left hand from Gustafsson.
Masunwendinghamar is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Masunwendinghamar throws a jab when Gustafsson was well out of range.
Gustafsson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A low kick lands for Gustafsson.
A head kick misses from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson with a hook.
Masunwendinghamar connects with a body shot.
Masunwendinghamar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gustafsson.
Gustafsson is looking to clinch but Masunwendinghamar is avoiding it.
Gustafsson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Masunwendinghamar throws a jab but it's blocked by Gustafsson.
Masunwendinghamar tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gustafsson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Masunwendinghamar somewhat.
Gustafsson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gustafsson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As Masunwendinghamar backs off Gustafsson throws a huge counter combo but Masunwendinghamar manages to avoid it all.
Masunwendinghamar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gustafsson.
Masunwendinghamar throws a hook but Gustafsson avoids it easily.
Gustafsson is looking to slow Masunwendinghamar down with leg kicks.
Gustafsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Masunwendinghamar circles away.
Tau Masunwendinghamar is winning the standup battle so far.
Masunwendinghamar uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Oscar Gustafsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Masunwendinghamar avoids a kick to the body.
Gustafsson misses with a wild body shot.

Gustafsson moves into range and clinches up with Masunwendinghamar.
Masunwendinghamar can't get the takedown.
Masunwendinghamar is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tau Masunwendinghamar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Masunwendinghamar looking for a takedown.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gustafsson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Masunwendinghamar lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gustafsson backwards.
Gustafsson stalling against the cage.
Masunwendinghamar tries to pull guard but Gustafsson won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson tries to work over Masunwendinghamar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gustafsson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gustafsson stalling the fight.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Masunwendinghamar is looking for a takedown.
Masunwendinghamar fails to pull guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gustafsson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Masunwendinghamar backwards.
Gustafsson lands a shoulder strike.
The referee calls for Gustafsson to work.
Stalling in the clinch from Gustafsson.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gustafsson.
Masunwendinghamar fails to pull guard.
A left hand lands to the body for Gustafsson.
Gustafsson lands with a left to the head.
Masunwendinghamar tries to pull guard but Gustafsson won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Come on Gustafsson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Gustafsson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Masunwendinghamar backwards.
Gustafsson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gustafsson gets through Masunwendinghamar's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gustafsson just leaning against Masunwendinghamar, taking a breather.
Gustafsson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Masunwendinghamar backwards.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Gustafsson slows down the pace here.
Gustafsson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Masunwendinghamar drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gustafsson pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masunwendinghamar throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Masunwendinghamar swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big right from Gustafsson misses.
Masunwendinghamar throws the left hand but Gustafsson avoids the punch easily.
Gustafsson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Masunwendinghamar.
Gustafsson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Masunwendinghamar dives in and grabs Gustafsson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gustafsson pushes down on Masunwendinghamar's head and hops out.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gustafsson slips under a jab from Masunwendinghamar.
Gustafsson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Masunwendinghamar takes one to the chin there.
Gustafsson ducks under a wild hook from Masunwendinghamar.
Gustafsson throws out a counter right but Masunwendinghamar avoids it with no problem.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short uppercut from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Masunwendinghamar is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gustafsson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Gustafsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Gustafsson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Masunwendinghamar has his takedown stuffed
and Gustafsson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Masunwendinghamar's knee momentarily.
Gustafsson lands a jab to the nose.
Masunwendinghamar throws an off balance right hand
and Gustafsson counters with a nice leg kick.

Gustafsson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gustafsson gets through Masunwendinghamar's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gustafsson stalls.
Gustafsson prevents the takedown attempt.
A short right from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tau Masunwendinghamar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masunwendinghamar jumps guard but Gustafsson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Masunwendinghamar goes for a takedown attempt but Gustafsson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gustafsson scores with the left hand. Masunwendinghamar knows he should have avoided that one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A punch combination from Gustafsson misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson punishes Masunwendinghamar's body with a nice straight punch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Masunwendinghamar.
Gustafsson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gustafsson wants it to stay on the feet.
Masunwendinghamar takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Gustafsson drives through and clinches with Masunwendinghamar against the cage.
Gustafsson is leaning against Masunwendinghamar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Gustafsson lands a left hand.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gustafsson lands with a short shot to the head.
Masunwendinghamar is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gustafsson lands with a short shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Masunwendinghamar wants a takedown but no success here.
Gustafsson stalling in the clinch.
Gustafsson has Masunwendinghamar pressed against the cage.
Gustafsson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Gustafsson's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masunwendinghamar tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Masunwendinghamar wants a takedown.
Gustafsson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Gustafsson lands a shoulder strike.
Gustafsson pushes Masunwendinghamar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gustafsson stalls.
Gustafsson lands a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gustafsson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gustafsson tries to work over Masunwendinghamar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Masunwendinghamar jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gustafsson walks away with a smile on his face. Masunwendinghamar gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gustafsson's corner calls for a 1-2. Gustafsson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Masunwendinghamar is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Masunwendinghamar takes one on the button.
Gustafsson connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Masunwendinghamar.
Gustafsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gustafsson thumps Masunwendinghamar with a low kick.
Masunwendinghamar takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Masunwendinghamar on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gustafsson connects with a right hand. Masunwendinghamar shakes it off.

Gustafsson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Masunwendinghamar fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gustafsson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Masunwendinghamar jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gustafsson walks away with a smile on his face. Masunwendinghamar gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gustafsson cracks Masunwendinghamar with a right hand to the side of the head.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Gustafsson.
Masunwendinghamar shoots in looking for a takedown. Gustafsson tries to sprawl out of it but Masunwendinghamar keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gustafsson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Masunwendinghamar throws out a loose jab but Gustafsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gustafsson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Masunwendinghamar misses with a few strikes there.
Masunwendinghamar looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Masunwendinghamar shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gustafsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Masunwendinghamar swings widly with a right hand
and Gustafsson counters with a two punch combo.
Masunwendinghamar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gustafsson.
A big left from Masunwendinghamar misses.
Gustafsson moves out of range as Masunwendinghamar strikes.
Gustafsson works Masunwendinghamar's body with a nice hook.
Gustafsson keeps Masunwendinghamar at a distance using the push kick.
Gustafsson is looking to slow Masunwendinghamar down with leg kicks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Masunwendinghamar misses with a hook. Gustafsson ducked under it nicely.
Gustafsson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gustafsson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Masunwendinghamar throws a jab when Gustafsson was well out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oscar Gustafsson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gustafsson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:29
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:29
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oscar Gustafsson!
A relieved looking Oscar Gustafsson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.