PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Gustavsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Gustavsson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to nate dogg - regulators. Alexander Gustavsson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Gustavsson
vs
Smith

195 cm
24
205 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

150 cm
25
187 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Gustavsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Smith!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Daniel Bishop and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A cross from Gustavsson lands.

It looks like Steve Smith has been cut.
A telegraphed right hand from Gustavsson misses the target.
Gustavsson misses with a hook.

Smith shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gustavsson taking some punishment here, with Smith in his half guard.
Smith prevents Gustavsson from standing back up.
Ground and pound from Smith.
Gustavsson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smith lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Gustavsson is looking to escape.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
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!
Gustavsson tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smith scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gustavsson has one foot on Smith's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Gustavsson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gustavsson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustavsson throws a good cross that connects.
Gustavsson is breathing heavily.
Gustavsson looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Gustavsson misses with an uppercut.
Gustavsson misses with a hook.
Alexander Gustavsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gustavsson looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Gustavsson wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gustavsson squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Gustavsson is in a horrible position here. Smith smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands with some strikes.
Smith working the ground and pound effectively.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
A nice elbow there by Smith.
Smith pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Smith has control of Gustavsson's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Gustavsson regains control of the situation pretty easily.
You get the feeling that Gustavsson really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Smith is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Gustavsson bucks Smith off and manages to get back to his feet!

Smith shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Smith showed some decent athleticism there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith working Gustavsson over with strikes.
Gustavsson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
Smith stops Gustavsson from getting back to his feet.
Ground and pound from Smith.
Smith lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gustavsson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustavsson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smith stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gustavsson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Gustavsson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Gustavsson tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gustavsson throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Gustavsson throws a combination. Smith tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Gustavsson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
No joy there for Gustavsson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gustavsson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gustavsson swinging wilding here.
Gustavsson just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Smith's cut.
That's time! Gustavsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gustavsson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Gustavsson's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Gustavsson duly obliges.
Gustavsson misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith blocks a jab.
Gustavsson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gustavsson thows a body shot but no joy.
Decent striking displayed by Gustavsson there.
Smith slips a jab from Gustavsson.
Gustavsson throws a right and a left that both miss.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smith.
Gustavsson is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Smith has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustavsson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Smith landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Gustavsson is trying to get back to his feet.
Check out the look on Smith's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Gustavsson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Gustavsson is trying to get back to his feet.
Gustavsson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Gustavsson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Gustavsson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Smith working the head with strikes.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gustavsson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gustavsson throws a head kick that Smith semi-blocks.

That's two 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.
Gustavsson throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Gustavsson sizes up Smith with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gustavsson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gustavsson tries to land a front kick but Smith steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gustavsson just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gustavsson.
Alexander Gustavsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gustavsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
Gustavsson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Gustavsson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gustavsson throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Gustavsson.
Gustavsson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gustavsson lands with a nice body punch.
Gustavsson lands a jab.
Smith shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Gustavsson sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gustavsson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gustavsson clobbers Smith with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Alexander Gustavsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustavsson jabs at Smith's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gustavsson connects with a body shot.
Gustavsson misses with a few strikes there.
Gustavsson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gustavsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith tries to move into range but Gustavsson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gustavsson stalks Smith and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Smith's face. Smith staggers backwards, shaken.
Gustavsson throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gustavsson's guard.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Gustavsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gustavsson wants to get back to his feet but Smith is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexander Gustavsson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Steve Smith'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. This is the final round!

Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gustavsson.
Gustavsson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gustavsson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gustavsson misses with a looping right.
Gustavsson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Smith takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gustavsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Gustavsson.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gustavsson.

Smith scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gustavsson is trying to stand up here but Smith is controlling him well.
Ground and pound from Smith.
Gustavsson looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Smith stops Gustavsson from getting back to his feet.
Smith looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gustavsson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gustavsson pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gustavsson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Gustavsson misses its intended target.
A head kick from Gustavsson lands but Smith takes it in his stride.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Gustavsson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Alexander Gustavsson is winning the standup battle so far.
Gustavsson cracks Smith with an open hand slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gustavsson throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.
Gustavsson lands with a slapping head kick.
Gustavsson throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Smith moves forwards but Gustavsson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Smith blocks a leg kick.
Smith has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Smith defending well as Gustavsson loads up on a big left hand.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Gustavsson sprawls well.
Gustavsson misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
Gustavsson misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
Gustavsson scores with a sloppy right hand. Smith should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gustavsson tried to score with a low kick but Smith checks it.
Gustavsson works Smith's body with a nice hook.
Some wild striking there from Gustavsson.
Gustavsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gustavsson with a nice cross.
Gustavsson lands a head kick!
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Gustavsson.
Gustavsson stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Alexander Gustavsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Smith.

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.
Gustavsson works the jab nicely.
Gustavsson swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Gustavsson misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
Gustavsson scores with a shot to the body.
Gustavsson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Smith.
Smith on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Smith gets the takedown into side control.
Smith lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Gustavsson down.
Gustavsson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Smith asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Smith scores with punches from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Gustavsson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gustavsson 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Gustavsson!