PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Drew Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johan Gutenburg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hicks's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, I'm Back. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hicks
vs
Gutenburg

189 cm
22
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
235 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Drew Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johan Gutenburg!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Gutenburg swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gutenburg misses with a series of wild punches.

Gutenburg scores a takedown into full mount!
Hicks's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Hicks is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hicks is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A nice elbow there by Gutenburg.

Gutenburg looking to secure an arm triangle but Hicks defends it well.

Gutenburg is standing up, even though he is in mount.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gutenburg is defended easily by Hicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown but Gutenburg shows good takedown defense.
No joy there for Gutenburg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hicks misses with a combination

and Gutenburg counters by clinching up.
Gutenburg gets underhooks to prevent Hicks's takedown attempt.

Hicks breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gutenburg throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gutenburg shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hicks pinned against the cage. Hicks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hicks fails with the takedown
and Gutenburg counters with a two punch combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Drew Hicks. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hicks moves into the clinch.

Hicks wants the takedown. Gutenburg is fighting it off but Hicks persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Gutenburg's guard against the cage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hicks is breathing heavily.

Hicks is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gutenburg is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gutenburg has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gutenburg drops back looking for a leg! Hicks is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hicks manages to kick Gutenburg off! Gutenburg jumps back into Hicks's guard.
Hicks trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Gutenburg trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hicks wants to get back to his feet but Gutenburg is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gutenburg trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hicks wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gutenburg stays in close to Hicks's body and controls the position.
Hicks wants to stand but Gutenburg is controlling the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Gutenburg pushes Hicks up against the cage in a clinch.
Gutenburg gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hicks.
Gutenburg goes for a takedown attempt but Hicks pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Gutenburg gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gutenburg wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Gutenburg lands a takedown into guard.
Gutenburg trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gutenburg is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Hicks has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Gutenburg is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Hicks.
Hicks is letting Gutenburg control him for a moment.
Gutenburg connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hicks some visible discomfort.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gutenburg swings around for an armbar but Hicks sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gutenburg's guard.
Hicks could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Gutenburg being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Gutenburg dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gutenburg scores with a sloppy right hand. Hicks should have avoided that one.
Gutenburg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hicks moves away.
Gutenburg looks to land a combination but Hicks avoids it well.
Gutenburg listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

It looks like Drew Hicks has been cut.
Hicks gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gutenburg counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hicks thinking.
Gutenburg cracks Hicks with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hicks throws a jab but it's blocked by Gutenburg.
A punch combination from Gutenburg misses.
Gutenburg misses with a combination

and Hicks counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hicks won't allow Gutenburg to sweep him here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hicks prevents Gutenburg from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks throwing strikes but missing.

Gutenburg is looking for a triangle but Hicks pushes his legs off easily.
Hicks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hicks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hicks throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gutenburg is on top in guard.
Gutenburg trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Gutenburg drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gutenburg jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hicks keeping full guard, as Gutenburg tries to pass.
Gutenburg pushing down on Hicks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Hicks trying to control from the bottom.
Gutenburg lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gutenburg in particular looking to stall.
Gutenburg drops an elbow to the side of Hicks's head.
Johan Gutenburg has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gutenburg wants to take a breather but Hicks is having none of it.
Gutenburg might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hicks kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Gutenburg decides to stand up.
A big right from Hicks misses.
Gutenburg misses with a few strikes there.

Gutenburg drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hicks is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gutenburg passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gutenburg trying to pass the guard but Hicks defending well.
Gutenburg trying to control the action but Hicks is working from the bottom.

Hicks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gutenburg pulls his head out easily.
Hicks is staying active underneath Gutenburg, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gutenburg works his way into full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gutenburg controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Gutenburg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Drew Hicks's cut.
That's time! Hicks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A head kick misses from Hicks.
Gutenburg misses with the combination.
Gutenburg fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hicks scores with the left hand. Gutenburg knows he should have avoided that one.
Gutenburg tries to clinch there but Hicks circles away.

Gutenburg shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hicks napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gutenburg wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hicks keeps working.
Hicks is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gutenburg wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hicks, who protects the arm well.
Hicks taking a bit of punishment here - Gutenburg scoring with strikes.

Gutenburg tries for a kimura but Hicks is defending well.
Gutenburg advances to full mount.
Hicks tries to hold on but Gutenburg postures up.
Gutenburg looking to control and managing it successfully.
Johan Gutenburg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hicks tries to hold on but Gutenburg pushes him away.
Gutenburg won't let Hicks get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Gutenburg controlling the pace for now.
Let's hope that Gutenburg has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks tries to lock up and control but Gutenburg gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Drew Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gutenburg takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gutenburg can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hicks is looking to escape.
Hicks throwing hammer fists to the chest of Gutenburg. What's that going to do exactly?
Gutenburg controlling the position easily from mount.

Despite being in the dominant position, Johan Gutenburg just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hicks fails with the takedown
and Gutenburg counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

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.

Gutenburg closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hicks to the mat! Hicks manages to get full guard.
Hicks wants to get back to his feet but Gutenburg is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gutenburg showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Gutenburg gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Good exchange - Gutenburg coming out on top.
Gutenburg throws a series of punches but Hicks moves out of range.
Gutenburg tries to clinch but Hicks moves out of range.
Gutenburg cracks a nice hook into Hicks's ribs.
Gutenburg throws a series of strikes that have Hicks backpedaling.
Gutenburg scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johan Gutenburg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gutenburg has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johan Gutenburg!