PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Strom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Wickleby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strom kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is I Need a Hero. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Strom
vs
Wickleby

182 cm
26
198 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

173 cm
26
195 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Knock Out Artistry
Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gunnar Strom!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ray Wickleby!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, John Mangel and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wickleby blocks a jab.
Wickleby misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Strom.
Wickleby throws a body punch but Strom moves out of range.
Strom scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Wickleby misses with a straight right.
Strom misses with a straight right.
Wickleby looks to throw the jab but Strom is out of range.
Strom lands a jab-cross combination.
Strom on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ray Wickleby seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strom lunges at Wickleby with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Wickleby's hand.
Wickleby ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strom moves away.
Wickleby misses with a looping right.
Strom tries to close the distance and clinch but Wickleby swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wickleby circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strom slaps away a takedown attempt from Wickleby, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A slow jab from Wickleby misses its intended target.
Strom lands with a right hand.
Strom lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Strom dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Strom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wickleby misses with a straight right.
Wickleby fails with a takedown attempt.
Strom swings for the body but Wickleby moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby misses with a body shot.
Strom throws a jab when Wickleby was well out of range.
Strom moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Wickleby shoots in for a takedown but Strom shows good takedown defense.
Gunnar Strom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Wickleby.
Wickleby keeps the fight on the outside.
Wickleby keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Strom lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Strom.
Strom connects with a good right hand that stumbles Wickleby. Wickleby circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wickleby throws out a powerful jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Strom gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Strom is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wickleby is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby throws a big right hand that misses.
Wickleby throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Strom is trying to keep Wickleby in close.
Wickleby postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wickleby won't allow Strom to get back to his feet.
Strom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wickleby trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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.
Wickleby throws a strike but Strom rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Strom is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Wickleby working a defensive guard here.
Wickleby has his hands on Strom's head, controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Wickleby throws a sloppy body shot
and Strom counters with a stiff right hand.
Wickleby looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wickleby scores with a jab to the body.
Wickleby dives in and grabs Strom's left leg, looking for a takedown. Strom pushes down on Wickleby's head and hops out.
Wickleby tries for a takedown but Strom sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gunnar Strom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Wickleby.
Wickleby uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Strom.
Strom with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Wickleby to score with a decent uppercut.
Wickleby tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Strom paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Strom throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wickleby connects with a body shot.
Wickleby keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strom misses with a few strikes there.
Wickleby cracks Strom with an open hand slap.
Wickleby misses with a jab to the body
and Strom counters with a one-two to the body.
No joy there for Strom, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gunnar Strom is winning the standup battle so far.
Strom smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Strom connects with a good right hand that stumbles Wickleby. Wickleby circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Strom thows a body shot but no joy.
Gunnar Strom is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wickleby lands a nice shot that snaps Strom's head back.
Wickleby waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Strom.
Strom misses with a body punch
and Wickleby counters with a nice uppercut.
Strom misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strom moves in looking to clinch but Wickleby pushes him off.
Strom keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wickleby ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Strom lands with a nice body punch.
Strom lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Wickleby at a distance.
Strom swings away with a body shot that misses
and Wickleby cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Strom throws a hook to the side of Wickleby's head but Wickleby sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wickleby. Strom does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wickleby ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Strom is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Strom swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wickleby fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strom manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Strom to counter with a crisp jab.
Wickleby misses the jab.

Wickleby gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wickleby prevents Strom from improving his position.
Wickleby wants to take a breather but Strom is having none of it.
Wickleby scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Strom is not content to let Wickleby control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strom is trying to stand up here but Wickleby is controlling him well.
Strom avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wickleby.
Wickleby throwing shots but Strom is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strom trying to control here.
Strom tries to kick Wickleby off in order to stand up. Wickleby Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
A lull in the action here as Wickleby stalls from top position.
Wickleby postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
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 Gunnar Strom will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Wickleby is defended easily by Strom.
Wickleby throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Wickleby with a nice cross.
Jab by Wickleby.
Strom keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Strom tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wickleby was well out of range. Poor timing from Strom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wickleby shoots in for a takedown but Strom shows good takedown defense.
Strom takes one to the side of the head.
Strom slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickleby darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Strom displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wickleby.
Gunnar Strom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Wickleby.
Strom scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A telegraphed right hand from Wickleby misses the target.
Strom tries to clinch but Wickleby moves away
and Wickleby counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wickleby ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strom moves away.
Wickleby tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Strom was well out of range. Poor timing from Wickleby.
Strom takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Strom throws a shot to the body.
Strom misses with a hook to the body
and Wickleby counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Wickleby lands with a good body shot.
Wickleby shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Strom as he jumps to the side.
A telegraphed right hand from Strom misses the target.
Strom throws a sloppy body shot

and Wickleby counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Wickleby.
Strom keeping full guard, as Wickleby tries to pass.
Wickleby stands up over Strom, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wickleby is fighting to break Strom's control of his arms but Strom is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby wants to control from the top but Strom keeps moving.
Strom on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Strom tries to get out of the position.
Strom is trying to keep Wickleby in close.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wickleby is working Strom over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Wickleby throwing strikes but missing.
Strom pulls Wickleby in close to his closed guard and prevents Wickleby from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wickleby won't allow Strom to sweep him here.
Wickleby postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wickleby trying to control the position from guard on top but Strom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Wickleby misses the shot to the body.
Wickleby throws a hook but Strom avoids it easily.
Strom throws a lazy right hand but Wickleby sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Wickleby really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Wickleby takes a swing at Strom's ribcage but misses.
Wickleby misses the body punch
and Strom counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wickleby moves in looking to clinch but Strom pushes him off.
Wickleby is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Strom rather than just go for the knockout.
Wickleby misses with a wild body shot.
Wickleby is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Strom.
Strom throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Strom throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wickleby takes one to the chin there.
Strom throws an overhand right that lands on Wickleby's shoulder, as Wickleby tries to avoid the shot.
Wickleby throws a sloppy body shot
and Strom connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Strom tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wickleby paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickleby keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wickleby shoots in but no luck this time.
Strom scores with a shot to the body.
Strom throws a hook but Wickleby blocks it.
Wickleby keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Strom swings for the body but Wickleby moves out of range.
Wickleby lands with a shot to the body.
Strom throws a shot from downtown. Wickleby moves away and avoids it.
Wickleby misses with a double jab
and Wickleby takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Wickleby is defended easily by Strom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Wickleby swats away the attempt to clinch by Strom.
Strom just misses with a punch to the body.
Strom looks to score with a jab to the body but Wickleby is just out of range.
Wickleby throws a hook but Strom avoids it easily.
Strom throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Strom misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Wickleby misses
and Strom counters with a straight right hand.
Strom scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Wickleby swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Strom counters with a nice uppercut.
A left lands for Strom.
Strom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wickleby manages to avoid it.
Wickleby takes a swing at Strom's ribcage but misses.
Wickleby takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Wickleby throws the left hand but Strom avoids the punch easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wickleby.
Gunnar Strom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Wickleby.
Wickleby missing with a left hand there. Strom was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby throws out a loose jab but Strom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wickleby fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strom manages to avoid it.
Strom tries to close the distance and clinch but Wickleby swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wickleby fails with a takedown attempt.
Wickleby fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Strom manages to avoid it.
Strom takes a swing at Wickleby's ribcage but misses.
Wickleby catches Strom with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Wickleby takes a swing at Strom's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Strom had his way with Ray Wickleby in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A nice combination there by Strom.
Strom is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Strom digs a good hook to Wickleby's body.
Strom misses with a body shot.

Strom rushes Wickleby and presses him up against the cage.
Strom throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Wicklebys head.
Wickleby trying to control the position but instead, Strom has worked for underhooks and has pushed Wickleby into the cage.
Wickleby goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Strom.
Wickleby presses Strom against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Strom softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Strom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wickleby's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickleby is leaning against Strom and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wickleby has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Strom lands a body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Wickleby.
Strom lands a right hand that snaps the head of Wickleby backwards.
Wickleby is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Strom gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wickleby misses with a hook to the ribs.
Strom swings wildly with an uppercut but Wickleby uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wickleby wants to stall.
Wickleby dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A hook to the body from Strom.
Wickleby tries to stall but Strom uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Strom lands with a short shot to the head.
Strom lands a body shot.
Wickleby throws a head punch that misses.
Ray Wickleby has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby working aggressively here.
Strom has a couple of punches blocked by Wickleby.
Wickleby looking to stall.
Wickleby is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Wickleby tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wickleby throws a punch but it's blocked by Strom.
Wickleby drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wickleby swings wildly with an uppercut but Strom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Strom scores with a nice hook to the head.
Strom lands a right hand.
Strom blocks a body shot from Wickleby.
Wickleby has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Strom is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gunnar Strom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Wickleby.
Strom prevents a body shot from Wickleby.
Wickleby stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Wickleby goes for a takedown in the clinch but Strom prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strom makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Strom lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wickleby tries a body shot but Strom blocks it.
Strom working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Wickleby is rocked!
Strom lands with a left to the head.
Wickleby is still on wobbly legs! Can Strom finish him?

Wickleby has hold of one of Strom's legs. Strom is fighting the takedown attempt but Wickleby gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Strom is on top in guard.
Strom is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Wickleby seems to have recovered his senses.
Strom has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strom stands and steps away. Wickleby gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Strom on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A combination from Strom does no damage.
Wickleby uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Strom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wickleby misses with a wild body shot.
Wickleby slips under a jab.
Wickleby scores with the left hand. Strom knows he should have avoided that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gunnar Strom showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Strom 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 49:46
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 49:46
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gunnar Strom!
Gunnar Strom retains his middleweight title!