PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Yasnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gustav Gustafsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yasnov comes to the cage accompanied by Hell Yeah - Dead Prez Ft Jay-Z . Gustafsson has chosen Dark Tranquility - The Final Resistance as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Nikolai Yasnov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Gustav Gustafsson's chin.

Yasnov
vs
Gustafsson

174 cm
23
147 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

165 cm
24
144 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

XTREME PWNAGE
Core Tokyo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nikolai Yasnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gustav Gustafsson!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Skip Squint and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustafsson misses the body punch
and Yasnov counters with a three punch combo that has Gustafsson backing up. Gustafsson nods at Yasnov to acknowledge the strikes.
Gustafsson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Yasnov tried to score with a low kick but Gustafsson checks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Gustafsson misses the target.
Gustafsson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Gustafsson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Yasnov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Yasnov's corner calls for a 1-2. Yasnov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Gustafsson or perhaps it was just good defense by Yasnov which made him look bad.
A punch combination from Gustafsson misses.
Yasnov misses with a body shot

and Gustafsson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
It looks like Gustafsson is going to stand back up.
Yasnov wants to improve his position but Gustafsson is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gustafsson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Gustafsson stands up and beckons Yasnov to join him on the feet.

Yasnov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gustafsson, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Yasnov.
Gustafsson cracks Yasnov with a nice body shot.
Yasnov misses with the head strike.
Yasnov scores with a hook to the body.
Yasnov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Yasnov misses with a short punch on the inside.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Nice body punch from Gustafsson.

Yasnov is fighting off a takedown attempt but Gustafsson is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Yasnov to the mat. Yasnov regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Gustafsson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Yasnov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Gustafsson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Yasnov misses with a body punch
and Yasnov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sloppy strikes from Gustafsson. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gustafsson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Yasnov counters with a one-two to the body.
Gustafsson lands with an overhand left.
Yasnov misses with a straight left.

Yasnov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Yasnov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gustafsson wants a takedown but no success here.
Gustafsson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gustafsson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yasnov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nikolai Yasnov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gustav Gustafsson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Yasnov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yasnov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gustafsson is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustav Gustafsson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gustafsson connects with a body shot that sends Yasnov's belly button to the back.
Yasnov thows a body shot but no joy.
Yasnov misses with a jab to the body
and Gustafsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Yasnov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gustafsson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Yasnov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson misses the body punch
letting Yasnov counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yasnov misses with a wild body shot.
Yasnov throws an off balance right hand
and Yasnov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nikolai Yasnov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A shot to the liver by Gustafsson. Beautiful body shot.
Gustafsson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Yasnov.
Yasnov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gustafsson misses with a wild combination.

Yasnov closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A head punch on the inside from Yasnov fails to land.
Yasnov has a couple of punches blocked by Gustafsson.
Gustafsson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Yasnov lands a shot to the body.
Yasnov misses with a punch on the inside.

Gustafsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Yasnov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson throws a combination that misses
and Yasnov counters with a nice body shot.
Gustafsson connects with a body shot that sends Yasnov's belly button to the back.
Gustafsson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Yasnov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gustafsson throws a combination. Yasnov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yasnov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Gustafsson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Yasnov's guard now.

Gustafsson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Gustafsson has his takedown stuffed
and Yasnov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Gustafsson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gustafsson lands in his opponent's guard.
Gustafsson looking to sit in guard and control but Yasnov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson wants to get back to his feet but Yasnov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gustafsson is on top in guard.
Gustafsson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Yasnov is proving hard to escape from.
Yasnov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustav Gustafsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yasnov forces Gustafsson back against the cage and clinches.
Gustafsson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Yasnov misses with some punches.
Yasnov prevents the takedown attempt.
Yasnov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Yasnov pushes Gustafsson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Yasnov working Gustafsson over with knees to the body.
Gustafsson blocking some punches.
Gustafsson blocks an uppercut.
Yasnov struggles to land a body shot inside as Gustafsson controls his hands.
Yasnov prevents a takedown attempt there.
A head punch on the inside from Yasnov fails to land.
Yasnov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gustafsson or not.
Gustafsson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gustafsson tries to break free but Yasnov pushes him back against the cage.
Gustafsson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yasnov's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yasnov stalling against the cage.
Gustafsson looking for a takedown.
Nikolai Yasnov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gustav Gustafsson.
Gustafsson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gustafsson lands a nice shot to the body.
Yasnov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gustafsson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yasnov.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Yasnov is trying to drag Gustafsson to the mat but Gustafsson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Yasnov lands a body punch in the clinch.

Gustafsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Yasnov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gustafsson, pushing him back against the cage.
Yasnov pushes Gustafsson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Yasnov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Yasnov scores a nice knee to the body.

Gustafsson manages to break the clinch.
Gustafsson throws a lazy uppercut
and Yasnov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yasnov clinches up against the cage.
Yasnov tries a body shot but Gustafsson blocks it.
Yasnov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gustafsson wants a takedown but no success here.
Gustafsson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yasnov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Yasnov tries a body shot but Gustafsson blocks it.
Yasnov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Yasnov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Yasnov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gustafsson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yasnov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gustafsson misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yasnov ducks under a wild hook from Gustafsson.

Yasnov takes the fight into the clinch.
Yasnov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gustafsson wants a takedown but no success here.
Gustav Gustafsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A right hook to the body lands for Yasnov.
A right handed body shot lands from Yasnov.
Yasnov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Yasnov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Yasnov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gustafsson or not.
Yasnov works on Gustafsson's body with a couple of short punches.
Yasnov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gustafsson up against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Yasnov.
A shot in the inside from Yasnov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yasnov trying to land knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Yasnov as the two fighters clinch.
Yasnov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gustafsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yasnov missing with knees to the body.
Nikolai Yasnov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yasnov throws a head punch that misses.
Yasnov taking a breather.
Yasnov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gustafsson backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yasnov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yasnov misses with the head strike.
Gustafsson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gustafsson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gustafsson jumps guard but Yasnov stands there with Gustafsson around his waist. Gustafsson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yasnov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gustafsson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nikolai Yasnov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Yasnov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Yasnov fails to land.

Gustafsson manages to pull guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Yasnov showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustav Gustafsson!