PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Gustafsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomaz Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gustafsson's entrance music is Tinie Tempah - Written In The Stars. A fine choice. Taylor has chosen Taylor Gang as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Gustafsson
vs
Taylor

172 cm
23
147 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

170 cm
23
144 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Gustafsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thomaz Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustafsson shoots in but no luck this time.
Gustafsson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Gustafsson looks to land a left hand but Taylor moved out of range nicely.
Gustafsson throws a hook but Taylor blocks it.
Alexander Gustafsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustafsson checks a leg kick.
Taylor scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Taylor misses with a body shot.
Gustafsson connects with a body shot.
Taylor swings for the body but Gustafsson moves out of range.
Gustafsson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Taylor walks into a left hand.
A cross from Taylor lands.
Taylor has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Taylor there as he acknowledges the shot.
Taylor throws a half hearted mid kick.
Taylor swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Gustafsson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gustafsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Taylor loads up on a big right hand but Gustafsson slips the punch.
Good work by Gustafsson as he checks the leg kick.
Gustafsson throws a leg kick which misses Taylor's front leg but catches the back leg as Taylor tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gustafsson.
Taylor misses with a low kick.
Gustafsson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Taylor momentarily.
Taylor ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Taylor throws a predictable looking body shot
and Gustafsson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gustafsson connects with the punch.
Thomaz Taylor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gustafsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taylor manages to avoid it.
Taylor throws a leg kick that misses.
Gustafsson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gustafsson throws the left hand but Taylor avoids the punch easily.
Taylor ducks under a wild hook from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson moves out of range as Taylor throws a body kick.
Gustafsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
An inside leg kick lands from Gustafsson.
Taylor jabs Gustafsson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gustafsson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gustafsson slips under a jab from Taylor.
Gustafsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson throws a hook but Taylor blocks it.
Gustafsson scores with a nice head shot.
Gustafsson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Taylor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gustafsson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gustafsson is looking to score with low kicks.
Taylor thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gustafsson slips under a jab from Taylor.
Gustafsson connects with a single shot there.
Taylor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Taylor avoids a punch combination nicely.
Taylor lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gustafsson's sensitive parts.
Taylor blocks a head kick by Gustafsson.
Taylor lands a nice hook to Gustafsson's body. Gustafsson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gustafsson moves forwards but Taylor connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Taylor wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Gustafsson lands with a slapping head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor moves out of range as Gustafsson strikes.
Gustafsson tries a low kick but Taylor avoids it.
Taylor looks to land a combination but Gustafsson avoids it well.
Taylor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taylor misses with an uppercut. Gustafsson saw that one coming.
Taylor changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gustafsson looks to land a right hand but Taylor moved out of range.
Taylor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gustafsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Taylor is just out of range.
Nice defenses there by Gustafsson.
Taylor moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Gustafsson looks to land a right hand but Taylor moved out of range.
Taylor misses with a low kick.
Gustafsson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Taylor.
Taylor throws out a leg kick but Gustafsson moves out of range and Taylor only half commits.
Gustafsson throws a head kick but Taylor moves out of range.
Gustafsson lands with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gustafsson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taylor throws a shot to the body.
Taylor lands a nice looking body shot.
Taylor ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
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!
A bone on bone clash there as Gustafsson blocks the leg kick.
Gustafsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taylor.
Gustafsson is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Taylor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gustafsson moves away.
Gustafsson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Taylor avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gustafsson misses with an uppercut. Taylor saw that one coming.
Taylor uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gustafsson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gustafsson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Gustafsson scoring well with a low kick there.
Taylor throws a solid leg kick but Gustafsson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Taylor.
Taylor throws a hook to the side of Gustafsson's head but Gustafsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thomaz Taylor will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gustafsson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gustafsson throws a sloppy head kick and Taylor moves out of range easily.
Gustafsson missing with a left hand there. Taylor was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Taylor blocks a jab.

Taylor closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Taylor lands a body punch.
Gustafsson misses with a body punch.
Gustafsson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taylor throws a punch but it's blocked by Gustafsson.
Taylor tries to stall but Gustafsson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Taylor tries to work over Gustafsson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Gustafsson.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Taylor effectively controlling the action here.
Gustafsson wants to break free but Taylor has control.
Gustafsson misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor blocks an elbow strike.
Gustafsson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Taylor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taylor working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gustafsson misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Gustafsson fails to land.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short left from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gustafsson trying to control the position but instead, Taylor has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gustafsson into the cage.
Gustafsson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gustafsson wants to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gustafsson.
Taylor lands a shoulder strike.
Gustafsson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Taylor lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gustafsson backwards.
Taylor scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch on the inside from Gustafsson fails to land.
Taylor cracks Gustafsson with a nice body shot.
Gustafsson misses with some punches.
Taylor pressing his opponent against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gustafsson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gustafsson misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor pressing his opponent against the cage.
Gustafsson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gustafsson struggles to land a body shot inside as Taylor controls his hands.
Taylor gets through Gustafsson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gustafsson lands an uppercut.
Gustafsson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Taylor blocks it with crossed arms.
Gustafsson is trying to force a seperation but Taylor has the dominant position.
Taylor scores with a shot to the side of Gustafsson's head.
A nice left hand lands by Taylor.
Taylor lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gustafsson letting Taylor take a breather here.
A right handed body shot lands from Taylor.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gustafsson as Taylor tries to tie him up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gustafsson backwards.
Gustafsson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch on the inside from Gustafsson fails to land.
Taylor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Taylor.
Taylor tries to stall but Gustafsson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Taylor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gustafsson controlling the action here for a moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Taylor creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gustafsson lands a right hand.
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 Gustafsson 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. This is the final round!

Taylor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Taylor moves out of range of the strikes.
Gustafsson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Good shot there by Gustafsson.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Taylor.
Gustafsson throws a looping overhand right but Taylor ducks down to avoid it.
Taylor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jab by Taylor.
Taylor connects with a single shot there.
Taylor scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Taylor throws a jab when Gustafsson was well out of range.
Taylor connects with a body shot that sends Gustafsson's belly button to the back.
Gustafsson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taylor lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Taylor fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gustafsson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Taylor scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gustafsson misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Gustafsson looks to land a right hand but Taylor moved out of range.
Gustafsson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taylor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gustafsson manages to avoid it.
Taylor tries to land a leg kick but Gustafsson saw it coming and moves away.
Taylor lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Taylor connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Taylor lands a body shot.
Gustafsson misses with a straight left.
Taylor moves out of range as Gustafsson strikes.
Taylor lands a nice looking body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gustafsson throws a leg kick but Taylor moved away.
Taylor walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gustafsson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Taylor's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gustafsson under the eye.
Thomaz Taylor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Taylor swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is looking to clinch.
Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Taylor fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gustafsson.
Taylor lands a nice shot that snaps Gustafsson's head back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gustafsson throws a body kick that misses.
Taylor thows a body shot but no joy.
Taylor thows a body shot but no joy.
Nice defenses there by Gustafsson.
Taylor fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Taylor blocks a low kick nicely.
Gustafsson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Taylor misses with a wild body shot.
Gustafsson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Taylor connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gustafsson scrambles back to his feet.
Taylor stuffs the takedown.
Taylor jabs Gustafsson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gustafsson walks into a straight right hand from Taylor.
Taylor defending well as Gustafsson loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gustafsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Taylor.
Taylor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gustafsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Taylor.
Taylor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Taylor swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Taylor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gustafsson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Gustafsson misses.
Taylor misses with a low kick.
Taylor buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Taylor lands with a nice body punch.
Gustafsson throws a leg kick but Taylor moved away.
Taylor is looking to land body kicks.
Taylor fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Taylor buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Taylor scores with a hook to the body. Gustafsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Taylor connects with a body shot that sends Gustafsson's belly button to the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson dives in and grabs Taylor's left leg, looking for a takedown. Taylor pushes down on Gustafsson's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gustafsson tries to move into range but Taylor moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Taylor moves out of range of the strikes.
Taylor throws a leg kick that misses.
A cross from Taylor lands.
Gustafsson connects with an inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taylor misses the shot to the body.
Gustafsson looks to land a left hand but Taylor moved out of range nicely.
Gustafsson throws a series of punches but Taylor avoids them all with ease.
Gustafsson fails to land the takedown.
Taylor lands with a shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor fails with an attempt to clinch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Gustafsson. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Taylor tries to clinch up.
Gustafsson looks to land a right hand but Taylor moved out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomaz Taylor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Taylor 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomaz Taylor!