PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gustav Gustafsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Foe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gustafsson comes to the cage accompanied by Dark Tranquility - The Final Resistance. Joe Foe struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gustafsson
vs
Foe

165 cm
30
144 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

160 cm
34
148 lbs
19 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent 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 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gustav Gustafsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Foe!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, John Mangel and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gustafsson moves into the clinch.
Foe goes for a takedown attempt but Gustafsson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gustafsson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Foe scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The fight stays on the outside here - Gustafsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gustafsson tries to clinch
and Foe counters with a good low kick that Gustafsson was not able to check.
Foe throws a right and a left that Gustafsson avoids nicely.
Gustafsson wants to clinch up but Foe keeps it at a distance.
Gustafsson wants to clinch.
Gustafsson moves in looking to clinch but Foe pushes him off.

Foe tries to keep at a distance but Gustafsson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Foe takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Joe Foe has been cut.
Gustafsson pushes off an throws an elbow but Foe leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A short uppercut from Gustafsson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson misses with an elbow over the top.
Gustafsson lands an elbow inside.
Gustafsson lands an elbow inside.
Foe is trying to break the clinch but Gustafsson has him pressed against the cage.
Gustafsson throws an elbow that misses.
Gustafsson misses with an elbow strike.
Gustafsson creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Foe's defenses.

Gustafsson manages to break the clinch.
Foe scores with a jab.

Gustafsson moves into the clinch successfully.

Gustafsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gustafsson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Foe on the side of the head.

That has opened up Joe Foe's cut even more.
Gustav Gustafsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustafsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gustafsson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Foe swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Foe takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Foe misses with a wild combination.
Nice takedown defense from Gustafsson. No joy for Foe on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson moves in looking to clinch but Foe pushes him off.

Gustafsson moves into the clinch successfully.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gustafsson throws an elbow but misses.

Gustafsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Foe shoots in but no luck this time.
Gustav Gustafsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Foe.
Foe takes a swing at Gustafsson's ribcage but misses.
Foe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gustafsson manages to avoid it.
Gustafsson tries to clinch but Foe moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gustafsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Gustafsson gets caught flat footed, as Foe shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Foe is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gustafsson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Gustafsson wants to sweep here but Foe controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson pulls Foe in close to prevent any damage.
Foe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gustav Gustafsson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Gustafsson gets a double leg takedown into Foe's guard.
Gustafsson wants to stand but Foe is controlling his posture from full guard.
Foe throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Foe wants to hit a switch here but Gustafsson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Foe there!

Gustafsson gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foe lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gustafsson backs up against the cage.
Gustafsson tries to clinch up but Foe circles away and keeps his distance.
Gustafsson fails with an attempt to clinch.

Gustafsson darts in and clinches Foe up against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gustafsson.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Foe has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Gustafsson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Gustafsson staying busy and making it hard for Foe to control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gustafsson breaks Foe's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Foe trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gustafsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Foe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustav Gustafsson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Foe's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gustafsson rushes Foe and presses him up against the cage.
Gustafsson scores with a shot to the side of Foe's head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Gustafsson can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
Foe takes an elbow to the temple.
Foe is trying to pull guard but Gustafsson has him pressed against the cage.

Gustafsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gustafsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Foe circles away.
Gustafsson tries to clinch up.
Gustafsson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gustafsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Foe keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gustafsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gustafsson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Foe swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Gustafsson tries to sprawl but Foe drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Foe is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Gustafsson still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Gustafsson has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Foe is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Gustafsson decides to stand back up. Gustafsson steps back and let's Foe get back to his feet.

Gustafsson has managed to clinch.
Gustafsson is pressed up against the cage. Foe has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gustafsson down to the mat. Gustafsson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foe fails with a takedown attempt.
Gustav Gustafsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Foe.
Gustafsson tries to clinch up.
Gustafsson scores with a hook to the body. Foe takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Foe misses with a takedown attempt - Gustafsson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
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!
Foe throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gustafsson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gustafsson.
Gustafsson swinging wildly here.
Sloppy strikes from Foe. Those never looked like landing.
Gustafsson checks a leg kick nicely.

Gustafsson darts in and clinches Foe up against the cage.
Foe looking for a takedown.
Foe is breathing heavily.
Foe tries for a takedown but Gustafsson manages to get underhooks.

Gustafsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gustafsson clinches with his opponent.

Gustafsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gustafsson misses with the combination.
Gustafsson tries to clinch but Foe moves out of range.
Gustafsson tries to clinch up but Foe circles away and keeps his distance.
Foe misses with a takedown attempt
and Gustafsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Foe closes the distance and clinches up with Gustafsson, looking for a takedown. Foe pushes Gustafsson against the cage but Gustafsson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Gustafsson moves into range and clinches up with Foe.
Gustafsson lands an elbow inside that Foe shrugs off.

Gustafsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Foe takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Foe scores a takedown into full mount!
Gustafsson wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gustafsson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Gustafsson tries to kick Foe off but Foe keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gustafsson wants to control but Foe is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gustafsson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gustafsson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gustafsson is staying active underneath Foe, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Foe not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Foe sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gustafsson defending well though.
Foe scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustav Gustafsson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Foe's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Foe works Gustafsson's body with a nice hook.
Gustafsson moves in looking to clinch but Foe pushes him off.
Gustafsson scores with a three punch combo!
Gustafsson wants to clinch.
Gustafsson wants to clinch.
Gustafsson avoids the body shot from Foe.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Foe is defended easily by Gustafsson.
Gustav Gustafsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gustafsson checks a leg kick nicely.
Foe takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foe looks to land a combination but Gustafsson avoids it well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gustafsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Foe gets tackled into the cage by Gustafsson. Gustafsson maintains the clinch.
Foe jumps guard but Gustafsson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Foe tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gustav Gustafsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Foe.
Foe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Foe has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gustafsson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gustafsson pushes Foe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Foe has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gustafsson after a bit of a struggle.

Gustafsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gustafsson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Foe, pushing him back against the cage.
Gustav Gustafsson has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Gustafsson breaks from the clinch.
Foe circles away from the clinch attempt
and Foe counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Foe throws a series of punches but Gustafsson avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gustafsson darts in and clinches Foe up against the cage.
Come on Gustafsson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Gustafsson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Foe.

Gustafsson breaks the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gustafsson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Gustafsson rushes Foe and presses him up against the cage.
Gustafsson scores with a shot to the side of Foe's head.

Gustafsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gustafsson moves in looking to clinch but Foe pushes him off.
Gustafsson lands with a nice body punch.
Foe keeps the fight on the outside.
Foe shoots in for a double leg but Gustafsson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gustafsson tries to clinch but Foe is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson tries to clinch but Foe moves away

so Foe counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Foe pushes down on Gustafsson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gustafsson moves into full guard.
Foe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gustafsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Gustafsson, not yet.
Foe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Foe looking to pass the guard.
Foe would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gustafsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Gustafsson, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Foe trying to control the position from guard on top but Gustafsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Joe Foe hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Gustafsson has managed to clinch.
Gustafsson lands a nice elbow.

Gustafsson manages to break the clinch.
Gustafsson is looking to wear down Foe with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Foe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Foe shoots in looking for a takedown. Gustafsson tries to sprawl out of it but Foe keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gustafsson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Joe Foe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Foe looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gustafsson is fending him off so far but Foe persists. Nope, Gustafsson circles away and we're back to standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gustav Gustafsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gustafsson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustav Gustafsson!
An out of breath Gustav Gustafsson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.