PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Gustaffson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Koroviev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Alexander Gustaffson has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Alexander Gustaffson seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Gustaffson
vs
Koroviev

196 cm
18
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

189 cm
20
210 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Gustaffson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Koroviev!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gustaffson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Gustaffson wants to take a breather but Koroviev is having none of it.
Gustaffson is thwarting Koroviev's attempts to control the position.
Gustaffson trying to control the pace.
Gustaffson trying to control from half guard but Koroviev is working away.
Koroviev tries to get to full guard but Gustaffson has control of the leg.
Gustaffson wants to take a breather but Koroviev is having none of it.

Alexander Gustaffson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Koroviev feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Gustaffson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Koroviev defends well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Koroviev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Koroviev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustaffson looking for a sweep. Not yet Gustaffson, not yet.

Gustaffson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Koroviev defends it easily.

Gustaffson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Koroviev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gustaffson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Koroviev has Gustaffson in his guard.
Gustaffson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koroviev trying to keep a closed guard but Gustaffson is proving a slippery customer.
Gustaffson trying to control the position from guard on top but Koroviev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gustaffson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Koroviev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gustaffson has managed to get both his arms back between Koroviev's legs - danger averted.

Gustaffson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Gustaffson trying to control but Koroviev is working from the bottom.
Gustaffson controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koroviev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gustaffson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Koroviev is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gustaffson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gustaffson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gustaffson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gustaffson trying to control but Koroviev is working from the bottom.
We've been informed that Koroviev has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Koroviev trying to control the position.
Gustaffson trying to control the position from guard on top but Koroviev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gustaffson postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gustaffson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Koroviev defends it nicely.
Gustaffson misses with a takedown attempt - Koroviev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gustaffson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Koroviev defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Gustaffson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gustaffson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Koroviev manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gustaffson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Koroviev is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koroviev has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Gustaffson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Gustaffson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gustaffson misses with a takedown

and Koroviev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Koroviev.
Koroviev can't get the takedown.

Koroviev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Koroviev drives through with a takedown into guard.

Gustaffson isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Koroviev stacks Gustaffson on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Koroviev!
Gustaffson tries to bench press Koroviev off him but Koroviev keeps the position.
Gustaffson is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Warrior MMA and Fitness, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

Koroviev goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gustaffson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Koroviev but great work by Gustaffson.
Koroviev can't do much from the bottom here.
Koroviev tries to buck Gustaffson off but Gustaffson is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustaffson trying to control the position but Koroviev is working away.
Koroviev wants to control but Gustaffson postures up.
Koroviev is breathing heavily.
Koroviev is not content to let Gustaffson control the position.
Alexander Gustaffson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Koroviev is trying to get back to half guard.

Gustaffson is trying to get an arm triangle but Koroviev is defending well.

Gustaffson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Koroviev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Gustaffson is trying to get an arm triangle but Koroviev is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gustaffson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Koroviev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gustaffson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Gustaffson working away.
Koroviev wants to get back to his feet.

Gustaffson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Koroviev has escaped the position, nice work there.

Gustaffson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koroviev holding on.

Gustaffson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Koroviev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Koroviev is looking to regain half guard here but Gustaffson keeps moving and retains side control.

Gustaffson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Gustaffson tries for a kimura but Koroviev is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gustaffson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gustaffson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Koroviev is trying to get back to half guard.
Gustaffson controlling the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gustaffson swings around for an armbar but Koroviev sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gustaffson's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Gustaffson dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Koroviev fails with the takedown.
Alexander Gustaffson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gustaffson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Koroviev is fending him off so far but Gustaffson persists. Nope, Koroviev circles away and we're back to standing.
Koroviev tries to close the distance and clinch but Gustaffson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gustaffson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Gustaffson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Gustaffson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gustaffson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gustaffson trying to control the action but Koroviev is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koroviev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Gustaffson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Gustaffson is working for a kimura but Koroviev is defending it quite comfortably.
Still in half guard, Gustaffson seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Koroviev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Koroviev gets full guard.
Gustaffson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Koroviev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gustaffson trying to control but Koroviev is working from the bottom.
Koroviev wants to stand up but Gustaffson is controlling him.
Gustaffson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gustaffson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Alexander Gustaffson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Koroviev dives in and grabs Gustaffson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gustaffson pushes down on Koroviev's head and hops out.

Gustaffson gets a double leg takedown into Koroviev's guard.
Gustaffson trying to control the position from guard on top but Koroviev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Koroviev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gustaffson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gustaffson stands and throws Koroviev's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gustaffson slows the pace down.
Koroviev manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Koroviev is working for a kimura but Gustaffson is defending it quite comfortably.

Gustaffson kicks Koroviev off and gets back to his feet.

Gustaffson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Alexander Gustaffson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
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!
Gustaffson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koroviev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gustaffson is one step ahead there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Gustaffson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gustaffson, 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Gustaffson!
In his post fight interview, Alexander Gustaffson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.