PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gustav Gustafsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zachary Cardenas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gustafsson's entrance music is Dark Tranquility - The Final Resistance. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gustafsson
vs
Cardenas

165 cm
37
148 lbs
22 - 17 - 0

175 cm
29
145 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gustav Gustafsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zachary Cardenas!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Damien Edna and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardenas throws a jab when Gustafsson was well out of range.
Gustafsson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Cardenas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gustafsson.
Cardenas moves in looking to clinch but Gustafsson pushes him off.
Cardenas dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gustafsson works Cardenas's body with a nice hook.
Gustafsson swats away the attempt to clinch by Cardenas.
Gustafsson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Some wild striking there from Cardenas.
A punch combination from Cardenas misses.
A combination from Cardenas does no damage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cardenas defending well as Gustafsson loads up on a big left hand.
Gustafsson misses with a hook. Cardenas ducked under it nicely.
Cardenas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cardenas looks to score with a jab to the body but Gustafsson is just out of range.
Gustafsson slips a jab and a cross from Cardenas.
Gustafsson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Cardenas throws a nice looking combination but Gustafsson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cardenas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gustafsson.
Cardenas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Gustafsson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gustafsson misses with a left hand
and Cardenas counters with a series of strikes. Gustafsson will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson lands a jab to the nose.
Gustafsson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Cardenass jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Gustafsson lands with a shot to the body.
Cardenas tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Gustafsson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gustafsson lands a two punch combo.

Gustafsson gets tackled into the ropes by Cardenas. Cardenas maintains the clinch.
Gustafsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cardenas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Cardenas scores with a nice short uppercut.

Gustafsson manages to break the clinch.
Gustafsson just misses with a punch to the body.
Cardenas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cardenas lands with a shot to the body.
Gustafsson lands with a hook. Cardenas tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cardenas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gustafsson lands a nice looking body shot.
Cardenas throws a nice looking combination but Gustafsson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gustafsson throws a leg kick which misses Cardenas's front leg but catches the back leg as Cardenas tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gustafsson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cardenas works over Gustafsson's head and body with a nice combination.
Cardenas throws a right and a left that Gustafsson avoids nicely.
Cardenas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gustafsson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cardenas.
Gustafsson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A jab from Gustafsson finds it's way through Cardenas's defenses.
Cardenas lands with a good body shot.
Gustafsson throws a shot from downtown. Cardenas moves away and avoids it.
Gustafsson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cardenas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cardenas misses with a body shot.
Gustafsson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cardenas.
Cardenas tries to clinch up but Gustafsson circles away and keeps his distance.
Gustafsson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gustafsson misses with a straight right.
Cardenas wants to clinch up but Gustafsson keeps it at a distance.
Gustafsson misses with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson tries a head kick but it misses.
Cardenas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cardenas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gustafsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cardenas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cardenas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gustafsson.
Cardenas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson stuns Cardenas with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cardenas misses with a series of wild punches.

Gustafsson closes the distance and clinches.
Cardenas misses with a punch on the inside.
Gustafsson wants to get back to striking at distance but Cardenas won't allow it.
Cardenas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cardenas scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cardenas misses with some punches.

Gustafsson breaks from the clinch.
Gustafsson throws a lazy right hand but Cardenas sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cardenas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cardenas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Gustafsson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas misses with a shot to the body
and Gustafsson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gustafsson scores with a decent looking hook.
Cardenas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cardenas swinging wildly here.
Cardenas tries to bum rush Gustafsson with a series of wild strikes but Gustafsson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gustafsson throws a looping overhand right but Cardenas ducks down to avoid it.
Cardenas throws a hook but Gustafsson blocks it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cardenas moves in looking to clinch but Gustafsson pushes him off.
Gustafsson jabs at Cardenas's body.
Cardenas thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gustafsson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Cardenas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gustafsson manages to avoid it.
Nice straight punches there by Cardenas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cardenas.
Gustafsson misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gustafsson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gustafsson misses the jab.
Gustafsson throws a jab but it's blocked by Cardenas.
Cardenas is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gustafsson rather than just go for the knockout.
Gustafsson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cardenas.
A combination from Cardenas does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gustav Gustafsson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cardenas misses with a few strikes there.
A jab from Gustafsson misses.
Cardenas wants to clinch.
A jab from Cardenas does it's job there.
Cardenas tries to clinch up but Gustafsson circles away and keeps his distance.
Gustafsson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Cardenas throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gustafsson throws a right hand that Cardenas ducks under and follows up with a left that Cardenas also avoids with ease.
Cardenas swinging wildly here.
Gustafsson cracks a nice hook into Cardenas's ribs.

Cardenas gets a clinch.
Cardenas wants to break free but Gustafsson has control.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Cardenas creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cardenas misses with some punches.
Cardenas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cardenas is trying to break the clinch but Gustafsson is controlling him.

Gustafsson manages to break the clinch.
Cardenas misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson misses with an uppercut. Cardenas saw that one coming.
Cardenas steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson lands a lovely overhand right.
Gustafsson throws out a loose jab but Cardenas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gustafsson throws out a loose jab but Cardenas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cardenas doesn't manage to clinch there - Gustafsson circles away.
Gustafsson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cardenas at a distance.
Cardenas throws a jab but it's blocked by Gustafsson.
Gustafsson misses with a wild body shot.
Cardenas defending well as Gustafsson loads up on a big left hand.
Zachary Cardenas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gustafsson misses the shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Gustafsson misses the target.
Cardenas misses with a series of wild punches.
Gustafsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cardenas.
Cardenas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cardenas ducks under a wild hook from Gustafsson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cardenas. Gustafsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cardenas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson misses with a body shot.
Cardenas uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gustafsson.
Cardenas throws a right and a left that both miss.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gustafsson. Cardenas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gustafsson tries to clinch there but Cardenas circles away.
Cardenas punishes Gustafsson's body with a nice straight punch.
A left lands for Cardenas.
The fighters circling - Gustafsson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
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!
Gustafsson defending well as Cardenas loads up on a big left hand.
Cardenas tries to clinch there but Gustafsson circles away.
Cardenas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gustafsson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gustafsson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cardenas at a distance.
A big right from Gustafsson misses.
Cardenas uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gustafsson.
Cardenas defending well as Gustafsson loads up on a big left hand.
Cardenas looks to land a right hand but Gustafsson moved out of range.
Cardenas tries to bum rush Gustafsson with a series of wild strikes but Gustafsson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gustafsson misses with a body shot.
Cardenas tries to clinch but Gustafsson moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sloppy strikes from Cardenas. Those never looked like landing.
Gustafsson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cardenas.
Gustafsson misses with a two punch combination.
Gustafsson looks to throw the jab but Cardenas is out of range.
Cardenas ducks under a wild hook from Gustafsson.
Cardenas throws a nice looking combination but Gustafsson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gustafsson throws a hook but Cardenas blocks it.
Cardenas throws a body punch but Gustafsson moves out of range.
Gustafsson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gustafsson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cardenas. Gustafsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
A punch combination from Cardenas misses.
Sloppy strikes from Cardenas. Those never looked like landing.
Gustafsson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cardenas.
Cardenas defending well as Gustafsson loads up on a big left hand.

Cardenas closes the distance and pushes Gustafsson back into the ropes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gustafsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Gustafsson finds it's way through Cardenas's defenses.
Gustafsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cardenas.
Cardenas tries to clinch but Gustafsson is having none of it.
Cardenas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gustafsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustafsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cardenas avoids the body shot from Gustafsson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gustafsson misses with an uppercut.
Gustafsson defending well as Cardenas loads up on a big left hand.
Gustafsson swats away the attempt to clinch by Cardenas.
Gustafsson tries to clinch but Cardenas moves out of range.
Cardenas shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cardenas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gustafsson. Cardenas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gustafsson throws a big shot that misses.
A left and a right from Gustafsson both land. Nice combination.
Gustafsson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cardenas looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
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 Gustav Gustafsson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cardenas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cardenas throws a right hand that Gustafsson ducks under and follows up with a left that Gustafsson also avoids with ease.
Cardenas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gustafsson.
Cardenas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gustafsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustafsson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cardenas walks into a left hand.
Gustafsson throws a right hand that Cardenas ducks under and follows up with a left that Cardenas also avoids with ease.
Cardenas showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gustafsson.
Cardenas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gustafsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Cardenas.
Gustafsson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Cardenas swings for the body but Gustafsson moves out of range.
Gustafsson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cardenas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gustafsson circles away quickly and effectively.
Gustafsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cardenas just misses with a punch to the body.
Cardenas tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Gustafsson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gustafsson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cardenas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Cardenas is looking to clinch but Gustafsson is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardenas wants to clinch but Gustafsson slips to the side
and Gustafsson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gustafsson tries to clinch there but Cardenas circles away.
Cardenas tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Gustafsson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Cardenas.

Cardenas closes the distance and pushes Gustafsson back into the ropes.

Gustafsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Cardenas misses.
Gustafsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cardenas is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Gustafsson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gustafsson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A shot to the liver by Gustafsson. Beautiful body shot.
Cardenas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gustafsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustafsson scores with a hook to the body. Cardenas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gustafsson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Cardenas's head backwards.
Cardenas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gustafsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cardenas.
Gustafsson dodges the punch combination from Cardenas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas tries to move into range but Gustafsson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gustafsson misses the shot to the body.
Cardenas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gustafsson.
Cardenas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cardenas circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cardenas tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Gustafsson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cardenas throws a right and a left that Gustafsson avoids nicely.
Cardenas walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gustafsson fails to land with a series of punches.
Cardenas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Cardenas defending well as Gustafsson loads up on a big left hand.
Cardenas misses with a few strikes there.
Gustafsson looks to throw the jab but Cardenas is out of range.
Gustafsson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Cardenas. Cardenas circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gustafsson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Cardenas misses with a wild body shot.
Cardenas swinging wildly here.
Cardenas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gustafsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustav Gustafsson is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas missing with a left hand there. Gustafsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gustafsson jabs Cardenas right on the nose. Cardenas blinks but takes it well.
Cardenas ducks under a wild hook from Gustafsson.
Cardenas fails to land with a series of punches.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cardenas. Gustafsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fighters circling - Gustafsson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cardenas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Good exchange - Gustafsson coming out on top.
Gustafsson just misses with a punch to the body.
Gustafsson throws a nice looking combination but Cardenas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gustafsson keeps the fight on the outside.

Gustafsson moves into range and clinches up with Cardenas.

Gustafsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gustafsson cracks Cardenas with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Cardenas misses with a double jab.
Cardenas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gustafsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Cardenas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardenas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gustafsson.
Gustafsson keeps the fight on the outside.
Cardenas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gustafsson manages to avoid it.
Cardenas moves away from the strike by Gustafsson.
Cardenas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cardenas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gustafsson throws out a loose jab but Cardenas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gustafsson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cardenas fails to land with a series of punches.
Cardenas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gustafsson digs a good body shot into Cardenas's ribs.
Gustafsson throws a body shot but no joy.
Cardenas is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cardenas tries to clinch there but Gustafsson circles away.
Gustafsson swings for the body but Cardenas moves out of range.
Zachary Cardenas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cardenas throws a series of punches but Gustafsson moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Gustafsson - just one landing.

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 John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustav Gustafsson!
Our winner, Gustav Gustafsson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.