PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Gustavsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Winston Okafor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Alexander Gustavsson has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Gustavsson
vs
Okafor

196 cm
24
210 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

188 cm
23
221 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alexander Gustavsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Winston Okafor!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustavsson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gustavsson connects with a body shot.
A lazy left from Gustavsson finds it's target.
Gustavsson just misses with a punch to the body.

Okafor shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Okafor showed some decent athleticism there.
Gustavsson looks like he's trying to stand up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okafor wants to pass the guard but Gustavsson is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Okafor is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Okafor controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Okafor trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Alexander Gustavsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustavsson connects with a body shot that sends Okafor's belly button to the back.
Gustavsson has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Irish Collar-and-Elbow Academy in the buildup to the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gustavsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gustavsson tries to close the distance and clinch but Okafor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Okafor or perhaps it was just good defense by Gustavsson, which made it look bad.
Good shot there by Gustavsson.
Gustavsson closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Winston Okafor has been cut.
Okafor tries to clinch there but Gustavsson circles away.
Gustavsson misses the jab.

Okafor forces Gustavsson back against the cage and clinches.
Okafor has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gustavsson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Okafor is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gustavsson is keeping busy.
Gustavsson gets underhooks to prevent Okafor's takedown attempt.
Alexander Gustavsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Winston Okafor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor is looking for a takedown.
Okafor fails to pull guard.

Gustavsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Okafor doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gustavsson counters with a nice body shot.
Gustavsson throws a nice looking combination but Okafor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Okafor flicks out a counter leg kick but Gustavsson steps away.
Gustavsson throws a shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Okafor.
Okafor tries a head kick but it misses.
As Okafor tries to get set, Gustavsson tries to push him back and clinch up but Okafor manages to avoid the attempt.
Gustavsson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Okafor moves into the clinch.

Gustavsson breaks the clinch.
Okafor shoots in looking for a takedown but Gustavsson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Okafor's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gustavsson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Okafor is looking for the big counter here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Okafor looks for a takedown but Gustavsson sprawls well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gustavsson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Gustavsson misses with a combination
and Okafor counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Alexander Gustavsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gustavsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Okafor.
Gustavsson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Okafor makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Okafor shoots in looking for a takedown. Gustavsson tries to sprawl out of it but Okafor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gustavsson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice combination there by Gustavsson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Gustavsson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Winston Okafor's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gustavsson throws a right and a left that Okafor avoids nicely.

Gustavsson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Okafor, pushing him back against the cage.
Okafor tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gustavsson smiles and moves away.
Gustavsson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Okafor.
Gustavsson fails to land with a series of punches.

Gustavsson moves into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Okafor.
Okafor has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gustavsson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Alexander Gustavsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Winston Okafor.

Gustavsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustavsson fails to land with a series of punches.
Gustavsson misses with a series of wild punches.
Okafor tries to counter by closing the distance.
Gustavsson throws a nice looking combination but Okafor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gustavsson sets himself, and Okafor steps forward looking for the clinch! Gustavsson avoids it this time.
No luck for Okafor with that takedown attempt.
Alexander Gustavsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor slips a jab and a cross from Gustavsson.
Okafor throws a counter combo.
Okafor wants to clinch up but Gustavsson keeps it at a distance.
Okafor shoots in but Gustavsson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gustavsson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gustavsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Okafor manages to avoid it.
Gustavsson digs a good body shot into Okafor's ribs.
Gustavsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Okafor was well out of range. Poor timing from Gustavsson.
Gustavsson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Okafor circles away quickly and effectively.
Okafor fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gustavsson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gustavsson.

Okafor gets a double leg takedown into Gustavsson's guard.
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!
Gustavsson keeping moving, preventing Okafor from controlling successfully.
Okafor pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gustavsson is keeping the position for now.
Okafor passes Gustavsson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gustavsson tries to kick Okafor off but Okafor keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gustavsson is refusing to be controlled, as Okafor sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Okafor stands up and beckons Gustavsson to join him on the feet.

Okafor feints and as Gustavsson raises his hands in defense, Okafor changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Okafor trying to control but Gustavsson is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gustavsson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okafor trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Okafor looking to sit in guard and control but Gustavsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Okafor has a closed guard, preventing Gustavsson from standing up.
Okafor bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gustavsson's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Gustavsson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Winston Okafor's cut.
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!

Gustavsson looks to land a combination but Okafor avoids it well.
Okafor is looking for the big counter here.
Gustavsson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Okafor.
Gustavsson is looking to wear down Okafor with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Gustavsson misses with a wild combination.
Some wild striking there from Gustavsson.
Okafor feints the counter takedown.
Okafor fails to land the takedown.
Gustavsson lands a slapping body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustavsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Okafor is just out of range.
Gustavsson sets himself, and Okafor steps forward looking for the clinch! Gustavsson avoids it this time.
Gustavsson lands with an uppercut that bounces Okafor off the cage and back into range.
Okafor doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gustavsson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gustavsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Okafor can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustavsson misses with a few strikes there.
Okafor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gustavsson.
Alexander Gustavsson is winning the standup battle so far.
Okafor misses with a low kick.
A punch combination from Gustavsson misses.
Gustavsson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Okafor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Okafor avoids the body shot from Gustavsson.
Gustavsson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Okafor.
Okafor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Okafor with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gustavsson counters with a three punch combo that has Okafor backing up. Okafor nods at Gustavsson to acknowledge the strikes.
Gustavsson throws a hook but Okafor avoids it easily.

Okafor scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Okafor 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.
Okafor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Okafor seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Okafor trying to advance position but Gustavsson counters by regaining guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Okafor passes Gustavsson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Okafor is just content to waste time from the top position. Gustavsson takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Gustavsson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Okafor is controlling him.
Okafor trying to control the position from guard on top but Gustavsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Winston Okafor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gustavsson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gustavsson tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gustavsson wants to get back to his feet but Okafor is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Okafor avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gustavsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Okafor is just out of range.
Gustavsson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gustavsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Okafor was well out of range. Poor timing from Gustavsson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gustavsson. Okafor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alexander Gustavsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Okafor throws a sloppy head kick and Gustavsson moves out of range easily.
Gustavsson feints a jab promting Okafor to slip. Gustavsson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Okafor slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Gustavsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gustavsson, 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 Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27

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