PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Gustav (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Wates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andy Wates has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gustav
vs
Wates

187 cm
26
208 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

195 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Marcus Gustav!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Andy Wates!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Atkins and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustav lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Wates throws a body punch but Gustav moves out of range.
Gustav misses with a two punch combination.
Wates dodges the punch combination from Gustav.
Wates wants to clinch.
Gustav misses with a few strikes there.
Gustav bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Wates's head.
Gustav goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Gustav misses with a two punch combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gustav circles away from the clinch attempt.
A combination from Gustav does no damage.
Gustav throws a right hand that Wates ducks under and follows up with a left that Wates also avoids with ease.
Gustav lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gustav.
Gustav rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wates moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustav connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustav scores with a jab to the body.
Marcus Gustav seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustav misses with a two punch combination.
Gustav closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wates will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wates tries to clinch but Gustav is having none of it.
Gustav misses with a few strikes there.
As Gustav backs off Wates throws a huge counter combo but Gustav manages to avoid it all.
Wates goes for a double leg but Gustav avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gustav continues to drive forward.
Wates shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gustav as he avoids it easily.
Marcus Gustav has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy Wates.
Gustav throws a right and a left that Wates avoids nicely.
Gustav throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wates.
Wates throws out a counter right but Gustav avoids it with no problem.
Gustav lands a jab.
Gustav displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wates.
Wates takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A punch combination from Wates misses.
Marcus Gustav is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice shot lands for Gustav.
Gustav looks to land a combination but Wates avoids it well.
Wates shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gustav misses with the combination.
Gustav cracks Wates with a good jab.
Gustav throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wates throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wates walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wates avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wates is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Gustav is breathing heavily.
Wates moves in looking to clinch but Gustav pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustav lands a jab to the nose.
Wates looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gustav is fending him off so far but Wates persists. Nope, Gustav circles away and we're back to standing.
Gustav swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wates tries to close the distance and clinch but Gustav swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gustav is looking to counter punch.
Gustav lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wates circles away quickly and effectively.
Good exchange - Gustav coming out on top.
Wates fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gustav looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gustav scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Wates fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gustav swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wates counters with a low kick, right behind Gustav 's knee.
No joy there for Gustav, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Wates buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Wates gets a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gustav prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wates controlling the action here for a moment.
I was talking to Gustav's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Gustav keeps control of Wates as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wates jumps guard but Gustav stands there with Wates around his waist. Wates gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've been informed that Wates has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Wates working Gustav over with knees to the body.
Wates wants a takedown.
Wates holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Wates fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Gustav dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gustav changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Marcus Gustav is winning the standup battle so far.
Donk. Gustav catches Wates right on the button with a cross.
Nice sprawl there from Gustav as Wates shoots in.
Wates fails with a takedown attempt.
Gustav keeps the fight on the outside.
Gustav fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gustav bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Wates's head backwards.
No luck for Wates with that takedown attempt.
Marcus Gustav has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy Wates.
Gustav swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wates unleashes a big counter combination but Gustav bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wates misses with a takedown attempt - Gustav sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Wates.
Gustav is looking for a counter combo.
Gustav is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Wates is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gustav sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Wates is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustav throws a series of punches but Wates avoids them all with ease.
As Gustav backs off Wates throws a huge counter combo but Gustav manages to avoid it all.
Wates dodges the punch combination from Gustav.
Wates will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gustav scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Gustav misses with a two punch combination.
Gustav misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gustav scores with a jab.
Marcus Gustav is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wates takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gustav throws a right and a left that Wates avoids nicely.
Gustav throws a series of punches but Wates avoids them all with ease.
Gustav scores with a crisp jab that stopped Wates in his tracks.
Wates is trying desperately to land a takedown but Gustav is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Wates.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wates showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gustav.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustav connects with a right hand. Wates shakes it off.
Gustav takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Some wild striking there from Gustav.
Wates misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wates showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gustav.
Gustav looks to land a left hand but Wates moved out of range nicely.
Wates moves in looking to clinch but Gustav pushes him off.
Wates with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gustav counters with a nice body shot.
Wates darts in looking for a takedown but Gustav gets double underhooks and turns Wates into the cage.
Good shot there by Gustav.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Wates with that takedown attempt.

Wates clinches up with Gustav and pushes him back against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gustav looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Wates is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gustav to keep the fight standing.
Gustav lands a right hand that snaps the head of Wates backwards.
Gustav is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Wates can't break the clinch.
Wates is trying to break free.
Gustav tries to break free but Wates pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Gustav.
Wates keeps control of Gustav as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wates has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Gustav lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gustav gets underhooks to prevent Wates's takedown attempt.
Gustav is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wates can do to turn this around?
Wates is trying to maintain a safe position but Gustav gets an underhook and turns Wates into the cage.

Gustav breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gustav misses with a double jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Gustav scores with a four punch combination!
Wates on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gustav lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wates circles away quickly and effectively.
Gustav bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Wates's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wates takes one on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Gustav dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gustav avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gustav rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wates moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wates is looking to clinch but Gustav is avoiding it.
Wates takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Wates dodges the punch combination from Gustav.
Gustav scores with a three punch combo!
Gustav moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Gustav tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wates was well out of range. Poor timing from Gustav.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wates shoots in looking for a takedown. Gustav tries to sprawl out of it but Wates keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gustav manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gustav lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustav looks to land a combination but Wates avoids it well.
Gustav lands a nice hook to Wates's body. Wates takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gustav throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wates shoots in looking for a takedown. Gustav tries to sprawl out of it but Wates keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gustav manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gustav throws a series of punches but Wates moves out of range.
Wates shoots in looking for a takedown but Gustav manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Wates's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Marcus Gustav has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andy Wates.
Gustav looks to land a combination but Wates avoids it well.
Gustav misses with a two punch combination.
Wates scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gustav throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Wates sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustav defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Wates.
Gustav bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Wates's head.
Wates tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gustav stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gustav wants it to stay on the feet.
Gustav sizes up Wates with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A left and a right from Gustav both land. Nice combination.
Wates fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gustav feints a jab promting Wates to slip. Gustav then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Wates slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Gustav throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gustav lands a jab to the head.
Gustav throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wates.
Gustav circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wates tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gustav misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gustav circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wates connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gustav momentarily.
Wates throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gustav's waist but Gustav gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wates off to one side.
Gustav is looking for a counter combo.
A left and a right from Gustav both land. Nice combination.
Wates shoots in for a takedown but Gustav shows good takedown defense.
Wates takes one on the button.
Wates moves in looking to clinch but Gustav pushes him off.
A right-left combo lands from Gustav.
Wates misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gustav seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Wates takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

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!
Gustav uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Wates has time to react.
Wates tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gustav swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gustav seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Wates wants to clinch up but Gustav keeps it at a distance.
Gustav moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wates ducks under a wild hook from Gustav.
Gustav throws a body punch but Wates moves out of range.

Wates fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gustav, pushing him back against the cage.
Gustav prevents a body shot from Wates.
Wates trying to stall but Gustav improves his position.
Wates is looking to take this one to the mat.
Andy Wates has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marcus Gustav is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wates has Gustav pressed against the cage, preventing Gustav from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Gustav showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gustav, 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 William Gold scores the fight 30:25
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:25
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Gustav!