PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Gustafson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gustafson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Lost In The Echo - Linkin Park kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Alexander Gustafson was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Diaz
vs
Gustafson

195 cm
24
194 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

187 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Namunamu Clothing
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matthew Diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexander Gustafson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaz takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A slow jab from Gustafson misses its intended target.
Gustafson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Diaz blocks a jab.
Gustafson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diaz.
Good standup being displayed there by Gustafson as he connects with a hook.
Gustafson thows a left - swing and a miss!
A shot to the liver by Gustafson. Beautiful body shot.
Gustafson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gustafson scores with a nice right hand.
Gustafson throws a lazy uppercut

and Diaz counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gustafson won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz throws a strike aimed at the side of Gustafson's head but Gustafson avoids it well.
Gustafson tries to escape but Diaz is in control.
Diaz throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Gustafson is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Diaz has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Diaz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gustafson, who protects the arm well.
Diaz working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Gustafson is not content to let Diaz control the position.
Diaz working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

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

Diaz is trying to get an arm triangle but Gustafson is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaz working the ground and pound from side control.

Diaz is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gustafson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Diaz lands a decent elbow from side control.

Diaz has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaz moves out of range as Gustafson strikes.
Gustafson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A swing and a miss from Gustafson.
Diaz tries to counter with a takedown but Gustafson is quick to defend against it.
Diaz gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Diaz moves into range and clinches up with Gustafson.
Gustafson is trying to push Diaz away but Diaz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Diaz tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Diaz swings wildly with an uppercut but Gustafson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Diaz jumps guard but Gustafson stands there with Diaz around his waist. Diaz gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Diaz missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz avoiding damage.
Gustafson is trying to break the clinch but Diaz is controlling him.
Diaz misses with a punch to the body.
Gustafson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gustafson letting Diaz take a breather here.
Diaz keeps control of Gustafson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexander Gustafson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Diaz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Diaz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gustafson.
Diaz gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Diaz shoots in for a takedown but Gustafson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Diaz moves out of range of the strikes.
Diaz half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diaz displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gustafson throws out the jab.
Gustafson swings for the body but Diaz moves out of range.
Diaz slips under a jab from Gustafson.
Gustafson throws out a loose jab but Diaz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gustafson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Diaz moves into the clinch.
Diaz tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gustafson just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diaz will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gustafson up against the cage.

Diaz ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Diaz no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafson wants to stand and escape but instead Diaz has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Diaz stands and steps away. Gustafson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Gustafson cracks a nice hook into Diaz's ribs.
Gustafson throws a poor cross that misses

and Diaz counters with a takedown into side control.
Gustafson wants to get back to his feet but Diaz is dominant here and he's now got Gustafson's back!

Gustafson defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Diaz's arms.
Diaz throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Diaz lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Gustafson hold on?!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gustafson is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Diaz wants to control but Gustafson is keeping busy.

Gustafson is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
Diaz on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gustafson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Diaz looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gustafson throws a body shot but no joy.
Diaz drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gustafson sprawls and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafson cracks Diaz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Alexander Gustafson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Gustafson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gustafson looks to land a left hand but Diaz moved out of range nicely.
A head kick misses from Diaz.
Diaz defending well as Gustafson loads up on a big left hand.
Alexander Gustafson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diaz avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gustafson throws an off balance right hand

and Diaz counters with a takedown into side control.
The ground and pound from Diaz seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Gustafson avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Diaz.

Diaz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gustafson, who protects the arm well.
Diaz prevents Gustafson from escaping the position.
Diaz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diaz creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
We've been informed that Gustafson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Diaz stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Gustafson lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gustafson misses with a left hand

and Diaz counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Gustafson is breathing heavily.
Diaz thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gustafson's head.
Gustafson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Diaz is looking for a kimura but Gustafson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Diaz to get the leverage.

Diaz is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gustafson sees it coming and defends easily.
Diaz trying to control the action but Gustafson is working from the bottom.
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 Matthew Diaz will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Diaz ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A slow jab from Gustafson misses its intended target.
Diaz blocks a jab.
Diaz half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Gustafson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A swing and a miss from Gustafson.
Diaz swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fighters circling - Gustafson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Diaz has Gustafson up against the cage in a clinch.
Gustafson is pressed up against the cage. Diaz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gustafson down to the mat. Gustafson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Diaz counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gustafson!
Gustafson is trying to buck Diaz off.
Diaz lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Gustafson down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaz working the ground and pound but Gustafson is defending the strikes.
Diaz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gustafson keeps working.

Diaz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Diaz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gustafson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Diaz trying to control the action but Gustafson is working from the bottom.

Diaz working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Diaz is looking to take a break and control but Gustafson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two 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.

Diaz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Diaz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Diaz stands up and beckons Gustafson to his feet.
Gustafson cracks Diaz with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Gustafson.
Alexander Gustafson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gustafson lands with an uppercut that bounces Diaz off the cage and back into range.

Diaz closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Gustafson quickly recovers to half guard.

Gustafson kicks Diaz off and gets back to his feet.
Diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gustafson pinned against the cage. Gustafson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gustafson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Diaz's hands.
No luck for Diaz with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Diaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice body punch from Gustafson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafson throws out a loose jab but Diaz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gustafson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Diaz doesn't seem bothered though.
Gustafson lands a jab to Diaz's midsection.
Gustafson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diaz drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gustafson sprawls and moves away.
Nice cross by Gustafson.
Diaz slips under a jab.
Diaz tries to counter with a takedown but Gustafson is quick to defend against it.
Gustafson misses with a left hand

and Diaz counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Diaz.

Gustafson is working an open guard so Diaz takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gustafson throws a jab but it's blocked by Diaz.
Diaz is looking to land body kicks.
Gustafson misses with a looping left.
Gustafson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Gustafson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gustafson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30

The fight is ruled a draw!