PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Emilio Fernandez (ranked 5140 p4p, 345 weight class) and Alex Gustuvf (ranked 4905 p4p, 339 weight class). Alex Gustuvf struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Fernandez
vs
Gustuvf

176 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Emilio Fernandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex Gustuvf!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Colin Fotheringham and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustuvf shoots in for a takedown but Fernandez shows good takedown defense.
Fernandez scores with a jab to the jaw.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gustuvf.
Fernandez throws a big counter combination but Gustuvf scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Fernandez takes a swing at Gustuvf's ribcage but misses.
Gustuvf misses with a takedown attempt
and Fernandez counters with a nice uppercut.
Emilio Fernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Gustuvf.
Gustuvf swats away the attempt to clinch by Fernandez.
Gustuvf dives in and grabs Fernandez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fernandez pushes down on Gustuvf's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandez throws a series of punches but Gustuvf moves out of range.
Fernandez stuffs the takedown attempt from Gustuvf. Gustuvf gets slowly back to his feet.
Gustuvf scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Alex Gustuvf seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gustuvf looks winded!
Fernandez lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Alex Gustuvf has been cut.
Gustuvf takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fernandez fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gustuvf slips a jab and a cross from Fernandez.
Fernandez shoots in looking for a takedown but Gustuvf manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fernandez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Fernandez shoots for a takedown but Gustuvf saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Danga de danga de dang - Fernandez scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gustuvf keeps the fight on the outside.
Gustuvf tries for a takedown but Fernandez circles away easily
and Fernandez counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Gustuvf back to the cage. Fernandez follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Gustuvf showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fernandez.
Fernandez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fernandez cracks Gustuvf with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fernandez tries to clinch there but Gustuvf circles away.
Fernandez works Gustuvf's body with a nice hook.
Gustuvf takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustuvf with a lazy takedown attempt
and Fernandez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fernandez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fernandez tries to clinch there but Gustuvf circles away.
Gustuvf tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fernandez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fernandez tries to clinch up but Gustuvf circles away and keeps his distance.
Gustuvf avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fernandez connects with a nice looking jab.
Fernandez doesn't manage to clinch there - Gustuvf circles away.

Gustuvf fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Fernandez to the ground. Gustuvf is now in Fernandez's guard.
Fernandez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fernandez wants to stand but Gustuvf is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustuvf looking to pass the guard.

Fernandez has an active guard here but Gustuvf has managed to pass into half guard.
Fernandez tries to roll over but Gustuvf keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Fernandez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alex Gustuvf's cut.
That's time! Fernandez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fernandez fails with the takedown.
Fernandez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fernandez wants it to stay on the feet.
Fernandez is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gustuvf.
Fernandez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fernandez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gustuvf but Gustuvf pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gustuvf fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandez stuns Gustuvf with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez avoids a punch combination nicely.

Fernandez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Gustuvf throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Gustuvf takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fernandez lands a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gustuvf gets tackled into the cage by Fernandez. Fernandez maintains the clinch.
Gustuvf drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fernandez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Emilio Fernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Gustuvf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gustuvf after a bit of a struggle.
Gustuvf is looking to take this one to the mat.
Fernandez wants to break free but Gustuvf has control.
Gustuvf tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gustuvf is breathing heavily.
Fernandez tries for a takedown. No joy.

Gustuvf has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Fernandez uses from the top position.
Fernandez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gustuvf is keeping the position for now.
Gustuvf looking for a sweep. Not yet Gustuvf, not yet.
Fernandez showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustuvf keeping moving, preventing Fernandez from controlling successfully.
Gustuvf working a defensive guard here.
Fernandez looking to sit in guard and control but Gustuvf gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Fernandez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fernandez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gustuvf's guard.

Fernandez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gustuvf is proving hard to escape from.
Alex Gustuvf has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fernandez looking to pass the guard.
Fernandez is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gustuvf manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fernandez manages to get himself to full guard.

Fernandez looking for a guillotine here but Gustuvf defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Gustuvf will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alex Gustuvf's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Fernandez scores with a shot to the body.
Fernandez tries to clinch up but Gustuvf circles away and keeps his distance.

Gustuvf closes the distance and clinches.
Fernandez trying to stall but Gustuvf improves his position.
Fernandez slowing the pace effectively.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fernandez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gustuvf gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gustuvf has Fernandez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fernandez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Fernandez prevents a takedown attempt there.

Gustuvf has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Fernandez is trying to keep an underhook but Gustuvf manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Gustuvf takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez is looking for a sweep. Gustuvf is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fernandez is trying to maintain the position but Gustuvf is very close to passing his half guard.
Fernandez tries to get to full guard but Gustuvf has control of the leg.
Fernandez tries to kick Gustuvf off but Gustuvf keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Fernandez is trying to control but can't.
Fernandez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Emilio Fernandez is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gustuvf is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fernandez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Emilio Fernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Gustuvf.
Fernandez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Fernandez throws a right and a left that both miss.
A nice combination there by Fernandez.
Fernandez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gustuvf moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustuvf tries to counter by closing the distance.
Gustuvf fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fernandez avoids it really well and circles away.

Gustuvf rushes Fernandez and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gustuvf avoids it.
Gustuvf jumps guard but Fernandez stands there with Gustuvf around his waist. Gustuvf gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gustuvf.
Gustuvf is looking to take this one to the mat.
Fernandez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gustuvf fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fernandez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gustuvf throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Fernandez's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez works over Gustuvf's head and body with a nice combination.
Gustuvf misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gustuvf doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gustuvf throws a push kick but Fernandez slaps the foot to one side.
Fernandez appears to be looking for a big counter.
Fernandez misses with a two punch combination.
Fernandez throws a series of strikes that have Gustuvf backpedaling.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fernandez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gustuvf or perhaps it was just good defense by Fernandez, which made it look bad.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emilio Fernandez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fernandez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emilio Fernandez!