PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Gustavo (ranked 2894 p4p, 331 weight class) and Bayden Wood (ranked 2614 p4p, 306 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gustavo
vs
Wood

192 cm
23
191 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
186 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ricky Gustavo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bayden Wood!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Fedor Mirinova and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wood forces Gustavo back against the cage and clinches.
Wood tries to land a knee to the head but Gustavo blocks with his arms.
Gustavo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Wood smiles and moves away.
Gustavo shoots in looking for a takedown. Wood tries to sprawl out of it but Gustavo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wood manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Wood darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

It looks like Ricky Gustavo has been cut.
Wood digs a good body shot into Gustavo's ribs.
Gustavo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Wood scores with a hook.
Gustavo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wood gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wood gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Wood working aggressively here.
Gustavo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wood just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Gustavo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gustavo manages to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gustavo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wood can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gustavo keeping moving, preventing Wood from controlling successfully.

Gustavo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gustavo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wood doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wood manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wood trying to control the position from guard on top but Gustavo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Wood got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gustavo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wood has managed to get both his arms back between Gustavo's legs - danger averted.

Gustavo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wood is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gustavo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wood tries to free his leg and advance position but Gustavo is retaining full guard.

Wood drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Wood jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Gustavo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wood is aware though and is defending well.
Wood working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gustavo's head.
Gustavo controls Wood momentarily but Wood frees himself.
Wood landing some decent shots from guard.

Gustavo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wood is pushing down on Gustavo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gustavo is fighting to maintain full guard but Wood has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustavo is looking to improve his position.
Gustavo won't allow Wood to pass to mount.
Gustavo is trying to control but can't.
Wood winds up and cracks Gustavo with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Gustavo has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Wood escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Wood!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wood tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gustavo is looking for a sweep.
Wood sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Gustavo is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wood throws a strike aimed at the side of Gustavo's head but Gustavo avoids it well.
Wood working away.
Gustavo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Gustavo is looking for a sweep.
Gustavo is not content to let Wood control the position.
Gustavo controls the position for a moment.
My spies in Iron mikes mma inform me that Wood has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Wood goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gustavo has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Wood but great work by Gustavo.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gustavo trying to control the action but Wood is working from the bottom.
Gustavo is really struggling to control Wood but he's trying to hold on to the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bayden Wood dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricky Gustavo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wood thuds a left hand into Gustavo's body.
Jab, jab by Wood - just one landing.
Wood dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gustavo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wood sprawls well. Wood wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gustavo gets slowly back to his feet.
Wood smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wood with a jab.

Wood has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wood makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Wood lands an elbow that stopped Gustavo in his tracks for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustavo tries to pull guard but Wood holds him up against the cage and eventually Gustavo drops back down to his feet.
Wood misses with an elbow strike.
Wood tries to stall but Gustavo uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gustavo jumps guard but Wood turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Gustavo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wood tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gustavo tries to pull guard but Wood holds him up against the cage and eventually Gustavo drops back down to his feet.
Wood throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Wood has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gustavo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Wood tries to work over Gustavo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wood lands an elbow inside that Gustavo shrugs off.
Gustavo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Wood walks away with a smile on his face. Gustavo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Wood scores with a jab. Gustavo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wood cracks Gustavo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Gustavo is rocked!

Wood lands a big right hand that sends Gustavo crashing to the mat! Wood stays standing though and waves Gustavo back to his feet!
Oh Gustavo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
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!
Gustavo is holding his hands too far apart here. Wood throws a hard, straight punch right down the pipe and BOOM! Gustavo is out! That punch landed square on the jaw - what a shot!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:16 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Bayden Wood!