PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Wood (ranked 24665 p4p, 205 weight class) and Gunnar Hamundarson (ranked 23885 p4p, 200 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Wood
vs
Hamundarson

190 cm
24
275 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

193 cm
19
300 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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UnderGround Clothing Co.

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ben Wood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gunnar Hamundarson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamundarson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Wood is fending him off so far but Hamundarson persists. Nope, Wood circles away and we're back to standing.
Hamundarson moves out of range of the strikes.
Wood throws a one two combo.
A jab from Wood misses.

Hamundarson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wood trying to land knees to the body.
Wood wants to break free but Hamundarson has control.
Wood working aggressively here.
Wood wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hamundarson keeps control of Wood as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Hamundarson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Hamundarson instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamundarson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Wood pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hamundarson shoots in but no luck this time.
Wood has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Ben Wood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunnar Hamundarson.
Hamundarson scores with a head kick. Wood tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Ben Wood has been cut.

Hamundarson has managed to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wood has had enough of the clinch but Hamundarson keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Wood's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Hamundarson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wood throws a poor cross that misses
and Hamundarson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Hamundarson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Hamundarson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hamundarson throws a head kick but Wood moves out of range.
Wood connects with a right hand. Hamundarson shakes it off.
Wood throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hamundarson.
Wood waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hamundarson.
Wood misses with a straight right.
Wood throws a hook to the side of Hamundarson's head but Hamundarson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice shot lands for Wood.
Hamundarson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wood sprawls well. Wood wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hamundarson gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamundarson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hamundarson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
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!
Wood swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Hamundarson clinches.

Hamundarson pulls guard successfully.
Wood throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hamundarson pulls Wood in close to his closed guard and prevents Wood from doing any damage or advancing position.
Wood trying to control the position from guard on top but Hamundarson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hamundarson can't keep his opponent in guard - Wood advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood wants to free his trapped foot but Hamundarson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Wood is working hard here to advance position.
Hamundarson trying to control from the bottom.
Wood prevents Hamundarson from improving his position.
Wood throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hamundarson tries to roll over but Wood keeps him under control.
Wood thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hamundarson manages to get to full guard.
Wood wants to pass the guard but Hamundarson is keeping the position.
Wood 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.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Wood gets to his feet - Hamundarson follows without any prompting.
Wood thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hamundarson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wood.
Nice defenses there by Hamundarson.

Hamundarson rushes Wood and presses him up against the cage.
Wood tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hamundarson smiles and moves away.
Wood throws an overhand right that lands on Hamundarson's shoulder, as Hamundarson tries to avoid the shot.
Wood takes a swing at Hamundarson's ribcage but misses.
Hamundarson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Hamundarson takes the fight into the clinch.

Wood has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hamundarson uses from the top position.
Hamundarson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Wood working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hamundarson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ben Wood will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ben Wood'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.

Wood missing with a left hand there. Hamundarson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hamundarson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hamundarson misses with a takedown
and Wood counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hamundarson thinking.
Wood catches Hamundarson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hamundarson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wood.
Hamundarson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Wood.
Hamundarson throws a sloppy head kick and Wood moves out of range easily.
Ben Wood is winning the standup battle so far.

Hamundarson takes the fight into the clinch.
Hamundarson keeps control of Wood as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamundarson prevents the takedown attempt.

Hamundarson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hamundarson gets a clinch.
Wood throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hamundarson manages to break the clinch.

Hamundarson forces Wood back against the cage and clinches.
Wood tries to break the clinch but Hamundarson is controlling the position.
Hamundarson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wood is defending well.
Ben Wood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunnar Hamundarson.

Hamundarson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gunnar Hamundarson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hamundarson looks for a takedown but Wood sprawls well.
A big right from Wood misses.
Ben Wood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hamundarson ducks under a wild hook from Wood.
Wood misses with a right hand
and Hamundarson counters with a straight right hand.
Wood jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wood shoots in for a takedown but Hamundarson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Hamundarson moves into range and clinches up with Wood.
Wood tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hamundarson tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamundarson misses with a knee strike.

Hamundarson breaks from the clinch.
Hamundarson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Wood in his tracks.

Hamundarson rushes Wood and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hamundarson pressing his opponent against the cage.

Hamundarson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Hamundarson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Wood wants to stand but Hamundarson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Wood wants to control from the top but Hamundarson keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wood is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Hamundarson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Hamundarson has escaped and now he's on top!

Hamundarson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Wood. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Wood is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hamundarson defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hamundarson is controlling him.
Wood trying to strike off his back.
Wood throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Hamundarson pushes down on Wood's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Wood pushes Hamundarson off and gets back to his feet.
Wood throws a right hand that misses
and Hamundarson counters with a head kick. That will keep Wood thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Hamundarson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No joy there for Wood, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wood misses with a hook. Hamundarson ducked under it nicely.
Wood throws a poor cross that misses
and Hamundarson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hamundarson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wood defends it nicely.
Wood misses with a looping right.
Wood throws a lazy right hand but Hamundarson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Wood misses with a hook

and Hamundarson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hamundarson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hamundarson looking for a takedown.
Hamundarson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wood just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hamundarson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hamundarson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Hamundarson keeps control of Wood 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.

Gunnar Hamundarson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ben Wood's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! 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.

Hamundarson looks for a takedown but Wood sprawls well.
Wood was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hamundarson tries for a takedown but Wood circles away easily
enabling Wood to counter with a crisp jab.
Wood tests Hamundarson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wood looks to land a right hand but Hamundarson moved out of range.
Hamundarson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wood counters with a nice uppercut.
Hamundarson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wood throws the left hand but Hamundarson avoids the punch easily.
Hamundarson fails with a takedown attempt.
Ben Wood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunnar Hamundarson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamundarson ducks under a wild hook from Wood.
Hamundarson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Wood defends well and Hamundarson ends up having to push Wood into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Wood lunges at Hamundarson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hamundarson's hand.
Wood looks to throw the jab but Hamundarson is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamundarson ducks under a wild hook from Wood.
Wood lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hamundarson circles away quickly and effectively.
Wood throws a looping overhand right but Hamundarson ducks down to avoid it.
Hamundarson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wood's waist but Wood gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hamundarson off to one side.
Wood scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Wood stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wood wants it to stay on the feet.
Hamundarson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wood stuns Hamundarson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hamundarson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Wood to score with a decent uppercut.
Hamundarson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wood loads up on a big right hand but Hamundarson slips the punch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hamundarson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wood is defending well.
Wood wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gunnar Hamundarson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wood misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hamundarson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wood is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hamundarson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Wood smiles and moves away.
Wood throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wood with a jab.
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!
Hamundarson wants to clinch.
Hamundarson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wood sprawls well. Wood wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hamundarson gets slowly back to his feet.
Wood cracks a nice hook into Hamundarson's ribs.
Wood scores with a jab. Hamundarson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood lands with a right hand.
Wood throws the left hand but Hamundarson avoids the punch easily.
Wood looks to land a right hand but Hamundarson moved out of range.
Hamundarson drops his hands momentarily and Wood takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Wood misses with a straight right.
Wood is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hamundarson can do to turn this around?
Hamundarson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wood.
A big left from Wood misses.

Hamundarson rushes Wood and presses him up against the cage.
Wood is trying to break the clinch but Hamundarson is controlling him.
Wood wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hamundarson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wood avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hamundarson just leaning against Wood, taking a breather.

Hamundarson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hamundarson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hamundarson closes the distance and clinches.
Wood wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Wood's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wood throws a big shot that misses.
Hamundarson tries to counter with a clinch but Wood shakes him off and moves away.
Hamundarson tries to clinch but Wood moves out of range.
It looked like Wood wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Wood throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wood throws out a loose jab but Hamundarson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hamundarson ducks under a wild hook from Wood.
Wood misses the shot to the body.
A big left from Wood misses.
Hamundarson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hamundarson shoots in but no luck this time.
Hamundarson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hamundarson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Wood is fending him off so far but Hamundarson persists. Nope, Wood circles away and we're back to standing.
Hamundarson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Wood showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Wood 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Wood!