PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Simon Gustafsson (ranked 420 p4p, 242 weight class) and Oliver Lancaster (ranked 65 p4p, 39 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gustafsson
vs
Lancaster

200 cm
28
213
14 - 9 - 0

188 cm
26
220
16 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Vegan Gains

Sydney Fight Gear
Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Simon Gustafsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Oliver Lancaster!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustafsson fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Lancaster misses the target.
Gustafsson is looking to clinch but Lancaster is avoiding it.
Oliver Lancaster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lancaster missing with a left hand there. Gustafsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gustafsson shoots and misses
and Lancaster makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gustafsson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lancaster swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson goes for a double leg but Lancaster avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lancaster continues to drive forward.
Gustafsson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gustafsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lancaster counters with a left to the body.
Lancaster connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

It looks like Simon Gustafsson has been cut.
Gustafsson slips a jab from Lancaster.
Nice cross by Lancaster.
Gustafsson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lancaster is fending him off so far but Gustafsson persists. Nope, Lancaster circles away and we're back to standing.
Lancaster misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Gustafsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lancaster's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Gustafsson tries to free his leg and advance position but Lancaster is retaining full guard.
Lancaster managing to control the position.
Gustafsson connects with a couple of short punches.
Gustafsson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lancaster is controlling Gustafsson's posture.
Gustafsson won't allow Lancaster to get back to his feet.
Lancaster has his hands on Gustafsson's head, controlling the position.
Gustafsson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lancaster trying to control the position here.
Gustafsson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gustafsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lancaster swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Lancaster escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gustafsson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gustafsson.
Lancaster has control of Gustafsson's left arm, preventing Gustafsson from doing any damage.
Let's hope that Lancaster has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Gustafsson 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.
Gustafsson looking to pass the guard.
Lancaster controlling Gustafsson's posture.
Gustafsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lancaster is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Gustafsson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gustafsson throws a big right hand that misses.
Lancaster can't keep his opponent in guard - Gustafsson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Gustafsson seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster is looking to control Gustafsson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lancaster avoid being mounted?
Lancaster is controlling Gustafsson's trapped leg to prevent Gustafsson from advancing to side control.

Gustafsson seems to be looking for submissions.
Lancaster slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gustafsson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lancaster seems keen to control Gustafsson's posture.

Gustafsson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Lancaster pulls Gustafsson in to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gustafsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lancaster is keeping the position for now.
Lancaster is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gustafsson throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Oliver Lancaster will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Simon Gustafsson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gustafsson tries for a takedown but Lancaster sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gustafsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lancaster paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gustafsson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lancaster.
Lancaster scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lancaster leaves Gustafsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster scores with a nice strike.
Gustafsson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gustafsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lancaster! But no joy.
Gustafsson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gustafsson with a poor takedown
and Lancaster counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lancaster looks to score with a jab to the body but Gustafsson is just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lancaster. Gustafsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gustafsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lancaster.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster misses the shot to the body.
Gustafsson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lancaster sprawls and moves away.
Lancaster leaves Gustafsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Simon Gustafsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice defenses there by Gustafsson.
Oliver Lancaster seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lancaster jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lancaster sprawls well. Lancaster wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gustafsson gets slowly back to his feet.
Gustafsson shoots and misses
and Lancaster scores with a counter punch that sends Gustafsson to the canvas! Lancaster smells blood - he's punishing Gustafsson with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Gustafsson has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Oliver Lancaster! Oliver Lancaster retains his light heavyweight title!