PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Royal Halsti (ranked 257 p4p, 417 weight class) and Jesse Custer (ranked 42 p4p, 65 weight class). Custer has chosen Zebrahead - Falling Apart as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Halsti
vs
Custer

190 cm
31
205
22 - 9 - 1

180 cm
30
180
18 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Royal Halsti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jesse Custer!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Custer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A slow jab from Custer misses its intended target.
Halsti throws the left hand but Custer avoids the punch easily.
Halsti throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Custer on the side of the head.
A low kick lands for Custer.
Custer takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Halsti fails to land with a series of punches.
Halsti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Halsti manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Custer on his heels. He'll look to pass Custer's guard now, I'm sure.
Halsti stopping the sweep attempt from Custer.
Halsti postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Halsti wants to control from the top but Custer keeps moving.
Halsti is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Custer is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Halsti trying to move into half guard but instead Custer has managed to sweep!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Custer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Custer trying to control the position from guard on top but Halsti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
I've been told that Custer has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.
Custer wants to pass the guard but Halsti is keeping the position.
Halsti can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Custer controls the pace.
Custer trying to control but Halsti is working from the bottom.
Halsti working a defensive guard here.
Custer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Halsti swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Halsti trying to keep a closed guard but Custer is proving a slippery customer.
Halsti bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Custer's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Halsti is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Halsti trying to control but Custer is working from the bottom.
Halsti passes into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Custer manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Custer controls Halsti momentarily but Halsti frees himself.
Halsti tries to free his leg and advance position but Custer is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Custer keeping moving, preventing Halsti from controlling successfully.
Halsti won't allow Custer to sweep him here.
Custer wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Custer keeping moving, preventing Halsti from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Halsti swings for the body but Custer moves out of range.
Halsti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Custer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Custer trying to control the position but instead, Halsti has worked for underhooks and has pushed Custer into the cage.
Halsti makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halsti is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Custer is defending well.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Custer.
Custer working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Custer misses with a short punch on the inside.
Halsti drops down looking for an ankle pick but Custer pulls his leg out and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Halsti.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royal Halsti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Halsti on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Custer walks into a straight right hand from Halsti.
Jesse Custer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Halsti wants to slow Custer down by chopping away at his legs.
Custer slips under a jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Halsti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Custer.
Custer slips under a jab from Halsti.
Halsti throws the left hand but Custer avoids the punch easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Custer closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Royal Halsti dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Halsti lands a high kick!
Halsti jabs at Custer's body.
Custer throws a head kick but Halsti moves out of range.
Custer avoids the body shot from Halsti.
Custer scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A big left from Halsti misses.
Halsti throws a shot from downtown. Custer moves away and avoids it.
Custer tries to counter by closing the distance.
Halsti avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Halsti keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Halsti is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Custer can do to turn this around?
Halsti tests Custer's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Custer looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Halsti connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Halsti misses with a looping left.
Halsti misses the shot to the body.
Custer steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Halsti.
A big left from Halsti misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Halsti.
Custer lands with a cross.
Jesse Custer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Custer.
Halsti thows a left - swing and a miss!
Halsti throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Custer counters with a left to the body.
Custer misses with a looping left.
Custer has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Custer there as he acknowledges the shot.
Custer delivers a nice body kick.
Halsti misses with a straight left.
Halsti swings widly with a right hand
and Custer makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Royal Halsti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Halsti throws out a loose jab but Custer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Custer slips under a jab.
Custer only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Custer lands with a nice body punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Halsti. Custer does a little dance to reset his feet.
Halsti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Custer manages to avoid it.
Custer lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A bone on bone clash there as Halsti blocks the leg kick.
Custer lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Halsti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Custer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Custer takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Custer delivers a nice body kick.
Halsti throws a hook to the side of Custer's head but Custer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Custer throws a nice outside leg kick.
Custer slaps away a takedown attempt from Halsti, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Custer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Custer misses the shot to the body.
Halsti misses with a straight left.
Nice defenses there by Halsti.
Jab from Halsti.
Halsti throws a jab but it's blocked by Custer.
Custer connects with a solid leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Halsti. Those never looked like landing.
Halsti shoots in looking for a takedown. Custer tries to sprawl out of it but Halsti keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Custer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Royal Halsti is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Custer misses with a looping right.
Halsti throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Custer throws a head kick that half lands.
Custer throws a hook to the side of Halsti's head but Halsti sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Halsti lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Halsti throws a right hand that Custer ducks under and follows up with a left that Custer also avoids with ease.
Halsti misses with a hook

and Custer counters by clinching up.
Halsti lands an uppercut.
Custer manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Halsti swings wildly with an uppercut but Custer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Halsti blocking some punches.
Halsti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Custer working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Halsti.
Halsti being controlled against the cage.
Halsti misses with a short punch on the inside.
Halsti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Custer misses with the head strike.
Custer tries to throw a body punch but Halsti avoids it by throwing Custer back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Custer lands a hook to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Custer.
A nice right hand lands inside from Halsti.
Halsti throws a head punch that misses.
Custer lands a right hand.
Custer slows down the pace here.
A short left from Custer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Custer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Halsti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Custer.

It looks like Royal Halsti has been cut.
Halsti lands a nice hook to Custer's body. Custer takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Custer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Halsti moves away.
Halsti throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Custer stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Halsti throws a hook but Custer avoids it easily.
Halsti misses with a wild body shot.
Halsti has a takedown stuffed.
Custer moves out of range of the body kick.
Custer misses with a body punch
and Halsti counters with a left to the body.
Custer throws a nice outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Custer scores with a body shot.
Custer checks a low kick from Halsti.
Custer steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Halsti.
Halsti tries a low kick but Custer avoids it.
Custer is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Halsti pivots, looking for a leg kick but Custer is out of range and Halsti settles back down.
A cross from Custer lands.

Custer pushes Halsti up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Custer blocks a body shot from Halsti.
Custer scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Halsti's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Custer.
Halsti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Halsti goes for a takedown attempt but Custer pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Halsti tries to move into range but Custer moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Custer. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Custer scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Halsti rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Custer counters with an inside leg kick.
Halsti shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Custer as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royal Halsti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Halsti scores with a sloppy right hand. Custer should have avoided that one.
A jab from Halsti misses.
Custer throws a looping overhand right but Halsti ducks down to avoid it.
Custer slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halsti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A clash of legs there as Halsti blocks the low kick.
Custer thumps Halsti with a low kick.
Custer slips a straight right by Halsti.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Halsti showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Custer.
Custer looks to land a right hand but Halsti moved out of range.
A lazy left from Custer finds it's target.
Custer lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Halsti looks to score with a jab to the body but Custer is just out of range.
Halsti scores with a nice right hand.
Halsti scores with a hook to the body. Custer takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Halsti checks a leg kick.
Halsti appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Custer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Halsti.
Halsti thows a left - swing and a miss!
Halsti throws a lazy right hand but Custer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halsti throws a left and a right that both miss
and Custer counters with an inside leg kick.
Halsti throws a right hand that misses
and Custer counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Custer jabs Halsti right on the nose. Halsti blinks but takes it well.
Halsti just misses with a punch to the body.
Custer throws a solid leg kick but Halsti takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Custer.
Custer looks to land a left hand but Halsti moved out of range nicely.
A slow jab from Halsti misses its intended target.
Halsti is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Custer jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Custer walks into a jab.
Custer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Halsti throws a series of punches but Custer avoids them all with ease.
Custer with a nice cross.
Custer throws a big shot that misses.
Custer throws a lazy right hand but Halsti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Halsti scores with a kick to the midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Custer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Custer lands a nice looking body shot.
A big right from Halsti misses.
Halsti fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Custer swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Custer motions for Halsti to come forward. Custer throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Custer changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Custer digs a good hook to Halsti's body.
Custer on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Halsti. Halsti obviously looking to wear him down.
Halsti shoots for a takedown but Custer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Custer steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Halsti.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice jab there from Custer.
Halsti throws a body punch but Custer moves out of range.
Custer only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Halsti walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Halsti tests Custer's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Halsti misses with a low kick.
Custer wants to counter with a clinch but Halsti pushes him away.
Custer tests Halsti's chin there with a solid looking shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jesse Custer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Custer 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse Custer!
Our winner, Jesse Custer, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.