PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Deepen Cider (ranked 2223 p4p, 2867 weight class) and Magnus Gunnarsson (ranked 293 p4p, 354 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Cider
vs
Gunnarsson

185 cm
31
216
16 - 13 - 0

190 cm
37
213
21 - 25 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

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 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Deepen Cider!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 25 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magnus Gunnarsson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cider rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gunnarsson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cider looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cider works over Gunnarsson's head and body with a nice combination.
Some wild striking there from Cider.
Gunnarsson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Cider defends it well.
Cider misses with a few strikes there.
Cider misses with a double jab
letting Gunnarsson counter with a right hand.

Gunnarsson drives through with a takedown into Cider's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Gunnarsson controlling from the top position.
Cider looking to control.
Cider pulls Gunnarsson in close to prevent any damage.
Gunnarsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cider swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson trying to control but Cider is working from the bottom.
Cider wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Cider keeping moving, preventing Gunnarsson from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Cider thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gunnarsson if he has to take too many more of those.
Nice jab there from Cider.
Cider swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gunnarsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cider's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gunnarsson passes into half guard.
Gunnarsson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Gunnarsson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gunnarsson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson trying to control from half guard but Cider is working away.
Gunnarsson is taking a breather. Cider says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Gunnarsson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gunnarsson not doing much here.
Gunnarsson trying to control from half guard but Cider is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gunnarsson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Gunnarsson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Cider moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gunnarsson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gunnarsson fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cider misses with an uppercut. Gunnarsson saw that one coming.
Cider swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gunnarsson counters by clinching up.
Gunnarsson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cider backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Deepen Cider will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cider throws a right hand that Gunnarsson ducks under and follows up with a left that Gunnarsson also avoids with ease.
Gunnarsson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Cider swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gunnarsson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Gunnarsson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gunnarsson stops Cider from standing up.

Gunnarsson drops back looking for a leg! Cider is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cider manages to kick Gunnarsson off! Gunnarsson jumps back into Cider's guard.
Gunnarsson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Cider on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Cider tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunnarsson won't allow Cider to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Gunnarsson advances to half guard.
Gunnarsson is controlling the pace.

Gunnarsson wants to work for an arm triangle but Cider is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gunnarsson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Magnus Gunnarsson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cider on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Gunnarsson is trying to control. Cider wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gunnarsson is taking a breather. Cider says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Cider is not content to let Gunnarsson control the position.
Gunnarsson passes to side control.
Gunnarsson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson controls the position.
Gunnarsson wants to control but Cider is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gunnarsson working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Gunnarsson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cider knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gunnarsson staying calm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gunnarsson wants to control but Cider is keeping him busy.
Gunnarsson working the body and head with strikes.
Gunnarsson lands an elbow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gunnarsson takes a little break here. Cider wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Magnus Gunnarsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cider falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gunnarsson counters with a nice body shot.
Gunnarsson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Cider.
Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cider throws a series of punches but Gunnarsson avoids them all with ease.
Gunnarsson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gunnarsson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cider throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gunnarsson.
Cider looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Some wild striking there from Cider.
Deepen Cider is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cider throws a nice looking combination but Gunnarsson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cider tries a head kick but it misses.
Cider misses with a combination

and Gunnarsson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gunnarsson.
Our sources have told us that Cider has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Gunnarsson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cider trying to control the position but instead, Gunnarsson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cider into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cider lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cider goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cider has a couple of punches blocked by Gunnarsson.
Cider misses with a body punch.
Cider tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cider tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Gunnarsson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Cider wants to get back to his feet but Gunnarsson passes into half guard.

Gunnarsson seems to be looking for submissions.
Gunnarsson sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson is nestled in close to Cider, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Cider won't allow Gunnarsson to pass to mount.

Gunnarsson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Cider is trying to stand.
Gunnarsson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson trying to control the action but Cider is working from the bottom.

Gunnarsson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cider doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson passes to full mount!
Gunnarsson trying to control but Cider is having none of it.
Gunnarsson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Cider hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cider defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Gunnarsson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gunnarsson content just to control the position here.
Gunnarsson tries to control but Cider wriggling away.
The referee warns Cider that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gunnarsson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Cider looks a forlorn figure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Magnus Gunnarsson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gunnarsson 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magnus Gunnarsson!
After the fight, Magnus Gunnarsson was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.