PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcel Romanow (ranked 309 p4p, 75 weight class) and Oscar Gustafsson (ranked 42 p4p, 12 weight class). Oscar Gustafsson has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Romanow
vs
Gustafsson

175 cm
30
247
15 - 13 - 0

198 cm
34
247
18 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

NARCOS
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30th Century Beer Store
NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marcel Romanow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Oscar Gustafsson!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Colin Fray and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romanow throws a body shot but no joy.
Romanow works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gustafsson missing with a left hand there. Romanow was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Romanow swings widly with a right hand
and Gustafsson counters with a series of strikes. Romanow will be more careful next time no doubt.
Romanow fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gustafsson misses with a looping right.
Romanow changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Gustafsson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Romanow's hands.
Romanow misses with a hook. Gustafsson ducked under it nicely.
Gustafsson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Romanow looks to land a right hand but Gustafsson moved out of range.
Romanow throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gustafsson misses with a combination

and Romanow counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanow postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Romanow throws a strike aimed at the side of Gustafsson's head but Gustafsson avoids it well.
Romanow 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 is trying to control Romanow's posture but Romanow avoids it.
Romanow in side control, throwing shots but Gustafsson defends.
Gustafsson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gustafsson gets back to half guard.

Romanow seems to be looking for submissions.

Romanow is looking for a kimura but Gustafsson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Romanow to get the leverage.
Romanow thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson wants to improve his position but Romanow is controlling well.
We've been hearing that Romanow has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Romanow looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gustafsson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gustafsson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Romanow. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gustafsson is trying to get back to full guard.
Gustafsson wants to control but Romanow is keeping busy.
Gustafsson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Romanow.
Gustafsson wants to get back to his feet.
Romanow not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gustafsson is trying to stand back up but Romanow is controlling him
Romanow not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Romanow landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romanow working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Romanow looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gustafsson is trying to stand up here but Romanow is controlling him well.
Gustafsson wants to control but Romanow is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gustafsson is looking to improve his position.
Romanow thows a huge punch but Gustafsson dodges it nicely.
Romanow throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Romanow thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gustafsson's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Gustafsson wants to get back to full guard.
Romanow looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gustafsson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gustafsson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Romanow seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gustafsson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gustafsson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Romanow.
Gustafsson preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Let's hope that Gustafsson 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marcel Romanow dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A jab from Romanow misses.
Gustafsson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Romanow.
A jab lands there for Gustafsson.
Romanow throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gustafsson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gustafsson scores with a hook.
Gustafsson misses with the combination.
The fighters circle momentarily. Romanow darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romanow misses with a straight left.
Oscar Gustafsson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Romanow swings widly with a right hand
and Gustafsson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Marcel Romanow has been cut.
Nice defenses there by Gustafsson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Romanow darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Romanow shoots for a takedown but Gustafsson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gustafsson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Romanow.
Gustafsson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Romanow shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gustafsson pinned against the cage. Gustafsson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gustafsson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Romanow fails with the takedown
and Gustafsson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcel Romanow. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Romanow.
Romanow throws a shot from downtown. Gustafsson moves away and avoids it.
Romanow lands a head shot.
Romanow misses with a straight left.
Romanow throws a shot from downtown. Gustafsson moves away and avoids it.
Gustafsson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gustafsson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Romanow finds it's way round the side to connect with Gustafsson's head.
Marcel Romanow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Romanow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Romanow swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Romanow has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Romanow there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Romanow's head backwards.
Gustafsson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Romanow in his tracks.
Gustafsson looks to land a right hand but Romanow moved out of range.
Gustafsson defending well as Romanow loads up on a big left hand.
Gustafsson throws a low kick but Romanow avoids it.
Gustafsson moves forwards but Romanow connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Romanow scores with a hook to the body. Gustafsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Romanow is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gustafsson.
Romanow lands with a shot to the body.
Gustafsson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Gustafsson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Romanow throws an overhand right that lands on Gustafsson's shoulder, as Gustafsson tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Romanow moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustafsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gustafsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Romanow.
Gustafsson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Romanow misses with a lunging right hand
and Gustafsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Romanow defending well as Gustafsson loads up on a big left hand.
Gustafsson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gustafsson is trying to counter with his kicks.
Romanow fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Romanow throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gustafsson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Romanow shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gustafsson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Romanow wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Oscar Gustafsson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Marcel Romanow'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.

Gustafsson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Gustafsson throws a body punch but Romanow moves out of range.
Romanow swings for the body but Gustafsson moves out of range.
Romanow connects with a right hand. Gustafsson shakes it off.
Romanow shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gustafsson pinned against the cage. Gustafsson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Romanow rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gustafsson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Romanow jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gustafsson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gustafsson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romanow.
Gustafsson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson misses the jab.
Romanow throws a predictable looking body shot
and Gustafsson counters with a one-two to the body.
Gustafsson ducks under a wild hook from Romanow.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gustafsson! But no joy.
Oscar Gustafsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Romanow scores with a decent looking hook.
A swing and a miss from Gustafsson.

Gustafsson gets caught napping as Romanow dives in and scores a takedown. Gustafsson manages to retain guard.
Gustafsson is looking to stand up but Romanow isn't so interested in that idea.
Romanow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gustafsson can't keep his opponent in guard - Romanow advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Romanow seems to be working for a kimura but Gustafsson defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson trying to hold on to Romanow's head to control him but Romanow postures up.
Gustafsson is trying to stand up here but Romanow is controlling him well.
Gustafsson tries to get to full guard but Romanow has control of the leg.

Romanow is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gustafsson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Romanow thows a huge punch but Gustafsson dodges it nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gustafsson tries to get to full guard but Romanow has control of the leg.
Marcel Romanow overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Romanow is trying to work for a kimura but Gustafsson is defending well.
Gustafsson is looking to control Romanow's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gustafsson avoid being mounted?
Romanow landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gustafsson is trying to get back to full guard.
Romanow throwing shots but Gustafsson is blocking nicely.

Romanow seems to be working for a kimura but Gustafsson defends the submission attempt.
Gustafsson moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romanow lands a couple of elbows.
Gustafsson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Gustafsson pushes Romanow off and scrambles back to his feet.
Gustafsson moves away from the strike by Romanow.
Romanow fails with the takedown.
Romanow throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gustafsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gustafsson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Romanow shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcel Romanow. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Romanow throws an off balance right hand
and Gustafsson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Oscar Gustafsson just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Marcel Romanow's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A cross from Romanow lands.
Gustafsson scores with a jab. Romanow acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Gustafsson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Gustafsson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romanow.
Romanow throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Romanow throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gustafsson is looking for the big counter here.
Romanow throws a big shot that misses.
Gustafsson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson moves away from the strike by Romanow.
Romanow waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gustafsson.
Romanow misses with a straight left.
Gustafsson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Romanow. Romanow circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanow tries for a takedown but Gustafsson circles away easily
enabling Gustafsson to counter with a crisp jab.
Gustafsson avoids the body shot from Romanow.
Gustafsson counters with a body kick.
Gustafsson misses with an uppercut. Romanow saw that one coming.
Romanow fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jab, jab by Romanow - just one landing.
Gustafsson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gustafsson throws a body punch but Romanow moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson tries to land a leg kick but Romanow saw it coming and moves away.
Gustafsson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gustafsson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Romanow moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustafsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gustafsson blocks a jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gustafsson! But no joy.
Gustafsson slips under a jab from Romanow.
Romanow walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Romanow misses the jab.
Gustafsson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Gustafsson throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Romanow. Gustafsson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gustafsson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romanow throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Romanow throws a body punch but Gustafsson moves out of range.
Romanow throws a big shot that misses.
Romanow looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Gustafsson looks to land a left hand but Romanow moved out of range nicely.
Gustafsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Romanow fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gustafsson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcel Romanow. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gustafsson cracks Romanow with a right hand to the side of the head.
Romanow ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab lands there for Romanow.
Gustafsson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Romanow half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romanow displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gustafsson throws out the jab.
Romanow shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Gustafsson to counter with a crisp jab.
Gustafsson looks to land a body kick but Romanow moved away.
Romanow feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gustafssons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Romanow scores with a jab. Gustafsson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Romanow takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Romanow misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gustafsson.
Romanow keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gustafsson.
Romanow shoots for a double leg takedown but Gustafsson sprawls well. He's pushed Romanow's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A little jabbing left from Gustafsson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Gustafsson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Marcel Romanow's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A slapping leg kick lands for Gustafsson.
Romanow scores with a sloppy right hand. Gustafsson should have avoided that one.
Gustafsson is looking to chop away at Romanow's legs.
Gustafsson feints and then cracks Romanow's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Romanow down.
Nice cross by Romanow.
Good standup being displayed there by Romanow as he connects with a hook.

Romanow closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Gustafsson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Romanow wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gustafsson taking a bit of punishment here - Romanow scoring with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Romanow is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gustafsson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gustafsson tries to buck Romanow off but Romanow is having none of it.

Romanow tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Romanow has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gustafsson is pushing Romanow's head away, looking to escape. Romanow manages to hold on to the position though.
Gustafsson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Gustafsson is trying to get back to half guard.
Gustafsson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Marcel Romanow has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gustafsson tries to buck Romanow off but Romanow is having none of it.
Romanow misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Romanow working the head and body with strikes.
Romanow in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Romanow working the head and body with strikes.
Romanow working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Gustafsson is trying to improve his position.
Gustafsson avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Romanow.

Romanow is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gustafsson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gustafsson is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Romanow tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Romanow has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Romanow misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Romanow working the head with strikes.

Romanow tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Romanow has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Romanow grinds an elbow into Gustafsson's temple.
Gustafsson is trying to control Romanow's posture but Romanow avoids it.
Romanow looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Gustafsson is avoiding damage well.
Gustafsson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gustafsson wants to control but Romanow postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Romanow lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Gustafsson down.
Gustafsson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Romanow is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gustafsson has escaped the position, nice work there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcel Romanow showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gustafsson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 47:48
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oscar Gustafsson!
A very excited looking Oscar Gustafsson made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.