PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rodolfo Gusman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Stifler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gusman comes to the cage accompanied by La sonora santanera - El santo, el cavernario. Rodolfo Gusman has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gusman
vs
Stifler

180 cm
29
191 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

185 cm
24
199 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rodolfo Gusman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steve Stifler !
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Viktor Lagutenko and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Stifler or perhaps it was just good defense by Gusman which made him look bad.
Stifler connects with a looping right hand.
Stifler misses the shot to the body.
Gusman throws a body punch but Stifler moves out of range.

Gusman manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Stifler on his heels. He'll look to pass Stifler 's guard now, I'm sure.
Stifler is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gusman engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gusman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gusman trying to control but Stifler is working from the bottom.
Gusman stays in close to Stifler 's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Rodolfo Gusman just wasn't active enough.
Gusman lands a head shot.
Gusman is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rodolfo Gusman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gusman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stifler manages to avoid it.
Stifler checks the leg kick nicely there.

Stifler closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Stifler .
Stifler tries to circle away but Gusman has him pinned against the cage.

Gusman has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Stifler is trying to keep an underhook but Gusman manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Stifler is refusing to be controlled, as Gusman sits in half guard.
Stifler is pressing down on Gusman's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stifler working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stifler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stifler controls Gusman momentarily but Gusman frees himself.
Gusman trying to control the position from guard on top but Stifler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gusman looking to pass the guard.
Gusman won't allow Stifler to sweep him here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gusman makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Stifler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stifler looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gusman is one step ahead there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stifler working a defensive guard here.
Stifler keeping moving, preventing Gusman from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gusman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stifler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gusman looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gusman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stifler throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stifler takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stifler keeps the fight on the outside.
Stifler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gusman pinned against the cage. Gusman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gusman lands a really nice looking cross but Stifler seems unphased.
Gusman paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gusman tries to clinch up but Stifler circles away and keeps his distance.
Gusman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stifler .
Gusman changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stifler tries to avoid it but Gusman manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stifler to the ground. Stifler escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stifler misses with a hook. Gusman ducked under it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stifler . Gusman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gusman motions for Stifler to come forward. Gusman throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodolfo Gusman dominated that round.
That's time! Gusman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gusman closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Stifler 's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gusman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stifler has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gusman has managed to get both his arms back between Stifler 's legs - danger averted.
Gusman scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gusman looking to pass the guard.
Stifler keeping moving, preventing Gusman from controlling successfully.
Stifler looking for a sweep. Not yet Stifler , not yet.
Stifler trying to keep a closed guard but Gusman is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gusman slips nicely into half guard.
Gusman seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gusman winds up and cracks Stifler with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Stifler wants to get back to full guard but Gusman has passed into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gusman scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Stifler to see if he's OK.
Stifler is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stifler wants to control but Gusman postures up.
Gusman in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Stifler manages to get back to half guard.
Gusman passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Stifler !
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gusman lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Gusman raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gusman is landing with some decent strikes but Stifler is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Stifler is rocked!
Stifler slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Gusman lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stifler is still in real trouble! Can Gusman finish him?
Stifler wants to control but Gusman is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stifler seems to have recovered his senses.
Stifler gets full guard.
Gusman has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gusman trying to control but Stifler is working from the bottom.
Stifler pulls Gusman in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gusman forces his way into half guard.
Gusman is keen to just control but Stifler is a slippery customer.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stifler is pressing down on Gusman's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gusman wants to pass the guard but Stifler is keeping the position.
Stifler preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gusman controlling from the top position.
Gusman throws and elbow that misses. Stifler uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gusman's guard. Nice move by Stifler !
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodolfo Gusman dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Stifler uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gusman has time to react.
Gusman dives in and grabs Stifler 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Stifler pushes down on Gusman's head and hops out.
Stifler misses with a looping right.
Stifler 's corner calls for a 1-2. Stifler obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gusman misses with a body shot.
Stifler takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gusman feints and then cracks Stifler 's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Stifler down.
Stifler on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gusman punishes Stifler 's body with a nice straight punch.
Rodolfo Gusman is winning the standup battle so far.
Gusman stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gusman is looking to score with low kicks.
Gusman is looking to wear down Stifler with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
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!
Stifler with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gusman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stifler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Stifler .
Gusman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Gusman gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stifler struggles to land a body shot inside as Gusman controls his hands.
Stifler has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gusman is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rodolfo Gusman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Stifler .
Gusman works on Stifler 's body with a couple of short punches.
Stifler gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gusman.
Stifler tries a body shot but Gusman blocks it.
Gusman misses with some punches.
Stifler gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gusman.
Stifler tries a body shot but Gusman blocks it.
Stifler drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gusman pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rodolfo Gusman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gusman shoots in for a double leg but Stifler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stifler lands a lovely overhand right.
Gusman scores with a body shot.
Gusman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Steve Stifler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gusman tries to land a leg kick but Stifler saw it coming and moves away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stifler lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gusman circles away quickly and effectively.
Stifler misses with a looping right.
Gusman jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gusman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stifler throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gusman throws a lazy uppercut

and Stifler counters with a shoot takedown. Gusman fights it but they end up in guard.
Gusman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stifler is controlling him.
Stifler landing with the ground and pound.
Gusman wants to stand but Stifler is controlling the position.
Stifler throwing strikes from guard but Gusman blocks nicely.

Gusman has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Stifler off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gusman scores with a jab.
Decent striking displayed by Stifler there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gusman.
Gusman misses the shot to the body.
Gusman lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Gusman moves into the clinch.
Stifler tries for a takedown but Gusman manages to get underhooks.
Gusman blocks an uppercut.
Stifler lands with a right to the head.
Stifler goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Stifler struggles to land a body shot inside as Gusman controls his hands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stifler is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stifler can't find room to land a body shot as Gusman controls the action.
Gusman lands a shoulder strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rodolfo Gusman.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gusman, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodolfo Gusman!