PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juice Williams (ranked 1675 p4p, 1369 weight class) and Magnus Gunnarsson (ranked 227 p4p, 190 weight class). Williams kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Super Freak. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Williams
vs
Gunnarsson

188 cm
26
223
14 - 9 - 0

190 cm
27
213
10 - 10 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Warrior Fight Store

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 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juice Williams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magnus Gunnarsson!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Williams misses with an uppercut
letting Gunnarsson counter with a right hand.
Williams has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Finnish Elite Sport and Fitness Center in the buildup to the fight.
Williams fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gunnarsson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Williams stuffs the takedown.
Williams wants to clinch up but Gunnarsson keeps it at a distance.
A nice side step and Gunnarsson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Gunnarsson defending well as Williams loads up on a big left hand.
Gunnarsson throws a nice head kick!
Williams misses with a head kick.
Gunnarsson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Williams with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams throws a sloppy head kick
and Gunnarsson counters with a nice leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Williams swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gunnarsson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Williams tries a head kick but it misses.
Williams misses with a hook.
Williams tries a head kick but it misses.
Some wild striking there from Williams.
Williams misses the jab.
Williams fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gunnarsson gets tackled into the cage by Williams. Williams maintains the clinch.

Gunnarsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Williams wants to clinch.
Gunnarsson slips a jab and a cross from Williams.
Juice Williams is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gunnarsson lands with a kick to the ribs.
Williams leaves Gunnarsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Williams misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gunnarsson thinks about the counter body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams lands with a shot to the body.
Gunnarsson scores with a hook.
Williams misses with a straight right.
Gunnarsson ducks under a wild hook from Williams.
Gunnarsson throws an overhand right that lands on Williams's shoulder, as Williams tries to avoid the shot.
Gunnarsson misses with a low kick as Williams jumps back.
A head kick misses from Williams.
Williams looks to clinch
and Gunnarsson counters with a nice uppercut.
Williams misses with a double jab.
No joy there for Williams, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gunnarsson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gunnarsson has time to react.

Williams pushes Gunnarsson up against the cage in a clinch.

Gunnarsson gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gunnarsson stops Williams from getting back to his feet.
Gunnarsson is nestled in close to Williams, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gunnarsson content to control rather than advance.
Gunnarsson trying to mount his opponent but Williams defends it.
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 Juice Williams will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Williams feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gunnarssons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Williams wants to clinch but Gunnarsson slips to the side
and Gunnarsson counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Williams drives through and clinches with Gunnarsson against the cage.

Williams breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Williams doesn't manage to clinch there - Gunnarsson circles away.
It seemed like Gunnarsson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Williams misses with a left hand
and Gunnarsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Gunnarsson to counter with a crisp jab.
Williams moves out of range of the body kick from Gunnarsson.
Juice Williams seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gunnarsson. Williams does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson slips under a jab from Williams.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gunnarsson! But no joy.
Good shot there by Gunnarsson.
A telegraphed right hand from Williams misses the target.
Despite the aggression on Gunnarsson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
The fighters circling - Williams throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A little jabbing left from Gunnarsson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Gunnarsson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Williams on his heels. He'll look to pass Williams's guard now, I'm sure.
Gunnarsson postures up.
Gunnarsson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Williams wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Gunnarsson is now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson stalling.
Williams trying to hold on to Gunnarsson's head to control him but Gunnarsson postures up.
Gunnarsson stalling.
Williams is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Williams tries to lock up and control but Gunnarsson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Williams tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Williams has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Gunnarsson lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I would not like to be Williams right now.
Williams is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Williams trying to control but not successfully.

Gunnarsson is looking for a rear naked choke here but Williams reverses the position brilliantly into Gunnarsson's guard!

Gunnarsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Williams wants to control from the top but Gunnarsson keeps moving.
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. This is the final round!

Williams shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Gunnarsson eats them both and turns towards Williams to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Williams throws the left hand but Gunnarsson avoids the punch easily.
Williams tries to clinch but Gunnarsson moves away
and Gunnarsson counters with a nice uppercut.
Williams throws a lazy head kick
and Gunnarsson counters with a slapping leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Gunnarsson misses the target.
Gunnarsson moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Williams looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Williams uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gunnarsson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A little jabbing left from Gunnarsson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Williams misses with a left hand
and Williams takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gunnarsson throws a push kick but Williams slaps the foot to one side.
Gunnarsson cracks Williams with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gunnarsson has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Williams throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gunnarsson scores with a jab to the body.
A swing and a miss from Gunnarsson.
Williams tries a head kick but it misses.

Williams moves into the clinch successfully.

Gunnarsson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Juice Williams is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson throws out a loose jab but Williams uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gunnarsson cracks a nice hook into Williams's ribs.
Gunnarsson connects with the punch.
Gunnarsson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Williams.
Williams throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
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!
Williams throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gunnarsson.

It looks like Magnus Gunnarsson has been cut.
Williams misses with a combination
and Gunnarsson counters with a straight right hand.
Williams misses with a hook

and Gunnarsson moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Williams pulls his leg out and moves away.
Williams throws a head kick but Gunnarsson moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Gunnarsson misses.
Williams throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Williams paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gunnarsson staying out of range there.
Williams throws a nice looking combination but Gunnarsson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Williams is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gunnarsson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Williams is looking to clinch but Gunnarsson is avoiding it.
Williams throws a head kick that misses.
As Williams backs off Gunnarsson throws a huge counter combo but Williams manages to avoid it all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gunnarsson circles away quickly and effectively.
Williams swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gunnarsson counters by clinching up.

Williams escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gunnarsson jabs at Williams's body.

Williams has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gunnarsson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Williams is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gunnarsson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Juice Williams has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magnus Gunnarsson.

Williams breaks the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Magnus Gunnarsson.
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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Magnus Gunnarsson!
Juice Williams was interviewed post fight and said 'I fell short tonight. I’ll take a week off and get back in the gym'.