PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Magnus Gunnarsson (ranked 1196 p4p, 3557 weight class) and AJ Menendez (ranked 159 p4p, 385 weight class). Menendez is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kurt Angle Theme. Magnus Gunnarsson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to AJ Menendez's chin.

Gunnarsson
vs
Menendez

190 cm
38
213
23 - 25 - 0

188 cm
25
211
9 - 13 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

30th Century Beer 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 23 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Magnus Gunnarsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, AJ Menendez!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Ackerman and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gunnarsson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Menendez, pushing him back against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Gunnarsson has clasped his hands together around Menendez's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Menendez seems a little lost for a moment, as Gunnarsson dominates the positioning.

Gunnarsson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Menendez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gunnarsson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Menendez to see if he's OK.
Gunnarsson lands some shots froms side control.

Gunnarsson swings around for an armbar but Menendez sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gunnarsson's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Gunnarsson holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menendez stopping the sweep attempt from Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson pulls Menendez in close to prevent any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gunnarsson is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gunnarsson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Gunnarsson is pushing down on Menendez's leg trying to pass to half guard. Menendez is fighting to maintain full guard but Gunnarsson has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson works his way into side control.
Gunnarsson in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Gunnarsson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menendez takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Menendez is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson happy to just control the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gunnarsson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Gunnarsson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Menendez has escaped the position, nice work there.
Menendez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gunnarsson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

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

Gunnarsson tries for a kimura but Menendez is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gunnarsson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Magnus Gunnarsson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Menendez tries to close the distance and clinch but Gunnarsson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Menendez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gunnarsson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Gunnarsson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gunnarsson passes into half guard.

Gunnarsson seems to be working for a kimura but Menendez defends the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunnarsson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Magnus Gunnarsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menendez wants to improve his position but Gunnarsson is controlling well.
Gunnarsson controlling the action here.
Gunnarsson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Menendez is in a horrible position here. Gunnarsson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Menendez has given up his back here. Will Gunnarsson look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Gunnarsson biding his time, controlling Menendez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson has Menendez flattened out and is raining down punches.

It looks like AJ Menendez has been cut.

Gunnarsson has managed to slip his arm under Menendez's chin. This could be all over... yep, Menendez is tapping out! Submission win for Gunnarsson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Magnus Gunnarsson!
Magnus Gunnarsson bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.