PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Gustafsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcos Evangelista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gustafsson
vs
Evangelista

191 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
20
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alexander Gustafsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marcos Evangelista!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Evangelista is defended easily by Gustafsson.
Marcos Evangelista seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Evangelista checks a leg kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gustafsson!

Gustafsson moves into range and clinches up with Evangelista.

Evangelista successfully pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gustafsson passes Evangelista's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Gustafsson is working for a kimura but Evangelista is defending it quite comfortably.
Evangelista on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Evangelista looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gustafsson stands up and beckons Evangelista to join him on the feet.
Evangelista defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson throws a push kick but Evangelista slaps the foot to one side.

Gustafsson closes the distance and clinches.

Gustafsson gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Evangelista looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gustafsson wants to pass to mount but Evangelista is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson is keen to just control but Evangelista is a slippery customer.
Gustafsson working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Evangelista's thigh. Evangelista counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Gustafsson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Evangelista trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Alexander Gustafsson just wasn't active enough.
Gustafsson looks to land a combination but Evangelista avoids it well.
Evangelista misses with a jab, cross combination.

Gustafsson rushes Evangelista and presses him up against the cage.

Gustafsson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gustafsson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Gustafsson is trying to keep Evangelista in close.
Gustafsson lands a couple of shots from the bottom.

Evangelista thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gustafsson trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evangelista stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gustafsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Evangelista postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Gustafsson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Evangelista, into his guard.
Evangelista has a closed guard, preventing Gustafsson from standing up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gustafsson wants to control from the top but Evangelista keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gustafsson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Evangelista's guard.
Gustafsson wants to control from the top but Evangelista keeps moving.

Evangelista is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gustafsson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Evangelista works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Evangelista can't keep his opponent in guard - Gustafsson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Evangelista is trying to control but can't.
Gustafsson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson trying to control from Evangelista's half guard. Evangelista has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Evangelista scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Evangelista fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gustafsson is defended easily by Evangelista.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gustafsson.
A slapping leg kick lands for Evangelista.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson shoots in looking for a takedown but Evangelista manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gustafsson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evangelista displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Evangelista tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gustafsson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gustafsson wants to clinch up but Evangelista keeps it at a distance.

Evangelista is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gustafsson's half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Evangelista is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Evangelista trying to control from half guard but Gustafsson is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson is trying to control but can't.
Gustafsson wants to improve his position but Evangelista is controlling well.

Evangelista is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gustafsson is just riding it out for now. Evangelista eventually gives up the hold.
Evangelista passes to side control.

Evangelista working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gustafsson is trying to control Evangelista's posture but Evangelista avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gustafsson throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Gustafsson shoots in looking for a takedown. Evangelista tries to sprawl out of it but Gustafsson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Evangelista manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Gustafsson closes the distance and pushes Evangelista back into the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gustafsson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Evangelista to keep the fight standing.
Evangelista is trying to pull guard but Gustafsson has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gustafsson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Evangelista tries to pull guard but Gustafsson holds him up against the cage and eventually Evangelista drops back down to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcos Evangelista showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Evangelista shoots in for a takedown but Gustafsson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gustafsson wants to clinch.

Gustafsson gets a double leg takedown into Evangelista's guard.
Gustafsson looking to sit in guard and control but Evangelista gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Evangelista drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gustafsson dives on top into guard.
Gustafsson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evangelista keeping full guard, as Gustafsson tries to pass.
Gustafsson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Evangelista's guard.

Evangelista looking for a guillotine here but Gustafsson defends easily.
Gustafsson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Evangelista on the ground.

Gustafsson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Evangelista is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gustafsson, into his guard.
Alexander Gustafsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gustafsson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Evangelista has his takedown stuffed
and Gustafsson counters with a two punch combo.
Evangelista takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evangelista shoots in but no luck this time.
Alexander Gustafsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcos Evangelista.
Gustafsson digs a good hook to Evangelista's body.
Gustafsson shoots in but no luck this time.
Gustafsson keeps the fight on the outside.
Evangelista throws a head kick but Gustafsson moves out of range.

Gustafsson gets tackled into the cage by Evangelista. Evangelista maintains the clinch.

Evangelista ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Evangelista no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Gustafsson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Gustafsson is looking to stand up but Evangelista won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alexander Gustafsson.
Gustafsson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Evangelista paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gustafsson dives in and grabs Evangelista's left leg, looking for a takedown. Evangelista pushes down on Gustafsson's head and hops out.
Evangelista misses with a two punch combination.
A head kick misses from Gustafsson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Evangelista shoots in looking for a takedown but Gustafsson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Evangelista's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Evangelista as he jumps to the side.
Evangelista tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Gustafsson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gustafsson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Gustafsson!