PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gustav Gustafsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gustafsson comes to the cage accompanied by Dark Tranquility - The Final Resistance. Smith comes into a darkened arena with his song building. call to prayer kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Gustafsson
vs
Smith

165 cm
35
148 lbs
21 - 14 - 0

169 cm
30
135 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Jihad Fight Gear-Outkast Infidels Version
Jihad Fight Gear-Outkast Infidels Version

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gustav Gustafsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Smith!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustafsson throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson misses with a few strikes there.
A big left from Gustafsson misses.
Gustafsson throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.
Gustafsson misses with a body shot.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith throws a series of punches but Gustafsson avoids them all with ease.
Gustafsson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Smith has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Gustafsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Smith tests Gustafsson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A jab from Gustafsson misses.
Smith's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gustafsson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Smith scrambles back to his feet.
Smith displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gustafsson throws out the jab.

Gustafsson moves into the clinch.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Gustafsson.
Gustafsson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A nice combination there by Gustafsson.
Gustafsson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Gustafsson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gustafsson throws a hook to the side of Smith's head but Smith sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big left from Smith misses.
Gustav Gustafsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith lands the left hand.
Smith displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gustafsson throws out the jab.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gustafsson moves away.
Gustafsson throws a big shot that misses.
Gustafsson misses the shot to the body.
Smith misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith ducks under a wild hook from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson moves out of range of the strikes.
Gustafsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
Smith avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smith misses with a hook. Gustafsson ducked under it nicely.
Gustav Gustafsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustafsson wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Nice body punch from Smith.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Smith displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gustafsson throws out the jab.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gustafsson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smith doesn't seem bothered though.
Gustafsson connects with a nice looking jab.
Gustafsson misses with an uppercut.
Smith throws a hook but Gustafsson blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Smith 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Smith takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Smith takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A telegraphed right hand from Gustafsson misses the target.
Sloppy strikes from Gustafsson. Those never looked like landing.
Gustafsson misses with a shot to the body
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gustafsson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gustafsson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Smith cracks Gustafsson with a good jab.
A combination from Gustafsson does no damage.
Good shot there by Smith.
Gustafsson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
Gustafsson misses with a looping right.
Gustafsson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Smiths jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson checks a leg kick.
Smith throws a chopping leg kick but Gustafsson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gustafsson connects with a single shot there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.

Gustafsson instigates a clinch.

Gustafsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Smith shoots in and gets a takedown into Gustafsson's guard.
Gustafsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gustafsson has momentary wrist control but Smith slips an elbow through the middle.
Gustafsson controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gustafsson wants to stand but Smith is controlling the position.

Smith is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustav Gustafsson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gustafsson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gustafsson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gustafsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith cracks the inside of Gustafsson's front leg.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gustafsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith with a hook.
Smith slips a jab from Gustafsson.
Smith ducks under a wild hook from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Gustafsson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Smith checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Smith moves away from the strike by Gustafsson.
Gustav Gustafsson is winning the standup battle so far.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Gustafsson.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gustafsson.
Gustafsson throws out a powerful jab.

Gustafsson tries to sprawl but Smith drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gustafsson manages to get to full guard.
Gustafsson keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Gustafsson is pulling down on Smith's head. It's preventing any offense from Smith, at least for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith pushes down on Gustafsson's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smith is working away from the top position though.
Gustafsson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gustafsson is concentrating on defense, preventing Smith from advancing position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gustafsson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Smith prevents Gustafsson from improving his position.
Smith stops Gustafsson from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gustafsson is looking to improve his position.
Gustafsson tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.
Smith thows a huge punch but Gustafsson dodges it nicely.
Gustafsson tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
Gustafsson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gustafsson manages to get to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gustafsson is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to sweep here but Gustafsson controlling him for the moment.
Gustafsson stays in close to Smith's body and controls the position.
Gustafsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gustafsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gustafsson controlling from the top position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Smith throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Gustav Gustafsson just wasn't active enough.
Smith takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gustafsson misses with a straight left.
Smith uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gustafsson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustav Gustafsson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gustafsson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Smith counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Gustafsson swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Gustafsson throws out a loose jab but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gustafsson tries to clinch up.
Gustafsson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gustafsson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smith looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gustafsson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Gustafsson is just out of range.
Gustafsson loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Smith throws the left hand but Gustafsson avoids the punch easily.
Gustafsson throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Gustafsson throws a poor cross that misses
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gustafsson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gustafsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith moves away from the strike by Gustafsson.

Gustafsson clinches with his opponent.
Smith is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Gustafsson breaks from the clinch.
Gustafsson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gustafsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Smith lands a jab to the head.
Gustafsson loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gustafsson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Smith is out of range.

Gustafsson darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.
Smith throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gustafssons head.

Gustafsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Smith fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gustafsson sprawls well initially but Smith persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Paul Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Gustafsson is defending well.
Gustafsson has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Gustafsson tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Gustafsson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Gustafsson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Gustafsson is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gustafsson won't allow Smith to pass to mount.
Gustafsson tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
Gustafsson pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gustafsson is trying is best to control the position here.
Gustafsson is trying to stand up here but Smith is controlling him well.
Gustafsson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Smith seems to be looking for submissions.
Smith prevents Gustafsson from standing back up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gustafsson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gustav Gustafsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Smith 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 keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gustafsson's head.
Gustafsson is looking to escape.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Smith is pressing down on Gustafsson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gustafsson is holding on for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gustafsson is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.

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 Gustav Gustafsson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gustafsson, 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustav Gustafsson!
Gustav Gustafsson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Paul Smith was interviewed post fight and said 'It's at times like this, one must reach deeply into his soul,challenge his heart, feel new courage, endure the fuck pain and say 'FUCK ISLAM AND MOHAMMED WAS A PEDOPHILE''.