PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Gustavsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnathan Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gustavsson
vs
Russell

196 cm
25
213 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

190 cm
22
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Gunnar Gustavsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Johnathan Russell!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustavsson connects with a body shot that sends Russell's belly button to the back.

Russell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gustavsson struggles to land a body shot inside as Russell controls his hands.

Russell has clasped his hands together around Gustavsson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Russell trying to control the position but Gustavsson is working away.
Gustavsson is trying to get back to half guard.
Russell is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Gustavsson's shoulder. That is not cool.
Russell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gustavsson keeps working.
Gustavsson tries to improve position but can't.
Gustavsson trying to remain calm as Russell controls from the top position.
Gustavsson is looking for a sweep.
A lull in the action here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Johnathan Russell has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Gustavsson gets caught flat footed, as Russell shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell is looking to work some ground and pound but Gustavsson has wrist control.

Russell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gustavsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russell has managed to get both his arms back between Gustavsson's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gustavsson has his foot on Russell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Russell works his way back into a safe position though.
Russell looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Gustavsson is looking for a triangle here but Russell uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Gustavsson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Russell wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Russell is staying tight to Gustavsson's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Russell decides to stand back up.
Russell falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gustavsson counters with a series of strikes. Russell will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gustavsson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Russell under the eye.
Gustavsson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Russell backs up against the cage.

Russell pushes Gustavsson up against the cage in a clinch.

Russell is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Gustavsson can't fight it off and eventually Russell manages to take the fight to the floor. Gustavsson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Gustavsson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Russell defends well.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gustavsson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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

Gustavsson working for a triangle but Russell defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gustavsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Russell stands up from Gustavsson's guard - Russell perhaps looking for a knockout.

Gustavsson tries to keep at a distance but Russell has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson is trying to pull guard but Russell turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Gustavsson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gustavsson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Russell lands an elbow just above Gustavsson 's eye.

Russell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gustavsson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gustavsson throws a right hand that Russell ducks under and follows up with a left that Russell also avoids with ease.
Russell swings for the body but Gustavsson moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gustavsson lands with a cross.
Russell pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russell misses with a body kick.
Gustavsson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johnathan Russell will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gustavsson misses with a double jab.
Russell fails to land the takedown.

Russell closes the distance and pushes Gustavsson back into the cage.

Russell tightens his grip and picks Gustavsson up, before dumping him to the ground. Gustavsson manages to land in guard.

Russell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gustavsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russell has managed to get both his arms back between Gustavsson's legs - danger averted.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Russell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Gustavsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gustavsson keeping full guard, as Russell tries to pass.

Russell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gustavsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russell has managed to get both his arms back between Gustavsson's legs - danger averted.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gustavsson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Russell is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gustavsson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gunnar Gustavsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Gustavsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Russell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Russell must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gustavsson keeping full guard, as Russell tries to pass.

Gustavsson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Russell is pushing down on Gustavsson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gustavsson is fighting to maintain full guard but Russell has managed to sneak the leg through.
Russell takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Gustavsson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Russell not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gustavsson looking for submissions off his back.

Russell wants to work for an arm triangle but Gustavsson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Gustavsson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Russell throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Gustavsson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
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!
Russell looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Russell thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gustavsson's head.
Russell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gustavsson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gustavsson actively working from the bottom here.

Gustavsson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Russell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gustavsson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Gustavsson looking for submissions off his back.

Gustavsson has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Russell escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Russell!
Gustavsson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Gustavsson seems to be looking for submissions.
Russell makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Russell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell is pulling down on Gustavsson's head to control his posture.
Russell tries to strike from the bottom.

Gustavsson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Russell dives on top into guard.
Russell looking to pass the guard.

Gustavsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gustavsson is looking for a triangle but Russell pushes his legs off easily.
Gustavsson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gunnar Gustavsson will probably get the nod.
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!

Gustavsson throws a right and a left that Russell avoids nicely.
Gustavsson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gunnar Gustavsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Russell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gustavsson avoids it really well and circles away.
Russell takes one to the chin there.
Russell shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gustavsson as he avoids it easily.
Gustavsson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Russell shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Russell wants to work for an arm triangle but Gustavsson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gustavsson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Russell pulls his head out easily.
Russell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Russell thows a huge punch but Gustavsson dodges it nicely.

Gustavsson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gustavsson looking for submissions off his back.
Gustavsson tries to roll over but Russell keeps him under control.
Russell sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Gustavsson is pressing down on Russell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gustavsson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gustavsson has a closed guard, preventing Russell from standing up.
Russell throws a big elbow that misses.

Gustavsson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Russell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gustavsson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Gustavsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gustavsson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Russell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Russell wants to pass the guard but Gustavsson is keeping the position.
Russell keeps trying to improve his position.
Russell stopping the sweep attempt from Gustavsson.

Gustavsson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Russell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gustavsson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Russell gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gustavsson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Russell defends well.
Russell slips nicely into half guard.
Russell perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gustavsson has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Russell escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Russell!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gustavsson manages to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gunnar Gustavsson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gustavsson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gunnar Gustavsson!
After winning the bout, Gunnar Gustavsson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.