PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Donovan Bagcal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Gustavsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bagcal
vs
Gustavsson

185 cm
25
207 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

196 cm
20
210 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Donovan Bagcal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alexander Gustavsson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bagcal takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A right-left combo lands from Gustavsson.
Bagcal on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bagcal showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gustavsson.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gustavsson!
Bagcal takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Gustavsson misses with a few strikes there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bagcal tries to clinch up

and Gustavsson counters by clinching up.
Bagcal tries to circle away but Gustavsson has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagcal trying to control the position but instead, Gustavsson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bagcal into the cage.
Bagcal struggles to land a body shot inside as Gustavsson controls his hands.
Bagcal trying to stall but Gustavsson improves his position.

Gustavsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gustavsson misses with a wild body shot.

Gustavsson moves into the clinch.
Gustavsson working hard to break the clinch.
Gustavsson keeps control of Bagcal as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bagcal pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Bagcal tries to land knees in the clinch but Gustavsson avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bagcal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Gustavsson breaks from the clinch.
Gustavsson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gustavsson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bagcal wants to clinch.
A combination from Gustavsson does no damage.
Gustavsson has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Bagcal is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Gustavsson rushes Bagcal and presses him up against the cage.
Gustavsson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bagcal throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson is trying to push Bagcal away but Bagcal has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gustavsson is trying to break free.
Bagcal tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gustavsson avoids it.
Gustavsson tries to break the clinch but Bagcal is controlling the position.
Gustavsson is trying to break the clinch but Bagcal is controlling him.
Bagcal softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Bagcal is trying to force a seperation but Gustavsson has the dominant position.

Bagcal manages to break the clinch.
Alexander Gustavsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gustavsson lands a right hook to the body.
Gustavsson throws a one two combo.
Bagcal is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gustavsson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Gustavsson misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bagcal is defended easily by Gustavsson.
Gustavsson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bagcal eats them both and turns towards Gustavsson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bagcal tries to clinch up but Gustavsson circles away and keeps his distance.
Gustavsson misses with a double jab

and Bagcal counters with a single leg into guard. Gustavsson didn't expect that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bagcal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gustavsson keeping moving, preventing Bagcal from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Gustavsson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gustavsson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bagcal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gustavsson throws a combination. Bagcal tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Donovan Bagcal has been cut.
Bagcal tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gustavsson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bagcal takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Donovan Bagcal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bagcal showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gustavsson.
Gustavsson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bagcal counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gustavsson thinking.
Bagcal tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gustavsson swinging wildly here.
Gustavsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bagcal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustavsson throws a series of punches but Bagcal avoids them all with ease.
Bagcal drops his hands momentarily and Gustavsson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gustavsson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gustavsson looks to land a combination but Bagcal avoids it well.
Bagcal avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gustavsson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gustavsson misses with a wild combination.
Bagcal tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bagcal fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gustavsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bagcal.
Gustavsson throws an off balance right hand
and Bagcal counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Gustavsson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Bagcal tries to clinch but Gustavsson moves out of range.
Gustavsson misses with a body punch
and Bagcal counters with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gustavsson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Gustavsson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bagcal counters with a head kick. That will keep Gustavsson thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Gustavsson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bagcal counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Gustavsson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Bagcal looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Bagcal shoots in for a takedown but Gustavsson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gustavsson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bagcal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gustavsson but Gustavsson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bagcal wants to clinch up but Gustavsson keeps it at a distance.
Gustavsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bagcal was well out of range. Poor timing from Gustavsson.
Gustavsson misses with a two punch combination.
Bagcal moves to clinch but Gustavsson breaks away

and Gustavsson counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagcal is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gustavsson is keeping busy.
Gustavsson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bagcal is trying to maintain a safe position but Gustavsson gets an underhook and turns Bagcal into the cage.
Bagcal is trying to break free.
Gustavsson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bagcal is trying to maintain a safe position but Gustavsson gets an underhook and turns Bagcal into the cage.
Bagcal is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gustavsson is defending well for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gustavsson tries to break the clinch but Bagcal is controlling the position.
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!
Bagcal misses with some punches.
Bagcal misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Gustavsson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Donovan Bagcal's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gustavsson throws a right and a left that Bagcal avoids nicely.
Gustavsson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bagcal tries to clinch up.
Gustavsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bagcal moves away.
Bagcal slips a jab and a cross from Gustavsson.
Bagcal wants to clinch but Gustavsson slips to the side
and Gustavsson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gustavsson throws a jab but it's blocked by Bagcal.
Gustavsson misses with a looping right.
Alexander Gustavsson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bagcal takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustavsson throws a series of punches but Bagcal moves out of range.
Bagcal tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Gustavsson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gustavsson.
Gustavsson working hard to break the clinch.
Bagcal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bagcal is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gustavsson is keeping busy.
Gustavsson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bagcal with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gustavsson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Donovan Bagcal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gustavsson is trying to break the clinch but Bagcal is controlling him.
Bagcal wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gustavsson has him pressed against the cage.
Gustavsson managing to block the knees to the body from Bagcal.
Bagcal has had enough of the clinch but Gustavsson keeps him there for the moment.

Gustavsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gustavsson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bagcal.
Gustavsson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bagcal showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gustavsson.
Gustavsson with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Gustavsson does no damage.
Bagcal doesn't manage to clinch there - Gustavsson circles away.

Bagcal tries to keep at a distance but Gustavsson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bagcal tries to pull guard but Gustavsson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Bagcal lands a shoulder strike.
Bagcal tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gustavsson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Gustavsson wants to break free but Bagcal has control.
Donovan Bagcal has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bagcal is trying to pull guard but Gustavsson has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Donovan Bagcal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gustavsson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gustavsson blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bagcal tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gustavsson's elbow.
Gustavsson avoids the elbow strike from Bagcal, against the cage.
Gustavsson managing to block the knees to the body from Bagcal.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bagcal.
Gustavsson is trying to force a seperation but Bagcal has the dominant position.
Bagcal misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bagcal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gustavsson tries to break free but Bagcal pushes him back against the cage.
Alexander Gustavsson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Gustavsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bagcal misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Gustavsson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gustavsson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Gustavsson!
Alexander Gustavsson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Donovan Bagcal spoke after the fight, saying 'all thanks and praises go out to my LORD JAH. without him nothing would be possible .BLESS'.