PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Simon Gustafsson (ranked 699 p4p, 104 weight class) and Nig Nig (ranked 1041 p4p, 156 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.

Gustafsson
vs
Nig

200 cm
25
213 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

201 cm
23
210 lbs
8 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Dark Knight Nutrition
Urban Fighter

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Simon Gustafsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nig Nig!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, John Roberts and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nig misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gustafsson.
Nig looks to throw the jab but Gustafsson is out of range.

Gustafsson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nig to the mat! Nig manages to get full guard.

Gustafsson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Nig looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Nig looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Nig!

Gustafsson tries to buck Nig off but Nig is having none of it.
The referee asks Nig politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Nig prefers to stall for the moment though.
Gustafsson is trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson is working hard here to advance position.
Gustafsson tries to strike but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson tries to improve position but can't.
The referee asks Nig politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Nig prefers to stall for the moment though.
Gustafsson is trying to improve his position.
Gustafsson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Gustafsson has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Gustafsson is trying to work for a kimura but Nig is defending well.
Gustafsson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gustafsson throwing shots but Nig is blocking nicely.

Gustafsson seems to be working for a kimura but Nig defends the submission attempt.

Gustafsson is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nig makes his way to full guard, as Gustafsson worked for a kimura.
Gustafsson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nig is keeping the position for now.
Gustafsson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nig keeping full guard, as Gustafsson tries to pass.
Gustafsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nig is on top in guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nig pushes down on Gustafsson's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Gustafsson actively working from the bottom here.
Nig works his way into side control.
Gustafsson tries to buck Nig off but Nig is having none of it.
Gustafsson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nig's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gustafsson tries to get to full guard but Nig has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Nig seems content to control.
Gustafsson tries to get to full guard but Nig has control of the leg.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nig in particular looking to stall.
Nig trying to control from half guard but Gustafsson is working away.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nig in particular looking to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nig wants to pass the guard but Gustafsson is defending well.
Nig seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nig Nig will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nig walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Gustafsson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Gustafsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nig.
Nig moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gustafsson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

It looks like Simon Gustafsson has been cut.
Nig shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nig misses with a looping left.
Good shot there by Nig.
Gustafsson shoots and misses
and Nig counters with a stiff right hand.
Simon Gustafsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nig waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gustafsson.
Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nig but Nig pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nig misses with a double jab

and Gustafsson counters with a single leg into guard. Nig didn't expect that.
Nig is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Gustafsson has gone for a leg lock! Nig slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gustafsson's guard.

Nig has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gustafsson tries to strike from the bottom.

Gustafsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gustafsson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nig must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Gustafsson is looking for a triangle here but Nig uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nig stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Nig throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gustafsson shoots in and drives through. Nig sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gustafsson moves in looking to clinch but Nig pushes him off.
Gustafsson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nig connects with a leg kick. Gustafsson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nig Nig seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustafsson shoots for a double leg takedown but Nig sprawls well. He's pushed Gustafsson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
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!
Nig connects with a leg kick. Gustafsson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gustafsson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nig.
Gustafsson attempts a counter takedown but Nig avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nig misses with a body shot.
Nig stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nig wants it to stay on the feet.
Nig scores with a jab to the head.
Gustafsson fails to land the takedown.
Nig has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Gustafsson is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nig looks to land a right hand but Gustafsson moved out of range.
Nig throws a hook but Gustafsson avoids it easily.
Gustafsson changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Gustafsson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nig.
Gustafsson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nig but Nig pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson walks into a straight right hand from Nig.
Nig throws the left hand but Gustafsson avoids the punch easily.
Nig throws a body shot but no joy.
Nig Nig is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gustafsson checks a low kick from Nig.
Gustafsson appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nig misses with a hook. Gustafsson ducked under it nicely.
Nig lands with a hook. Gustafsson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nig.
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!
Gustafsson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nig connects with the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nig Nig showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Simon Gustafsson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown but Nig shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nig misses with a hook

and Gustafsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nig won't be happy with that.
Nig can't do much from the bottom here.
Gustafsson misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Simon Gustafsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nig defending against the ground and pound.

Gustafsson tries for a kimura but Nig is defending well.

Gustafsson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gustafsson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nig can't do much from the bottom here.
Who's going to make the next move?

Gustafsson goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Nig has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gustafsson but great work by Nig.
Gustafsson is looking to reverse the position.

Nig decides to stand back up. Nig steps back and let's Gustafsson get back to his feet.
Gustafsson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nig's waist but Nig gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gustafsson off to one side.
Nig throws a looping overhand right but Gustafsson ducks down to avoid it.
Gustafsson appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nig throws out a loose jab but Gustafsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nig lands a nice shot to the body.
A jab from Nig finds it's way through Gustafsson's defenses.
Gustafsson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nig swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gustafsson shoots and misses
and Nig counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nig lands with a straight right. Gustafsson didn't see that one coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nig loads up on a big right hand but Gustafsson slips the punch.
Gustafsson feinted with a counter takedown.
Nig throws a looping overhand right but Gustafsson ducks down to avoid it.
Nig swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nig is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gustafsson.
Gustafsson attempts a counter takedown but Nig avoids it well and moves away.
Nig misses with a hook.
Gustafsson misses with a takedown attempt - Nig sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nig fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gustafsson checks it well.
Nig Nig is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nig connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Simon Gustafsson's cut is getting worse.
Nig tests Gustafsson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gustafsson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A big right from Nig misses.
An inside leg kick from Nig misses.
Gustafsson tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Nig manages to circle out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nig throws the left hand but Gustafsson avoids the punch easily.
Gustafsson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gustafsson takes one on the button.

Gustafsson is rocked!
Nig throws a looping overhand right but Gustafsson ducks down to avoid it.

Gustafsson feints and as Nig raises his hands in defense, Gustafsson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
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!
Gustafsson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gustafsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nig swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nig holds on and takes a little breather.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nig Nig comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nig 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nig Nig!
After the fight, Nig Nig was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.