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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Simon Gustafsson (ranked 164 p4p, 195 weight class) and Joe Dinapoli (ranked 24 p4p, 30 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 200 cm
36
213
30 - 21 - 0 |
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195 cm
27
207
23 - 5 - 0 |
BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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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 30 - 21 - 0, fighting out of London, Simon Gustafsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Dinapoli!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dinapoli throws a right hand that misses
and Gustafsson counters with a shoot takedown. Dinapoli fights it but they end up in guard.
Gustafsson looking to pass the guard.
Gustafsson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Dinapoli manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gustafsson has Dinapoli in his guard.
Dinapoli preventing the sweep.
Gustafsson is looking for a triangle but Dinapoli pushes his legs off easily.
Gustafsson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dinapoli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dinapoli is aware though and is defending well.
Gustafsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gustafsson keeping full guard, as Dinapoli tries to pass.
Dinapoli got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gustafsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dinapoli has managed to get both his arms back between Gustafsson's legs - danger averted.
Dinapoli is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Let's hope that Dinapoli has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Gustafsson keeping full guard, as Dinapoli tries to pass.
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 working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Dinapoli has passed into half guard!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gustafsson gets full guard.
Dinapoli avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gustafsson has his foot on Dinapoli's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dinapoli works his way back into a safe position though.
Dinapoli won't allow Gustafsson to sweep him here.
Gustafsson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dinapoli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dinapoli showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson is looking for a triangle but Dinapoli pushes his legs off easily.
Dinapoli wants to control from the top but Gustafsson keeps moving.
Dinapoli looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Gustafsson trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Dinapoli tries to free his leg and advance position but Gustafsson is retaining full guard.
Gustafsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gustafsson looking for a sweep. Not yet Gustafsson, not yet.
Gustafsson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dinapoli is aware though and is defending well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gustafsson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dinapoli controlling from the top position.
Gustafsson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dinapoli doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dinapoli manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gustafsson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dinapoli looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gustafsson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Simon Gustafsson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
A swing and a miss from Dinapoli.
Dinapoli swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dinapoli misses with a hook.
Dinapoli scores with a nice right hand.
It looks like Simon Gustafsson has been cut.
Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Dinapoli! But no joy.
Dinapoli swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gustafsson is looking to counter the offense by Dinapoli and move into the clinch.
Gustafsson takes one to the chin there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gustafsson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gustafsson wants to pass the guard but Dinapoli is keeping the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson postures up in Dinapoli's guard and throws a big left but Dinapoli blocks it.
Gustafsson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Dinapoli is trying to get back to half guard.
Gustafsson working away.
Gustafsson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Gustafsson is trying to get an arm triangle but Dinapoli is defending well.
Dinapoli avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gustafsson.
Gustafsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dinapoli can do to turn this around?
Dinapoli manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dinapoli keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gustafsson landing small, sideways elbows.
Gustafsson wants to get back to full guard.
Gustafsson gets back to full guard.
Dinapoli got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gustafsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dinapoli has managed to get both his arms back between Gustafsson's legs - danger averted.
Simon Gustafsson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dinapoli controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Dinapoli avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Dinapoli must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gustafsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gustafsson working for a triangle but Dinapoli defends it easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dinapoli seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Gustafsson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Dinapoli has picked Gustafsson up and slammed him! Gustafsson can't keep hold of the triangle and Dinapoli manages to pass to side control!
Gustafsson is trying to improve his position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dinapoli wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gustafsson keeps working.
Gustafsson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Gustafsson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gustafsson is letting Dinapoli control him for a moment.
Dinapoli trying to control the position but Gustafsson is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gustafsson is looking to regain half guard here but Dinapoli keeps moving and retains side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Dinapoli 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 corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Dinapoli is looking to slow Gustafsson down with leg kicks.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gustafsson.
A nice side step and Dinapoli releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Gustafsson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dinapoli.
Gustafsson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dinapoli can pounce on him.
Dinapoli throws a chopping leg kick but Gustafsson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gustafsson feinted with a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dinapoli throws the left hand but Gustafsson avoids the punch easily.
Dinapoli throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dinapoli darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Dinapoli misses the jab.
Dinapoli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gustafsson.
A slow jab from Dinapoli misses its intended target.
Dinapoli missing with a left hand there. Gustafsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dinapoli misses with a low kick.
Joe Dinapoli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustafsson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dinapoli.
Gustafsson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Gustafsson checks a leg kick.
Gustafsson dives in and grabs Dinapoli's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dinapoli pushes down on Gustafsson's head and hops out.
Gustafsson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dinapoli finds it's way round the side to connect with Gustafsson's head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dinapoli throws a body shot but no joy.
Gustafsson shoots in looking for a takedown. Dinapoli tries to sprawl out of it but Gustafsson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dinapoli manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dinapoli doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Gustafsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dinapoli misses with a hook. Gustafsson ducked under it nicely.
Gustafsson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Dinapoli lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gustafsson dives in for a single leg takedown but Dinapoli sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gustafsson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gustafsson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dinapoli gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dinapoli lands a body shot in the clinch.
Dinapoli prevents a takedown attempt there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson wants a takedown but no success here.
Gustafsson wants a takedown.
Gustafsson pulls Dinapoli into guard.
Gustafsson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Dinapoli controls the pace.
Dinapoli got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gustafsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dinapoli has managed to get both his arms back between Gustafsson's legs - danger averted.
Gustafsson working for a triangle but Dinapoli defends it easily.
Gustafsson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Dinapoli has passed into half guard!
Still in half guard, Dinapoli seems content to control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson tries to get to full guard but Dinapoli has control of the leg.
Dinapoli tries to pass to full mount but Gustafsson defends it.
Dinapoli is trying to control. Gustafsson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Well, if Dinapoli is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dinapoli tries to pass to full mount but Gustafsson defends it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Dinapoli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dinapoli has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Dinapoli!
During a confident post fight interview, Joe Dinapoli thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
26% |
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