PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Gustavsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cato McGraw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gustavsson comes to the cage accompanied by nate dogg - regulators. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Gustavsson
vs
McGraw

195 cm
25
205 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

195 cm
23
210 lbs
12 - 12 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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, Alexander Gustavsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Cato McGraw!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGraw moves away from the strike by Gustavsson.
McGraw throws a sloppy head kick and Gustavsson moves out of range easily.
Gustavsson dodges the punch combination from McGraw.
Alexander Gustavsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gustavsson throws a combination that misses
and McGraw counters with a body kick that stops Gustavsson in his tracks momentarily.
McGraw with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gustavsson connects with a looping right hand.
McGraw lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McGraw lands a jab.
Gustavsson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Gustavsson throws a leg kick that misses.
Gustavsson moves out of range of the body kick from McGraw.
Gustavsson throws out a loose jab but McGraw uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gustavsson is looking to clinch.
Gustavsson tries to clinch
and McGraw connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McGraw misses with a jab, cross combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
McGraw stalls.
Gustavsson is looking to break free of the clinch but McGraw has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustavsson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

McGraw breaks the clinch.
McGraw scores with a leg kick.
McGraw throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Gustavsson to counter with a crisp jab.
Gustavsson wants to clinch
and McGraw counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
McGraw circles away from the clinch attempt
and McGraw counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from McGraw.
McGraw tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gustavsson moves forwards but McGraw connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Jab by McGraw.
Gustavsson throws a predictable looking body shot
and McGraw makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
McGraw cracks the inside of Gustavsson's front leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGraw misses with the combination.
McGraw misses with a double jab
and Gustavsson counters with a body kick that stops McGraw in his tracks momentarily.
Gustavsson is breathing heavily.
Gustavsson misses with a body kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for McGraw.
McGraw scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
McGraw slips under a jab.
McGraw scores with a nice head shot.

Gustavsson gets a clinch.
McGraw stalling in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gustavsson as McGraw tries to tie him up.
Gustavsson wants to break the clinch but can't.
A bit of stalling here from McGraw.
Gustavsson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McGraw has him pressed against the cage.
McGraw looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

McGraw breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McGraw can pounce on him.
A low kick from McGraw misses
and Gustavsson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A nice combination there by Gustavsson.
McGraw throws a nice outside leg kick.
McGraw goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gustavsson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gustavsson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McGraw lands with a straight right. Gustavsson didn't see that one coming.
A right-left combo lands from McGraw.
McGraw lands with a shot to the body.
A lazy left from McGraw finds it's target.
McGraw lands a lovely overhand right.
McGraw scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gustavsson doesn't seem bothered though.
Gustavsson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gustavsson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
McGraw lands a head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGraw is looking to slow Gustavsson down with leg kicks.
McGraw lands a two punch combo.
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!
McGraw misses with a head kick.
McGraw throws a head kick that misses.
Gustavsson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
McGraw scores with a nice strike.
Gustavsson throws a sloppy head kick
and McGraw counters with a nice body shot.
McGraw scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gustavsson doesn't seem bothered though.
McGraw goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
McGraw lands a two punch combo.
McGraw connects with the punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McGraw looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gustavsson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gustavsson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cato McGraw dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by McGraw!
Gustavsson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and McGraw counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McGraw moves out of range as Gustavsson strikes.
McGraw throws out a powerful jab.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from McGraw in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Gustavsson throws a lazy head kick
and McGraw counters with a three punch combo that has Gustavsson backing up. Gustavsson nods at McGraw to acknowledge the strikes.
Gustavsson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
McGraw scores with a jab. Gustavsson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McGraw lands with a shot to the body.
McGraw lands a nice looking body kick.
McGraw ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gustavsson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Gustavsson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Cato McGraw seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McGraw scores with a kick to the body.
McGraw tries to bum rush Gustavsson with a series of wild strikes but Gustavsson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gustavsson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McGraw to score with a decent uppercut.
McGraw ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McGraw scores with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by McGraw there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gustavsson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McGraw scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
McGraw scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
McGraw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A slapping leg kick lands for McGraw.
Gustavsson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gustavsson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gustavsson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Alexander Gustavsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McGraw lands with an overhand left.
Gustavsson closes the distance but McGraw moves to the side
and McGraw counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Some wild striking there from McGraw.
Nice uppercut there from McGraw.
Gustavsson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and McGraw counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGraw scores with a head kick.
McGraw throws a one two combo.
McGraw throws a leg kick which misses Gustavsson's front leg but catches the back leg as Gustavsson tries to avoid it.
McGraw throws a series of strikes that have Gustavsson backpedaling.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGraw ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A cross from McGraw lands.
Gustavsson walks into a stiff left hand from McGraw.
Gustavsson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gustavsson will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
McGraw lands with a kick to the temple. Gustavsson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
McGraw lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Gustavsson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gustavsson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
McGraw moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gustavsson gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Gustavsson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McGraw throws a leg kick which misses Gustavsson's front leg but catches the back leg as Gustavsson tries to avoid it.
McGraw is working the combinations to good effect here.
McGraw connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McGraw throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
McGraw stuns Gustavsson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McGraw, right into the meat.
McGraw cracks a nice hook into Gustavsson's ribs.
McGraw takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
McGraw lands a nice hook to Gustavsson's body. Gustavsson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A nice inside leg kick there by McGraw. That's going to slow Gustavsson down.
McGraw uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McGraw has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McGraw lands with a nice body punch.
Nice shot by McGraw.
McGraw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jab by McGraw.
Gustavsson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGraw tests Gustavsson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McGraw lands with a shot to the body.
McGraw clobbers Gustavsson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McGraw throws a sloppy head kick and Gustavsson moves out of range easily.
McGraw lands with a nice body punch.
McGraw getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McGraw jabs at Gustavsson's body.
Gustavsson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McGraw scores with a three punch combo!
McGraw uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gustavsson has time to react.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McGraw lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
McGraw connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gustavsson takes one on the button.
McGraw with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cato McGraw showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Gustavsson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gustavsson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McGraw to score with a decent uppercut.
Gustavsson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McGraw lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Gustavsson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McGraw.

Gustavsson breaks the clinch.
Gustavsson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gustavsson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and McGraw counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McGraw.
McGraw scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McGraw scores with a jab to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gustavsson throws the left hand but McGraw avoids the punch easily.
McGraw lands a jab-cross combination.
McGraw lands a really nice looking cross but Gustavsson seems unphased.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGraw pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McGraw circles away from the clinch attempt
and McGraw counters with a nice body shot.
McGraw lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McGraw.
McGraw scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A right-left combo lands from McGraw.
McGraw feints and then cracks Gustavsson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gustavsson down.
Gustavsson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
McGraw connects with a jab.
McGraw lands with a straight right. Gustavsson didn't see that one coming.
A slapping leg kick lands for McGraw.
McGraw lands the left hand.
Decent striking displayed by McGraw there.
McGraw connects with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGraw feints and then cracks Gustavsson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Gustavsson down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGraw lunges at Gustavsson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gustavsson's hand.
A jab lands there for McGraw.
Gustavsson tries to clinch but McGraw moves away
and McGraw counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
McGraw misses with a series of wild punches.
Gustavsson walks forward, straight into a front kick from McGraw.
McGraw throws out a powerful jab.
Gustavsson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gustavsson there as he acknowledges the shot.
McGraw connects with a body shot.
McGraw scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gustavsson doesn't seem bothered though.
McGraw tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McGraw scores with a body shot.
McGraw lands a slapping body shot.
Gustavsson blocks a head kick by McGraw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGraw connects with a looping right hand.
McGraw lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gustavsson will feel that in the morning.
Gustavsson clinches but McGraw breaks the clinch
and McGraw counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gustavsson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gustavsson ducks right into an uppercut from McGraw.
Cato McGraw is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gustavsson takes one on the button.
McGraw connects with a body shot.
Gustavsson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
McGraw's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and McGraw duly obliges.
McGraw scores with a nice strike.
McGraw lands with a shot to the body.
McGraw scores with a hook to the body. Gustavsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McGraw.
McGraw works over Gustavsson's head and body with a nice combination.
McGraw lands with an uppercut that bounces Gustavsson off the cage and back into rage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGraw jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGraw scores with a spinning back kick!
McGraw moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Good shot there by McGraw.
McGraw ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Alexander Gustavsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gustavsson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McGraw comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McGraw comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McGraw smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Gustavsson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McGraw fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gustavsson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McGraw scores with a hook to the body. Gustavsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McGraw throws a leg kick which misses Gustavsson's front leg but catches the back leg as Gustavsson tries to avoid it.
McGraw looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cato McGraw comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McGraw 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 William Gold scores the fight 25:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 25:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cato McGraw!