PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Strom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ray Wickleby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strom comes to the cage accompanied by I Need a Hero. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Strom
vs
Wickleby

182 cm
27
198 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

173 cm
27
195 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Knock Out Artistry
Knock Out Artistry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gunnar Strom!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ray Wickleby!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Eliza Hachem and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Wickleby.
Wickleby shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Strom as he jumps to the side.
Strom lands a two punch combo.
Wickleby shoots in for a double leg but Strom sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wickleby darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Strom throws out a loose jab but Wickleby uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wickleby throws a poor cross that misses
and Wickleby takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wickleby dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wickleby throws a body punch but Strom moves out of range.
Strom uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wickleby.
Wickleby swings away with a body shot that misses
and Strom counters with a straight right hand.

Wickleby closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Wickleby lands in his opponent's guard.
Wickleby won't allow Strom to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Strom manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wickleby manages to get himself to full guard.

Wickleby looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wickleby wants to sweep but no luck.
Strom pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wickleby is keeping the position for now.
Wickleby manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Strom manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby with a flurry of punches that miss.
Strom keeping moving, preventing Wickleby from controlling successfully.
Wickleby scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Strom not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wickleby postures up in Strom's guard and throws a big left but Strom blocks it.
Wickleby stopping the sweep attempt from Strom.
Wickleby won't allow Strom to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Strom swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wickleby has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wickleby's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Strom knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wickleby on the ground.
Wickleby trying to control the position from guard on top but Strom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Strom gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Wickleby passes Strom's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Strom is trying to maintain the position but Wickleby is very close to passing his half guard.
Wickleby not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wickleby looking for a submission but Strom manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Strom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wickleby with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wickleby trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wickleby controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Wickleby is pushing down on Strom's leg trying to pass to half guard. Strom is fighting to maintain full guard but Wickleby has managed to sneak the leg through.

Wickleby wants to work for an arm triangle but Strom is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Wickleby frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Wickleby dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Wickleby tries to clinch up but Strom circles away and keeps his distance.
Wickleby shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wickleby misses with a left hand
and Strom counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wickleby throws the left hand but Strom avoids the punch easily.

Wickleby shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Wickleby showed some decent athleticism there.
Strom moves into full guard.
Wickleby wants to control from the top but Strom keeps moving.
Wickleby pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Strom is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strom keeping moving, preventing Wickleby from controlling successfully.
Wickleby throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Strom works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Strom tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wickleby wants to control from the top but Strom keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Strom controls Wickleby momentarily but Wickleby frees himself.
Wickleby throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Wickleby works over Strom with some ground and pound from guard.
Strom preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wickleby trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Strom keeping moving, preventing Wickleby from controlling successfully.
Wickleby throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Strom works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wickleby makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Strom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wickleby pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Strom is keeping the position for now.
Wickleby wants to control from the top but Strom keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strom has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Wickleby off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Strom keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Strom avoids the body shot from Wickleby.

Wickleby tries to keep at a distance but Strom has taken the fight into the clinch.
Strom lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Wickleby backwards.
Wickleby goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wickleby lands a hook to the side of the head.
Strom prevents a body shot from Wickleby.
Strom goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Wickleby.
Wickleby lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Wickleby pushes Strom back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Strom.
Strom lands a left hand that snaps the head of Wickleby backwards.
Strom is working Wickleby over against the cage.
Wickleby is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Strom blocking some punches.
Strom tries to work over Wickleby's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hand to the body from Wickleby.
Strom swings wildly with an uppercut but Wickleby uses good head movement to avoid it.

Wickleby gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Wickleby seems to be looking for submissions.
Wickleby throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wickleby takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Strom keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Wickleby showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Wickleby comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Wickleby throws a body punch but Strom moves out of range.
Wickleby closes this distance looking for a takedown but Strom circles away.
Strom uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wickleby.
Strom ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wickleby moves away.
Jab from Wickleby.
Wickleby connects with a good right hand that stumbles Strom. Strom circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wickleby avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wickleby avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Strom looks to score with a jab to the body but Wickleby is just out of range.
Wickleby connects with a right hand. Strom shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickleby throws a hook but Strom blocks it.
Wickleby shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wickleby avoids the body shot from Strom.
Wickleby fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gunnar Strom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Wickleby.
Wickleby throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Strom to counter with a crisp jab.
Strom slaps away a takedown attempt from Wickleby, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Wickleby closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wickleby throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strom is trying to get back to full guard.
Strom trying to hold on to Wickleby's head to control him but Wickleby postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wickleby is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Strom doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Wickleby.
Strom wants to get back to his feet.
Wickleby is looking to pass Strom's guard but actually Strom recovers to full guard.
Wickleby won't allow Strom to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strom wants to sweep here but Wickleby controlling him for the moment.
Wickleby missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Strom working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wickleby.
Wickleby missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Strom is trying to keep Wickleby in close.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wickleby looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Wickleby trying to control but Strom is working from the bottom.
Wickleby trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wickleby chips away with some ground and pound.
Wickleby trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Strom manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Wickleby is looking for a triangle but Strom pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Wickleby really 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.

Strom darts in and clinches Wickleby up against the cage.
Strom prevents the takedown attempt.
Wickleby throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Wickleby drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Strom gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Wickleby throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Stroms head.
Wickleby lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Strom.
Wickleby swings wildly with an uppercut but Strom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wickleby misses with a hook to the ribs.
Wickleby is leaning against Strom and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wickleby swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Wickleby.
A right hand to the body from Wickleby.
Strom stops a takedown attempt from Wickleby.
Gunnar Strom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Wickleby.
Wickleby tries a body shot but Strom blocks it.
Wickleby lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strom doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wickleby lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Wickleby is working Strom over against the cage.
Strom can't find room to land a body shot as Wickleby controls the action.
Wickleby misses with a hook to the ribs.
Wickleby lands a nice uppercut.
Strom throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Wicklebys head.
A right handed body shot lands from Wickleby.
Wickleby blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Strom.
Wickleby works on Strom's body with a couple of short punches.
Strom lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Strom is working Wickleby over against the cage.
Strom's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Still in the clinch, Strom scores with a nice short uppercut.
Wickleby blocks a body shot from Strom.
Strom tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ray Wickleby seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Strom swings wildly with an uppercut but Wickleby uses good head movement to avoid it.
Strom lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Wickleby backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickleby goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wickleby scores with a shot to the side of Strom's head.
Wickleby lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Strom or not.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Wickleby throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Wickleby.
Wickleby misses with a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for Wickleby.
A nice left hand lands by Strom.
Strom misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wickleby working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Strom.
Wickleby lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strom misses with a punch on the inside.
Strom tries to work over Wickleby's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Strom goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wickleby misses with a body punch.
Strom tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wickleby misses with a hook to the ribs.
Wickleby tries to work over Strom's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Strom throws a head punch that misses.
A right hand to the body from Wickleby.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strom prevents a body shot from Wickleby.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wickleby.
A body shot lands from Strom.
Wickleby tries to score a body lock takedown but Strom shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wickleby struggles to land a body shot inside as Strom controls his hands.
Wickleby lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Strom stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Strom struggles to land a body shot inside as Wickleby controls his hands.
A short uppercut from Wickleby.
Strom misses with a hook to the ribs.
Strom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wickleby's elbow.
Wickleby lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Wickleby tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Wickleby.
Wickleby throws a head punch that misses.
Wickleby can't find room to land a body shot as Strom controls the action.
Wickleby lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Strom has a couple of punches blocked by Wickleby.
A right handed body shot lands from Wickleby.
Wickleby misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wickleby is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Strom can't fight it off and eventually Wickleby manages to take the fight to the floor. Strom looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Strom is trying to control the position but Wickleby postures up.
Strom wants to stand but Wickleby is controlling the position.
Wickleby throws a big right hand that misses.
Wickleby looking to pass the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Wickleby drops back, looking for a kneebar! Strom looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Strom looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Strom!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Wickleby dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Strom displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wickleby.

Wickleby shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Strom wants to stand but Wickleby is controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wickleby accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Strom looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wickleby is one step ahead there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Wickleby forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strom regains full guard. Nicely done.
Strom keeping moving, preventing Wickleby from controlling successfully.
Wickleby throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Strom works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wickleby throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Strom works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wickleby trying to control the position from guard on top but Strom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wickleby postures up in Strom's guard and throws a big left but Strom blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wickleby tries to free his leg and advance position but Strom is retaining full guard.
Strom working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wickleby.
Wickleby trying to control the position from guard on top but Strom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wickleby is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Wickleby won't allow Strom to get back to his feet.
Wickleby wants to control from the top but Strom keeps moving.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ray Wickleby hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Strom gets caught flat footed, as Wickleby shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strom trying to control the position.
Wickleby trying to control the position from guard on top but Strom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strom looking to control.
Ray Wickleby has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wickleby trying to control but Strom is working from the bottom.
Strom wants to get back to his feet but Wickleby is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Strom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wickleby manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Strom stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Strom wants it to stay on the feet.
Wickleby fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gunnar Strom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Wickleby.
Strom misses with an uppercut

and Wickleby counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Strom's guard now.
Strom is looking to stand up but Wickleby isn't so interested in that idea.
Wickleby trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wickleby trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wickleby connects with a couple of short punches.
Strom tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Wickleby comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Wickleby 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 45:50
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 45:50
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Wickleby!
Ray Wickleby is the new middleweight champion!