PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Monsoon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joakim Gustafsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Monsoon
vs
Gustafsson

201 cm
20
219 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
27
220 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Monsoon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joakim Gustafsson!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Winston Howard and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monsoon is looking to clinch.
Gustafsson fails with the takedown.
Monsoon misses with a takedown

and Gustafsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Monsoon's guard.
Gustafsson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gustafsson postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jack Monsoon wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Gustafsson looking to score a takedown here. Monsoon is defending well but Gustafsson drives through and ends up in Monsoon's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Gustafsson content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monsoon wants to control but Gustafsson postures up.
Monsoon tries to bench press Gustafsson off him but Gustafsson keeps the position.
Gustafsson moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gustafsson trying to control the position but Monsoon is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gustafsson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Monsoon struggling a bit here.
Monsoon tries to buck Gustafsson off but Gustafsson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gustafsson trying to control the position but Monsoon is working away.
Gustafsson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Monsoon is trying to control Gustafsson's posture but Gustafsson avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Monsoon blocks a leg kick.
Gustafsson misses with a body shot.
A head kick misses from Gustafsson.
Gustafsson scores with the left hand. Monsoon knows he should have avoided that one.
Monsoon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gustafsson throws a body punch but Monsoon moves out of range.
Gustafsson misses with a leg kick.
Gustafsson tries to bum rush Monsoon with a series of wild strikes but Monsoon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gustafsson just misses with a punch to the body.
Jack Monsoon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gustafsson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Monsoon as he jumps to the side.
Gustafsson checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gustafsson gets the takedown into side control.
Monsoon wants to control but Gustafsson postures up.
Gustafsson just content to control the position.
Monsoon pushes Gustafsson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Gustafsson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Monsoon being controlled for a moment.
Monsoon tries to buck Gustafsson off but Gustafsson is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson is staying tight to Monsoon's torso, preventing him from escaping.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joakim Gustafsson was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Gustafsson looking to score a takedown here. Monsoon is defending well but Gustafsson drives through and ends up in Monsoon's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Monsoon trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monsoon is trying to keep Gustafsson in close.
Gustafsson wants to control from the top but Monsoon keeps moving.
Monsoon 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 engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gustafsson misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Monsoon defending well as Gustafsson loads up on a big left hand.

Gustafsson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Monsoon to the ground. Gustafsson is now in Monsoon's guard.
Gustafsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Monsoon swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gustafsson wants to control from the top but Monsoon keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Monsoon wants to control the position but Gustafsson says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gustafsson wants to free his trapped foot but Monsoon is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joakim Gustafsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Monsoon shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gustafsson counters by moving into the clinch.

Gustafsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Monsoon shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gustafsson is trying to defend but Monsoon finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Monsoon looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Gustafsson is trying to control but can't.
Gustafsson tries to kick Monsoon off but Monsoon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gustafsson tries to roll over but Monsoon keeps him under control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Gustafsson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Monsoon is trying to defend but Gustafsson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Monsoon pushes Gustafsson off looking to stand but Gustafsson dives back in and keeps control.
Gustafsson tries to pass to full mount but Monsoon defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Monsoon wants to improve his position but Gustafsson is controlling well.
Joakim Gustafsson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Monsoon is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Monsoon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gustafsson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Monsoon drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gustafsson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Monsoon wants to control from the top but Gustafsson keeps moving.
Monsoon prevents Gustafsson from getting back to his feet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Gustafsson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Jack Monsoon has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Gustafsson thows a body shot but no joy.
Gustafsson tries to bum rush Monsoon with a series of wild strikes but Monsoon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Monsoon.
Joakim Gustafsson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gustafsson is trying to control Monsoon's posture but Monsoon avoids it.
Gustafsson prevents Monsoon from improving position.

Monsoon wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gustafsson, who protects the arm well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
I wouldn't like to be where Gustafsson is right now.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jack Monsoon.
Well Gustafsson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joakim Gustafsson!