PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johan Apanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Rajkovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rajkovic has chosen as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. This should be fireworks!

Apanson
vs
Rajkovic

190 cm
23
195 lbs
8 - 2 - 1

187 cm
25
198 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Johan Apanson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Rajkovic!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rajkovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Apanson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The crowd cheers as Rajkovic lands an impressive looking overhand right. Apanson doesn't seem phased though.
Rajkovic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Apanson is out of range and Rajkovic settles back down.
Apanson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A low kick from Apanson is predictable there
and Rajkovic counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
A head kick by Rajkovic misses
and Apanson counters with a good low kick that Rajkovic was not able to check.
Apanson fails with a takedown attempt.
Apanson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rajkovic digs a good body shot into Apanson's ribs.
Apanson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Apanson fails with a takedown attempt.
Rajkovic takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apanson is looking to chop away at Rajkovic's legs.
A cross from Apanson lands.
Both fighters circling a little - Rajkovic finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Apanson throws a good cross that connects.
Rajkovic avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Apanson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Apanson gets a takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rajkovic is looking for a sweep. Apanson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apanson trying to mount his opponent but Rajkovic defends it.
Apanson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rajkovic is controlling Apanson's trapped leg to prevent Apanson from advancing to side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Apanson trying to mount his opponent but Rajkovic defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rajkovic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Apanson.
Apanson is pressing down on Rajkovic's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rajkovic is holding on for now.
Apanson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Apanson is working for a submission of some sort.
Apanson throwing shots but Rajkovic is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Apanson there.
Rajkovic tries to get to full guard but Apanson has control of the leg.
Apanson trying to control the action but Rajkovic is working from the bottom.
Rajkovic is trying to control but Apanson passes into side control!
Rajkovic tries to buck Apanson off but Apanson is having none of it.
Apanson working the ground and pound from side control.
Apanson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Apanson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rajkovic sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apanson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Apanson working the ground and pound effectively.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Apanson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Apanson throwing strikes here but Rajkovic is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rajkovic is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Apanson landing strikes from the mount and Rajkovic is in trouble!
Apanson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Apanson with good strikes from the mount here!
Rajkovic wants to control but Apanson is having none of it.
Apanson misses with a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice shot by Apanson.
Alexander Rajkovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Apanson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rajkovic.
Some bone on bone action there as Rajkovic checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Apanson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rajkovic.
A jab from Rajkovic misses.
Apanson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rajkovic throws a jab when Apanson was well out of range.
Apanson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rajkovic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Apanson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rajkovic has time to react.
Rajkovic motions for Apanson to come forward. Rajkovic throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rajkovic looks to land a right hand but Apanson moved out of range.
Rajkovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apanson slips under a jab.
Johan Apanson is winning the standup battle so far.
Apanson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Apanson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Apanson throws the kick towards the body but Rajkovic avoids it.
Rajkovic checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rajkovic connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Apanson avoids the head kick by Rajkovic.
Apanson catches Rajkovic with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rajkovic throws a shot from downtown. Apanson moves away and avoids it.
Apanson throws a right and a left that Rajkovic avoids nicely.
Rajkovic scores with a jab to the body.
Apanson circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apanson lands a leg kick that knocks Rajkovic off balance momentarily.
Rajkovic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Apanson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rajkovic. Apanson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rajkovic cracks Apanson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rajkovic scores with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rajkovic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Apanson.
Apanson scores with a hook.
Rajkovic throws a shot from downtown. Apanson moves away and avoids it.
Apanson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rajkovic tries to clinch but Apanson is having none of it.
Rajkovic misses with a hook.
Apanson motions for Rajkovic to come forward. Apanson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajkovic takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A thudding body kick lands there by Apanson!
Rajkovic is looking to score with low kicks.
Apanson looks for a takedown but Rajkovic sprawls well.
Apanson moves out of range of the leg kick from Rajkovic.
Apanson thows a body shot but no joy.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rajkovic checks a leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Apanson misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Apanson blocks the leg kick.
Rajkovic finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rajkovic explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apanson misses the jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rajkovic.
Rajkovic walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Apanson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rajkovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rajkovic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Apanson counters with a nice body kick.
Apanson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rajkovic to score with a decent uppercut.
Apanson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rajkovic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Apanson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rajkovic scores with a push kick.
Rajkovic misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Rajkovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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 solid leg kick lands there for Rajkovic.
Apanson throws a sloppy head kick and Rajkovic moves out of range easily.
Apanson looks to land a left hand but Rajkovic moved out of range nicely.
Apanson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rajkovic.
Rajkovic misses with an uppercut.
Rajkovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A good leg kick by Rajkovic.
Rajkovic closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rajkovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rajkovic moves forwards but Apanson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rajkovic misses with a low kick.
Apanson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rajkovic checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apanson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rajkovic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Apanson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rajkovic throws a lazy head kick
and Apanson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice uppercut there from Rajkovic.
Apanson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Good exchange - Rajkovic coming out on top.
Apanson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rajkovic checks a low kick from Apanson.
Rajkovic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Apanson.
Apanson scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apanson with a nice cross.
Apanson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rajkovic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Apanson somewhat.
Rajkovic misses with a wild body shot.
Alexander Rajkovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rajkovic throws a leg kick but Apanson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rajkovic misses with an uppercut.
Some bone on bone action there as Apanson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Apanson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Apanson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The referee warns Rajkovic that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Apanson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apanson throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rajkovic because Apanson loaded up on that one.
Apanson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rajkovic is looking to escape.
Apanson with good strikes from the mount here!
Rajkovic is bucking up trying to escape but Apanson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Apanson lands a heavy elbow.
Johan Apanson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Apanson thowing shots but they're missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Apanson is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Rajkovic can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Apanson punching from mount but Rajkovic doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Apanson looking to finish with strikes here!
Apanson has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rajkovic's face.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rajkovic is desperately trying to improve his position but Apanson has a good base and remains in mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Apanson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Apanson working Rajkovic over with strikes here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Apanson clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Apanson feints and then cracks Rajkovic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rajkovic down.
Apanson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rajkovic.
Apanson scores with a leg kick.
A jab from Rajkovic misses.
Apanson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Apanson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Apanson blocks a head kick by Rajkovic.
Rajkovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Apanson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rajkovic lands with a straight right. Apanson didn't see that one coming.
Rajkovic misses with a shot to the body
and Apanson counters with a thumping low kick.
Apanson delivers a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rajkovic cracks Apanson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rajkovic takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rajkovic moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rajkovic is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Apanson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rajkovic tries to avoid it but Apanson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rajkovic to the ground. Rajkovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Apanson throws the left hand but Rajkovic avoids the punch easily.
Apanson fails with a takedown attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Apanson.
Rajkovic misses with a kick to the body
and Apanson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Rajkovic looks to throw the jab but Apanson is out of range.
Apanson staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rajkovic throws a hook but Apanson blocks it.
Rajkovic throws a lazy uppercut
and Apanson makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Rajkovic really felt that one!
Apanson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rajkovic as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johan Apanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Apanson swings for the body but Rajkovic moves out of range.
Apanson digs a good hook to Rajkovic's body.
Apanson misses the shot to the body.
Apanson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good work by Rajkovic as he checks the leg kick.
Rajkovic throws a push kick but Apanson slaps the foot to one side.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Apanson checks a leg kick.
Rajkovic wants to slow Apanson down by chopping away at his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajkovic misses with a lunging right hand
and Apanson counters with a good low kick that Rajkovic was not able to check.
Apanson jabs at Rajkovic's body.
Apanson defending well as Rajkovic loads up on a big left hand.
Apanson keeps the fight on the outside.
Apanson walks into a stiff left hand from Rajkovic.
Rajkovic takes a swing at Apanson's ribcage but misses.
A punch lands to the side of Rajkovic 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice defenses there by Rajkovic.
Apanson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rajkovic.
Rajkovic throws a head kick that misses.
Apanson checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apanson fails with a takedown attempt.
Rajkovic throws the kick towards the body but Apanson avoids it.
Apanson misses with a body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Apanson.
Apanson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rajkovic moves away.
Rajkovic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Apanson.
Rajkovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Apanson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rajkovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Apanson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Johan Apanson will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Apanson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Rajkovic has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rajkovic there as he acknowledges the shot.
Apanson throws a leg kick
and Rajkovic counters with a right hand to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Apanson.
A head kick by Rajkovic misses
and Apanson counters with a thumping low kick.
Rajkovic misses with a body shot.
Apanson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Apanson throws a chopping leg kick but Rajkovic manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Apanson fails with a takedown attempt.
Rajkovic throws a jab when Apanson was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rajkovic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Apanson momentarily.
Apanson lands with a cross.
Apanson moves out of range as Rajkovic strikes.
Apanson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Apanson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rajkovic throws out the jab.
Rajkovic scores with a punch to the head.
Apanson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rajkovic is out of range.
Apanson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rajkovic throws a leg kick but Apanson checks it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Apanson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Rajkovic has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rajkovic and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Apanson swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apanson shoots in for a double leg but Rajkovic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
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.
Rajkovic avoids the body shot from Apanson.
Rajkovic's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Rajkovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rajkovic lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A slow jab from Rajkovic misses its intended target.
Rajkovic throws a jab when Apanson was well out of range.
Rajkovic wants to land a leg kick but Apanson is out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick from Apanson misses
and Rajkovic counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rajkovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Apanson tries a head kick but it misses.
Rajkovic throws an overhand right that lands on Apanson's shoulder, as Apanson tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apanson throws the kick towards the body but Rajkovic avoids it.
Rajkovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Apanson manages to avoid it.
Rajkovic throws a head kick that misses.
Apanson dives in and grabs Rajkovic's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rajkovic pushes down on Apanson's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johan Apanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rajkovic fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Alexander Rajkovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Apanson motions for Rajkovic to come forward. Apanson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rajkovic tries to clinch but Apanson is having none of it.
Rajkovic throws a good cross that connects.
A clash of legs there as Rajkovic blocks the low kick.
Rajkovic looks to throw the jab but Apanson is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rajkovic will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rajkovic throws a leg kick but Apanson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rajkovic scores with a head kick. Apanson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Apanson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Apanson blocks a low kick nicely.
Apanson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rajkovic has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Apanson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An inside leg kick lands from Apanson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rajkovic tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Apanson is able to avoid easily.
Rajkovic swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Johan Apanson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rajkovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Apanson circles away quickly and effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Rajkovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Apanson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 48:47
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Johan Apanson!
Johan Apanson retains his middleweight title!