PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harold Fantastic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antti Apina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harold Fantastic has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fantastic
vs
Apina

188 cm
18
204 lbs
1 - 4 - 1

180 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Likes ground

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 1 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Harold Fantastic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Apina!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Apina.
Fantastic throws a head kick but Apina moves out of range.
Harold Fantastic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Apina tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Fantastic gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Apina tries to free his leg and advance position but Fantastic is retaining full guard.
Fantastic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Apina is controlling him.
Apina throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fantastic throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Apina stands up from Fantastic's guard - Apina perhaps looking for a knockout.

Apina looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Apina is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantastic is staying active underneath Apina, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fantastic tries to roll over but Apina keeps him under control.
Fantastic wants to get back to his feet.
Apina controlling the action here.

That's two 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.

Apina decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Fantastic shoots for a double leg takedown but Apina sprawls well. He's pushed Fantastic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fantastic is breathing heavily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Apina darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Apina is looking to clinch.

Apina looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Fantastic!
Fantastic is squirming around, avoiding Apina's attempts to control the action.

Fantastic somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Apina shoots in and bounces Fantastic off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Apina won't allow Fantastic to sweep him here.

Apina decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Fantastic with a lazy takedown attempt

and Apina counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Apina.
Apina prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Fantastic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The is referee keeping an eye on Apina - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Fantastic wants a takedown but no success here.
Apina stops a takedown attempt from Fantastic.
Fantastic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fantastic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Apina pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Fantastic changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Apina fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Apina counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Apina is looking to take a break and control but Fantastic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Apina decides to take the fight back to the feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Fantastic misses with a combination

so Apina counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Apina trying to control the position from guard on top but Fantastic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Fantastic pushes Apina off and gets back to his feet.
Apina closes the distance and clinches up with Fantastic, looking for a takedown. Apina pushes Fantastic against the cage but Fantastic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fantastic closes the distance looking to clinch
and Apina counters with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Apina dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fantastic has his takedown stuffed

and Apina counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Apina's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Apina wants to pass to mount but Fantastic is defending the position.
Fantastic is refusing to be controlled, as Apina sits in half guard.
Fantastic is looking to escape.
Apina blocks the strikes from Fantastic.
Fantastic is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Apina is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fantastic wants to clinch.
Fantastic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fantastic is looking to clinch but Apina is avoiding it.

Fantastic closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Apina to the mat! Apina manages to get full guard.
Fantastic with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fantastic tries to stand but Apina is controlling from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Apina is on top in guard.
Apina prevents Fantastic from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Fantastic is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Apina takes an elbow to the temple.
Apina blocks a body shot from Fantastic.
Fantastic lands a nice knee to the body.
Fantastic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Apina pulls his leg out and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fantastic misses with a knee to the head.
Apina has Fantastic pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fantastic manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Apina takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Fantastic trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Apina gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Fantastic. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Apina ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Apina no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Apina trying to control the position.

Apina escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fantastic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Apina pulls Fantastic in to control the position.

Fantastic stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Fantastic gets a clinch.
Apina is pressed up against the cage. Fantastic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Apina down to the mat. Apina avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Apina darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Apina stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Apina counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Fantastic is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Apina closes the distance but Fantastic moves to the side

and Fantastic counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fantastic.
Fantastic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Apina prevents it.
Fantastic is working for takedown but Apina is calmly controlling the position for now.
Fantastic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fantastic with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Apina gets underhooks to prevent Fantastic's takedown attempt.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Fantastic.
Fantastic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Apina prevents it.
Fantastic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fantastic has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Apina avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Apina tries to pull guard but Fantastic won't allow it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fantastic tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Apina showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Fantastic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Apina darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Fantastic has one foot on Apina's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Fantastic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Fantastic clinches up with Apina and pushes him back against the cage.
Apina takes a knee right on the jaw!

Fantastic has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Apina is trying to keep an underhook but Fantastic manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Apina wants to improve his position but Fantastic is controlling well.
Apina on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Apina is rocked!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Fantastic escapes and gets back to his feet.

Fantastic closes the distance and clinches.
Fantastic has Apina pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Apina manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Apina is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Apina takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Apina pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apina prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harold Fantastic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Fantastic is working for takedown but Apina is calmly controlling the position for now.
Apina misses with a punch to the body.
Fantastic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Apina pulls his leg out and moves away.

Apina moves into the clinch successfully.
Fantastic looking for a takedown.
Fantastic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Apina pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Fantastic looking for a takedown.
Fantastic crunches a lovely knee into Apina's ribcage.
Apina gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fantastic.
Fantastic wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Apina ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Apina no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Fantastic stops Apina from standing up.

Apina has his feet on Fantastic's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Fantastic tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Apina counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Apina.
Fantastic looking for a takedown.
Fantastic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Apina gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Apina looking to slow down the pace here.
Fantastic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Apina has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Knees in the clinch landing for Fantastic.
Fantastic connects with a knee to the head.
Fantastic tries for a takedown but Apina manages to get underhooks.
Fantastic using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Apina makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Apina gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fantastic.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Apina fails to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic can't get the takedown.
Fantastic wants a takedown.
Apina trying to stall but Fantastic improves his position.
Fantastic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fantastic blocks an uppercut.
Apina avoiding damage as Fantastic throws knees to the body.
Fantastic throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fantastic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Apina pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Fantastic tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fantastic tries for a takedown but Apina manages to get underhooks.
Apina prevents a takedown attempt there.
Fantastic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Apina prevents it.
Apina wants a takedown but no success here.
Apina tries to pull guard but Fantastic holds him up against the cage and eventually Apina drops back down to his feet.
Fantastic has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Apina is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apina stops a takedown attempt from Fantastic.
Apina gets underhooks to prevent Fantastic's takedown attempt.

Apina jumps guard.
Fantastic landing some decent shots from guard.
Fantastic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Apina is still in real trouble! Can Fantastic finish him?

Fantastic stands up and waves to Apina to follow him.
Apina seems to have recovered his senses.
Fantastic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fantastic wants to clinch
and Apina counters with a head kick.
Harold Fantastic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Fantastic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Apina, pushing him back against the cage.
Apina takes an elbow to the forehead.
Antti Apina seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fantastic tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

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 Harold Fantastic.
Well Apina 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Apina!