PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oliver Apist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robert Crawford has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Crawford
vs
Apist

225 cm
24
300 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

190 cm
18
300 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Good kicks
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Robert Crawford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Oliver Apist!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Apist gets a clinch.
Crawford is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Apist to keep the fight standing.

Crawford decides to pull guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Crawford pushes Apist off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Apist has closed the distance and engaged Crawford in a clinch.

Crawford pulls guard.

Crawford is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Crawford tries to pull guard but Apist won't allow it.

Apist gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Apist wanted to stand there but Crawford had control of the position.

Crawford scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Crawford misses with a double jab.

Apist clinches up against the cage.
Crawford tries to pull guard but Apist holds him up against the cage and eventually Crawford drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Crawford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Apist looking to throw knees to the head but Crawford is blocking nicely.
A frustrated look appears on Apist's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Crawford jumps guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crawford manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Crawford throws a series of punches but Apist moves out of range.

Apist moves into the clinch.
Apist lands an elbow just above Crawford 's eye.
Crawford tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Apist smiles and moves away.
Crawford misses with a jab, cross combination.

Apist has managed to clinch.
Crawford tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Crawford is breathing heavily.
Apist is trying to break the clinch but Crawford has him pressed against the cage.

Apist turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Crawford bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Apist misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Apist pushes Crawford up against the cage in a clinch.

Crawford drags the fight down to the ground.
Crawford has a closed guard, preventing Apist from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crawford pushes Apist off and gets back to his feet.
Crawford throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Crawford throws a right hand that Apist ducks under and follows up with a left that Apist also avoids with ease.

Apist clinches up with Crawford and pushes him back against the cage.
Apist is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Apist gets control of Crawford's arms and successfully pulls guard. Apist will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Apist is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Crawford is controlling him.

Apist is trying to stand and escape. In the scramble, Crawford has locked hold of an arm and he's managed to lock on an armbar - Apist taps out instantly and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Robert Crawford!