PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dace Killian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hofniel Apollyon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Killian comes to the cage accompanied by Bare & Mark Instinct - Murder Machine (ft. Dieselboy) . The crowd seem to be enjoying Apollyon's choice of entrance music: 2pac-Tupac Heaven Ain't Hard 2 Find. Dace Killian has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Killian
vs
Apollyon

180 cm
35
194 lbs
23 - 9 - 0

191 cm
34
193 lbs
23 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dace Killian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hofniel Apollyon!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Killian shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Killian showed some decent athleticism there.
Apollyon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Killian.
Apollyon wants to control the action here but instead Killian manages to pass to full mount!
Apollyon avoids a series of strikes thrown by Killian.
Killian pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Apollyon manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by Apollyon, under a barage of strikes from Killian.
Killian stalling away here and it's allowed Apollyon to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Apollyon is on top in guard.
Killian not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Killian wants to control the position but Apollyon says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Apollyon stalling.
Killian might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Killian keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Apollyon slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Killian tries to roll over but Apollyon keeps him under control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Killian goes for a double leg but Apollyon avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Apollyon continues to drive forward.
Apollyon has had enough of the clinch but Killian keeps him there for the moment.
Apollyon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Killian tries for a takedown. No joy.
Apollyon gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Killian.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dace Killian. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Killian changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Apollyon fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Killian fails with a takedown attempt.
Apollyon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Apollyon wants it to stay on the feet.
Hofniel Apollyon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Apollyon swings away with a body shot that misses

and Killian counters by moving into the clinch.
Apollyon prevents a takedown attempt there.
Apollyon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Killian looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Apollyon lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Apollyon lands a left hand.

Apollyon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollyon misses with a two punch combination.
Killian shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Apollyon counters with a good low kick that Killian was not able to check.
A punch lands to the side of Killian 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Apollyon turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Apollyon throws a body punch but Killian moves out of range.
A combination from Killian does no damage.
Apollyon stuffs the takedown attempt from Killian. Killian gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Killian shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Killian takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Apollyon tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Apollyon lands a leg kick that knocks Killian off balance momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hofniel Apollyon will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Apollyon misses with a body shot.
Apollyon scores with a shot to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Killian.
Apollyon throws a lazy head kick
and Killian cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Killian shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Apollyon makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A head kick from Apollyon lands but Killian takes it in his stride.

It looks like Dace Killian has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Killian with a poor takedown
and Apollyon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dace Killian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Apollyon misses the jab.
Killian checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A head kick misses from Killian.
Killian with a poor takedown
and Apollyon counters with a thumping low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apollyon scores with a kick to the body.
Apollyon throws a wild body kick that Killian sees coming a mile off.
No luck for Killian with that takedown attempt.
Apollyon goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Killian decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Killian thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Killian not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Killian trying to control from Apollyon's half guard. Apollyon has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Apollyon avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollyon pulls Killian in close to prevent any damage.
Apollyon controls Killian momentarily but Killian frees himself.
Apollyon has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Killian trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Apollyon manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Apollyon not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Hofniel Apollyon hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Killian shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Apollyon throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Killian shoots in and drives through. Apollyon sprawls well.
Hofniel Apollyon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Killian is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Apollyon.
Apollyon throws a low kick but Killian avoids it.
Apollyon lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Killian tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Killian shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Apollyon is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Killian's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Killian's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollyon biding his time, controlling Killian.
Apollyon tries to keep control of the position but Killian is staying busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Apollyon is riding his opponent, not letting Killian buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hofniel Apollyon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dace Killian's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Killian fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Apollyon avoids it really well and circles away.
Apollyon stalks Killian and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Killian's face. Killian staggers backwards, shaken.
Apollyon tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Killian is able to avoid easily.
Killian misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Apollyon scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Killian checks the leg kick nicely there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Apollyon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Killian avoids the head kick by Apollyon.
Killian throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Apollyon's waist but Apollyon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Killian off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dace Killian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Apollyon connects with an inside leg kick.
Apollyon scores with a head kick.
Killian shoots in for a takedown but Apollyon shows good takedown defense.
Killian goes for a double leg but Apollyon avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Apollyon continues to drive forward.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Killian is looking for a takedown.
A nice left hand lands by Apollyon.
Killian drops down looking for an ankle pick but Apollyon pulls his leg out and moves away.
Good leg kick by Apollyon there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollyon feints a jab promting Killian to slip. Apollyon then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Killian slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Apollyon with a hook.

Killian is rocked!
Killian scores with a decent looking hook.
Jab, jab by Apollyon - just one landing.
Oh Killian is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A nice inside leg kick there by Apollyon. That's going to slow Killian down.
Apollyon is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Apollyon stuffs the takedown attempt from Killian. Killian gets slowly back to his feet.
Apollyon stuffs the takedown attempt from Killian. Killian gets slowly back to his feet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Apollyon.
Killian seems to have got his legs back now.
Apollyon connects with a leg kick. Killian looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Apollyon dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Killian. That did some damage!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollyon lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Killian shoots in but Apollyon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Apollyon looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Apollyon feints and then cracks Killian's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Killian down.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Apollyon, as that shot connected.
Apollyon throws a head kick that misses.
Apollyon lands with a thumping leg kick.
Killian is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Apollyon feints and then cracks Killian's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Killian down.
Jab, jab by Apollyon - just one landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Killian is trying hard to land a takedown here. Apollyon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollyon lands a nice leg kick that just misses Killian's sensitive parts.
Apollyon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Killian throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Apollyon's waist but Apollyon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Killian off to one side.
Apollyon throws a body kick that misses.
Killian takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Apollyon connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Killian momentarily.

Apollyon gets caught flat footed, as Killian shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Apollyon is on top in guard.
Apollyon stands and throws Killian's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Dace Killian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Apollyon slows the pace down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hofniel Apollyon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Apollyon 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hofniel Apollyon!
After winning the bout, Hofniel Apollyon thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.