PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between DJ Apollo (ranked 2662 p4p, 253 weight class) and Elijah David (ranked 3240 p4p, 307 weight class). DJ Apollo has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Apollo
vs
David

183 cm
24
169 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

167 cm
26
165 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, DJ Apollo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Elijah David!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Daniel Bishop and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
David throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
David keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Apollo shoots in and bounces David off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Apollo won't allow David to sweep him here.
Apollo trying to move into half guard but instead David has managed to sweep!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
David won't allow Apollo to sweep him here.
David lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David trying to control but Apollo is working from the bottom.
Apollo looking to control.
Apollo 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.
David is working Apollo over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
David works over Apollo with some ground and pound from guard.
David trying to control the position from guard on top but Apollo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
David with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Apollo is controlling David's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
David won't allow Apollo to sweep him here.
David missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
David wants to control from the top but Apollo keeps moving.
David must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Apollo controlling the position.
Apollo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Apollo controlling David's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
David throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
David scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
David misses with the combination.
David connects with a single shot there.
A telegraphed right hand from David misses the target.
A swing and a miss from David.
David thuds his shin into the meat of Apollo's side.
David fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Apollo on the side of the head.
Apollo tries to score a power double leg takedown but David sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Apollo somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

David gets caught flat footed, as Apollo shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
David bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Apollo's guard.

Apollo is trying to control the position but David postures up.
Apollo keeping moving, preventing David from controlling successfully.

Apollo working for a triangle but David defends it easily.
David stays in close to Apollo's body and controls the position.
Apollo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Apollo trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in David's guard.

Apollo trying to control but David is working from the bottom.
Apollo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Apollo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
David looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Apollo wants to control from the top but David keeps moving.
Apollo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
David is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

David thows a huge punch but Apollo dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah David dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Apollo dives in and grabs David's left leg, looking for a takedown. David pushes down on Apollo's head and hops out.
Apollo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from David.
DJ Apollo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
David takes a swing at Apollo's ribcage but misses.
Apollo checks a leg kick nicely.
David has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Apollo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
David wants to get back to full guard.
Apollo is trying to control. David wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Apollo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Apollo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
David is refusing to be controlled, as Apollo sits in half guard.

Apollo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but David sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Apollo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, David has managed to free his arm - good work.
Apollo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but David does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Apollo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but David sees it coming and defends easily.
Apollo moves into full mount! David won't be happy about that!
Apollo tries to control but David wriggling away.
David really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollo wants to control the pace but David is squirming around nicely.

Apollo swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and David is now in Apollo's guard. A big mistake from Apollo there, giving up the dominant position!
Apollo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
DJ Apollo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Apollo trying to control the position here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw David working his ground and pound in the gym.

Apollo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. David doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. David manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Apollo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David trying to control the position from guard on top but Apollo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
David preventing the sweep.
David trying to control but Apollo is working from the bottom.
Apollo looking to hit a scissor sweep but David is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
David controlling from the top position.
Apollo is adopting a defensive guard.
Apollo continues to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
David stopping the sweep attempt from Apollo.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
David is looking to work some ground and pound but Apollo has wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Apollo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Apollo darts in looking for a takedown but David gets double underhooks and turns Apollo into the cage.
Apollo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ Apollo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Apollo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
David is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Apollo wants to lay and pray for a moment but David keeps working.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that DJ Apollo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Apollo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around David's waist but David gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Apollo off to one side.
David is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Apollo takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Elijah David seems to be getting the better of the standup.
David wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Apollo closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Apollo lands in his opponent's guard.
Apollo trying to control the position from guard on top but David is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Apollo tries to free his leg and advance position but David is retaining full guard.
Apollo is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
David keeping moving, preventing Apollo from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as David holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Apollo's guard.

Apollo is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
David is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Apollo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Apollo working a defensive guard here.
David throws an elbow that misses. Apollo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in David's guard. Nice move by Apollo!

Apollo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Apollo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David 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.
Apollo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. David is keeping the position for now.
David keeping moving, preventing Apollo from controlling successfully.
Apollo controlling from the top position.
Apollo looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David 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.
Apollo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. David swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A big left from David misses.
Apollo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
David throws a body punch but Apollo moves out of range.
David scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Apollo doesn't seem bothered though.

David has closed the distance and engaged Apollo in a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, David just misses with a elbow thrown towards Apollo's brow.
Apollo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. David fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ Apollo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
David fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Apollo.
Apollo walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and David duly obliges.
David throws a nice inside leg kick.

Apollo fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. David sprawls well initially but Apollo persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Apollo tries to pass to full mount but David defends it.
David tries to get to full guard but Apollo has control of the leg.

Apollo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. David doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Apollo.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Apollo wants to take a breather but David is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elijah David comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think David has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elijah David!