PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bartolomeo Longo (ranked 4809 p4p, 4924 weight class) and Joao Apolinario (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Longo
vs
Apolinario

175 cm
25
175
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
180
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bartolomeo Longo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joao Apolinario!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Sandra Marshall and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Longo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Apolinario is trying to defend but Longo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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.
Longo is looking to advance position but Apolinario won't allow it.

Longo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Apolinario has managed to free his arm - good work.

Apolinario looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Longo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Apolinario doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Longo.
Apolinario tries to get to full guard but Longo has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Longo wants to free his trapped foot but Apolinario is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Apolinario looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Apolinario looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Apolinario trying to hold on to Longo's head to control him but Longo postures up.

Apolinario looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Apolinario wants to get back to full guard.
Longo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Apolinario is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Apolinario actively working from the bottom here.
Longo passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Apolinario!
Apolinario is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Apolinario bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Longo keeping full guard, as Apolinario tries to pass.
Apolinario trying to control the position from guard on top but Longo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Longo wants to sweep but no luck.
Apolinario showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Apolinario pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Longo is keeping the position for now.
Apolinario trying to control the position from guard on top but Longo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Apolinario stays in close to Longo's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Apolinario trying to control the position from guard on top but Longo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Longo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Apolinario tries to free his leg and advance position but Longo is retaining full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Joao Apolinario seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Apolinario closes the distance and clinches.

Apolinario decides to pull guard.

Longo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joao Apolinario will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Apolinario gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Longo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Longo trying to control but Apolinario is working from the bottom.
Apolinario looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Apolinario can't keep his opponent in guard - Longo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Longo prevents Apolinario from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Apolinario looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Longo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apolinario trying to hold on to Longo's head to control him but Longo postures up.
Longo works his foot free and advances to mount.
Longo pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Apolinario is desperately trying to improve his position but Longo has a good base and remains in mount.
Apolinario is still trying to improve position.
Apolinario is squirming around, avoiding Longo's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apolinario is controlling an arm, preventing Longo from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Apolinario bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Apolinario trying to control the position from guard on top but Longo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Apolinario trying to move into half guard but instead Longo has managed to sweep!

Longo trying to control the position from guard on top but Apolinario is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Apolinario is trying to control the position but Longo postures up.

Apolinario is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Longo defends well.
Longo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apolinario can't keep his opponent in guard - Longo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Apolinario is pressing down on Longo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Longo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Apolinario looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Longo is pushing down on Apolinario's leg trying to pass to half guard. Apolinario is fighting to maintain full guard but Longo has managed to sneak the leg through.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Apolinario actively working from the bottom here.
Apolinario is trying to control but can't.

Apolinario looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Apolinario looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Apolinario looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Longo is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Longo fails to advance to Apolinario's back.
Apolinario is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Longo is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Apolinario can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Apolinario tries to reverse the position but Longo maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bartolomeo Longo dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Apolinario does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Joao Apolinario is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Apolinario moves into the clinch.

Apolinario has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Longo uses from the top position.
Apolinario tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Longo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Apolinario has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Longo has managed to get both his arms back between Apolinario's legs - danger averted.

Apolinario looking for a guillotine here but Longo defends easily.
Longo trying to control but Apolinario is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Longo advances to half guard.
Longo wants to pass the guard but Apolinario is defending well.

Apolinario actively working from the bottom here.
Longo trying to pass the guard but Apolinario defending well.

Apolinario actively working from the bottom here.

Apolinario looking for submissions off his back.
Apolinario takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Apolinario is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Longo pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Longo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Apolinario knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Apolinario is doing well to control the position and prevent Longo from advancing to side control.
Longo is pressing down on Apolinario's thigh, looking to free his foot. Apolinario is holding on for now.
Apolinario is in trouble now - Longo has advanced to mount!
Longo is looking to work his way around to Apolinario's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Apolinario is trying desperately to improve position.
Longo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Apolinario is looking to escape.
Apolinario tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Longo is looking to work his way around to Apolinario's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Longo is working hard here to advance position.
Apolinario is looking to improve his position but Longo isn't that keen on the idea.
Longo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Apolinario manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Apolinario manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Longo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Apolinario is keeping the position for now.
Apolinario is trying to control the position but Longo postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Longo won't allow Apolinario to sweep him here.

Longo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Longo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Apolinario is keeping the position for now.

Apolinario throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Apolinario is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Longo defends well.
Longo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Apolinario's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Apolinario actively working from the bottom here.

Longo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Apolinario has managed to free his arm - good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joao Apolinario.
I think Apolinario 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Joao Apolinario!