PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Meinrad Apfelbaum (ranked 4337 p4p, 4435 weight class) and Bas Rutten (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.

Apfelbaum
vs
Rutten

168 cm
25
220
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
206
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Meinrad Apfelbaum!
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, Bas Rutten!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Sandra Marshall and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Apfelbaum scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Apfelbaum pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Apfelbaum connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rutten. Rutten circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Apfelbaum connects with a nice looking jab.
Apfelbaum could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Apfelbaum missing with a left hand there. Rutten was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Apfelbaum scores with a nice strike.
Apfelbaum avoids a punch combination nicely.
Apfelbaum connects with a crisp jab.

Rutten bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Apfelbaum seems a little lost for a moment, as Rutten dominates the positioning.
Rutten trying to control the position but Apfelbaum is working away.
Apfelbaum knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rutten on the ground.
Apfelbaum is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Rutten is looking to take a break and control but Apfelbaum is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apfelbaum manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Apfelbaum seems to be looking for submissions.
Apfelbaum moves nicely into side control.
Rutten sneaks back into half guard.
Apfelbaum is trying to control. Rutten wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Apfelbaum prevents Rutten from standing back up.
Apfelbaum trying to pass the guard but Rutten defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rutten missing with punches from the bottom.
Apfelbaum looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Apfelbaum wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rutten keeps working.
Rutten manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rutten trying to control the position here.
Apfelbaum controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apfelbaum tries to stand but Rutten is controlling from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Meinrad Apfelbaum is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Apfelbaum thuds his right hand into Rutten's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Apfelbaum connects with a body shot.
Rutten looks winded!
Rutten tries to move into range but Apfelbaum moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Apfelbaum fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Apfelbaum throws a shot to the body.
Rutten takes a jab right on the kisser.

Rutten is rocked!
Apfelbaum lands an uppercut, right on the button! Rutten tumbles backwards into the cage, staring vacantly into space! He's got no idea where he is, who he is or what day it is... Poor guy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Meinrad Apfelbaum!
Our winner, Meinrad Apfelbaum, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.