PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jim Rafferty (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rex Apollo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Apollo comes into a darkened arena with his song building. My Bloody Valentine - Loomer kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rafferty
vs
Apollo

180 cm
22
193 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Fightwear
Hell's Balls Nutrition

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jim Rafferty!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rex Apollo!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Wagner Zegers and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rafferty throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rafferty.
Rafferty looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rafferty misses with a wild combination.
Apollo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rafferty sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Apollo misses with a wild body shot.
Rafferty circles away from the clinch attempt.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rafferty paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Apollo is looking to clinch but Rafferty is avoiding it.
Nice jab there from Apollo.
Rafferty looks to land a combination but Apollo avoids it well.
Apollo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rafferty misses with a double jab.
Rafferty ducks under a wild hook from Apollo.
Rafferty lands with a cross.
No joy there for Rafferty, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Apollo tests Rafferty's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Apollo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Apollo lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Rafferty sprawling to the canvas. Apollo follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Rafferty hang on?

Rafferty is rocked!

It looks like Jim Rafferty has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Apollo passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rafferty!
Oh Rafferty is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafferty trying desperately to get to his feet.
Rafferty seems to have got his legs back now.
Apollo looking to control but Rafferty is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rafferty is trying to stand up.
Rafferty on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rafferty tries to get out of the position.
Apollo controlling his opponent.
Rafferty is squirming around, avoiding Apollo's attempts to control the action.
Apollo working the ground and pound effectively.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Apollo trying to control but Rafferty is having none of it.
Apollo throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Rafferty in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollo sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Apollo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rafferty is looking to escape.
Rafferty takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Rafferty is squirming around, avoiding Apollo's attempts to control the action.
Rafferty squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Apollo lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Apollo lands a big elbow.
Rafferty avoids a series of strikes thrown by Apollo.
Rafferty trying desperately to get to his feet.
Rafferty is breathing heavily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rafferty wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Apollo.
Apollo in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollo thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Apollo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Apollo lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Rafferty hang on?
Apollo landing strikes, looking to finish!
Apollo throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Apollo trying to control but Rafferty is having none of it.
Apollo is landing with some decent strikes but Rafferty is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rafferty knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Apollo on the ground.
Rafferty is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Apollo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rafferty is looking to escape.
Rafferty is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollo working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The referee warns Rafferty that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Apollo won't let Rafferty get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Apollo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Apollo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rafferty is looking to escape.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Apollo cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Apollo landing strikes, looking to finish!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Apollo landing strikes, looking to finish!
Rafferty trying desperately to get to his feet.
The referee warns Rafferty that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Apollo lands a nice shot to the head.
Apollo putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Apollo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rafferty is looking to escape.
Apollo lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rex Apollo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jim Rafferty's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Apollo doesn't manage to clinch there - Rafferty circles away.
Apollo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Apollo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Apollo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rafferty sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Apollo somewhat.
Apollo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Apollo tries to clinch up but Rafferty circles away and keeps his distance.
Rafferty ducks right into an uppercut from Apollo.
Rafferty leaves Apollo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rafferty scores with a nice head shot.
Apollo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Apollo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Apollo dodges the punch combination from Rafferty.
Apollo throws a head kick but Rafferty moves out of range.
Good shot there by Rafferty.
Rafferty throws a right hand that Apollo ducks under and follows up with a left that Apollo also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Apollo moves in looking to clinch but Rafferty pushes him off.
Rex Apollo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Apollo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rafferty but Rafferty pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jim Rafferty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rex Apollo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rafferty swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rafferty swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Apollo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Apollo misses with a takedown attempt - Rafferty sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rafferty misses with a body kick.
Rafferty throws a series of strikes that have Apollo backpedaling.
Some wild striking there from Rafferty.
Jim Rafferty is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Apollo moves in looking to clinch but Rafferty pushes him off.
Apollo wants to clinch up but Rafferty keeps it at a distance.
Apollo tries to clinch but Rafferty moves out of range.
Rafferty staying out of range there.
A punch combination from Rafferty misses.
Apollo tries to clinch up but Rafferty circles away and keeps his distance.
Apollo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rafferty but Rafferty pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rafferty defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Apollo.
Apollo tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollo is looking to clinch.
Jim Rafferty is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Apollo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Apollo is looking to clinch but Rafferty is avoiding it.
Apollo doesn't manage to clinch there - Rafferty circles away.
Rafferty misses with a double jab.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rafferty paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Apollo misses with a hook. Rafferty ducked under it nicely.
Rafferty avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch but Rafferty swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rafferty takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rafferty swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rafferty paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rafferty swats away the attempt to clinch by Apollo.
Apollo lands a really nice looking cross but Rafferty seems unphased.
Rafferty misses with a double jab
and Apollo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rafferty looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Apollo tries to clinch up but Rafferty circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Apollo lands.
Apollo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Apollo tries to clinch there but Rafferty circles away.
Apollo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Apollo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Apollo wants to clinch.
Rafferty rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Apollo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Apollo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rafferty as he jumps to the side.
Apollo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rafferty circles away.
Apollo fails with the takedown.
Rafferty rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Apollo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Apollo shoots in looking for a takedown. Rafferty tries to sprawl out of it but Apollo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rafferty manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Apollo wants to clinch.
Rafferty has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rafferty there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollo scores with a body shot.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rafferty swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rafferty swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Apollo doesn't manage to clinch there - Rafferty circles away.
Apollo wants to clinch.
Apollo wants to clinch.
Apollo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rafferty moves away.
Apollo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rafferty. Rafferty circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch but Rafferty swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rafferty misses with a series of wild punches.
Apollo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rex Apollo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jim Rafferty'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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Apollo is looking to clinch but Rafferty is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Apollo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rafferty lands a nice looking body shot.
Rafferty looks to land a combination but Apollo avoids it well.
Apollo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rafferty paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Apollo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rafferty swivels and escapes.
Rafferty keeps the fight on the outside.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rafferty swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Apollo tries to clinch up.
Rafferty misses with a jab, cross combination.
Apollo moves in looking to clinch but Rafferty pushes him off.
Apollo might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rafferty throws a nice looking combination but Apollo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Apollo tries to clinch there but Rafferty circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Apollo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Apollo dives in and grabs Rafferty's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rafferty pushes down on Apollo's head and hops out.
Apollo is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apollo is looking to clinch.
Rafferty displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Apollo tries to clinch but Rafferty moves out of range.
Rafferty motions for Apollo to come forward. Rafferty throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Apollo shoots in for a takedown but Rafferty shows good takedown defense.
Jim Rafferty has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rex Apollo.
Rafferty closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rafferty throws a right and a left that both miss.
Apollo tries to clinch but Rafferty moves out of range.
Apollo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Apollo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rafferty swats away the attempt to clinch by Apollo.
Apollo takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Apollo doesn't manage to clinch there - Rafferty circles away.
Apollo has a takedown stuffed.
Apollo fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Apollo tries to clinch but Rafferty is having none of it.
Rafferty looks to land a combination but Apollo avoids it well.
Rafferty fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Apollo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Apollo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Apollo or perhaps it was just good defense by Rafferty which made him look bad.
Rafferty throws a combination. Apollo tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Apollo slips under a jab from Rafferty.
Rafferty moves forwards but Apollo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Apollo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rafferty sprawls well. Rafferty wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Apollo gets slowly back to his feet.
Rafferty lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rafferty swats away the attempt to clinch by Apollo.
Apollo throws a combination. Rafferty tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rafferty throws a nice looking combination but Apollo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollo misses with a head kick.
Apollo lands with an uppercut that bounces Rafferty off the cage and back into rage.
Rafferty circles away from the clinch attempt.
Apollo lands an overhand right.
Apollo tries to clinch up.
Apollo catches Rafferty with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rafferty keeps the fight on the outside.
Apollo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rafferty defends it nicely.
Apollo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rafferty misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rafferty takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rafferty paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Apollo is looking to clinch.
Rafferty avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Apollo wants to clinch up but Rafferty keeps it at a distance.
Apollo is looking to clinch.

That's four 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.
Apollo wants to clinch.
Apollo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rafferty was well out of range. Poor timing from Apollo.
Apollo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Apollo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rafferty pinned against the cage. Rafferty gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jim Rafferty has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rafferty keeps the fight on the outside.
Apollo tries to clinch up but Rafferty circles away and keeps his distance.
Apollo is looking to clinch but Rafferty is avoiding it.
Rafferty gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rafferty keeps the fight on the outside.
Apollo tries to clinch up.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Apollo checks a leg kick nicely.
Apollo slips a jab from Rafferty.
Apollo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rex Apollo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Apollo looks for a takedown but Rafferty sprawls well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rex Apollo.
Well Apollo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 26:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rex Apollo!