PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ville Apila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BJ Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Apila
vs
Penn

175 cm
22
150 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Coffee Shop (SALE!: Q144 for 15$)
Valhalla War Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ville Apila!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, BJ Penn!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Apila feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Apila throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Apila in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Apila trying to control the position from guard on top but Penn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Apila looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Apila throwing strikes from guard but Penn blocks nicely.
Apila stops Penn from standing up.
Apila thows a big elbow that misses.
Penn is trying to control the position but Apila postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Penn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn looks to throw the jab but Apila is out of range.
Penn throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
BJ Penn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Penn throws a hook to the side of Apila's head but Apila sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Penn gets caught flat footed, as Apila shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Penn is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Apila is controlling him.
Apila trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Apila has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Apila is working hard here to advance position.
Apila passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Apila looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Apila misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apila in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Penn wants to get back to his feet but Apila drags him back down.

Apila tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Apila has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Apila looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Apila in side control, throwing shots but Penn defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn struggling a bit here.
Apila prevents Penn from escaping the position.
Penn is working to avoid the ground and pound but Apila connects with a decent elbow.

Apila tries for a kimura but Penn is defending well.
Apila lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Penn down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apila throws a strike aimed at the side of Penn's head but Penn avoids it well.
Apila throws an elbow but Penn slips to the side and avoids it well.
Apila throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Apila thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Apila throws a strike aimed at the side of Penn's head but Penn avoids it well.
Penn avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Apila.
Penn really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Apila. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Apila creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Penn sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ville Apila dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Penn darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Apila.
Penn is looking for a sweep.

Apila tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Apila working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Penn's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Penn sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Apila working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Apila throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Penn is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Apila cracks Penn with a big elbow.
You can see the frustration on Penn's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ground and pound from Apila seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Penn can't do much from the bottom here.
Apila throws an elbow but Penn slips to the side and avoids it well.
Penn wants to get back to his feet but Apila drags him back down.
Apila throws a strike aimed at the side of Penn's head but Penn avoids it well.

Apila thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Apila throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Apila throws a shot from downtown. Penn moves away and avoids it.
BJ Penn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Apila walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Penn keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Penn misses with a looping right.
Penn looks to land a combination. Apila sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Penn throws a looping overhand right but Apila ducks down to avoid it.
Apila just misses with a punch to the body.
Apila pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Apila throws a body punch but Penn moves out of range.

Apila scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Apila sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Penn defending well though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Apila connects with a nice short shot to Penn's temple.
Apila throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Apila prevents Penn from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apila not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Apila is working for a submission of some sort.
Apila missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Apila not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Apila not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Penn wants to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Penn connects with a single shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ville Apila dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Penn on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Penn misses with a hook.
Apila slips a jab from Penn.
Penn works Apila's body with a nice hook.

Apila shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Apila passes Penn's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Apila winds up and cracks Penn with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Penn is looking to escape.
Ville Apila overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Apila not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Apila throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Apila works his foot free and advances to mount.
Penn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila with shots to the head and body - Penn looks very uncomfortable down there.
Apila looking to finish with strikes here!
BOOM! Apila connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Penn tries to hold on but Apila pushes him away.

Apila goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Penn is on top in guard.

Apila is looking for a triangle but Penn pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Apila is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Penn trying to control but Apila is working from the bottom.
Apila wants to sweep here but Penn controlling him for the moment.
Penn is looking to stand up but Apila won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Apila throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Apila striking off his back but it's not causing Penn any problems.
Apila trying to strike off his back.
Penn tries to free his leg and advance position but Apila is retaining full guard.
Apila wants to sweep here but Penn controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Penn is looking to stand up but Apila won't let him.
Apila lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Apila looking to hit a scissor sweep but Penn is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A telegraphed right hand from Penn misses the target.
Apila uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Penn.

Apila closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Apila lands in his opponent's guard.
Apila throws and elbow that misses. Penn uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Apila's guard. Nice move by Penn!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ville Apila clearly takes that 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.

Apila swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Penn throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Apila sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Apila drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Penn wants to stand up but Apila is controlling him.
Apila looking to pass the guard.
Penn wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Apila manages to pass to side control.

Apila is working for a kimura but Penn is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Apila looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Apila takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Penn gets full guard.
Apila loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Apila pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Penn is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Apila accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Apila throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Apila pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Penn is keeping the position for now.
Penn wants to stand and escape but Apila is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apila thows a big elbow that misses.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Apila misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Penn throws a right and a left that Apila avoids nicely.
Penn lands with a right hand.
Apila throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A combination from Penn does no damage.
Penn throws a big shot that misses.
Penn throws a jab but it's blocked by Apila.
Penn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Apila.

Apila looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Penn!

Apila is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Penn is surviving well by controlling Apila's body position as best he can.
Apila throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Penn because Apila loaded up on that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apila throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Apila unloads with some shots from mount but Penn bucks and avoids them well.
Apila misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Apila misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Penn avoids a series of strikes thrown by Apila.
Penn blocking the ground and pound.
Apila raining down shots from the mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ville Apila had his way with BJ Penn in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Penn lands a jab.
Apila tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Penn was well out of range. Poor timing from Apila.
Penn fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Penn throws a big shot that misses.
Penn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Penn lands with a shot to the body.
Apila shoots for a takedown but Penn saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Apila feints and as Penn raises his hands in defense, Apila changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Apila trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Apila throws a big right hand that misses.
Apila throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Penn works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Penn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila thows a big elbow that misses.
Penn looking for a sweep. Not yet Penn, not yet.
Apila postures up in Penn's guard and throws a big left but Penn blocks it.
Apila trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Penn manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Apila thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Apila dodges the punch combination from Penn.

Apila shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Apila working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn is trying to get back to full guard.
Apila working the head and body with strikes.
Apila sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Penn defending well though.

Apila is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Penn has managed to free his arm - good work.
Penn pushes Apila off looking to stand but Apila dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apila is nestled in close to Penn, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Penn wants to control but Apila is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Apila throwing shots but Penn is blocking nicely.
Apila uses his free foot to push down on Penn's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Penn.
Penn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Apila punching from mount but Penn doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Apila thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
BJ Penn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Apila lands with some strikes.
Apila thowing shots but they're missing.
Apila looking to ground and pound but Penn is blocking nicely.
Apila thowing shots but they're missing.
Penn squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Apila throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Penn because Apila loaded up on that one.
Ville Apila is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Penn is trying to escape the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ville Apila showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Apila, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ville Apila!
Ville Apila retains his featherweight title!