PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hella Alapaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Cutler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Alapaa
vs
Cutler

186 cm
22
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hella Alapaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thomas Cutler!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Igor Prikhodko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cutler stuffs the takedown attempt from Alapaa. Alapaa gets slowly back to his feet.
Alapaa misses with the combination.
Alapaa lands with a nice combination. Cutler backs away looking to recover.
Alapaa misses with a two punch combination.
Alapaa misses with a double jab.
Cutler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Alapaa makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hella Alapaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Alapaa misses.
Cutler with a poor takedown
and Alapaa counters with a stiff right hand.
Alapaa with a hook.
Alapaa throws a right and a left that Cutler avoids nicely.
Cutler misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hella Alapaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Cutler.
Alapaa stuffs the takedown attempt from Cutler. Cutler gets slowly back to his feet.
Cutler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alapaa pinned against the cage. Alapaa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Alapaa.
Alapaa scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Alapaa lands with a cross.
Alapaa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cutler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cutler dodges the punch combination from Alapaa.
Alapaa misses with a two punch combination.
Cutler shoots in but no luck this time.
Alapaa misses with a takedown attempt - Cutler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cutler fails to land the takedown.
Cutler closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Alapaa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cutler takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Alapaa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Alapaa misses with a series of wild punches.
Cutler drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Alapaa misses the jab.
Cutler misses with a takedown
enabling Alapaa to counter with a crisp jab.
Cutler walks into a stiff left hand from Alapaa.
Alapaa waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Cutler.
Alapaa throws a series of punches but Cutler avoids them all with ease.
Alapaa with a nice cross.
A combination from Alapaa does no damage.
Alapaa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Alapaa throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cutler shoots in and drives through. Alapaa sprawls well.
Cutler looks gassed!
Good shot there by Alapaa.
Alapaa throws a nice looking combination but Cutler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Alapaa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cutler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alapaa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Alapaa shoots in looking for a takedown. Cutler tries to sprawl out of it but Alapaa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cutler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cutler misses with a takedown attempt
and Alapaa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cutler is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Alapaa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Alapaa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cutler fails to land the takedown.
Alapaa goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A combination from Alapaa does no damage.
Alapaa throws a series of punches but Cutler avoids them all with ease.
Alapaa looks to land a right hand but Cutler moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alapaa scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Alapaa misses with a two punch combination.
Alapaa lands a two punch combo.
Cutler slips a jab and a cross from Alapaa.
Alapaa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cutler as he avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Alapaa misses.
Cutler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Alapaa works over Cutler's head and body with a nice combination.
Cutler uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alapaa.
Alapaa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cutler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Alapaa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Alapaa is working the combinations to good effect here.
Cutler takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Alapaa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cutler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Alapaa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Alapaa throws a series of punches but Cutler avoids them all with ease.
Cutler with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Alapaa to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hella Alapaa dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Alapaa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Alapaa lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nice sprawl there from Alapaa as Cutler shoots in.
Alapaa misses with a straight right.
Alapaa looks to land a combination but Cutler avoids it well.
Alapaa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cutler with a lazy takedown attempt
and Alapaa counters with a series of strikes. Cutler will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nice sprawl there from Cutler as Alapaa shoots in.
Alapaa fails to land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Alapaa misses.
Horrible takedown by Cutler or perhaps it was just good defense by Alapaa which made him look bad.
Hella Alapaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Cutler.
Alapaa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cutler fails to land the takedown.
Alapaa throws a right hand that Cutler ducks under and follows up with a left that Cutler also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alapaa tries to bum rush Cutler with a series of wild strikes but Cutler uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cutler.
Hella Alapaa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cutler closes the distance and clinches.

Cutler pulls guard successfully.
Cutler tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alapaa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Alapaa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Alapaa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cutler working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cutler tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alapaa wants to stand but Cutler is controlling his posture from full guard.

Cutler is looking for a triangle but Alapaa pushes his legs off easily.
Alapaa wants to pass the guard but Cutler is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alapaa wants to get up but he can't break Cutler's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alapaa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Cutler has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Alapaa is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Cutler.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Cutler is trying to improve his position.

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.

Alapaa decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Cutler moves out of range as Alapaa strikes.
Alapaa takes a swing at Cutler's ribcage but misses.
Cutler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Alapaa circles away.
Cutler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Cutler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cutler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Alapaa circles away.
Alapaa is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Alapaa shoots in for a double leg but Cutler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cutler fails to land the takedown.
Cutler has his takedown stuffed

and Alapaa counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cutler won't be happy with that.
Alapaa is looking to take a break and control but Cutler is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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 Hella Alapaa will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Horrible takedown by Cutler or perhaps it was just good defense by Alapaa which made him look bad.
Cutler avoids a punch combination nicely.
Alapaa throws a right hand that Cutler ducks under and follows up with a left that Cutler also avoids with ease.
Cutler slips a jab and a cross from Alapaa.
Alapaa lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cutler backs up against the cage.
A punch combination from Alapaa misses.
Cutler takes one to the chin there.
Alapaa lands a two punch combo.
Cutler avoids a punch combination nicely.
Alapaa throws an overhand right that lands on Cutler's shoulder, as Cutler tries to avoid the shot.
Cutler staying out of range there.
Alapaa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alapaa misses with the combination.
A punch combination from Alapaa misses.
Cutler throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Alapaa's waist but Alapaa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cutler off to one side.
Alapaa goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Alapaa throws a one two combo.
Cutler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Danga de danga de dang - Alapaa scores with a four punch combination!
Alapaa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cutler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cutler with a poor takedown
enabling Alapaa to counter with a crisp jab.
Hella Alapaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Cutler.
Alapaa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Alapaa smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cutler dodges the punch combination from Alapaa.
Alapaa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cutler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Alapaa.
Alapaa misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alapaa misses with a double jab.
Cutler shoots in but Alapaa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Alapaa misses with a series of wild punches.
Cutler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Alapaa circles away.
Alapaa throws a series of punches but Cutler moves out of range.
Cutler doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Alapaa counters with a stiff right hand.
Horrible takedown by Cutler or perhaps it was just good defense by Alapaa which made him look bad.
Alapaa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Alapaa fails to land with a series of punches.
No luck for Cutler with that takedown attempt.
Hella Alapaa is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alapaa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cutler.
Cutler misses with a takedown
and Alapaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Alapaa throws a body punch but Cutler moves out of range.
Cutler fails with the takedown.
Alapaa misses with a few strikes there.
Cutler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alapaa is fending him off so far but Cutler persists. Nope, Alapaa circles away and we're back to standing.
Cutler has a takedown stuffed.
A combination from Alapaa does no damage.
Cutler avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cutler doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Alapaa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cutler.
Cutler fails with the takedown
and Alapaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!

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.
Cutler misses with a takedown
and Alapaa counters with a stiff right hand.
Cutler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alapaa throws a right hand that Cutler ducks under and follows up with a left that Cutler also avoids with ease.
Cutler shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Alapaa pinned against the cage. Alapaa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cutler tries for a takedown but Alapaa circles away easily

and Alapaa counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Cutler!
Cutler is in all sorts of trouble here.
Alapaa tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Thomas Cutler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Hella Alapaa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Alapaa, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hella Alapaa!