PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johan Apanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pertti Junttila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Apanson
vs
Junttila

190 cm
21
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
28
185 lbs
12 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johan Apanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pertti Junttila!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Apanson throws a solid leg kick but Junttila takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Apanson.
Junttila shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Apanson as he avoids it easily.
Good work by Junttila as he checks the leg kick.
Apanson leaves Junttila with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Apanson motions for Junttila to come forward. Apanson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Apanson scores with a leg kick.
Junttila shoots in looking for a takedown. Apanson tries to sprawl out of it but Junttila keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Apanson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Johan Apanson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pertti Junttila.
Junttila shoots in for a takedown but Apanson shows good takedown defense.
An inside leg kick lands from Apanson.
Apanson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Apanson keeps Junttila at a distance using the push kick.
Johan Apanson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Junttila has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Junttila there as he acknowledges the shot.
Junttila slips a jab from Apanson.
Junttila on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Apanson. Apanson obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Apanson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Junttila taking some punishment here, with Apanson in his half guard.
Apanson working Junttila over with strikes.
Apanson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Junttila looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Apanson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Apanson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Apanson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Junttila looking for submissions off his back.
Junttila looks gassed!

Apanson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Apanson is working for a kimura but Junttila is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apanson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Junttila is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Apanson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Apanson content to control rather than advance.
Junttila moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Junttila tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Junttila looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Apanson has picked Junttila up and slammed him! Junttila can't keep hold of the triangle and Apanson manages to pass to side control!
Apanson trying to control the action but Junttila is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apanson lands some shots froms side control.
Junttila taking punishment in the form of punches.
Junttila is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Junttila is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Junttila is looking to regain half guard here but Apanson keeps moving and retains side control.
Apanson working the ground and pound.
Junttila tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Apanson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Apanson is looking to take a break and control but Junttila is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Apanson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apanson advances to mount.

Apanson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Junttila is surviving well by controlling Apanson's body position as best he can.
Junttila is desperately trying to improve his position but Apanson has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Apanson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Apanson raining down shots from the mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Apanson takes Junttila's back.
Apanson scores with punches to the body.

Apanson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Junttila defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Apanson dominated 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.

Apanson throws a head kick but Junttila moves out of range.
Apanson tries to clinch but Junttila is having none of it.
Apanson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Junttila ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Apanson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Junttila has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Junttila and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Junttila fails with the takedown
and Apanson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Junttila blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Junttila moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Junttila doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Apanson counters with a low kick, right behind Junttila 's knee.
Apanson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Junttila.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Apanson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Junttila was covering up waiting for the punch and Apanson finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Junttila is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Junttila is breathing heavily.
Apanson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Apanson tries to free his leg and advance position but Junttila is retaining full guard.

Apanson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Junttila dives on top into guard.

Apanson looking for subs off his back but Junttila has passed one foot through into half guard.
Apanson is doing well to control the position and prevent Junttila from advancing to side control.
Junttila wants to free his trapped foot but Apanson is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apanson wants to sweep but Junttila has passed to side control!
Junttila wants to take a breather but Apanson manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Junttila.
Junttila tries to free his leg and advance position but Apanson is retaining full guard.

Apanson throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Junttila escapes and throws Apanson's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Junttila tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Apanson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junttila working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Apanson's thigh. Apanson counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Apanson trying to control the position.
Junttila stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Apanson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Apanson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Apanson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Junttila drops back, looking for a kneebar! Apanson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Apanson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Apanson!
Apanson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apanson landing strikes.
Junttila tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Apanson advances to mount.
Apanson controlling the pace for now.
Apanson with a couple of short strikes.

It looks like Pertti Junttila has been cut.

Junttila defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Apanson.
Apanson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Apanson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Junttila is surviving well by controlling Apanson's body position as best he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Apanson wants to control the pace but Junttila is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Apanson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Pertti Junttila's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Apanson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Junttila enables Apanson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Junttila manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Junttila looking for a sweep. Not yet Junttila, not yet.
Apanson is looking to work some ground and pound but Junttila has wrist control.
Apanson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Apanson distracts Junttila with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Junttila looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Junttila keeping moving, preventing Apanson from controlling successfully.
Apanson chips away with some ground and pound.

Junttila looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apanson trying to control but Junttila is working from the bottom.
Junttila takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Junttila lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Apanson!
Apanson can't escape the position.
Apanson tries to lock up and control but Junttila gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Apanson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Junttila is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Apanson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Junttila is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Apanson is just riding it out for now. Junttila eventually gives up the hold.

Junttila is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apanson gets full guard.
Junttila wants to pass the guard but Apanson is keeping the position.
Apanson is trying to keep Junttila in close.

Apanson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Junttila is aware though and is defending well.
Apanson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Junttila can do to turn this around?

Apanson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Junttila wants to pass the guard but Apanson is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Apanson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Junttila is aware though and is defending well.
Apanson keeping full guard, as Junttila tries to pass.

Apanson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Junttila is aware though and is defending well.
Junttila showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Apanson keeping full guard, as Junttila tries to pass.

Junttila got a little sloppy there for a moment and Apanson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Junttila has managed to get both his arms back between Apanson's legs - danger averted.
Junttila tries to free his leg and advance position but Apanson is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Junttila trying to control the position from guard on top but Apanson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Junttila pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Apanson is keeping the position for now.
Apanson wants to sweep but no luck.
Apanson controls Junttila momentarily but Junttila frees himself.

Apanson is looking for a triangle here but Junttila uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Junttila wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Apanson, who protects the arm well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johan Apanson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Apanson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johan Apanson!