PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Josiah Scurlock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ville Apila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Apila is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Distance ( OF OUR SKILLS). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Scurlock
vs
Apila

173 cm
26
144 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

175 cm
30
142 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

MMA ANIMAL

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josiah Scurlock!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ville Apila!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Eliza Hachem and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Scurlock throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Apila stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Apila doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Scurlock connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Scurlock throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Apila sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Apila walks into a stiff left hand from Scurlock.
Apila shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Scurlock pinned against the cage. Scurlock gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Apila misses with a takedown attempt
letting Scurlock counter with a right hand.
Josiah Scurlock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ville Apila.
Scurlock displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Apila doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Scurlock counters with a series of strikes. Apila will be more careful next time no doubt.
A shot to the body from Apila misses
and Scurlock counters with a nice uppercut.
Scurlock throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scurlock misses the shot to the body.
Apila takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Apila manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Scurlock on his heels. He'll look to pass Scurlock's guard now, I'm sure.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Apila throws a big elbow that misses.
Apila in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Scurlock seems keen to control Apila's posture.
Scurlock not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Apila postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Scurlock is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Apila, into his guard.
Scurlock throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Apila is trying to control the position but Scurlock postures up.
Scurlock looking to pass the guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Apila preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Scurlock throws a big right hand that misses.
Scurlock tries to free his leg and advance position but Apila is retaining full guard.
Scurlock is looking to advance position but Apila has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Scurlock defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Apila.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock is looking to get to half guard.
Scurlock sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Apila seems to be working for a kimura but Scurlock defends the submission attempt.

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

Apila is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock wants to get back to his feet.

Apila is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Scurlock doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Apila.
Scurlock trying to hold on to Apila's head to control him but Apila postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Apila slips a nice elbow through Scurlock's hands, connecting with Scurlock's forehead.

Apila is working for a submission of some sort.
Scurlock trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josiah Scurlock dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Scurlock throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Apila.
Apila throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Scurlock's waist but Scurlock gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Apila off to one side.
Scurlock keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Apila moves out of range as Scurlock strikes.
Scurlock connects with a right hand. Apila shakes it off.
Apila misses with a wild body shot.
Scurlock throws a series of punches but Apila moves out of range.
Scurlock bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Scurlock throws a hook but Apila blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Scurlock.
Scurlock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Apila.
Scurlock fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Scurlock stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Scurlock wants it to stay on the feet.
Josiah Scurlock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ville Apila.
Scurlock thows a left - swing and a miss!

Scurlock gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Apila to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Scurlock is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Scurlock tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apila with a nice head shot there.
Scurlock trying to keep a closed guard but Apila is proving a slippery customer.
Scurlock has Apila pulled in close to control his posture.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Scurlock lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Apila!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Apila is in all sorts of trouble here.
Scurlock looking to control but Apila is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Apila is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apila holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Scurlock tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Scurlock throwing strikes here but Apila is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Josiah Scurlock overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Scurlock scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Apila?
Scurlock lands a big shot there that rocks Apila but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Apila wants to hold on but Scurlock pushes him away.
Apila avoids a series of strikes thrown by Scurlock.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apila tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Scurlock with the ground and pound from mount.
Apila holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Scurlock tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Scurlock thowing shots but they're missing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Apila really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Apila wants to hold on but Scurlock pushes him away.
Scurlock throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josiah Scurlock dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Apila shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Scurlock lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Scurlock pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Apila shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Scurlock as he jumps to the side.
Apila gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Scurlock counters with a nice low kick that buckles Apila's knee momentarily.
Josiah Scurlock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ville Apila.
Scurlock throws a lazy right hand but Apila sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Scurlock misses with a double jab.
A shot to the liver by Scurlock. Beautiful body shot.
Apila shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila drops his hands momentarily and Scurlock takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Scurlock swinging wildly here.
Scurlock scores with a three punch combo!
Apila changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Scurlock tries to avoid it but Apila manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Scurlock to the ground. Scurlock escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Apila tries for a takedown but Scurlock circles away easily
and Scurlock counters with a one-two to the body.
Apila takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Scurlock lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Scurlock thuds a left hand into Apila's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Apila.
Scurlock lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Apila shoots in for a double leg but Scurlock sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Apila waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Scurlock.
Apila shoots in looking for a takedown but Scurlock manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Apila's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Scurlock throws a nice looking combination but Apila bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Apila shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Scurlock but Scurlock pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Josiah Scurlock is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Scurlock pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Apila back to the cage. Scurlock follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock slaps away a takedown attempt from Apila, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Scurlock swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Apila shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Scurlock but Scurlock pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Apila.
Scurlock works over Apila's head and body with a nice combination.
Scurlock misses with a looping left.
Josiah Scurlock is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Scurlock slips under a jab.
Some wild striking there from Scurlock.
Apila closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Apila shoots in for a takedown but Scurlock shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Scurlock throws a series of strikes that have Apila backpedaling.
Scurlock stuns Apila with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josiah Scurlock clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Scurlock connects with a good right hand that stumbles Apila. Apila circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Scurlock throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Apila stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Apila slips a straight right by Scurlock.
Apila closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Scurlock misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Scurlock goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Josiah Scurlock is winning the standup battle so far.
Apila misses with a takedown attempt
and Scurlock counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Scurlock throws a right hand that misses
and Apila counters with a nice uppercut.
Apila on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Apila has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Apila there as he acknowledges the shot.
Apila shoots in and drives through. Scurlock sprawls well.
Apila takes a shot to the body in his stride.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Apila.
Josiah Scurlock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ville Apila.
Apila is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Apila ducks under a wild hook from Scurlock.
Scurlock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Apila moves away.
Scurlock fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Scurlock.
Scurlock scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Apila doesn't seem bothered though.
Scurlock lands a jab-cross combination.
A punch combination from Scurlock misses.
Scurlock misses with a wild combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Apila. Scurlock does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big right from Scurlock misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apila looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Scurlock is fending him off so far but Apila persists. Nope, Scurlock circles away and we're back to standing.
Apila fails with the takedown
and Scurlock counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Scurlock throws a hook but Apila avoids it easily.
Scurlock listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Apila on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Apila tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Scurlock swivels and escapes.
Apila defending well as Scurlock loads up on a big left hand.
Scurlock misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Apila moves away.
A jab lands there for Scurlock.
Apila fails with the takedown
and Scurlock counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Apila moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Scurlock pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Apila back to the cage. Scurlock follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Apila has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Apila takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Apila takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josiah Scurlock had his way with Ville Apila in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Apila shoots and misses
and Scurlock counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Apila defending well as Scurlock loads up on a big left hand.
Scurlock stalks Apila and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Apila's face. Apila staggers backwards, shaken.
Apila misses with a takedown
letting Scurlock counter with a right hand.
Scurlock throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Apila misses with a takedown attempt
and Scurlock counters with a right hand to the body.
Josiah Scurlock has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ville Apila.
Scurlock ducks under a wild hook from Apila.
Apila tries to score a power double leg takedown but Scurlock sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Apila somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Apila is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Apila fails with the takedown
and Scurlock counters with a stiff right hand.
Apila fails with the takedown
and Scurlock connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Scurlock connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Apila looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Scurlock is fending him off so far but Apila persists. Nope, Scurlock circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock lands a nice looking body shot.
Apila with a poor takedown
and Scurlock counters with a one-two to the body.
Scurlock stuns Apila with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Scurlock connects with a body shot that sends Apila's belly button to the back.
Nice jab there from Scurlock.
Scurlock dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Scurlock is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Apila can do to turn this around?
Scurlock uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Apila takes one to the chin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apila has a takedown stuffed.
Ville Apila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Apila fails with the takedown
and Scurlock counters with a left and a right that stings Apila.
Scurlock throws a combination. Apila tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Ville Apila has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Scurlock cracks Apila with a good jab.
Scurlock displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Apila throws out the jab.
Scurlock connects with a looping right hand.
Scurlock uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Apila.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scurlock's jab looks to have found its range, popping Apila under the eye.
Apila doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Apila takes one on the button.
A cross from Scurlock lands.
Nice uppercut lands for Scurlock. That snapped Apila's head back.
Apila shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Scurlock as he avoids it easily.
Apila throws an off balance right hand
letting Scurlock counter with a right hand.
Josiah Scurlock is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Apila is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Scurlock connects with a single shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josiah Scurlock showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Scurlock 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 50:45
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 50:45
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josiah Scurlock!
Josiah Scurlock retains his bantamweight title!
Josiah Scurlock really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that MMA ANIMAL logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.