PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Apollo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antti Rannanjarvi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rannanjarvi has chosen Stonehenge by Spinal Tap as his entrance music. Antti Rannanjarvi will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Apollo
vs
Rannanjarvi

169 cm
30
165 lbs
23 - 16 - 1

195 cm
32
169 lbs
30 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Ryan Apollo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Antti Rannanjarvi!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Apollo scoring well with a low kick there.
Apollo thumps Rannanjarvi with a low kick.
A low kick from Apollo misses
and Rannanjarvi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rannanjarvi lands a right hook to the body.

Apollo 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.
Rannanjarvi keeping full guard, as Apollo tries to pass.
Apollo stopping the sweep attempt from Rannanjarvi.
Apollo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Apollo advances position into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apollo throws an elbow but Rannanjarvi slips to the side and avoids it well.
Rannanjarvi tries to buck Apollo off but Apollo is having none of it.
Rannanjarvi misses with a strike from the bottom.
Rannanjarvi stops Apollo from passing to mount.
Rannanjarvi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Apollo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Apollo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rannanjarvi keeps working.

Apollo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rannanjarvi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Apollo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi tries to roll over but Apollo keeps him under control.
Apollo is pressing down on Rannanjarvi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rannanjarvi is holding on for now.

Apollo is trying to work for a kimura but Rannanjarvi is defending well.
Rannanjarvi is positioning himself well to prevent Apollo advancing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollo is looking to advance position but Rannanjarvi won't allow it.
Rannanjarvi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Apollo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Apollo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rannanjarvi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Apollo has managed to get both his arms back between Rannanjarvi's legs - danger averted.
Apollo trying to control the position from guard on top but Rannanjarvi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi is trying to control the position but Apollo postures up.
Rannanjarvi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rannanjarvi keeping full guard, as Apollo tries to pass.
Apollo slips nicely into half guard.
Apollo wants to take a breather but Rannanjarvi is having none of it.

Apollo is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Rannanjarvi to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi is trying to keep Apollo in close.
Apollo works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Apollo seems to be looking for submissions.
Rannanjarvi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Apollo wants to pass to mount but Rannanjarvi is defending the position.
Rannanjarvi is looking to control Apollo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rannanjarvi avoid being mounted?

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Apollo trying to control from Rannanjarvi's half guard. Rannanjarvi has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Apollo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rannanjarvi looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rannanjarvi looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rannanjarvi!
Apollo is trying to control Rannanjarvi's posture but Rannanjarvi avoids it.
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.
Rannanjarvi is looking to take a break and control but Apollo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Apollo wants to control but Rannanjarvi postures up.
Apollo prevents Rannanjarvi from moving into mount.
A control attempt from Apollo but he's now mounted!
Apollo working to try and regain half guard.
Rannanjarvi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rannanjarvi throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Apollo tries to hold on but Rannanjarvi pushes him away.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Rannanjarvi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Apollo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Rannanjarvi sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Rannanjarvi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Apollo is looking to escape.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Antti Rannanjarvi hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Rannanjarvi moves into the clinch successfully.
Apollo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rannanjarvi is defending well for now.
Apollo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rannanjarvi tries to throw a body punch but Apollo avoids it by throwing Rannanjarvi back against the cage.
Rannanjarvi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rannanjarvi blocks an elbow strike.
Rannanjarvi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rannanjarvi misses with a punch to the body.
Rannanjarvi lands a knee to the head.
Apollo creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rannanjarvi's defenses.
Apollo blocks a body shot from Rannanjarvi.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Apollo blocks a body shot from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rannanjarvi misses with a punch to the body.
Rannanjarvi misses with a body punch.
Rannanjarvi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ryan Apollo will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Apollo throws a lazy right hand but Rannanjarvi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rannanjarvi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Apollo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rannanjarvi ducks under a wild hook from Apollo.
Rannanjarvi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rannanjarvi throws a hook but Apollo avoids it easily.

Apollo clinches up against the cage.
Apollo crunches a lovely knee into Rannanjarvi's ribcage.
Apollo lands a nice knee to the body.
Rannanjarvi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Rannanjarvi as the two fighters clinch.
Rannanjarvi misses with a body punch.
A short uppercut from Apollo.
Apollo gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Apollo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rannanjarvi backwards.
Rannanjarvi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Apollo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Apollo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rannanjarvi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Apollo wants to take the fight to the mat but Rannanjarvi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Rannanjarvi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Apollo's elbow.
Apollo managing to block the knees to the body from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Apollo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rannanjarvi backwards.
Apollo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rannanjarvi's elbow.
Apollo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rannanjarvi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rannanjarvi struggles to land a body shot inside as Apollo controls his hands.
Knees to the body from Apollo.
Rannanjarvi is breathing heavily.
Apollo lands a nice knee to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rannanjarvi.
Apollo blocks a body shot from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Apollo blocks it with crossed arms.
Apollo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rannanjarvi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Apollo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Apollo scores with a nice hook to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Apollo.
Apollo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollo crunches a lovely knee into Rannanjarvi's ribcage.
Apollo unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Apollo lands an elbow just above Rannanjarvi 's eye.
Apollo scores with a shot to the side of Rannanjarvi's head.
Apollo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Apollo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Apollo gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Apollo is working for a submission of some sort.
Apollo frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Rannanjarvi prevents Apollo from taking his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Apollo goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Rannanjarvi turns into him and now he's in Apollo's guard.
Apollo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Apollo jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Rannanjarvi is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Rannanjarvi and Apollo has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollo is staying tight to Rannanjarvi's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Rannanjarvi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Apollo is looking to stall here but Rannanjarvi recovers full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rannanjarvi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Apollo passes Rannanjarvi's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Apollo is looking for a kimura here.
Apollo is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rannanjarvi!
Rannanjarvi wants to hold on but Apollo pushes him away.
Apollo trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi wants to hold on but Apollo pushes him away.
Apollo is trying to take his opponent's back.
Apollo raining down hammerfists from mount.
Rannanjarvi wants to control but Apollo is having none of it.
Rannanjarvi has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Apollo is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Rannanjarvi knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Rannanjarvi for a finish.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi wants to control his opponent's hands but Apollo gets his hands free.

Rannanjarvi is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Apollo is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Rannanjarvi knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Rannanjarvi for a finish.
Rannanjarvi breaks Apollo's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Apollo is keeping the position for now.
Apollo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rannanjarvi wants to control from the top but Apollo keeps moving.
Apollo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Apollo lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rannanjarvi!
Apollo controlling from mount.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Apollo wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Apollo trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Apollo swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rannanjarvi is now in Apollo's guard. A big mistake from Apollo there, giving up the dominant position!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rannanjarvi looking to sit in guard and control but Apollo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Apollo dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rannanjarvi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Apollo is out of range and Rannanjarvi settles back down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rannanjarvi.
Apollo checks a low kick from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rannanjarvi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Apollo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rannanjarvi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rannanjarvi motions for Apollo to come forward. Rannanjarvi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Apollo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Apollo misses with a low kick.
Rannanjarvi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rannanjarvi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Apollo walks into a jab.
Apollo moves in looking to clinch but Rannanjarvi pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Apollo.
Apollo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rannanjarvi moves out of range of the body kick.
Apollo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Apollo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rannanjarvi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Apollo moves away.
Apollo misses with a leg kick
and Rannanjarvi counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Apollo is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Antti Rannanjarvi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Apollo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Apollo lands a front kick.
Apollo wants to clinch up but Rannanjarvi keeps it at a distance.
Apollo wants to clinch.
Apollo blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi scores with a leg kick.
Rannanjarvi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rannanjarvi digs a good body shot into Apollo's ribs.
Apollo lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rannanjarvi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rannanjarvi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Apollo. Apollo obviously looking to wear him down.
Jab from Rannanjarvi.
Apollo ducks right into an uppercut from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi is looking to land body kicks.
Ryan Apollo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice leg kick lands there from Apollo.
Apollo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Apollo lands a leg kick that knocks Rannanjarvi off balance momentarily.
Apollo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollo misses with a body shot.
Rannanjarvi lands a leg kick that knocks Apollo off balance momentarily.

Apollo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Apollo wants to control but Rannanjarvi is keeping him busy.

Apollo is trying to get an arm triangle but Rannanjarvi is defending well.
Rannanjarvi seems a little lost for a moment, as Apollo dominates the positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi regains half guard there - taking advantage of Apollo's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

Apollo seems to be looking for submissions.

Apollo is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Rannanjarvi still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Rannanjarvi has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Apollo tries to improve position but can't.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Apollo is working hard here to advance position.
Rannanjarvi working the strikes but Apollo uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Apollo is not content to let Rannanjarvi control the position.
Rannanjarvi wants to advance to full mount but Apollo doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

Rannanjarvi stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A head kick misses from Rannanjarvi.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi misses with a low kick.
Apollo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rannanjarvi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Apollo avoids the body shot from Rannanjarvi.
Apollo looks to land a left hand but Rannanjarvi moved out of range nicely.

Apollo clinches with his opponent.
Apollo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Apollo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rannanjarvi struggles to land a body shot inside as Apollo controls his hands.
Apollo tries to throw a body punch but Rannanjarvi avoids it by throwing Apollo back against the cage.
Ryan Apollo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rannanjarvi tries to throw a body punch but Apollo avoids it by throwing Rannanjarvi back against the cage.
Rannanjarvi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rannanjarvi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Apollo.
Rannanjarvi connects with a knee to the head.
Apollo dodges an elbow strike from Rannanjarvi.
Antti Rannanjarvi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Apollo is looking to control Rannanjarvi's arms but Rannanjarvi gets an underhook and turns him. Now Apollo has his back to the cage.
Rannanjarvi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rannanjarvi tries a body shot but Apollo blocks it.
Apollo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rannanjarvi tries a body shot but Apollo blocks it.
Rannanjarvi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Apollo avoids it.
Rannanjarvi tries a body shot but Apollo blocks it.
Apollo lands a body punch.
Rannanjarvi tries to throw a body punch but Apollo avoids it by throwing Rannanjarvi back against the cage.
Rannanjarvi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Apollo's elbow.
Rannanjarvi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Apollo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rannanjarvi is defending well for now.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Apollo.
Apollo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rannanjarvi backwards.
Apollo blocking some punches.
Apollo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rannanjarvi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rannanjarvi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Apollo's elbow.
Apollo missing with knees to the body.
Rannanjarvi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Apollo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Apollo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rannanjarvi misses with a punch to the body.
Rannanjarvi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Apollo.
Rannanjarvi takes a shot to the head.
Apollo scores with a shoulder strike.
Apollo cracks Rannanjarvi with a nice body shot.
Rannanjarvi takes an elbow to the forehead.
Apollo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rannanjarvi.
A head punch on the inside from Rannanjarvi fails to land.
Rannanjarvi tries to land knees in the clinch but Apollo avoids the damage to the body.
Apollo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Apollo pushes Rannanjarvi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Apollo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rannanjarvi or not.
A right hook to the body lands for Apollo.
Apollo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rannanjarvi lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Apollo manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Apollo wants to sweep but no luck.
Apollo keeping full guard, as Rannanjarvi tries to pass.
Apollo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rannanjarvi can do to turn this around?
Apollo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rannanjarvi.
Apollo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rannanjarvi wants to get up but he can't break Apollo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Apollo is on top in guard.
Ryan Apollo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rannanjarvi trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Apollo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Apollo 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Ryan Apollo!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Ryan Apollo!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Ryan Apollo!

Ryan Apollo wins by unanimous decision!
Ryan Apollo decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.