PBP Commentary

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

Crowley
vs
Apila

178 cm
22
158 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

182 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleister Crowley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jussi Apila!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Apila fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Crowley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Crowley fails in his attempt to clinch.
Apila avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Apila throws a right and a left that both miss.
Apila shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Crowley pinned against the cage. Crowley gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Apila throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Apila shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Crowley as he jumps to the side.
Aleister Crowley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jussi Apila.
Crowley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Apila paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Crowley tries to clinch up.
Crowley takes one to the chin there.

Crowley pushes Apila up against the cage in a clinch.
Apila fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Crowley lands an elbow inside that Apila shrugs off.

It looks like Jussi Apila has been cut.
Crowley swings wildly with an uppercut but Apila uses good head movement to avoid it.
Apila wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Crowley lands an elbow that stopped Apila in his tracks for a moment.
Crowley working aggressively here.
Crowley will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Apila up against the cage.
Apila tries to break the clinch but Crowley is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila has Crowley pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Crowley manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Apila is trying to break the clinch but Crowley has him pressed against the cage.
Apila wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Apila blocking some punches.
Crowley lands a damaging elbow.
Apila can't get the takedown.
Apila blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Apila takes an elbow to the forehead.
Crowley lands a damaging elbow.
Crowley lands an elbow that stopped Apila in his tracks for a moment.
Crowley looking to throw knees to the head but Apila is blocking nicely.
Crowley comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That has opened up Jussi Apila's cut even more.
Apila tries to pull guard but Crowley holds him up against the cage and eventually Apila drops back down to his feet.
Nice elbow from Crowley.
Crowley swings wildly with an uppercut but Apila uses good head movement to avoid it.
Crowley prevents Apila from breaking the clinch.
Crowley lands an elbow inside.

Apila pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Crowley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Crowley is looking to clinch but Apila is avoiding it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Crowley fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Apila. No joy for Crowley on that attempt.
Apila is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Crowley.
Crowley tries to close the distance and clinch but Apila swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Apila circles away from the clinch attempt.

Crowley shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Apila's guard.
Apila is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Apila looking to hit a scissor sweep but Crowley is one step ahead there.

Apila looking for a guillotine here but Crowley defends easily.
Apila throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Crowley would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crowley won't allow Apila to sweep him here.
Apila keeping moving, preventing Crowley from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Apila tries for a takedown but Crowley sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Apila takes a swing at Crowley's ribcage but misses.
Crowley tries for a takedown but Apila sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Apila misses.
Apila swats away the attempt to clinch by Crowley.
Apila fails to land with a series of punches.
Apila changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Crowley tries to avoid it but Apila manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Crowley to the ground. Crowley escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Apila looks gassed!
Apila swats away the attempt to clinch by Crowley.
Crowley doesn't manage to clinch there - Apila circles away.
Apila circles away from the clinch attempt.
Crowley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Apila paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Crowley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Apila throws a right hand that Crowley ducks under and follows up with a left that Crowley also avoids with ease.
Crowley tries to clinch but Apila moves out of range.
Apila misses with a wild body shot.
Crowley ducks under a wild hook from Apila.
Crowley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Apila paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Crowley tries to clinch but Apila is having none of it.
Apila avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Apila throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Crowley is looking to clinch but Apila is avoiding it.
Apila shoots in and drives through. Crowley sprawls well.
Crowley tries to clinch but Apila is having none of it.

Crowley rushes Apila and presses him up against the cage.
Crowley just leaning against Apila, taking a breather.
Crowley throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crowley keeps control of Apila as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Apila has had enough of the clinch but Crowley keeps him there for the moment.

Crowley manages to break the clinch.
Crowley tries to clinch up but Apila circles away and keeps his distance.
Crowley misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleister Crowley dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jussi Apila's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Crowley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Crowley moves in looking to clinch but Apila pushes him off.
Apila will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Apila throws a right and a left that Crowley avoids nicely.
Crowley tries to clinch there but Apila circles away.

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 is in close to Crowley's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Crowley manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Crowley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Crowley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Crowley rushes Apila and presses him up against the cage.
Apila has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Crowley avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Crowley tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Apila smiles and moves away.
Crowley doesn't manage to clinch there - Apila circles away.

Crowley drives through and clinches with Apila against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila is trying to break free.
Crowley comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Crowley lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Crowley manages to pull guard.
Crowley keeping full guard, as Apila tries to pass.
Apila loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Crowley looking to control.
Apila stops Crowley from standing up.
Crowley keeping full guard, as Apila tries to pass.
Apila trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Crowley working a defensive guard here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Apila displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Apila scores with a nice strike.
Crowley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Crowley blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apila looks for a takedown but Crowley sprawls well.
Apila closes this distance looking for a takedown but Crowley circles away.
Aleister Crowley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jussi Apila.
Apila lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Crowley fails in his attempt to clinch.
Crowley closes the distance and clinches up with Apila, looking for a takedown. Crowley pushes Apila against the cage but Apila circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Apila stalks Crowley and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Crowley's face. Crowley staggers backwards, shaken.
No luck for Crowley with that takedown attempt.
Apila shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Crowley but Crowley pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Crowley scores a takedown into full mount!
Crowley tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Crowley trying to control but Apila is having none of it.
Apila throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apila tries to hold on but Crowley postures up.
Apila is wriggling around trying to escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Crowley knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Apila on the ground.
Crowley tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Crowley trying to control but Apila is having none of it.
Apila is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Apila bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Apila trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Apila drops back looking for a leg! Crowley is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Crowley manages to kick Apila off! Apila jumps back into Crowley's guard.
Apila won't allow Crowley to get back to his feet.
Apila trying to control but Crowley is working from the bottom.
Apila has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Crowley wants to stand but Apila is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jussi Apila will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jussi Apila's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Apila.
Apila working the ground and pound but Crowley is defending the strikes.
Apila cracks Crowley with a big elbow.
Crowley wants to control but Apila postures up.
Apila throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Apila working the head and body with strikes.
Apila lands a decent elbow from side control.
Apila throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Crowley is trying to improve his position.
Crowley is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Apila asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Apila throws an elbow but Crowley slips to the side and avoids it well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Apila avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Crowley scores with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crowley is looking to clinch.

Crowley moves into the clinch successfully.
Crowley lands a damaging elbow.
Crowley throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Apila drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Apila is trying to break free.
Crowley lands an elbow just above Apila 's eye.
Crowley throws an elbow but it misses.
Apila is trying to break free.
Apila tries to pull guard but Crowley holds him up against the cage and eventually Apila drops back down to his feet.
Apila takes an elbow to the temple.
Crowley pushes off an fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Apila wants to stall.
Crowley looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Apila tries for a takedown. No joy.
Aleister Crowley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jussi Apila.
Apila managing to block the knees to the body from Crowley.
Crowley keeps control of Apila as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Apila tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Crowley looking to slow down the pace here.
Crowley throws a knee to the head but misses.
Apila wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Crowley misses with a hook from the clinch.

Crowley breaks the clinch.
Apila changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Crowley tries to avoid it but Apila manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Crowley to the ground. Crowley escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Apila fails with a takedown attempt.
Apila keeps the fight on the outside.
Crowley doesn't manage to clinch there - Apila circles away.
Crowley shoots in for a takedown but Apila shows good takedown defense.
Crowley displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Apila throws out the jab.
Apila shoots in for a takedown but Crowley shows good takedown defense.
Apila keeps the fight on the outside.

Crowley takes the fight into the clinch.
Apila goes for a takedown attempt but Crowley pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crowley tries to clinch up but Apila circles away and keeps his distance.
Aleister Crowley is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crowley tries to clinch up but Apila circles away and keeps his distance.
Crowley wants to clinch.
Apila avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Crowley tries to clinch up but Apila circles away and keeps his distance.
Apila swinging wilding here.
Apila lands a right hook to the body.

Apila looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Apila tries to pass to full mount but Crowley defends it.
Apila thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Crowley's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apila throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Crowley is looking to escape.
Apila prevents Crowley from improving his position.
Apila stops Crowley from getting back to his feet.
Apila is nestled in close to Crowley, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Apila trying to pass the guard but Crowley defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Apila fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Crowley fails in his attempt to clinch.
Apila circles away from the clinch attempt.
Apila thows a body shot but no joy.
Apila misses with a few strikes there.
Apila keeps the fight on the outside.
Crowley moves in looking to clinch but Apila pushes him off.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jussi Apila.
I think Apila has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jussi Apila!