PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ion Ciocan (ranked 24952 p4p, 865 weight class) and Max Apollo (ranked 9621 p4p, 803 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ciocan
vs
Apollo

190 cm
24
200 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

188 cm
18
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite 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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ion Ciocan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Max Apollo!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Lou da Vinci and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Apollo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ciocan.
Apollo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ciocan pinned against the cage. Ciocan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Apollo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ciocan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
It looked like Ciocan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Apollo defending well as Ciocan loads up on a big left hand.

Apollo darts in and clinches Ciocan up against the cage.

Apollo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Apollo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Apollo trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ciocan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Apollo controlling the position.
Ciocan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ciocan postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Apollo has his hands on Ciocan's head, controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Apollo drives through and clinches with Ciocan against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Apollo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Apollo tries for a takedown but Ciocan manages to get underhooks.
Apollo looking to slow down the pace here.
Apollo looking for a takedown.
Ion Ciocan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Apollo.
Apollo has Ciocan pressed against the cage, preventing Ciocan from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Apollo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ciocan pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Ciocan - just one landing.

It looks like Max Apollo has been cut.
Apollo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ciocan.

Apollo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ciocan, pushing him back against the cage.
Ciocan prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ciocan is trying to break free.
Apollo tries to work over Ciocan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Apollo using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Apollo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A combination from Ciocan does no damage.
Apollo needs to keep his hands up - Ciocan had a free shot at his head there.
Apollo tries to clinch up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice defenses there by Apollo.

Apollo pushes Ciocan up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Apollo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ciocan uses from the top position.
Ciocan not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Ciocan is posturing up here but Apollo has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Ciocan tries to roll out but it's too tight and Ciocan has to tap! Slick submission there by Apollo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Max Apollo!
During a confident post fight interview, Max Apollo thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.