PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Apollo (ranked 4339 p4p, 479 weight class) and Vladimir Egoyan (ranked 6665 p4p, 620 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Apollo
vs
Egoyan

188 cm
18
188 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
196 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Urban Fighter

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Max Apollo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vladimir Egoyan!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, John Roberts and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Egoyan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Our sources have told us that Apollo has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Egoyan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Apollo scores with a nice hook to the head.
Egoyan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Egoyan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Egoyan misses with the head strike.
Egoyan misses with the head strike.
Apollo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Egoyan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Apollo lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Vladimir Egoyan has been cut.
Egoyan working aggressively here.
Egoyan throws a head punch that misses.
Egoyan working aggressively here.
Egoyan scores with a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Apollo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Egoyan to keep the fight standing.
Egoyan misses with a punch on the inside.
Egoyan misses with a punch to the body.
Egoyan scores with a nice hook to the head.
Apollo trying to land knees to the body.
Egoyan looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Apollo is trying to pull guard but Egoyan turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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.
Egoyan won't allow Apollo to sweep him here.
Apollo is trying to keep Egoyan in close.
Egoyan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Apollo wants to stand up but Egoyan is controlling him.
Egoyan is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Egoyan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Apollo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Egoyan has managed to get both his arms back between Apollo's legs - danger averted.
Apollo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Apollo passes Egoyan's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollo is looking to take a break and control but Egoyan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Apollo prevents Egoyan from improving his position.
Apollo wants to take a breather but Egoyan is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Apollo is really struggling to control Egoyan but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Egoyan misses with a wild body shot.
Apollo is looking for a counter combo.
Egoyan misses with an uppercut.
Apollo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Apollo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Egoyan, pushing him back against the cage.
Apollo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Apollo blocks an uppercut.
Apollo is trying to push Egoyan away but Egoyan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
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 Max Apollo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Egoyan's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Apollo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Egoyan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Apollo somewhat.

Egoyan moves into the clinch.
Apollo misses with some punches.
Apollo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Apollo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Egoyan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Egoyan.
Egoyan misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Egoyan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Apollo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Apollo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Apollo tries to throw a body punch but Egoyan avoids it by throwing Apollo back against the cage.

Apollo breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Egoyan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Apollo shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Egoyan eats them both and turns towards Apollo to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Egoyan misses with a hook. Apollo ducked under it nicely.
Apollo slips under a jab from Egoyan.
Apollo tries to clinch up.

Apollo gets tackled into the cage by Egoyan. Egoyan maintains the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Apollo.
Apollo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Apollo has Egoyan pressed against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Apollo.

Apollo successfully pulls guard.
Egoyan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Apollo is on top in guard.

We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Egoyan can do anything to dispel that myth.
Egoyan pulls Apollo in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollo trying to control but Egoyan is working from the bottom.
Apollo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Egoyan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Apollo trying to control but Egoyan is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollo pushing down on Egoyan's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Apollo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Egoyan keeps working.

Apollo seems to be looking for submissions.
Apollo is trying to control. Egoyan wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Egoyan is looking to improve his position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Apollo is looking to take a break and control but Egoyan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Vladimir Egoyan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Apollo tries to keep at a distance but Egoyan has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short left from Egoyan.

It looks like Max Apollo has been cut.
Apollo looking to stall.
Egoyan throws a head punch that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Egoyan tries to work over Apollo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Apollo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Max Apollo will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Egoyan dodges an elbow strike from Apollo.
Apollo gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Apollo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Apollo using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Egoyan lands with a left to the head.
Egoyan is pressed up against the cage. Apollo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Egoyan down to the mat. Egoyan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Apollo tries to clinch there but Egoyan circles away.
Egoyan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Apollo scores with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Egoyan closes the distance and clinches up with Apollo, looking for a takedown. Egoyan pushes Apollo against the cage but Apollo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Apollo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Apollo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Egoyan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Apollo blocks an uppercut.
Apollo throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apollo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Egoyan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Egoyan tries to throw a body punch but Apollo avoids it by throwing Egoyan back against the cage.
Apollo blocks a body shot from Egoyan.
A nice left hand lands by Egoyan.
Apollo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Egoyan is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Egoyan swings wildly with an uppercut but Apollo uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short uppercut from Egoyan.
Apollo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Egoyan misses with a body punch.
Apollo blocks an uppercut.
Apollo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Egoyan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Apollo scores with a shoulder strike.
Vladimir Egoyan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Egoyan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Apollo's efforts to push away.
Apollo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Apollo has clasped his hands together around Egoyan's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Apollo controlling the position.
Egoyan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Apollo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Apollo trying to control the action but Egoyan is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollo in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Egoyan is not content to let Apollo control the position.

Apollo decides to stand back up.
Apollo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Apollo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Apollo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Egoyan as he jumps to the side.
Apollo scores with a nice body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Apollo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Apollo tries to keep at a distance but Egoyan has taken the fight into the clinch.
Apollo misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Apollo stalling in the clinch but Egoyan improves position.
Egoyan working aggressively here.
Apollo blocks an uppercut.
Max Apollo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Egoyan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vladimir Egoyan.
I think Apollo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Max Apollo!
Max Apollo decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.