PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Elliott Alderson (ranked 3801 p4p, 422 weight class) and Apollo Anderson Jr (ranked 21106 p4p, 768 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Alderson
vs
Anderson Jr

187 cm
24
187 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

183 cm
24
198 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Elliott Alderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Apollo Anderson Jr!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anderson Jr slips a straight right by Alderson.

Anderson Jr closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Alderson's guard.
Alderson can't keep his opponent in guard - Anderson Jr advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Anderson Jr is controlling the pace.
Alderson regains full guard. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Alderson has wrist control.
Alderson keeping moving, preventing Anderson Jr from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson Jr postures up in Alderson's guard and throws a big left but Alderson blocks it.

Anderson Jr 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.

Anderson Jr drops back looking for a leg! Alderson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Alderson manages to kick Anderson Jr off! Anderson Jr jumps back into Alderson's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson Jr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Alderson keeping moving, preventing Anderson Jr from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing good reports from Alderson's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Alderson has momentary wrist control but Anderson Jr slips an elbow through the middle.

Anderson Jr has gone for a leg lock! Alderson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Anderson Jr's guard.

Alderson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Alderson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Anderson Jr on the ground.

Anderson Jr is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Alderson is aware though and is defending well.
Anderson Jr is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Anderson Jr is looking for a triangle but Alderson pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson Jr manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Alderson manages to get himself to full guard.

Alderson trying to control the position.
Anderson Jr wants to control from the top but Alderson keeps moving.
Anderson Jr tries to free his leg and advance position but Alderson is retaining full guard.
Alderson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Alderson tries to get out of the position.
Anderson Jr trying to control but Alderson is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Anderson Jr postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Anderson Jr controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson Jr landing some decent shots from guard.
Alderson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Anderson Jr sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Anderson Jr dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Anderson Jr shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Alderson defends it nicely.

Anderson Jr shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Alderson is in trouble now - Anderson Jr has advanced to mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson Jr scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Alderson is looking to improve his position but Anderson Jr isn't that keen on the idea.

Anderson Jr has hold of Alderson's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Alderson manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alderson is trying to escape the mount.

Anderson Jr looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Anderson Jr wants to control the pace but Alderson is squirming around nicely.
Anderson Jr throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Anderson Jr looking to control but Alderson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Anderson Jr is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Alderson can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Apollo Anderson Jr has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Anderson Jr working for a guillotine from mount but Alderson is in no mood to give up.
Anderson Jr can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Alderson is looking to escape.
Anderson Jr controlling from mount.
Anderson Jr connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anderson Jr swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Apollo Anderson Jr!
Apollo Anderson Jr thanked the fans post fight for their support.