PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alzonz Appalusu (ranked 1198 p4p, 167 weight class) and Sam Samuelson (ranked 1145 p4p, 163 weight class). Appalusu comes into the arena with Rocky theme song blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Appalusu
vs
Samuelson

178 cm
28
185 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

175 cm
28
177 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alzonz Appalusu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sam Samuelson!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yuuki Gou and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samuelson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Appalusu as he jumps to the side.
Samuelson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Appalusu circles away.

Appalusu gets a takedown into half guard.
Samuelson tries to get to full guard but Appalusu has control of the leg.

Appalusu is trying to work for a kimura but Samuelson is defending well.

Appalusu is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Samuelson wants to get back to full guard.

Appalusu seems to be working for a kimura but Samuelson defends the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Appalusu seems to be looking for submissions.

Appalusu is working for a kimura but Samuelson is defending it quite comfortably.
Samuelson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Appalusu's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Appalusu's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samuelson is looking to control Appalusu but Appalusu is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Samuelson working for the choke.
Samuelson trying to control momentarily.
I really don't envy Appalusu right now.
Samuelson is trying to stick to Appalusu's back but Appalusu is turning into Samuelson. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Samuelson's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Appalusu.

Appalusu has gone for a leg lock! Samuelson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Appalusu's guard.

Samuelson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Samuelson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Appalusu is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Samuelson is aware though and is defending well.
Samuelson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Appalusu working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Samuelson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Samuelson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Samuelson is trying to get an arm triangle but Appalusu is defending well.

Samuelson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Appalusu, who protects the arm well.
Appalusu is looking to reverse the position.
Appalusu sneaks back into half guard.

Samuelson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Appalusu defends it well.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Appalusu actively working from the bottom here.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samuelson wants to pass the guard but Appalusu is defending well.
Samuelson content to control rather than advance.
Samuelson prevents Appalusu from improving his position.
Samuelson wants to take a breather but Appalusu is having none of it.

Samuelson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Appalusu looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Appalusu gets back to full guard.
Samuelson slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Appalusu looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Samuelson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Appalusu sees it coming and defends easily.
Appalusu is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Samuelson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Appalusu sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Appalusu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Samuelson pulls his head out easily.

Appalusu looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Samuelson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Appalusu knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Appalusu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Samuelson pulls his head out easily.
Samuelson wants to pass the guard but Appalusu is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sam Samuelson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Samuelson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Appalusu sprawls well initially but Samuelson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Appalusu looking for submissions off his back.
Samuelson wants to free his trapped foot but Appalusu is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Appalusu actively working from the bottom here.
Samuelson passes to full mount!
Samuelson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Samuelson wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Appalusu working to try and regain half guard.
Samuelson content just to control the position here.
Appalusu tries to reverse the position but Samuelson maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samuelson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Samuelson with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Samuelson takes Appalusu's back.

Samuelson is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Samuelson tries to keep control of the position but Appalusu is staying busy.
Appalusu tries to escape but Samuelson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Appalusu tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Sam Samuelson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Samuelson looking to control but Appalusu is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Appalusu gets back to half guard.
Samuelson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Appalusu looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Appalusu actively working from the bottom here.
Samuelson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Samuelson in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Appalusu tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Samuelson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Sam Samuelson!