PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Meinrad Apfelbaum (ranked 2199 p4p, 2897 weight class) and Ben Godfrey (ranked 344 p4p, 422 weight class). Godfrey has chosen Where the Streets Have No Name - U2 as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Apfelbaum
vs
Godfrey

168 cm
25
220
4 - 1 - 0

213 cm
25
217
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Primal

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Meinrad Apfelbaum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ben Godfrey!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Winston Alpacca and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Godfrey is looking to clinch.
Godfrey looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Godfrey moves out of range as Apfelbaum strikes.
Godfrey uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Apfelbaum.

Apfelbaum drives through with a takedown into guard.
Godfrey trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Apfelbaum drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Apfelbaum jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Godfrey throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Apfelbaum knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Godfrey on the ground.
Godfrey has his hands on Apfelbaum's head, controlling the position.

Apfelbaum drops back looking for a leg! Godfrey is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Godfrey manages to kick Apfelbaum off! Apfelbaum jumps back into Godfrey's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Godfrey manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Apfelbaum manages to get himself to full guard.

Apfelbaum definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Godfrey showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Godfrey trying to control but Apfelbaum is working from the bottom.

Godfrey got a little sloppy there for a moment and Apfelbaum has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Godfrey has managed to get both his arms back between Apfelbaum's legs - danger averted.
Godfrey connects with a couple of short punches.

Apfelbaum has his foot on Godfrey's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Godfrey works his way back into a safe position though.
Apfelbaum working a defensive guard here.
Godfrey postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Apfelbaum has momentary wrist control but Godfrey slips an elbow through the middle.
Apfelbaum looking to hit a scissor sweep but Godfrey is one step ahead there.
Godfrey scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Godfrey is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Apfelbaum escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Godfrey gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Apfelbaum bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Godfrey's guard.

Godfrey bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Apfelbaum's guard.

Godfrey landing some decent shots from guard.
Apfelbaum wants to sweep but no luck.
Godfrey looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Apfelbaum is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apfelbaum tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Apfelbaum looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Apfelbaum looking for subs off his back but Godfrey has passed one foot through into half guard.
Apfelbaum taking some punishment here, with Godfrey in his half guard.
Apfelbaum is trying to get back to full guard.
Godfrey landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Apfelbaum on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Godfrey performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Godfrey lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Godfrey working the head and body with strikes.
Godfrey is nestled in close to Apfelbaum, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Apfelbaum tries to get to full guard but Godfrey has control of the leg.
Godfrey wants to control but Apfelbaum is keeping him busy.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Godfrey connects with a nice short shot to Apfelbaum's temple.
Apfelbaum is looking to improve his position.
Godfrey has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Godfrey lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Apfelbaum wants to get back to full guard.
Godfrey looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Godfrey seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Apfelbaum is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Godfrey lands a big elbow - Apfelbaum is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Godfrey!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ben Godfrey!
Ben Godfrey made sure to mention his sponsor, Primal in his post fight interview.