PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ville Apila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Milo Papi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Papi has chosen IZ ON as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Apila
vs
Papi

175 cm
24
147 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

173 cm
21
152 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ville Apila!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Milo Papi!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Patrick Alders and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Apila walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Apila fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Papi throws a nice looking combination but Apila bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Papi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Papi throws an overhand right that lands on Apila's shoulder, as Apila tries to avoid the shot.
Papi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Apila circles away quickly and effectively.

Papi lands a left and a right that send Apila crashing to the mat, dazed. Papi thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

It looks like Ville Apila has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Apila slips a jab from Papi.
Apila wants to clinch up but Papi keeps it at a distance.
Papi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Apila fails in his attempt to clinch.
Papi looks to throw the jab but Apila is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Papi.

Apila shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Apila showed some decent athleticism there.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Apila is nestled in close to Papi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papi trying to hold on to Apila's head to control him but Apila postures up.
Apila has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Papi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Apila.
Apila missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Papi won't allow Apila to pass to mount.
Apila thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Papi's head.
Papi is controlling Apila's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Apila not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Apila with the ground and pound but Papi uses the opportunity to regain guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Papi lands a really nice looking cross but Apila seems unphased.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Apila uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Papi.
Milo Papi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Apila showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Papi.

Apila closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Papi trying to control but Apila flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Apila trying to control.
Apila gets his hands free as Papi looks to control.
Apila struggling to land strikes to the head as Papi covers up.
Papi trying to control the action but Apila just sinks the hooks in.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Apila scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Papi is looking for a way out.
Apila gets his hands free as Papi looks to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apila throws strikes from the back but Papi rolls nicely and manages to end up in full guard. Nice work by Papi.
Papi wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Apila won't allow Papi to sweep him here.
Papi working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Apila in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Papi trying to keep a closed guard but Apila is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Apila drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Papi struggling a bit here.
Apila tries to move into full mount but can't pass Papi's legs.
Apila creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Papi sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Papi taking punishment in the form of punches.
The strikes coming from Apila are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Papi controls the position for a moment.
Apila is putting a hurting on Papi here, landing some big shots from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milo Papi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ville Apila's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Papi lands a with a good body shot.
Papi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Apila ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Papi misses with a looping right.
Milo Papi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Apila shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Papi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Apila is working away from the top position though.
Apila missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Apila wants to take a breather but Papi is having none of it.
Apila throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Papi moves into full guard.

Papi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Apila can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Papi looking for a sweep. Not yet Papi, not yet.
Papi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Apila lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Papi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Apila can't escape the position.

That's two 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.
Papi raining down shots from the mount!
Papi connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Papi looking to control but Apila is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Papi has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Apila's face.
Papi fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Papi lands with some strikes.
Ville Apila overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
A nice elbow there by Papi.
Papi putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papi with shots to the head and body - Apila looks very uncomfortable down there.
Papi punishing his opponent with strikes.
Papi tries to control but Apila wriggling away.
Apila wants to control but Papi is having none of it.
Apila is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Papi looking to finish Apila with some ground and pound. This is bad for Apila!
Apila takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apila is looking to get to half guard.
Papi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Apila is looking to escape.
Apila has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Papi's lack of action.

Apila actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ground and pound from Papi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milo Papi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ville Apila's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Apila takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Papi lands with a nice body punch.
Good exchange - Papi coming out on top.
Apila shoots in and drives through. Papi sprawls well.
Papi punishes Apila's body with a nice straight punch.
Papi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Apila.
Apila ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Apila takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Some wild striking there from Papi.

Papi lands a left and a right that send Apila crashing to the mat, dazed. Papi thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Apila is rocked!
Apila uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Papi.
Papi throws a series of punches but Apila avoids them all with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Papi misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papi misses with a wild body shot.
Papi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Apila defending well as Papi loads up on a big left hand.
Apila fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Papi tries to bum rush Apila with a series of wild strikes but Apila uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Milo Papi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Papi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Apila sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Papi. That snapped Apila's head back.
Apila tries to close the distance and clinch but Papi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Apila keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Papi.
Apila blocks a jab.
Papi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Papi throws a shot from downtown. Apila moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Apila.

Apila closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Apila lands in his opponent's guard.
Apila distracts Papi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Papi looking for a sweep. Not yet Papi, not yet.
Papi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Papi has control of Apila's left arm, preventing Apila from doing any damage.
Papi keeping moving, preventing Apila from controlling successfully.
Papi is trying to control the position but Apila postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Apila stands up and waves to Papi to follow him.
Ville Apila is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Papi misses with a few strikes there.
Nice defenses there by Apila.

Papi gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Papi looking to control.
Apila being controlled here momentarily.
Papi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papi controls Apila momentarily but Apila frees himself.
Apila wants to control from the top but Papi keeps moving.
Papi being controlled here, momentarily.
Apila missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Apila is in close to Papi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Papi is adopting a defensive guard.
Apila landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milo Papi really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ville Apila's cut.
That's time! Apila's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Apila is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Papi.
Papi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Apila moves away.
Papi misses with a double jab.

Papi gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Apila is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Apila trying to control the position from guard on top but Papi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Apila connects with a couple of short punches.
Apila stopping the sweep attempt from Papi.
Papi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Apila is controlling him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Apila accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Apila won't allow Papi to sweep him here.
Papi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Papi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Papi misses with the combination.
Papi is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Papi misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Papi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Papi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Apila.
Papi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Apila.

Apila scores with a takedown into Papi's guard.
Papi controls Apila momentarily but Apila frees himself.
Papi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Papi trying to keep a closed guard but Apila is proving a slippery customer.
Apila trying to control but Papi is working from the bottom.
Apila lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papi trying to keep a closed guard but Apila is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
The fighters circle momentarily. Papi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Papi throws a lazy right hand but Apila sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Papi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Papi misses with the combination.
Jab from Papi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Apila slips a jab from Papi.
Papi looks to score with a jab to the body but Apila is just out of range.
A combination from Papi does no damage.

Apila fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Papi sprawls well initially but Apila persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Papi tries to roll over but Apila keeps him under control.
Apila thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Papi's head.
Papi trying to get back to full guard but Apila takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Apila tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Papi wants to hold on but Apila pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ville Apila had his way with Milo Papi in that round.
The cut man is working on Ville Apila's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Papi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Apila was well out of range. Poor timing from Papi.

Apila shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Papi is squirming around, avoiding Apila's attempts to control the action.
Papi wants to control but Apila is having none of it.
Papi bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Apila is looking for a triangle but Papi pushes his legs off easily.
Apila working a defensive guard here.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papi lands a couple of elbows.
Apila wants to hit a switch here but Papi passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Apila there!
Papi tries to control but Apila wriggling away.
Papi putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Papi lands a nice shot to the head.
Ville Apila has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apila is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Papi looking to control and managing it successfully.
Papi working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Papi working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Apila is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Papi lands a heavy elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papi scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Apila?
Papi with the ground and pound from mount.
Papi with shots to the head and body - Apila looks very uncomfortable down there.
Papi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Papi scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Papi working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Papi trying to control but Apila is having none of it.
Papi controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papi is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Milo Papi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Papi controlling from the full mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Milo Papi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Papi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 46:49
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 46:49
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Milo Papi!