PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ubereem Aplestair (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dennis Rhl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Aplestair
vs
Rhl

180 cm
21
204 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

185 cm
20
205 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Prefers standup

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ubereem Aplestair!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dennis Rhl!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aplestair throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rhl tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Aplestair is in Rhl's guard.
Aplestair trying to control but Rhl is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rhl looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aplestair passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Aplestair decides to stand back up. Aplestair steps back and let's Rhl get back to his feet.
Aplestair fails to land the takedown.
Rhl stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rhl wants it to stay on the feet.

Aplestair drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rhl can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Aplestair controls the pace.
Rhl keeping moving, preventing Aplestair from controlling successfully.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhl 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.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Aplestair gets to his feet. Rhl looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Aplestair has closed the distance and engaged Rhl in a clinch.

Aplestair jumps guard and drags Rhl to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Aplestair keeping moving, preventing Rhl from controlling successfully.
Rhl might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Aplestair kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rhl seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Dennis Rhl wasn't active enough on the ground.
Rhl pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aplestair avoids the head kick by Rhl.

Aplestair scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Aplestair tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Aplestair prevents Rhl from escaping the position.
Aplestair is putting a hurting on Rhl here, landing some big shots from side control.
Aplestair looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Rhl is avoiding damage well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aplestair lands a few punches from side control.

Aplestair working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Aplestair is breathing heavily.
Rhl is looking to reverse the position.
Rhl is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Aplestair sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rhl defending well though.

Aplestair is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rhl is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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.
Aplestair trying to control the action but Rhl is working from the bottom.

Rhl makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Dennis Rhl is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rhl tries to clinch but Aplestair moves away

and Aplestair counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rhl won't be happy with that.
Rhl is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Aplestair stalling away here and it's allowed Rhl to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Aplestair wants to control from the top but Rhl keeps moving.
Aplestair missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Aplestair postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rhl is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Aplestair, into his guard.
Rhl slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ubereem Aplestair dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rhl throws a head kick that misses.
Rhl moves to clinch but Aplestair breaks away

and Aplestair counters with a single leg into guard. Rhl didn't expect that.
Aplestair throwing strikes but missing.
Aplestair prevents Rhl from getting back to his feet.
Aplestair throws and elbow that misses. Rhl uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Aplestair's guard. Nice move by Rhl!
Aplestair wants to stand and escape but Rhl is having none of it.
Rhl is breathing heavily.
Rhl is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhl wants to control from the top but Aplestair keeps moving.
Rhl is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Dennis Rhl wasn't active enough on the ground.

Aplestair feints and as Rhl raises his hands in defense, Aplestair changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rhl keeping full guard, as Aplestair tries to pass.
Rhl manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Aplestair manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aplestair has Rhl pulled in close to control his posture.
Rhl trying to control but Aplestair is working from the bottom.

Rhl got a little sloppy there for a moment and Aplestair has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rhl has managed to get both his arms back between Aplestair's legs - danger averted.

Aplestair wriggles free and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aplestair gets a takedown into half guard.

Aplestair is looking for a kimura here.
Rhl is staying active underneath Aplestair, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Aplestair is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rhl is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rhl is pressing down on Aplestair's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aplestair trying to control but Rhl is working from the bottom.
Rhl tries to land a sweep but no joy.

We're going to have a standup here because Ubereem Aplestair wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Rhl misses with a two punch combination.
Rhl wants to clinch up but Aplestair keeps it at a distance.
Aplestair closes the distance and clinches up with Rhl, looking for a takedown. Aplestair pushes Rhl against the ropes but Rhl circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Aplestair swats away the attempt to clinch by Rhl.
Rhl tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rhl scores with a one two! Aplestair had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Aplestair has Rhl up against the ropes in a clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rhl.
Rhl wants to get back to striking at distance but Aplestair won't allow it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Aplestair tries to pull guard but Rhl won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ubereem Aplestair dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Aplestair scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Aplestair decides to stand and escape the position.
Aplestair tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rhl sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Aplestair somewhat.
Aplestair shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rhl defends it nicely.
Ubereem Aplestair seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rhl bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Aplestair circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rhl stuffs the takedown attempt from Aplestair. Aplestair gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ubereem Aplestair. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aplestair tries to clinch but Rhl moves out of range.
Aplestair closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rhl misses with a series of wild punches.
Ubereem Aplestair is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhl goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rhl looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aplestair on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Aplestair shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rhl but Rhl pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rhl fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aplestair has a takedown stuffed.
Aplestair circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rhl throws a sloppy head kick and Aplestair moves out of range easily.
Aplestair fails with an attempt to clinch.
Aplestair takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rhl scores with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhl doesn't manage to clinch there - Aplestair circles away.
Rhl tries to clinch but Aplestair moves away

so Aplestair counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ubereem Aplestair overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rhl trying to keep a closed guard but Aplestair is proving a slippery customer.
Aplestair slips nicely into half guard.
Rhl wants to improve his position but Aplestair is controlling well.
Rhl blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aplestair.

Aplestair is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rhl doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aplestair.
Aplestair wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rhl keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aplestair throwing shots but Rhl is blocking nicely.
Rhl avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Aplestair.
Aplestair controlling the action here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rhl manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Aplestair gets to his feet - Rhl follows without any prompting.

Rhl moves into range and clinches up with Aplestair.
Ubereem Aplestair is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rhl gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Aplestair keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rhl's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhl leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Rhl letting Aplestair take a breather here.

Aplestair gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Aplestair trying to control but Rhl is working from the bottom.
Rhl is trying to keep Aplestair in close.
Aplestair is looking to stand up but Rhl won't let him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rhl keeping moving, preventing Aplestair from controlling successfully.
Dennis Rhl has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ubereem Aplestair.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Aplestair, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ubereem Aplestair!