PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johan Apanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alistair Overeem has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Apanson
vs
Overeem

190 cm
22
195 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

180 cm
24
193 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

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, Johan Apanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alistair Overeem!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Apanson is defended easily by Overeem.
Apanson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The fighters circling - Overeem throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Overeem throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A low kick from Apanson misses
and Overeem counters with a nice uppercut.
Overeem throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Apanson.
Apanson fails to land the takedown.
Nice cross by Overeem.

Apanson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Overeem looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Overeem can't do much from the bottom here.
Overeem tries to bench press Apanson off him but Apanson keeps the position.

Apanson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Overeem wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apanson tries to advance to mount but Overeem denies him.
Apanson has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Overeem!
Overeem tries to hold on but Apanson postures up.
Apanson working the ground and pound effectively.
Apanson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Apanson unloads with some shots from mount but Overeem bucks and avoids them well.
Apanson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Overeem avoids a series of strikes thrown by Apanson.
Apanson working the ground and pound effectively.
Overeem is squirming around, avoiding Apanson's attempts to control the action.
Apanson with shots to the head and body - Overeem looks very uncomfortable down there.
Apanson looking to ground and pound but Overeem is blocking nicely.
Overeem avoids a series of strikes thrown by Apanson.

Apanson is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Overeem has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Overeem!
Apanson 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Apanson looking for a guillotine here but Overeem defends easily.
Apanson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Apanson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Overeem not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

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.
Apanson seems keen to control Overeem's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Apanson throws his legs up looking for a submission but Overeem uses it to pass to side control.
Overeem tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Apanson trying his best to control but Overeem has mounted him.
Apanson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Overeem trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Apanson tries to lock up and control but Overeem gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A good leg kick by Overeem.
Apanson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Overeem.
Overeem throws a right and a left that Apanson avoids nicely.
Apanson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Overeem checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Overeem fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Apanson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Apanson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Overeem sprawls well. Overeem wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Apanson gets slowly back to his feet.
Overeem scoring well with a low kick there.
Overeem misses with a looping left.
Overeem looks to score with a jab to the body but Apanson is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Overeem misses the shot to the body.
Apanson avoids the body shot from Overeem.
Overeem throws a head kick that misses.
Apanson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Overeem.
Apanson shoots in looking for a takedown but Overeem manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Apanson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apanson walks into a straight right hand from Overeem.
A good leg kick by Apanson.
Overeem lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Apanson - that will leave a mark!
Apanson dodges the punch combination from Overeem.
Overeem scores with a shot to the body.
Apanson throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Overeem fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Apanson manages to avoid it.
Alistair Overeem is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Apanson throws a leg kick but Overeem sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Apanson throws a head kick that misses
and Overeem counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Apanson thinking.
Apanson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Overeem.
Overeem looks to land a combination but Apanson avoids it well.
Apanson throws a leg kick but Overeem moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apanson throws a head kick but Overeem moves out of range.
Overeem moves out of range as Apanson throws a body kick.
Overeem is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Apanson rather than just go for the knockout.
A shot to the body from Overeem misses

and Apanson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Overeem blocking the ground and pound attempt from Apanson.
Overeem is refusing to be controlled, as Apanson sits in half guard.
Apanson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Overeem is staying active underneath Apanson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
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. Apanson connects with a nice short shot to Overeem's temple.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Apanson seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Overeem is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Johan Apanson!