PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Ryoko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Licken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Licken has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Ryoko
vs
Licken

190 cm
22
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

193 cm
22
225 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Ryoko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steve Licken!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ryoko keeps the fight on the outside.

Ryoko closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ryoko lands in his opponent's guard.
Ryoko lands a couple of digs.
Ryoko with a nice head shot there.
Licken preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ryoko trying to control the position from guard on top but Licken is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ryoko connects with a couple of short punches.

Ryoko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ryoko stopping the sweep attempt from Licken.
Ryoko throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryoko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ryoko could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Ryoko postures up in Licken's guard and throws a big left but Licken blocks it.

Ryoko drops back looking for a leg! Licken is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Licken manages to kick Ryoko off! Ryoko jumps back into Licken's guard.
Ryoko is pushing down on Licken's leg trying to pass to half guard. Licken is fighting to maintain full guard but Ryoko has managed to sneak the leg through.
Licken looks gassed!
Licken is trying to get back to full guard.
Licken has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ryoko is working away from the top position though.
Ryoko thows a huge punch but Licken dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ryoko stands up from half guard.
Licken tries to clinch but Ryoko moves out of range.

Ryoko looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Ryoko drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Licken manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Ryoko has Licken in his guard.
Licken trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ryoko's guard.
Licken is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Licken must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Licken tries to stand but Ryoko is controlling from the bottom.
Licken wants to control from the top but Ryoko keeps moving.
Ryoko controlling the position.

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.
Licken throwing strikes from guard but Ryoko blocks nicely.
Licken trying to control the position from guard on top but Ryoko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Licken is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Licken has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ryoko is proving hard to escape from.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Ryoko dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ryoko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ryoko blocks a leg kick.
Ryoko shoots in looking for a takedown. Licken tries to sprawl out of it but Ryoko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Licken manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Licken has Ryoko up against the cage in a clinch.
Licken comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ryoko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Licken fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No luck for Ryoko with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Ryoko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Licken wants to clinch.

Licken gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Licken lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Licken lands an elbow that stopped Ryoko in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like John Ryoko has been cut.
Ryoko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Licken is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ryoko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Licken connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ryoko's face.
Licken lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Licken with a knee to the head.
Licken lands a damaging elbow.
Licken creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ryoko's defenses.
Licken prevents a takedown attempt there.
Licken gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ryoko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Licken with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Licken prevents the takedown attempt.
Licken scores with a knee to the head.
Licken creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ryoko's defenses.
Licken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Licken using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ryoko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nice elbow from Licken.
Ryoko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Licken avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ryoko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Licken lands a damaging elbow.
Ryoko tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryoko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ryoko takes an elbow to the temple.
Licken lands an elbow just above Ryoko 's eye.
Ryoko tries to circle away but Licken has him pinned against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Licken throws an elbow but misses.
Licken throws a knee to the head but misses.
Licken lands an elbow that stopped Ryoko in his tracks for a moment.
Licken scores with a knee to the head.
Licken misses with a knee strike.
Licken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ryoko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Licken is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Licken lands an elbow inside that Ryoko shrugs off.
Ryoko wants a takedown.
Licken looking to throw knees to the head but Ryoko is blocking nicely.
Licken stops a takedown attempt from Ryoko.
Licken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ryoko tries for a takedown but Licken manages to get underhooks.
Licken lands an elbow inside.
Licken looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ryoko tries to score a body lock takedown but Licken shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ryoko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Licken with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ryoko looking for a takedown.
Nice elbow from Licken.
Ryoko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Licken gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Licken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Licken gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Licken with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Licken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Licken is pressed up against the cage. Ryoko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Licken down to the mat. Licken avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Licken has Ryoko up against the cage in a clinch.
Ryoko looking for a takedown.
Ryoko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ryoko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Licken connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ryoko's face.
Licken lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ryoko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Licken avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ryoko is working for takedown but Licken is calmly controlling the position for now.
Licken unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Licken comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Licken is pressed up against the cage. Ryoko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Licken down to the mat. Licken avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Licken is looking to clinch but Ryoko is avoiding it.

Licken clinches up against the cage.
Ryoko dodges an elbow strike from Licken.
Licken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ryoko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ryoko is trying to drag Licken to the mat but Licken just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Licken lands an elbow that stopped Ryoko in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Licken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Licken prevents the takedown attempt.
Licken lands a nice elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Licken just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ryoko's brow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Licken throws an elbow but misses.
Licken is pressed up against the cage. Ryoko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Licken down to the mat. Licken avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Licken slaps away a takedown attempt from Ryoko, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Licken closes the distance and clinches.
A knee to the head by Licken.
Licken lands an elbow inside.
Licken pushes off an throws an elbow but Ryoko leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ryoko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Licken prevents it.
Ryoko is trying to drag Licken to the mat but Licken just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ryoko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Licken just stands there and leans against the cage.
Licken lands an elbow that stopped Ryoko in his tracks for a moment.
A knee to the head by Licken.
Licken with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Licken showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Ryoko's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Licken wants to clinch up but Ryoko keeps it at a distance.
Licken wants to clinch.
Ryoko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Licken circles away.
Horrible takedown by Ryoko or perhaps it was just good defense by Licken which made him look bad.

Licken instigates a clinch.
Ryoko wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Ryoko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Licken lands a damaging elbow.
Licken lands an elbow that stopped Ryoko in his tracks for a moment.
Licken lands a nice elbow.
Licken lands an elbow inside.
Ryoko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Licken with a knee to the head.
Licken tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ryoko is trying to drag Licken to the mat but Licken just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ryoko looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Licken.
Ryoko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Licken throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Licken gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ryoko.
Ryoko avoids the elbow strike from Licken, against the cage.
Licken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ryoko blocks it with crossed arms.
Ryoko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Licken pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Licken stops a takedown attempt from Ryoko.
Ryoko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Licken gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Licken lands an elbow that stopped Ryoko in his tracks for a moment.
Licken landing knees to the head.
Licken using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ryoko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Licken throws an elbow but it misses.
Licken gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Licken misses with a knee to the head.
Ryoko tries for a takedown but Licken manages to get underhooks.
Licken landing knees to the head.
Ryoko goes for a takedown attempt but Licken pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Licken is looking to clinch.
Steve Licken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Licken doesn't manage to clinch there - Ryoko circles away.
Ryoko shoots in looking for a takedown. Licken tries to sprawl out of it but Ryoko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Licken manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Licken moves into the clinch.
Licken lands an elbow inside that Ryoko shrugs off.
Ryoko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Licken pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Licken comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Licken tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Licken looking to throw knees to the head but Ryoko is blocking nicely.
With the fighters up against the cage, Licken throws an elbow but misses.
Licken gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Licken throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Licken creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Licken with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Licken prevents a takedown attempt there.
With the fighters up against the cage, Licken throws an elbow but misses.
Licken misses with a knee to the head.
Licken lands an elbow inside that Ryoko shrugs off.
Ryoko takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Licken misses with an elbow strike.
Licken throws an elbow but it misses.
Licken lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Licken throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ryoko blocks it with crossed arms.
Licken is pressed up against the cage. Ryoko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Licken down to the mat. Licken avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ryoko fails to land the takedown.
Ryoko takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ryoko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Licken as he jumps to the side.

Licken moves into the clinch.
Licken lands an elbow inside.
Ryoko is working for takedown but Licken is calmly controlling the position for now.
Licken lands an elbow inside that Ryoko shrugs off.
Licken stops a takedown attempt from Ryoko.
Licken using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ryoko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Licken looking to throw knees to the head but Ryoko is blocking nicely.
Ryoko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Licken pulls his leg out and moves away.
Steve Licken is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Licken tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ryoko paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryoko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Licken moves into the clinch successfully.
Licken lands a damaging elbow.
Licken lands a knee to the head.
Licken misses with an elbow strike.
Licken throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ryoko goes for a takedown attempt but Licken pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Licken clinches.
Licken landing knees to the head.
Ryoko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Licken pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Steve Licken seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Licken comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Licken looking to throw knees to the head but Ryoko is blocking nicely.
Licken misses with a knee strike.
Licken gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Licken with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ryoko blocks the elbow strike.
Licken scores with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Licken comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Licken has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Licken!