PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jan Drtikost (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Olli Tarkiainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tarkiainen has chosen Children of Bodom - Needled 24/7 as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Drtikost
vs
Tarkiainen

175 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

183 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Attliction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jan Drtikost!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Olli Tarkiainen!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tarkiainen misses with a body kick.
Drtikost doesn't manage to clinch there - Tarkiainen circles away.
Drtikost throws a looping overhand right but Tarkiainen ducks down to avoid it.
Tarkiainen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Drtikost is fending him off so far but Tarkiainen persists. Nope, Drtikost circles away and we're back to standing.

Drtikost looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Tarkiainen!
Drtikost with good strikes from the mount here!

Tarkiainen is rocked!
Tarkiainen is trying to escape the mount.
Tarkiainen is still in real trouble! Can Drtikost finish him?
Tarkiainen wants to hold on but Drtikost pushes him away.
Tarkiainen regains half guard.

Drtikost stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Tarkiainen seems to have recovered his senses.

Drtikost clinches up against the cage.

Drtikost breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Tarkiainen clinches up with Drtikost and pushes him back against the cage.
Drtikost wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tarkiainen has him pressed against the cage.
Tarkiainen is trying to break free.
Tarkiainen looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drtikost wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tarkiainen has him pressed against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Tarkiainen can't break the clinch.

Drtikost breaks the clinch.
Drtikost looks to land a left hand but Tarkiainen moved out of range nicely.
Tarkiainen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Drtikost as he jumps to the side.
Tarkiainen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jan Drtikost seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Drtikost shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tarkiainen as he jumps to the side.
Tarkiainen thuds a left hand into Drtikost's body.

Tarkiainen darts in and clinches Drtikost up against the cage.
Drtikost prevents a takedown attempt there.
Jan Drtikost has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Olli Tarkiainen.
Tarkiainen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Drtikost avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tarkiainen looks gassed!
Drtikost working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Drtikost breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Drtikost wants to clinch up but Tarkiainen keeps it at a distance.
Drtikost wants to clinch up but Tarkiainen keeps it at a distance.
Drtikost fails with a takedown attempt.
Drtikost tries for a takedown but Tarkiainen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drtikost fails with the takedown.
Tarkiainen scores with a punch to the head.
Tarkiainen tries to bum rush Drtikost with a series of wild strikes but Drtikost uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Drtikost looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tarkiainen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Drtikost misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Drtikost tries to clinch but Tarkiainen is having none of it.
Tarkiainen doesn't manage to clinch there - Drtikost circles away.
Tarkiainen fails with an attempt to clinch.

Drtikost decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Drtikost throwing shots but Tarkiainen is blocking nicely.

Drtikost looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Drtikost is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Drtikost is looking for a kimura here.
Tarkiainen is trying to get back to full guard.

Tarkiainen has one foot on Drtikost's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Tarkiainen wants to clinch but Drtikost slips to the side

and Drtikost counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Drtikost.
Tarkiainen is working for takedown but Drtikost is calmly controlling the position for now.

Drtikost escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tarkiainen is looking to clinch but Drtikost is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tarkiainen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Drtikost wants to control but Tarkiainen postures up.
Drtikost manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tarkiainen's best efforts.
Drtikost is trying to get back to full guard.
Drtikost 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.
Tarkiainen stops Drtikost from getting back to his feet.
Drtikost is looking to get back to full guard here but Tarkiainen has managed to pass to side control instead.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Drtikost tries to reverse the position but Tarkiainen maintains control.
Drtikost is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tarkiainen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Drtikost is squirming around, avoiding Tarkiainen's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Drtikost is looking to clinch but Tarkiainen is avoiding it.
Tarkiainen keeps the fight on the outside.
Drtikost tries for a takedown but Tarkiainen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tarkiainen doesn't manage to clinch there - Drtikost circles away.
Oooh a lovely combination from Drtikost sends Tarkiainen down but not out. Drtikost dives into side control looking to finish.
Drtikost works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Drtikost working the head with strikes.
Drtikost cracks Tarkiainen with a big right hand but Tarkiainen just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Drtikost stands up and beckons Tarkiainen to his feet.
Tarkiainen tries to clinch up but Drtikost circles away and keeps his distance.
Drtikost fails in his attempt to clinch.
Drtikost tries to clinch but Tarkiainen moves out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Drtikost doesn't manage to clinch there - Tarkiainen circles away.
Tarkiainen tries to bum rush Drtikost with a series of wild strikes but Drtikost uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Tarkiainen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Drtikost sprawls well initially but Tarkiainen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Drtikost regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drtikost is looking to stand up but Tarkiainen isn't so interested in that idea.
Tarkiainen throwing strikes but missing.
Tarkiainen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Drtikost looking for a guillotine here but Tarkiainen defends easily.
Drtikost 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.
Drtikost wants to get back to his feet but Tarkiainen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Drtikost is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Drtikost wants to sweep here but Tarkiainen controlling him for the moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Drtikost misses with an uppercut
and Tarkiainen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Drtikost lunges at Tarkiainen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tarkiainen's hand.

Drtikost scores with a takedown into Tarkiainen's guard.
Drtikost preventing the sweep.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tarkiainen can do anything to dispel that myth.
Drtikost slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Drtikost with the ground and pound but Tarkiainen regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Drtikost prevents Tarkiainen from improving his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Drtikost lands a nice short elbow.
Drtikost moves into full mount! Tarkiainen won't be happy about that!
Drtikost lands a big elbow.
Drtikost trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Tarkiainen is in a horrible position here. Drtikost smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Tarkiainen really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Tarkiainen tries to hold on but Drtikost postures up.
Drtikost raining down shots from the mount!
Tarkiainen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Jan Drtikost overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tarkiainen wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Drtikost.
Drtikost punching from mount but Tarkiainen doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Tarkiainen is bucking up trying to escape but Drtikost cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Tarkiainen wants to control but Drtikost is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drtikost lands a big elbow.
Drtikost scoring with strikes but Tarkiainen is staying in there.

Drtikost stands up from mount. Strange move.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drtikost tries to clinch there but Tarkiainen circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarkiainen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tarkiainen throws a series of punches but Drtikost avoids them all with ease.
Drtikost misses with a double jab
and Drtikost takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Drtikost misses with a few strikes there.
Tarkiainen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Drtikost shoots in for a takedown but Tarkiainen shows good takedown defense.
Drtikost tries to clinch but Tarkiainen is having none of it.
Drtikost fails with an attempt to clinch.
A left lands for Tarkiainen.
Drtikost wants to clinch

and Tarkiainen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Drtikost won't be happy with that.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Drtikost tries to buck Tarkiainen off but Tarkiainen is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Drtikost's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tarkiainen tries to advance to mount but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Drtikost dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tarkiainen lands a jab to Drtikost's midsection.
Drtikost tries to clinch but Tarkiainen moves out of range.
Tarkiainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Drtikost closes the distance looking to clinch

and Tarkiainen moves into the clinch.

Drtikost breaks from the clinch.
Drtikost falls off balance throwing a combination

and Tarkiainen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tarkiainen.
Tarkiainen won't allow Drtikost to sweep him here.
Tarkiainen stays in close to Drtikost's body and controls the position.

Tarkiainen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tarkiainen circles away from the clinch attempt

and Tarkiainen counters with a takedown into side control.
Tarkiainen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Drtikost bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drtikost closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tarkiainen counters with a straight right hand.
Jan Drtikost is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Drtikost closes the distance but Tarkiainen moves to the side

and Tarkiainen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tarkiainen is pressed up against the cage. Drtikost has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tarkiainen down to the mat. Tarkiainen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tarkiainen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Drtikost.
Tarkiainen wants to clinch

and Drtikost counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Drtikost.
Tarkiainen wants a takedown but no success here.
Tarkiainen is looking to break free of the clinch but Drtikost has double underhooks.
Drtikost looking for a takedown.
Tarkiainen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Drtikost fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Drtikost wants to clinch but Tarkiainen slips to the side
and Tarkiainen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tarkiainen stuffs the takedown attempt from Drtikost. Drtikost gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Drtikost. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tarkiainen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Tarkiainen misses with a two punch combination.
Drtikost tries for a takedown but Tarkiainen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Tarkiainen has closed the distance and engaged Drtikost in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarkiainen content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Drtikost stops a takedown attempt from Tarkiainen.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tarkiainen.
Tarkiainen wants to break free but Drtikost has control.
Drtikost tries to break the clinch but Tarkiainen is controlling the position.
Drtikost is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Drtikost gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tarkiainen.
Tarkiainen looking to stall.

Drtikost breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Drtikost looks to clinch

and Tarkiainen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Drtikost won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Drtikost is looking for a sweep.
Drtikost can't do much from the bottom here.
Drtikost manages to get back to half guard.
Drtikost tries to get to full guard but Tarkiainen has control of the leg.
Drtikost flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Drtikost moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarkiainen tries to stand but Drtikost is controlling from the bottom.
Drtikost is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Tarkiainen wants to improve his position but Drtikost is controlling well.
Tarkiainen trying to control from the bottom.
Drtikost prevents Tarkiainen from standing back up.
Tarkiainen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Tarkiainen has Drtikost pulled in close to control his posture.
Tarkiainen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Drtikost trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Drtikost stands and steps away. Tarkiainen gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Drtikost tries for a takedown but Tarkiainen circles away easily

so Tarkiainen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarkiainen wants to control from the top but Drtikost keeps moving.
Tarkiainen is looking to stand up but Drtikost won't let him.
Drtikost wants to sweep here but Tarkiainen controlling him for the moment.
Tarkiainen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Drtikost working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tarkiainen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tarkiainen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Drtikost thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Tarkiainen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Olli Tarkiainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Drtikost keeping moving, preventing Tarkiainen from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Olli Tarkiainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Drtikost has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jan Drtikost!