PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rolf Thorkildsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Jericho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thorkildsen comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Hell's Bells. Jericho comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Pyhimys - 0 kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rolf Thorkildsen could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ricky Jericho's chin.

Thorkildsen
vs
Jericho

176 cm
29
165 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

175 cm
26
168 lbs
13 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Undead clothing. All items 10$

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rolf Thorkildsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ricky Jericho!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jericho takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Jericho shoots in for a takedown but Thorkildsen shows good takedown defense.
Thorkildsen scores with a nice head shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jericho looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fighters circling - Thorkildsen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Thorkildsen enables Jericho to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Thorkildsen manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Jericho landing some decent shots from guard.

Thorkildsen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Jericho passes into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Thorkildsen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thorkildsen is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorkildsen is working hard here to advance position.
Jericho seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thorkildsen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Thorkildsen is trying to get back to full guard.
Jericho uses his free foot to push down on Thorkildsen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Thorkildsen tries to get to full guard but Jericho has control of the leg.
Thorkildsen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Thorkildsen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen can't keep his opponent in guard - Jericho advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Thorkildsen tries to get to full guard but Jericho has control of the leg.
Thorkildsen gets back to full guard.
Jericho with a flurry of punches that miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jericho wants to control from the top but Thorkildsen keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen wants to sweep here but Jericho controlling him for the moment.

Jericho avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jericho postures up in Thorkildsen's guard and throws a big left but Thorkildsen blocks it.
Jericho chips away with some ground and pound.
Jericho working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Thorkildsen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jericho gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Jericho sitting in guard here, content to control.
Jericho works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jericho not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thorkildsen tries to get to full guard but Jericho has control of the leg.
Thorkildsen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thorkildsen keeping moving, preventing Jericho from controlling successfully.

Thorkildsen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jericho is pushing down on Thorkildsen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Thorkildsen is fighting to maintain full guard but Jericho has managed to sneak the leg through.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thorkildsen tries to roll over but Jericho keeps him under control.
Jericho wants to advance to full mount but Thorkildsen doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rolf Thorkildsen will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A good leg kick by Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Jericho on the side of the head.
Jericho throws a body punch but Thorkildsen moves out of range.
Thorkildsen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Jericho tries to clinch
and Thorkildsen counters with a leg kick.

Jericho closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Thorkildsen's guard.
Jericho wants to control from the top but Thorkildsen keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jericho's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Thorkildsen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thorkildsen keeping moving, preventing Jericho from controlling successfully.

Jericho avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorkildsen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thorkildsen keeping moving, preventing Jericho from controlling successfully.
Jericho trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jericho not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Thorkildsen keeping moving, preventing Jericho from controlling successfully.
Thorkildsen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jericho.
Jericho is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thorkildsen is looking for a triangle but Jericho pushes his legs off easily.
Jericho working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Jericho trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorkildsen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Thorkildsen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Thorkildsen keeping moving, preventing Jericho from controlling successfully.
Jericho passes Thorkildsen's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Thorkildsen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jericho seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Thorkildsen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jericho is looking to take a break and control but Thorkildsen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Thorkildsen tries to get to full guard but Jericho has control of the leg.
Jericho wants to take a breather but Thorkildsen is having none of it.

Thorkildsen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Jericho takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ricky Jericho has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen is looking to improve his position.
Jericho wants to pass to mount but Thorkildsen is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jericho seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thorkildsen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jericho controlling the pace.
Jericho wants to pass the guard but Thorkildsen is defending well.
Jericho passes to side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thorkildsen on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Jericho showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Jericho throws a sloppy head kick and Thorkildsen moves out of range easily.
Jericho moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Thorkildsen throws a big shot that misses.
Thorkildsen misses the shot to the body.
Jericho throws a body punch but Thorkildsen moves out of range.
Jericho tries to clinch but Thorkildsen is having none of it.
Jericho tries to land a leg kick but Thorkildsen saw it coming and moves away.
Jericho tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thorkildsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Jericho.
Nice shot by Thorkildsen.
Jericho misses with a shot to the body
and Thorkildsen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thorkildsen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jericho.
No joy there for Jericho, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thorkildsen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorkildsen loads up on a big right hand but Jericho slips the punch.
Thorkildsen moves out of range of the strikes.
Jericho looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Thorkildsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jericho manages to avoid it.
Jericho will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Thorkildsen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Jericho lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Jericho takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thorkildsen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Thorkildsen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jericho.
Jericho fails to land the takedown.
Rolf Thorkildsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricky Jericho.
Thorkildsen misses with a straight right.
Ricky Jericho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jericho staying out of range there.
Jericho falls off balance throwing a combination
and Thorkildsen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thorkildsen misses with a wild combination.
Thorkildsen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Thorkildsen darts in and clinches Jericho up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jericho letting Thorkildsen take a breather here.
Thorkildsen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Thorkildsen dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen lands with a left to the head.
Thorkildsen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thorkildsen cracks Jericho with a nice body shot.
Thorkildsen prevents a body shot from Jericho.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jericho wants to stall.
Jericho struggles to land a body shot inside as Thorkildsen controls his hands.
Thorkildsen lands an uppercut.
Jericho drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thorkildsen gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jericho jumps guard but Thorkildsen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Jericho has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Thorkildsen after a bit of a struggle.
A short uppercut from Thorkildsen.

Jericho is rocked!
Still in the clinch, Thorkildsen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jericho is still on wobbly legs! Can Thorkildsen finish him?
Thorkildsen creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Jericho with a big uppercut! Jericho tries to clinch up but Thorkildsen pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Jericho to the mat! Jericho covers up and Thorkildsen unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Rolf Thorkildsen!