PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abel Koponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Koponen
vs
Tikkanen

187 cm
22
215 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

186 cm
20
209 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Rebel Pride Clothing. (Death Before Dishonor) $8 S
Kobra Clothing Inc.

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abel Koponen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Esa Tikkanen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Koponen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tikkanen, pushing him back against the cage.

Koponen pulls guard effortlessly.
Tikkanen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Koponen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tikkanen defends well.

Koponen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tikkanen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Koponen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Koponen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tikkanen is aware though and is defending well.

Koponen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Tikkanen passes into half guard.
Tikkanen stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Koponen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Koponen tries to get to full guard but Tikkanen has control of the leg.

Koponen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Tikkanen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Koponen is just riding it out for now. Tikkanen eventually gives up the hold.

Tikkanen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Tikkanen is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koponen trying to control but Tikkanen postures up.
Tikkanen is looking to advance position but Koponen won't allow it.

Koponen actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koponen is looking for a sweep. Tikkanen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Tikkanen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Koponen sees it coming and defends easily.
Tikkanen not doing much here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koponen is looking for a sweep. Tikkanen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Koponen throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tikkanen in particular looking to stall.
Tikkanen passes to full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tikkanen controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koponen tries to hold on but Tikkanen pushes him away.
Tikkanen controlling the position easily from mount.
Koponen tries to lock up and control but Tikkanen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Tikkanen wants to control the pace but Koponen is squirming around nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tikkanen blocks Koponen's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Koponen is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Esa Tikkanen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tikkanen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Koponen tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tikkanen is in Koponen's guard.

Koponen working for a triangle but Tikkanen defends it easily.
Tikkanen wants to control from the top but Koponen keeps moving.
Tikkanen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Esa Tikkanen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koponen controls Tikkanen momentarily but Tikkanen frees himself.
Koponen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tikkanen manages to get himself to full guard.

Koponen drops back looking for a leg! Tikkanen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tikkanen manages to kick Koponen off! Koponen jumps back into Tikkanen's guard.
Tikkanen wants to sweep here but Koponen controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen has his hands on Koponen's head, controlling the position.
Koponen is looking to work some ground and pound but Tikkanen has wrist control.
Tikkanen wants to hit a switch here but Koponen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Tikkanen there!
Tikkanen tries to reverse the position but Koponen maintains control.
Tikkanen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Koponen jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tikkanen is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tikkanen and Koponen has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Koponen fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Koponen decides to stand back up. Koponen steps back and let's Tikkanen get back to his feet.
Tikkanen tries to clinch there but Koponen circles away.
Tikkanen is looking to clinch but Koponen is avoiding it.
Tikkanen lands with a right hand.
Tikkanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Koponen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tikkanen keeps the fight on the outside.
Tikkanen dives in and grabs Koponen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Koponen pushes down on Tikkanen's head and hops out.

Tikkanen gets a takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Koponen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tikkanen pulls his head out easily.
Koponen trying to get back to full guard but Tikkanen takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tikkanen looking to isolate an arm here. Koponen doesn't see it coming and as Tikkanen extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Tikkanen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Esa Tikkanen!
After the big win, Esa Tikkanen made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Kobra Clothing Inc. and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.