PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Osvald Kikkas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Goodridge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Kikkas
vs
Goodridge

205 cm
26
277 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

208 cm
21
270 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

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 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Osvald Kikkas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gary Goodridge!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kikkas with a lazy takedown attempt

and Goodridge holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Goodridge throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kikkas tries to pull guard but Goodridge won't allow it.

Goodridge manages to break the clinch.

Goodridge darts in and clinches Kikkas up against the cage.
Goodridge throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Goodridge lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kikkas backwards.
Kikkas blocks an elbow strike.
Kikkas looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kikkas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Goodridge just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osvald Kikkas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goodridge misses with the head strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kikkas.
Goodridge is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kikkas is defending well for now.
Kikkas managing to block the knees to the body from Goodridge.

Kikkas pulls guard.

Kikkas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kikkas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Goodridge can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kikkas is looking for a triangle but Goodridge pushes his legs off easily.

Goodridge gets to his feet - Kikkas follows without any prompting.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Goodridge clinches with his opponent.
The referee is keeping an eye on Goodridge - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kikkas has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikkas blocks an elbow strike from Goodridge.
Kikkas is trying to break the clinch but Goodridge has him pressed against the cage.
Come on Goodridge - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Goodridge breaks the clinch.

Goodridge has taken the fight to the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Goodridge.
Goodridge swings wildly with an uppercut but Kikkas uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goodridge misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kikkas.

Kikkas pulls guard successfully.

Kikkas is looking for a triangle but Goodridge pushes his legs off easily.
Goodridge wants to stand but Kikkas has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kikkas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
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 Osvald Kikkas will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Goodridge rushes Kikkas and presses him up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Goodridge fails to land.

Goodridge breaks the clinch.
Kikkas fails with the takedown

and Goodridge moves into the clinch.
Kikkas has had enough of the clinch but Goodridge keeps him there for the moment.

Kikkas decides to pull guard.

Kikkas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Goodridge stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kikkas doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Goodridge counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Goodridge.
Goodridge throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Goodridge on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kikkas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Goodridge prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osvald Kikkas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goodridge trying to land knees to the body.
Kikkas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Goodridge has him pressed against the cage.
Kikkas is looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goodridge looking to throw knees to the head but Kikkas is blocking nicely.
Goodridge tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kikkas avoids it.
Kikkas misses with some punches.
Nice elbow from Goodridge.
Kikkas is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Goodridge is defending well.
Kikkas is trying to drag Goodridge to the mat but Goodridge just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Goodridge trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikkas is looking for a takedown.
Goodridge tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kikkas avoids it.
Goodridge tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kikkas avoids it.
Goodridge throws a head punch that misses.
Goodridge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Goodridge lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Goodridge pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kikkas drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Kikkas goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Goodridge rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Kikkas's guard! Nice work there by Goodridge!
Goodridge must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Kikkas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Goodridge defends well.
Goodridge is looking to stand up but Kikkas won't let him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kikkas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Goodridge wants to stand but Kikkas has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Goodridge stands and steps away. Kikkas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Goodridge showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kikkas doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Goodridge counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Goodridge taking a breather.
A short right from Goodridge.

Goodridge breaks from the clinch.

Goodridge closes the distance and pushes Kikkas back into the cage.
Goodridge has Kikkas pressed against the cage, preventing Kikkas from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kikkas is trying to pull guard but Goodridge has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Goodridge.
Kikkas misses with a body punch.

Goodridge's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kikkas doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Goodridge moves into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Osvald Kikkas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kikkas tries to break free but Goodridge pushes him back against the cage.
Goodridge lands a left hand.
Kikkas can't break the clinch.
Goodridge misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goodridge throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kikkass head.

Goodridge escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kikkas tries for a takedown but Goodridge circles away easily

and Goodridge counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Goodridge.
Gary Goodridge seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kikkas pushes off an throws an elbow but Goodridge leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kikkas takes a shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Goodridge misses with a punch to the body.
Goodridge is struggling to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikkas dodges an elbow strike from Goodridge.
Goodridge lands with a right to the head.
Kikkas has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Goodridge after a bit of a struggle.
Goodridge tries to throw a body punch but Kikkas avoids it by throwing Goodridge back against the cage.
Goodridge is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kikkas is defending well for now.
Goodridge stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goodridge lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kikkas or not.
Goodridge creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Kikkas ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kikkas no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Goodridge wants to stand but Kikkas is controlling his posture from full guard.

Goodridge stands up and waves to Kikkas to follow him.
Kikkas with a poor takedown

and Goodridge decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kikkas's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Goodridge stands and steps away. Kikkas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Goodridge drives through and clinches with Kikkas against the cage.
Goodridge is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kikkas is defending well for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gary Goodridge comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Goodridge 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gary Goodridge!
A very excited looking Gary Goodridge made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.