PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dongmin Oh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tikkanen has chosen Bring The Pain as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Oh
vs
Tikkanen

186 cm
25
217 lbs
19 - 4 - 0

186 cm
27
209 lbs
18 - 3 - 1

Great wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Merciless Gladiators

KAISER Nutrition (160!)
Sex Panther Supplements!

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 19 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dongmin Oh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esa Tikkanen!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A solid leg kick lands there for Tikkanen.

Tikkanen instigates a clinch.
Oh taking a breather.
Tikkanen trying to stall but Oh improves his position.
Tikkanen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Oh pulls his leg out and moves away.
Oh connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Oh has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Tikkanen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tikkanen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Oh is looking to slow Tikkanen down with leg kicks.
Nice uppercut lands for Oh. That snapped Tikkanen's head back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tikkanen throws an overhand right that lands on Oh's shoulder, as Oh tries to avoid the shot.
Oh lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Oh fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Oh throws a head kick that misses.
Oh needs to keep his hands up - Tikkanen had a free shot at his head there.
Tikkanen is looking to score with low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen jabs Oh to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tikkanen fails to land the takedown.
Tikkanen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A punch lands to the side of Oh 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tikkanen, right into the meat.
Tikkanen tries to clinch up.
Oh tries to land a front kick but Tikkanen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tikkanen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Oh. That did some damage!
Oh throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tikkanen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Oh's sensitive parts.
Oh closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Oh blocks a jab.
Tikkanen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Oh misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen keeps the fight on the outside.
Tikkanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Oh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dongmin Oh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Oh moves out of range of the body kick.
Tikkanen checks a leg kick nicely.
Tikkanen lands a nice shot that snaps Oh's head back.
Oh tried to score with a low kick but Tikkanen checks it.
Tikkanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tikkanen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tikkanen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Oh throws a head kick that misses.
Tikkanen dips to his left and cracks Oh with an uppercut!
Tikkanen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Oh avoids it really well and circles away.
Dongmin Oh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esa Tikkanen.
Oh moves out of range as Tikkanen throws a body kick.
A clash of legs there as Tikkanen blocks the low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oh pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tikkanen is out of range and Oh settles back down.
Tikkanen tries to clinch up.
Oh jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Tikkanen. Oh shrugs it off though.
Tikkanen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Oh defends it nicely.
Oh is looking to land body kicks.

Oh drives through and clinches with Tikkanen against the cage.
Tikkanen has a couple of punches blocked by Oh.
Nice body punch from Tikkanen - that landed with a thud.
Tikkanen misses with the head strike.

Tikkanen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Oh postures up.
Oh throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tikkanen is on top in guard.
Tikkanen is looking to work some ground and pound but Oh has wrist control.
Tikkanen throws a big elbow that misses.
Oh wants to stand but Tikkanen is controlling the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oh has momentary wrist control but Tikkanen slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Oh keeping full guard, as Tikkanen tries to pass.
Tikkanen throws a big right hand that misses.
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.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tikkanen misses with a takedown attempt - Oh sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tikkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Oh fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tikkanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Oh throws a lazy right hand but Tikkanen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Oh looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tikkanen avoids the body shot from Oh.
A head kick by Oh misses

and Tikkanen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Oh looking for submissions off his back.
Tikkanen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Oh does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oh is looking to escape.
Tikkanen wants to pass the guard but Oh is defending well.
Oh is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tikkanen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tikkanen's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tikkanen preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Oh.
I really don't envy Tikkanen right now.
Oh trying to control momentarily.
Tikkanen is in bad spot here.
Oh biding his time, controlling Tikkanen.
Tikkanen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Tikkanen trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Tikkanen rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Tikkanen tries to get to full guard but Oh has control of the leg.

We're going to have a standup here because Dongmin Oh wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A nice inside leg kick there by Oh. That's going to slow Tikkanen down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Oh misses with a hook. Tikkanen ducked under it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oh plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Oh looks for the body kick but Tikkanen saw that one coming.
Oh shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tikkanen throws a right and a left that Oh avoids nicely.
Oh tries a head kick but it misses.
Oh misses with a low kick.
Oh walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tikkanen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tikkanen misses with a wild body shot.
Dongmin Oh is winning the standup battle so far.
Tikkanen closes the distance and clinches up with Oh, looking for a takedown. Tikkanen pushes Oh against the cage but Oh circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dongmin Oh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esa Tikkanen.
Tikkanen blocks the body kick.
Oh throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tikkanen's head.
Oh wants to slow Tikkanen down by chopping away at his legs.
Oh blocks a leg kick.
Oh scoring well with a low kick there.
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!
Oh swings for the body but Tikkanen moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oh misses with a wild body shot.
Oh takes a kick to the side of the head.
Tikkanen scores with a leg kick.
Tikkanen shoots for a takedown but Oh saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tikkanen lands with a straight right. Oh didn't see that one coming.
That kick from Tikkanen tenderised Oh's leg. Oh is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tikkanen tries a low kick but Oh avoids it.
Oh misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nice takedown defense from Oh. No joy for Tikkanen on that attempt.
Oh tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tikkanen is able to avoid easily.
Tikkanen scores with a nice strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Tikkanen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Oh is trying to defend but Tikkanen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Tikkanen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dongmin Oh will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Tikkanen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Oh moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tikkanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Oh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tikkanen.
Oh motions for Tikkanen to come forward. Oh throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tikkanen tries to clinch up but Oh circles away and keeps his distance.
Oh will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Good exchange - Oh coming out on top.
Tikkanen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Oh's sensitive parts.

Tikkanen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tikkanen wants to stall.
Oh wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tikkanen has him pressed against the cage.
Tikkanen misses with some punches.
Tikkanen slows down the pace here.
Oh misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen misses with a body punch.
Tikkanen wants a takedown.

Tikkanen pulls guard effortlessly.
Oh content to stall in guard here.

Tikkanen looking for a guillotine here but Oh defends easily.

Tikkanen looking for a guillotine here but Oh defends easily.
Oh is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oh wants to control from the top but Tikkanen keeps moving.
Oh is looking to stand up but Tikkanen won't let him.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Tikkanen keeping moving, preventing Oh from controlling successfully.

Tikkanen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Oh has picked Tikkanen up and slammed him! Tikkanen can't keep hold of the triangle and Oh manages to pass to side control!
Oh trying to control the position but Tikkanen is working away.

Oh decides to stand up, so the ref orders Tikkanen to his feet.
Oh slaps away a takedown attempt from Tikkanen, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Tikkanen is predictable there
and Oh counters with a nice body kick.
Tikkanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Oh turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tikkanen lands a nice hook to Oh's body. Oh takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Tikkanen blocks the body kick.
Tikkanen blocks a leg kick.
Oh scores with a head kick. Tikkanen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Tikkanen misses with a straight right.
Tikkanen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Oh lunges at Tikkanen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tikkanen's hand.
Tikkanen fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oh throws a low kick but Tikkanen avoids it.
Oh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tikkanen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Oh fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tikkanen checks it well.
Oh throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Oh chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tikkanen can pounce on him.
Oh goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Tikkanen wants to clinch
and Oh counters with a stiff right hand.
Oh avoids the body shot from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen with a hook.
Tikkanen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Oh misses with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Oh lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Oh with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tikkanen to score with a decent uppercut.
Tikkanen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tikkanen.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dongmin Oh.
I think Oh 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dongmin Oh!
Dongmin Oh seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.