PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joel Conner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aapo Luikku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Conner's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, M.O.P. Ante Up. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Conner
vs
Luikku

186 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Elite Canadian Threads
Rush Supplements 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joel Conner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aapo Luikku!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Eddie Farnsworth and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Conner takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Conner misses with a takedown
and Luikku counters with a straight right hand.
Conner looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Luikku looks to land a combination but Conner avoids it well.
Conner fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel Conner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luikku fails in his attempt to clinch.
Luikku misses with a series of wild punches.
Luikku misses with a series of wild punches.
Conner fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Luikku lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Conner circles away quickly and effectively.
Luikku displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Conner.
Luikku stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Luikku wants it to stay on the feet.
Luikku slaps away a takedown attempt from Conner, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Luikku misses with a double jab.
Conner shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Luikku as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luikku misses with a wild combination.
Luikku thows a body shot but no joy.
Luikku looks winded!
Luikku throws a right and a left that Conner avoids nicely.
Conner fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Conner shoots for a double leg takedown but Luikku sprawls well. He's pushed Conner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Conner shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Luikku pinned against the cage. Luikku gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Luikku looks to land a combination. Conner sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Conner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Luikku is fending him off so far but Conner persists. Nope, Luikku circles away and we're back to standing.
Luikku throws a right hand that Conner ducks under and follows up with a left that Conner also avoids with ease.

Conner shoots in and bounces Luikku off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Luikku wants to stand up but Conner is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Conner drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Conner jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Luikku is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Luikku lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Conner drags the fight down to the ground.

Luikku drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Conner manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Luikku has Conner in his guard.
Luikku 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.

Conner avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Luikku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Conner is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Conner sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Luikku's guard.
Luikku on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Conner is trying to control. Luikku wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Luikku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Conner is looking for a kimura here.
Luikku trying to control here.
Conner seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Luikku does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Conner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Conner is trying to work for a kimura but Luikku is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Luikku actively working from the bottom here.
Conner working over Luikku with some ground and pound. Luikku looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Conner is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Luikku wants to get back to his feet.
Luikku is staying active underneath Conner, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Conner drops an elbow to the side of Luikku's head.
Conner takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Conner seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Luikku wants to get back to his feet.
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 Joel Conner will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Conner tries to clinch up.
A big right from Luikku misses.
Luikku swats away the attempt to clinch by Conner.
Sloppy strikes from Luikku. Those never looked like landing.
Conner slips a jab and a cross from Luikku.

Conner scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Conner has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Luikku!
Conner trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Luikku is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Conner looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Conner trying to control but Luikku is having none of it.
Luikku wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Conner working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Luikku is breathing heavily.

Conner looking to break Luikku's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Luikku remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Conner will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Conner is looking for the choke from the back position but Luikku is controlling his hands well.

Luikku preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Conner.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Conner tries to get the hooks in deep but Luikku pushed the leg off.
Joel Conner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Luikku is really stuck here.
Luikku breaks Conner's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Luikku has gone for a leg lock! Conner slips out almost immediately though and dives into Luikku's guard.

Luikku had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Conner defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luikku keeping full guard, as Conner tries to pass.
Luikku wants to stand and escape but Conner is having none of it.
Conner works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Conner is taking a breather. Luikku says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Nice strikes from Conner there.
Luikku is trying to stand.
Luikku wants to get back to full guard.

Conner stands up and beckons Luikku to join him on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Conner goes for a double leg but Luikku avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Luikku continues to drive forward.
Luikku tries to break free but Conner pushes him back against the cage.
Luikku tries to work over Conner's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Conner has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Luikku uses from the top position.

Luikku is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Conner is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Conner has escaped and now he's on top!

Luikku working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Conner doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Conner manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Luikku is trying to keep Conner in close.
Luikku is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Conner is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Conner slips nicely into half guard.
Luikku is staying active underneath Conner, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Conner is really struggling to control Luikku but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Conner 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.

Luikku manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Joel Conner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Conner closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Conner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Conner shoots in and drives through. Luikku sprawls well.
Luikku looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Conner dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Luikku scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Conner doesn't seem bothered though.
Conner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Conner shoots in looking for a takedown. Luikku tries to sprawl out of it but Conner keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Luikku manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Luikku misses with a low kick as Conner jumps back.
Luikku lands a body shot.
Luikku stuffs the takedown attempt from Conner. Conner gets slowly back to his feet.
Conner throws a head kick that misses.
Conner shoots in looking for a takedown. Luikku tries to sprawl out of it but Conner keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Luikku manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joel Conner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Conner closes this distance looking for a takedown but Luikku circles away.
Luikku displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Luikku connects with a nice looking jab.
Luikku uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luikku throws a nice looking combination but Conner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Horrible takedown by Conner or perhaps it was just good defense by Luikku which made him look bad.
Conner shoots in looking for a takedown. Luikku tries to sprawl out of it but Conner keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Luikku manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A shot to the liver by Luikku. Beautiful body shot.
Conner dives in for a single leg takedown but Luikku sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Luikku throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Conners head.
Luikku has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Luikku wants to break free but Conner has control.
Conner looking for a takedown.
Luikku working hard to break the clinch.

Conner has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Luikku uses from the top position.

Luikku drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Conner dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Luikku working for a triangle but Conner defends it easily.
Conner trying to control the position from guard on top but Luikku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Luikku keeping full guard, as Conner tries to pass.

Luikku is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Conner presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Conner drops down looking for an ankle pick but Luikku pulls his leg out and moves away.
Luikku throws a series of punches but Conner avoids them all with ease.
Conner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Luikku swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luikku swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aapo Luikku is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Conner looks for a takedown but Luikku sprawls well.
Luikku throws a nice looking combination but Conner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Luikku swats away the attempt to clinch by Conner.
Conner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Luikku tries to avoid it but Conner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Luikku to the ground. Luikku escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Conner throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Luikku's waist but Luikku gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Conner off to one side.
Luikku keeps the fight on the outside.
Luikku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Luikku swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Conner shoots in but Luikku avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Some wild striking there from Luikku.
Luikku throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Conner is looking to clinch but Luikku is avoiding it.
Luikku is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Conner rather than just go for the knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Conner wants to clinch up but Luikku keeps it at a distance.

Conner feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Luikku is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Conner is controlling him.

Luikku has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Conner is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Luikku managing to block the knees to the body from Conner.
Luikku can't break the clinch.
Aapo Luikku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Conner breaks the clinch.
No luck for Conner with that takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Luikku misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Conner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Luikku manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Conner is looking to clinch but Luikku is avoiding it.
Conner fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Joel Conner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Luikku misses with the combination.
Conner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Luikku.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aapo Luikku comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Conner 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joel Conner!
A relieved looking Joel Conner thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.