PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jason Sturd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sturd kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is T.I. - Yeah You Know. Tikkanen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Bring The Pain. Jason Sturd could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Esa Tikkanen's chin.

Sturd
vs
Tikkanen

190 cm
35
215 lbs
32 - 20 - 0

186 cm
27
209 lbs
19 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Heisenberg

Sex Panther! (160q recovery $149)

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 32 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jason Sturd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esa Tikkanen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkanen throws a looping overhand right but Sturd ducks down to avoid it.
We've been informed that Tikkanen has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Tikkanen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tikkanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sturd misses with a head kick.
Sturd throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sturd keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tikkanen sizes up Sturd with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Tikkanen pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Sturd back to the cage. Tikkanen follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Jason Sturd has been cut.
Sturd throws a lazy right hand but Tikkanen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tikkanen misses with a low kick as Sturd jumps back.
Sturd fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tikkanen manages to avoid it.
Tikkanen misses with a low kick as Sturd jumps back.

Tikkanen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sturd to the ground. Tikkanen is now in Sturd's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Tikkanen advances position into side control!
Tikkanen throwing shots but missing, from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sturd tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Sturd tries to bench press Tikkanen off him but Tikkanen keeps the position.
Tikkanen slows the pace down.
Tikkanen tries to score with some ground and pound. Sturd controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Tikkanen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sturd tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tikkanen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tikkanen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The ground and pound from Tikkanen seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Tikkanen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tikkanen postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Tikkanen throws an elbow but Sturd slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sturd manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Tikkanen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tikkanen is staying active underneath Sturd, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've been hearing that Sturd has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Sturd is really struggling to control Tikkanen but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Sturd missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tikkanen wants to improve his position but Sturd is controlling well.
Tikkanen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sturd connects with a nice short shot to Tikkanen's temple.
Tikkanen is looking for a sweep. Sturd is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tikkanen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sturd wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tikkanen keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sturd's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sturd's back!
Tikkanen punches the canvas rather than the man.
Sturd surviving as best he can, preventing damage.
Tikkanen scores with punches and elbows.
Tikkanen punches the canvas rather than the man.
Tikkanen controlling well, preventing Sturd from escaping the position.
Tikkanen lands with a hammerfist to the side of Sturd's head.
Tikkanen throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Sturd is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen misses with an elbow to the head.
Sturd controlling his opponent's hands, preventing the submission attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tikkanen tightening his grip on Sturd, looking for the choke.
Tikkanen misses with an elbow to the head.
Sturd trying to control the position but Tikkanen manages to sink in the hooks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sturd breaks Tikkanen's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Sturd got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tikkanen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sturd has managed to get both his arms back between Tikkanen's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Tikkanen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jason Sturd's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sturd throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tikkanen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Tikkanen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sturd looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The strikes coming from Tikkanen are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Sturd wants to control but Tikkanen postures up.
Tikkanen is looking to take a break and control but Sturd is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sturd gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sturd gets back to full guard.
Sturd lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tikkanen!
Tikkanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sturd landing strikes from the mount and Tikkanen is in trouble!
Sturd prevents Tikkanen from getting the reversal.
Tikkanen gets back to half guard.
Tikkanen is trying to maintain the position but Sturd is very close to passing his half guard.
Tikkanen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sturd haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Tikkanen wants to get back to full guard.
Tikkanen is refusing to be controlled, as Sturd sits in half guard.
Sturd lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sturd lands strikes from half guard.
Tikkanen tries to roll over but Sturd keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sturd perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sturd is trying to control the action in half guard but Tikkanen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tikkanen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sturd scores with a couple of nice shots.
Esa Tikkanen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tikkanen moves into full guard.
Tikkanen keeping moving, preventing Sturd from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tikkanen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sturd passes into half guard.
Tikkanen wants to get back to full guard.
Sturd throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tikkanen gets full guard.

Sturd avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Tikkanen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sturd defends it easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sturd's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sturd passes Tikkanen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sturd drops an elbow to the side of Tikkanen's head.
Sturd is trying to control. Tikkanen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sturd is thwarting Tikkanen's attempts to control the position.
Tikkanen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tikkanen wants to control but Sturd is keeping busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tikkanen is refusing to be controlled, as Sturd sits in half guard.

Tikkanen actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Sturd dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jason Sturd's cut.
That's time! Sturd's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tikkanen throws a shot from downtown. Sturd moves away and avoids it.
Tikkanen tries to close the distance and clinch but Sturd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tikkanen feints and then cracks Sturd's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sturd down.
Sturd throws a head kick that misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sturd defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tikkanen.
Sturd uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen lands with a shot to the body.
Sturd lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tikkanen tries to close the distance and clinch but Sturd swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tikkanen throws a lazy right hand but Sturd sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sturd throws an off balance right hand

and Tikkanen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sturd's guard.
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!
Sturd has control of Tikkanen's left arm, preventing Tikkanen from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sturd looking to control.
Tikkanen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tikkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sturd is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tikkanen throws a big elbow that misses.
Sturd is trying to keep Tikkanen in close.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sturd pulls Tikkanen in to control the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Jason Sturd wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tikkanen. Sturd does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tikkanen looks to land a left hand but Sturd moved out of range nicely.
Sturd doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sturd loads up on a big right hand but Tikkanen slips the punch.
A low kick from Tikkanen misses
enabling Sturd to counter with a crisp jab.
Sturd throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Tikkanen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tikkanen showed some decent athleticism there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tikkanen is trying to work for a kimura but Sturd is defending well.
Sturd is positioning himself well to prevent Tikkanen advancing to mount.
Tikkanen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tikkanen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sturd makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sturd.
Sturd 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.
Sturd manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sturd wants to control the pace but Tikkanen is squirming around nicely.
Sturd lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Tikkanen hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen wants to control but Sturd is having none of it.
Sturd blocks Tikkanen's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Sturd lands a heavy elbow.
Sturd is landing with some decent strikes but Tikkanen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sturd prevents Tikkanen from getting the reversal.
Sturd avoids the attempt from Tikkanen to control.
Sturd has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Tikkanen's face.
Tikkanen is in a horrible position here. Sturd smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tikkanen regains half guard.
Sturd is trying to control. Tikkanen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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 Jason Sturd.
I think Sturd 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Sturd!
A victorious Jason Sturd thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.