PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anssi Kukkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Wickline (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.

Kukkonen
vs
Wickline

188 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Made 4 The Cage

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 Helsinki, Anssi Kukkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Travis Wickline!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wickline doesn't manage to clinch there - Kukkonen circles away.
Wickline connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wickline avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kukkonen keeps the fight on the outside.
Wickline throws a combination that misses
and Kukkonen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kukkonen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Wickline shoots in for a double leg but Kukkonen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wickline shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kukkonen pinned against the cage. Kukkonen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wickline scores with the left hand. Kukkonen knows he should have avoided that one.
Wickline closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kukkonen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Wickline fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Wickline fails to land.
Wickline throws a head punch that misses.
Wickline throws a punch but it's blocked by Kukkonen.
Kukkonen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wickline wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kukkonen has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wickline working aggressively here.
Kukkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Wickline won't allow it.
Wickline prevents Kukkonen from breaking the clinch.

Wickline breaks the clinch.

Kukkonen moves into the clinch.
Kukkonen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kukkonen has had enough of the clinch but Wickline keeps him there for the moment.
Wickline prevents Kukkonen from breaking the clinch.
Wickline lands with a left to the head.
Wickline drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kukkonen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Anssi Kukkonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Wickline.
Kukkonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wickline.
Wickline tries to clinch but Kukkonen moves away

and Kukkonen moves into the clinch.
Kukkonen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Wickline misses with some punches.
Wickline wants to break free but Kukkonen has control.
Kukkonen blocking some punches.
Wickline pushes Kukkonen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Wickline fails to land.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wickline clinches but Kukkonen breaks the clinch
and Kukkonen counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Travis Wickline has been cut.
Travis Wickline seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wickline looks for a takedown but Kukkonen sprawls well.
Wickline closes the distance and clinches up with Kukkonen, looking for a takedown. Wickline pushes Kukkonen against the cage but Kukkonen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wickline looks gassed!
Wickline misses with a wild combination.
Wickline throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kukkonen's waist but Kukkonen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wickline off to one side.
Wickline has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kukkonen shoots for a takedown but Wickline saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kukkonen throws a series of punches but Wickline moves out of range.
Wickline throws a hook but Kukkonen blocks it.
Kukkonen lands with a nice combination. Wickline backs away looking to recover.
Kukkonen swinging wilding here.
Kukkonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wickline.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kukkonen.

Kukkonen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kukkonen gets underhooks to prevent Wickline's takedown attempt.

Kukkonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Kukkonen misses.
Kukkonen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wickline on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Kukkonen pushes Wickline up against the cage in a clinch.
Wickline has Kukkonen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kukkonen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kukkonen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kukkonen is trying to break free.
Kukkonen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wickline avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wickline misses with a short punch on the inside.
Wickline swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Wickline misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kukkonen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kukkonen can't break the clinch.
Kukkonen tries to break the clinch but Wickline is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen is trying to break the clinch but Wickline has him pressed against the cage.
Wickline keeps control of Kukkonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wickline prevents Kukkonen from breaking the clinch.
Kukkonen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Wickline lands with a left to the head.
Kukkonen keeps control of Wickline as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wickline is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kukkonen stops a takedown attempt from Wickline.
Kukkonen looking for a takedown.

Kukkonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kukkonen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wickline throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kukkonen counters with a left to the body.
Wickline is trying desperately to land a takedown but Kukkonen is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Wickline.
Kukkonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wickline moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kukkonen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wickline connects with a nice looking jab.
Wickline shoots in but Kukkonen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anssi Kukkonen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Travis Wickline's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kukkonen misses with the combination.
Wickline avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kukkonen shoots in but no luck this time.
Wickline wants to clinch but Kukkonen slips to the side

and Kukkonen moves into the clinch.
Wickline throws a head punch that misses.
Kukkonen is trying to break the clinch but Wickline has him pressed against the cage.
Wickline lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kukkonen keeps control of Wickline as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kukkonen blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wickline tries for a takedown. No joy.
Wickline swings wildly with an uppercut but Kukkonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wickline misses with the head strike.
Wickline misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kukkonen blocks an uppercut.
Kukkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wickline has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen is looking to break free of the clinch but Wickline has double underhooks.
Wickline fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kukkonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kukkonen blocks an uppercut.
Kukkonen is trying to break free.
Kukkonen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Wickline is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kukkonen scores with a shot to the side of Wickline's head.
Wickline tries for a takedown but Kukkonen manages to get underhooks.
Kukkonen wants to break free but Wickline has control.
Kukkonen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Wickline has a couple of punches blocked by Kukkonen.
Wickline is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kukkonen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Anssi Kukkonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Wickline.
Kukkonen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kukkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Wickline won't allow it.
Kukkonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Wickline won't allow it.
Wickline prevents Kukkonen from breaking the clinch.
Kukkonen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kukkonen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Wickline fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kukkonen tries to break the clinch but Wickline is controlling the position.
Wickline throws a punch but it's blocked by Kukkonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Kukkonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wickline scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kukkonen in his tracks.

Kukkonen darts in and clinches Wickline up against the cage.
Kukkonen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kukkonen has had enough of the clinch but Wickline keeps him there for the moment.
Kukkonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kukkonen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kukkonen has had enough of the clinch but Wickline keeps him there for the moment.
Wickline has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kukkonen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wickline gets underhooks to prevent Kukkonen's takedown attempt.
Wickline wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kukkonen has had enough of the clinch but Wickline keeps him there for the moment.
Kukkonen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Wickline fails to land.
Kukkonen wants to break free but Wickline has control.

Kukkonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kukkonen shoots for a takedown but Wickline saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wickline shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kukkonen as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukkonen clinches up with Wickline and pushes him back against the cage.
Wickline swings wildly with an uppercut but Kukkonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kukkonen has had enough of the clinch but Wickline keeps him there for the moment.
Kukkonen prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kukkonen can't break the clinch.
Wickline misses with a short punch on the inside.

Kukkonen manages to break the clinch.
Kukkonen connects with a jab.
Kukkonen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wickline scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kukkonen tries for a takedown but Wickline sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kukkonen fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wickline misses with a takedown attempt - Kukkonen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kukkonen swinging wilding here.
Wickline shoots in looking for a takedown. Kukkonen tries to sprawl out of it but Wickline keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kukkonen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Anssi Kukkonen is winning the standup battle so far.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kukkonen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kukkonen tries to break the clinch but Wickline is controlling the position.
Wickline wants to break free but Kukkonen has control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wickline has a couple of punches blocked by Kukkonen.
Kukkonen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Wickline misses with the head strike.
Wickline misses with some punches.
Stalling in the clinch from Kukkonen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Wickline tries for a takedown but Kukkonen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wickline throws a jab when Kukkonen was well out of range.
Wickline tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kukkonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kukkonen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kukkonen throws a series of punches but Wickline moves out of range.

Kukkonen pushes Wickline up against the cage in a clinch.
Wickline throws a head punch that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen can't break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kukkonen is pressed up against the cage. Wickline has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kukkonen down to the mat. Kukkonen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kukkonen clinches.
A right hook to the body lands for Kukkonen.
Wickline is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kukkonen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Anssi Kukkonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Wickline.

Kukkonen breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen throws a series of punches but Wickline avoids them all with ease.

Kukkonen clinches up against the cage.
Wickline is trying to break the clinch but Kukkonen has him pressed against the cage.
Kukkonen can't break the clinch.
Kukkonen is trying to drag Wickline to the mat but Wickline just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Wickline is trying to break the clinch but Kukkonen has him pressed against the cage.
Wickline prevents Kukkonen from breaking the clinch.

Kukkonen breaks from the clinch.

Kukkonen has Wickline up against the cage in a clinch.
Wickline drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

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

Kukkonen forces Wickline back against the cage and clinches.
Wickline has a couple of punches blocked by Kukkonen.
A nice left hand lands by Kukkonen.
Travis Wickline has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen goes for a takedown attempt but Wickline pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nice shot by Kukkonen.
Kukkonen misses with a takedown attempt - Wickline sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kukkonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wickline shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kukkonen as he jumps to the side.
Kukkonen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kukkonen clinches up against the cage.
Kukkonen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Wickline pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wickline is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kukkonen.
Decent striking displayed by Wickline there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukkonen clinches.
Wickline swings wildly with an uppercut but Kukkonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wickline doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short left from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Wickline fails to land.
Kukkonen is trying to break free.
Kukkonen has had enough of the clinch but Wickline keeps him there for the moment.
Kukkonen tries to break the clinch but Wickline is controlling the position.
Kukkonen gets underhooks to prevent Wickline's takedown attempt.
Kukkonen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Wickline backwards.
Wickline is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kukkonen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wickline tries to break the clinch but Kukkonen is controlling the position.
Kukkonen is trying to break free.
Kukkonen is trying to break free.
Kukkonen tries for a takedown but Wickline manages to get underhooks.
Kukkonen is looking to break free of the clinch but Wickline has double underhooks.
Wickline prevents Kukkonen from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Wickline misses with the head strike.

Wickline manages to break the clinch.
Kukkonen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wickline backs up against the cage.

Kukkonen clinches up against the cage.
Wickline swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Wickline fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kukkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wickline has him pressed against the cage.
Wickline misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wickline throws a punch but it's blocked by Kukkonen.
Wickline tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kukkonen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Wickline or not.
Wickline keeps control of Kukkonen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kukkonen breaks from the clinch.
Anssi Kukkonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Kukkonen moves into the clinch successfully.
Kukkonen is trying to break free.
Kukkonen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wickline has him pressed against the cage.
Kukkonen tries to break the clinch but Wickline is controlling the position.
Wickline swings wildly with an uppercut but Kukkonen uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anssi Kukkonen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kukkonen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anssi Kukkonen!