PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Jutila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tikkanen comes to the cage accompanied by Bring The Pain. Jutila has chosen The Best Is Yet To Come as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Tikkanen
vs
Jutila

186 cm
29
209 lbs
21 - 6 - 1

198 cm
30
224 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

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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 21 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esa Tikkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Timo Jutila!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Columbo Gatti and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkanen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Jutila has time to react.
Tikkanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tikkanen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Esa Tikkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab lands there for Tikkanen.
Jutila's coach down at LA Beasts Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Jutila's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Tikkanen slips a jab and a cross from Jutila.

Tikkanen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Jutila is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Tikkanen asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Jutila dodges the ground and pound from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen in side control lands a decent elbow.
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!
Jutila on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Tikkanen in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Tikkanen is looking to take a break and control but Jutila is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jutila dodges the ground and pound from Tikkanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen is working Jutila over with some ground and pound from side control.
Jutila is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Tikkanen is controlling him well.
Tikkanen trying to control the position but Jutila is working away.
Jutila bucks up and tries to throw Tikkanen off but instead Tikkanen has got his back!
Tikkanen scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Tikkanen is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Jutila. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Tikkanen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jutila controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Tikkanen working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jutila wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tikkanen lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Tikkanen.

Tikkanen patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Tikkanen tries to get the hooks in deep but Jutila pushed the leg off.
Jutila looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tikkanen is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Jutila is defending well though. Tikkanen let's go of the attempt for now.

Tikkanen has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Jutila has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Jutila trying to get back to his feet but Tikkanen is in full control for now.
Tikkanen throwing damaging strikes from the back! Jutila could be in trouble here!
Jutila has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Tikkanen is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Jutila preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Tikkanen.
Jutila has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Jutila is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Tikkanen off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Tikkanen is working the ground and pound. Can Jutila escape?

Tikkanen seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Jutila's chin but Jutila turns very nicely into Tikkanen's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Jutila.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jutila passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Tikkanen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tikkanen delivers a nice body kick.
Tikkanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jutila was well out of range. Poor timing from Tikkanen.
Jutila fails to land with a series of punches.
Jutila checks a low kick from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen cracks the inside of Jutila's front leg.
Tikkanen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tikkanen cracks Jutila with a good jab.
Tikkanen scores with a nice head shot.
The fighters circling - Jutila throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tikkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jutila can do to turn this around?
Tikkanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Jutila walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tikkanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tikkanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws out a leg kick but Jutila moves out of range and Tikkanen only half commits.
That kick from Tikkanen tenderised Jutila's leg. Jutila is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jutila takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tikkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tikkanen throws a body kick that misses.
Timo Jutila is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jutila walks into a straight right hand from Tikkanen.
Esa Tikkanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Jutila throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Tikkanen shoots in and gets a takedown into Jutila's guard.
Tikkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Jutila is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tikkanen won't allow Jutila to get back to his feet.
Tikkanen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Tikkanen distracts Jutila with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tikkanen prevents Jutila from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen trying to control but Jutila is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tikkanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Esa Tikkanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tikkanen trying to control but Jutila is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Tikkanen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jutila working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tikkanen.
Jutila wants to get back to his feet but Tikkanen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tikkanen trying to control but Jutila is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws a big elbow that misses.
Tikkanen wants to control from the top but Jutila keeps moving.
Jutila is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Tikkanen dives into side control.

Tikkanen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Jutila, who protects the arm well.
Tikkanen throws a strike aimed at the side of Jutila's head but Jutila avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen is looking to take a break and control but Jutila is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tikkanen is really struggling to control Jutila but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Tikkanen taking a break here but Jutila is having none of it and regains half guard.
Tikkanen trying to control from half guard but Jutila is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tikkanen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Tikkanen dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Jutila throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tikkanen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick which misses Jutila's front leg but catches the back leg as Jutila tries to avoid it.
Jutila fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tikkanen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Jutila lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tikkanen circles away quickly and effectively.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tikkanen, as that shot connected.
Tikkanen lands a leg kick that knocks Jutila off balance momentarily.
Jutila throws a head kick but Tikkanen moves out of range.
Tikkanen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tikkanen's corner calls for a 1-2. Tikkanen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tikkanen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tikkanen cracks a nice hook into Jutila's ribs.
Jutila is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Tikkanen.
Jutila's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tikkanen shoots in and drives through. Jutila sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jutila misses with a double jab.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick
and Jutila counters with a three punch combo that has Tikkanen backing up. Tikkanen nods at Jutila to acknowledge the strikes.
Jutila takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tikkanen connects with a right hand. Jutila shakes it off.
Nice body kick from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tikkanen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Jutila.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tikkanen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tikkanen lands an overhand right.
A jab from Tikkanen misses.
Jutila misses with an uppercut
and Tikkanen counters with a straight right hand.
Jutila throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tikkanen counters with a right hand to the body.
Jutila walks into a stiff left hand from Tikkanen.
Esa Tikkanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen lands a front kick.

Tikkanen gets a clinch.

Tikkanen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tikkanen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Jutila misses with a combination
and Tikkanen counters with a thumping low kick.
Jutila on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
No joy there for Tikkanen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tikkanen slips a jab and a cross from Jutila.
Tikkanen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Tikkanen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tikkanen pushes Jutila back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tikkanen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Timo Jutila is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Tikkanen closes the distance and clinches.
Tikkanen just leaning against Jutila, taking a breather.

Tikkanen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
An inside leg kick lands from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen misses with a wild body shot.
Tikkanen misses with a body shot.
Jutila throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tikkanen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick which misses Jutila's front leg but catches the back leg as Jutila tries to avoid it.
Tikkanen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tikkanen connects with a leg kick. Jutila looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tikkanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jutila moves away.
Jutila takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tikkanen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Jutilas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Tikkanen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Jutila's head.
Tikkanen looks to score with a jab to the body but Jutila is just out of range.
Tikkanen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Jutila checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Jutila scores with the left hand. Tikkanen knows he should have avoided that one.
Timo Jutila has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
Jutila takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Jutila throws a poor cross that misses
and Tikkanen counters with a straight right hand.
Tikkanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jutila swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jutila takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tikkanen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sloppy strikes from Jutila. Those never looked like landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esa Tikkanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tikkanen 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esa Tikkanen!
Our winner, Esa Tikkanen, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.