PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Budo Rei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rei comes to the cage accompanied by Alice in Chains - No Excuses. Tikkanen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Bring The Pain. Esa Tikkanen told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Rei
vs
Tikkanen

187 cm
32
215 lbs
33 - 18 - 0

186 cm
30
210 lbs
24 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
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 33 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Budo Rei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esa Tikkanen!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Chris Edwards and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkanen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tikkanen thumps Rei with a low kick.
A jab lands there for Rei.

It looks like Esa Tikkanen has been cut.
Tikkanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rei manages to avoid it.
Tikkanen dives in for a single leg takedown but Rei sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tikkanen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rei looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A left hand lands to the body for Tikkanen.
Tikkanen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rei scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tikkanen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Tikkanen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tikkanen misses with the head strike.
Tikkanen digs a right hand into Rei's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rei's gas tank.
A nice left hand lands by Tikkanen.
Tikkanen can't find room to land a body shot as Rei controls the action.
Rei misses with a punch on the inside.
Tikkanen tries to throw a body punch but Rei avoids it by throwing Tikkanen back against the cage.
Rei misses with an elbow strike.
Tikkanen looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rei doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rei unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tikkanen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tikkanen has a couple of punches blocked by Rei.
Tikkanen throws a head punch that misses.
Tikkanen misses with some punches.
Rei is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rei blocks an uppercut.
Tikkanen tries to throw a body punch but Rei avoids it by throwing Tikkanen back against the cage.
Tikkanen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rei blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tikkanen tries to throw a body punch but Rei avoids it by throwing Tikkanen back against the cage.
Tikkanen is leaning against Rei and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nice body punch from Tikkanen - that landed with a thud.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tikkanen misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rei throws an elbow but misses.
Tikkanen struggles to land a body shot inside as Rei controls his hands.
Tikkanen looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rei can't find room to land a body shot as Tikkanen controls the action.
Tikkanen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rei backwards.

It looks like Budo Rei has been cut.
Tikkanen struggles to land a body shot inside as Rei controls his hands.
Tikkanen is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rei to keep the fight standing.
Rei pushes Tikkanen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rei.
Tikkanen misses with a body punch.
Tikkanen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rei lands a hook that snaps the head of Tikkanen backwards.
Tikkanen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Budo Rei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esa Tikkanen.
Good body shot from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen lands a left hand.
Tikkanen tries to throw a body punch but Rei avoids it by throwing Tikkanen back against the cage.
Rei has a couple of punches blocked by Tikkanen.
Rei blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rei misses with a punch to the body.
Rei lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rei creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tikkanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Rei uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rei blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tikkanen.
Rei lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A short right from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rei's elbow.
Tikkanen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rei avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tikkanen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Reis head.
Tikkanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rei is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tikkanen is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Tikkanen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Tikkanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rei throws an elbow but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rei.
Tikkanen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rei misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tikkanen.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tikkanen.
Rei misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rei lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rei throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tikkanens head.
Tikkanen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rei tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tikkanen avoids it.
Tikkanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Rei.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Tikkanen dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rei lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tikkanen circles away quickly and effectively.
Rei has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tikkanen.
Rei scores with a body shot.
Rei looks to land a body kick but Tikkanen moved away.
Rei takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Esa Tikkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rei enables Tikkanen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rei manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rei being controlled here, momentarily.
Rei is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tikkanen sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Esa Tikkanen wasn't active enough on the ground.
A low kick from Tikkanen misses
and Rei counters with an inside leg kick.
Budo Rei is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rei misses with a kick to the body.
Tikkanen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rei.
Jab from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen tries to land a front kick but Rei steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rei getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tikkanen scores with a jab to the jaw.
A clash of legs there as Rei blocks the low kick.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick
and Rei counters with a nice body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rei.
Rei looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen misses with a lunging right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A punch lands to the side of Rei 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big left from Rei misses.
Tikkanen lands a front kick.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rei takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
That kick from Tikkanen tenderised Rei's leg. Rei is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tikkanen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rei takes a step back to recover.
Tikkanen 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.
Tikkanen misses with a body kick.
Rei throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tikkanen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rei has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rei there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rei takes one on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rei takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rei throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rei doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rei throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tikkanen throws a push kick but Rei slaps the foot to one side.
Tikkanen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Tikkanen shoots in and bounces Rei off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rei pulls Tikkanen in to control the position.
Rei looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rei looking to control.
Tikkanen trying to control but Rei is working from the bottom.
Tikkanen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rei keeping moving, preventing Tikkanen from controlling successfully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tikkanen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Tikkanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Tikkanen rushes Rei and presses him up against the cage.
Tikkanen tries to throw a body punch but Rei avoids it by throwing Tikkanen back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Tikkanen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rei works Tikkanen's body with a nice hook.
Tikkanen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tikkanen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rei to score with a decent uppercut.
Rei throws a body punch but Tikkanen moves out of range.
Rei lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tikkanen connects with a crisp jab.
Tikkanen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tikkanen takes one to the chin there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tikkanen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tikkanen throws a wild body kick that Rei sees coming a mile off.
Rei scores with a hook to the body. Tikkanen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tikkanen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rei.
Rei throws a lazy right hand but Tikkanen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rei keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Tikkanen finds it's target.
Rei lands with a straight right. Tikkanen didn't see that one coming.
Tikkanen cracks Rei with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tikkanen goes for a double leg but Rei avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rei continues to drive forward.
Rei pushes Tikkanen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rei misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tikkanen.

Rei manages to break the clinch.
Tikkanen lunges at Rei with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rei's hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tikkanen misses with an uppercut.
Rei throws a series of punches but Tikkanen avoids them all with ease.
A good leg kick by Rei.
Tikkanen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tikkanen lands with a cross.
Budo Rei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Esa Tikkanen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen thumps Rei with a low kick.
Tikkanen throws a shot from downtown. Rei moves away and avoids it.
Tikkanen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rei getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tikkanen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rei.
Rei looks to score with a jab to the body but Tikkanen is just out of range.
Rei catches Tikkanen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tikkanen wants to land a leg kick but Rei is out of range.
Rei needs to keep his hands up - Tikkanen had a free shot at his head there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tikkanen.
Good work by Tikkanen as he checks the leg kick.
Tikkanen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen shoots for a takedown but Rei saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Budo Rei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esa Tikkanen.
Nice uppercut there from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen lands a nice shot that snaps Rei's head back.
Tikkanen misses with a looping right.
Rei looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tikkanen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rei is out of range and Tikkanen settles back down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rei. Tikkanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tikkanen tries to move into range but Rei moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Tikkanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rei.
Rei throws a right hand that Tikkanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Tikkanen also avoids with ease.
Tikkanen connects with a leg kick. Rei looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tikkanen slips a straight right by Rei.
Tikkanen scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen pushes Rei away with a front kick.
Rei lands with a good body shot.
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!

Tikkanen moves into the clinch.
Tikkanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rei unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Tikkanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rei misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tikkanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rei tries to land knees in the clinch but Tikkanen avoids the damage to the body.
Tikkanen taking a breather.
Tikkanen has Rei pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rei manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rei tries a body shot but Tikkanen blocks it.
Tikkanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tikkanen misses with a punch to the body.

Tikkanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Budo Rei showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tikkanen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29

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