PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cesar James Ardona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raimo Tikkari (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.

James Ardona
vs
Tikkari

180 cm
21
185 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

172 cm
40
160 lbs
20 - 17 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cesar James Ardona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Raimo Tikkari!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkari motions for Ardona to come forward. Tikkari throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ardona misses with a double jab
and Tikkari counters with a solid body kick.
Ardona with a nice cross.
Some wild striking there from Ardona.
Ardona scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ardona misses with a few strikes there.
Ardona fails to land with a series of punches.
Ardona swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ardona lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tikkari circles away quickly and effectively.
Ardona lands a jab to the head.
Some wild striking there from Ardona.
Tikkari tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ardona is able to avoid easily.
A head kick by Tikkari misses
and Ardona makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Tikkari really felt that one!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ardona walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tikkari.
Ardona moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tikkari tries to move into range but Ardona moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
That kick from Tikkari tenderised Ardona's leg. Ardona is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tikkari has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Ardona lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tikkari backs up against the cage.
Ardona throws a series of strikes that have Tikkari backpedaling.

It looks like Raimo Tikkari has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ardona looks to score with a jab to the body but Tikkari is just out of range.
Ardona tries to bum rush Tikkari with a series of wild strikes but Tikkari uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ardona throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tikkari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ardona. That did some damage!
Tikkari throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ardona throws a combination that misses
and Tikkari counters with a body kick.
Ardona is breathing heavily.
No joy there for Ardona, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tikkari thows a body kick. Ardona tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tikkari misses with a kick to the body.
Ardona misses with a wild combination.
Tikkari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tikkari throws a nice outside leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ardona checks a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Tikkari.
Ardona stalks Tikkari and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tikkari's face. Tikkari staggers backwards, shaken.
Ardona chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tikkari can pounce on him.
Raimo Tikkari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tikkari lands a head kick!
Tikkari on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ardona swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ardona is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tikkari.
Ardona avoids the body shot from Tikkari.
Ardona throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tikkari.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tikkari, as that shot connected.
Ardona on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ardona throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tikkari throws a leg kick but Ardona moved away.
Tikkari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ardona throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ardona misses with a double jab.
Tikkari misses with a body kick.
Ardona thuds a left hand into Tikkari's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ardona will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tikkari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tikkari misses with a head kick.
Ardona misses with a low kick.
Ardona throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tikkari.
Ardona paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ardona misses with a double jab.
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!
Tikkari thows a body kick. Ardona tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tikkari throws a shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ardona swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tikkari counters with a good, hard body kick but Ardona shrugs it off.
Tikkari swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ardona checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Raimo Tikkari will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Raimo Tikkari's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ardona scores with a leg kick.
No joy there for Tikkari, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ardona keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tikkari - that will leave a mark!
Tikkari connects with the punch.
Ardona throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Tikkari throws a sloppy head kick and Ardona moves out of range easily.
Raimo Tikkari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tikkari tried to score with a low kick but Ardona checks it.
Ardona pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ardona scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
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!
Tikkari cracks Ardona with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Jab, jab by Tikkari - just one landing.
Tikkari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ardona sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tikkari takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ardona swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tikkari.
Ardona throws a series of punches but Tikkari moves out of range.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tikkari!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tikkari throws a head kick that half lands.
Ardona keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ardona looks to land a combination but Tikkari avoids it well.
Sloppy strikes from Ardona. Those never looked like landing.
Tikkari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tikkari scores with a shot to the body.
Tikkari throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tikkari throws a series of punches but Ardona moves out of range.
Tikkari looks to land a body kick but Ardona moved away.
Ardona throws a right and a left that Tikkari avoids nicely.
Ardona is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ardona throws a series of punches but Tikkari avoids them all with ease.
Tikkari tries a low kick but Ardona avoids it.
A shot to the liver by Ardona. Beautiful body shot.
Ardona is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tikkari looks for the body kick but Ardona saw that one coming.
Ardona throws a right and a left that Tikkari avoids nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Ardona. Those never looked like landing.
Ardona throws a series of punches but Tikkari moves out of range.
Tikkari lands a nice looking body shot.
Tikkari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tikkari lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Tikkari lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ardona will feel that in the morning.
Tikkari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ardona throws a right and a left that Tikkari avoids nicely.
Tikkari swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tikkari.
Ardona will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Tikkari scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tikkari explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Ardona blocks a head kick by Tikkari.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Tikkari in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Good leg kick by Tikkari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tikkari lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ardona keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tikkari.
Ardona misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ardona tries a head kick but it misses.
Tikkari lands with an uppercut that bounces Ardona off the cage and back into range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Ardona blocks a low kick nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tikkari.
Tikkari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ardona misses with a combination
and Tikkari counters with a leg kick.
Ardona chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tikkari can pounce on him.
Tikkari fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ardona takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tikkari connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A punch combination from Tikkari misses.
Ardona jabs Tikkari to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tikkari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimo Tikkari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Raimo Tikkari's cut.
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!

Tikkari keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ardona.
Ardona misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cesar James Ardona is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ardona misses with a few strikes there.
Ardona swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tikkari counters with a nice leg kick.
Ardona moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ardona throws a right and a left that both miss.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tikkari!
A thudding body kick lands there by Tikkari!
Tikkari misses with a low kick.
Tikkari connects with a leg kick. Ardona looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ardona misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ardona throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tikkari.
Ardona drops his hands momentarily and Tikkari takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Ardona blocks the leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tikkari.
Ardona chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tikkari can pounce on him.
Ardona swinging wildly here.
Tikkari lands with a good body shot.
Ardona throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tikkari throws a head kick that misses.
Ardona looks to throw the jab but Tikkari is out of range.
Tikkari scores with a nice right hand.
Tikkari is looking to slow Ardona down with leg kicks.
Ardona's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tikkari connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ardona scrambles back to his feet.
Tikkari swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ardona.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari jabs Ardona to the body, keeping him at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tikkari looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tikkari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tikkari throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tikkari throws a low kick but Ardona avoids it.
Ardona throws a head kick that misses.
Ardona blocks a head kick by Tikkari.
Ardona scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ardona will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ardona cracks Tikkari with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Ardona might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Tikkari jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ardona pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Tikkari checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ardona swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ardona throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
No joy there for Ardona, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ardona moves forwards but Tikkari connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tikkari lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ardona circles away quickly and effectively.
A head kick misses from Ardona.
Ardona throws a right hand that Tikkari ducks under and follows up with a left that Tikkari also avoids with ease.
Tikkari lands with a shot to the body.
Ardona misses with the combination.
Ardona punishes Tikkari's body with a nice straight punch.
Cesar James Ardona has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ardona misses with a few strikes there.
Tikkari tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ardona is able to avoid easily.
Tikkari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ardona was well out of range. Poor timing from Tikkari.
Tikkari connects with a leg kick. Ardona looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Tikkari blocks a head kick by Ardona.
Ardona throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tikkari lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ardona takes a step back to recover.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick misses from Tikkari.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ardona looks to land a combination but Tikkari avoids it well.
A head kick misses from Tikkari.
Raimo Tikkari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tikkari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raimo Tikkari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tikkari has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raimo Tikkari!