PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aapo Ik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Spiteri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spiteri is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: AC/DC -TNT. Aapo Ik could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Dave Spiteri's chin.

Ik
vs
Spiteri

184 cm
26
178 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

172 cm
27
178 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aapo Ik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dave Spiteri!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spiteri misses with a straight left.
Spiteri throws a lazy right hand but Ik sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ik changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ik throws out a loose jab but Spiteri uses good head movement to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Spiteri misses the target.
Ik tries to counter with a takedown but Spiteri is quick to defend against it.
Spiteri lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Spiteri.
Ik checks a leg kick.
Spiteri rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ik moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ik attempts a counter takedown but Spiteri avoids it well and moves away.
Spiteri misses with a right hand
and Ik counters with a low kick, right behind Spiteri 's knee.
Spiteri throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ik connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Spiteri tries to clinch up.
Spiteri throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Spiteri lands a jab to the head.
Ik keeps the fight on the outside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spiteri throws the left hand but Ik avoids the punch easily.
Spiteri throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ik counters with a straight right hand.
Spiteri connects with a single shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spiteri throws a leg kick
and Ik counters with a nice uppercut.
Ik keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spiteri slips a jab and a cross from Ik.
Ik shoots in looking for a takedown. Spiteri tries to sprawl out of it but Ik keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spiteri manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Spiteri throws a right and a left that Ik avoids nicely.
Ik was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Spiteri misses with the combination.
Spiteri gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Spiteri misses with a hook. Ik ducked under it nicely.
Ik changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Spiteri throws a right hand that misses

and Ik counters with a takedown into side control.
Spiteri has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ik trying to control the position but Spiteri is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Spiteri's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ik working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ik working the strikes but Spiteri uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Spiteri blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ik.
Ik not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ik is controlling the pace.
Spiteri is not content to let Ik control the position.
Ik thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Spiteri desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Ik 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.
Spiteri trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ik is trying to control. Spiteri wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spiteri is trying to maintain the position but Ik is very close to passing his half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Ik's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Ik missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ik throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Spiteri trying to control from the bottom.
Ik wants to free his trapped foot but Spiteri is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ik seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ik throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Spiteri is looking to control Ik's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Spiteri avoid being mounted?
Spiteri is trying is best to control the position here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Spiteri falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ik counters with a thumping low kick.
The fighters circling - Ik throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ik showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spiteri.
Ik half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ik is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Jab, jab by Ik - just one landing.
Ik is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Spiteri throws a series of punches but Ik moves out of range.
Spiteri looks to score with a jab to the body but Ik is just out of range.
Spiteri throws a body punch but Ik moves out of range.
Spiteri looks to score with a jab to the body but Ik is just out of range.
Ik circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ik half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ik misses with an uppercut. Spiteri saw that one coming.
Spiteri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ik sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Spiteri swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ik cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aapo Ik will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ik shoots in but no luck this time.
Ik throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ik connects with a body shot that sends Spiteri's belly button to the back.
Ik takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Spiteri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ik moves away.
Spiteri throws a series of punches but Ik moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Spiteri lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ik has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ik and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Spiteri changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Dave Spiteri seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ik throws a lazy right hand but Spiteri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ik avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spiteri throws a lazy uppercut

and Ik counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spiteri is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ik wants to control but Spiteri is keeping him busy.
Spiteri is looking for a sweep. Ik is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ik throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ik slips a nice elbow through Spiteri's hands, connecting with Spiteri's forehead.

Ik seems to be working for a kimura but Spiteri defends the submission attempt.
Spiteri wants to get back to his feet.
Spiteri keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ik missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ik not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Spiteri is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ik is looking to advance position but Spiteri won't allow it.
Ik is thwarting Spiteri's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ik wants to lay and pray for a moment but Spiteri keeps working.
Spiteri is trying to stand back up but Ik is controlling him
Spiteri tries to roll over but Ik keeps him under control.
Ik missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Spiteri trying to control from the bottom.
Spiteri is trying to stand back up but Ik is controlling him

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ik misses with a body shot.
Spiteri throws a hook but Ik avoids it easily.
Spiteri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ik connects with a solid leg kick.
Spiteri attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ik misses with a straight left.
Dave Spiteri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A shot to the liver by Ik. Beautiful body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spiteri misses with a jab, cross combination.
Spiteri throws a hook to the side of Ik's head but Ik sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little feinted left hand from Ik on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Spiteri throws a shot from downtown. Ik moves away and avoids it.
Ik attempts a counter takedown but Spiteri avoids it well and moves away.
Spiteri throws a low kick, looking for Ik's leg but Ik calmly moves out of range.
Spiteri misses with an uppercut
and Ik counters with a nice uppercut.
Spiteri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ik moves away.
Ik works the jab nicely.
Ik steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Spiteri.
Spiteri goes for a double leg but Ik avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ik continues to drive forward.
Ik staying out of range there.
Ik moves away from the strike by Spiteri.
Spiteri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Spiteri drops his hands momentarily and Ik takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spiteri. Ik does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spiteri takes one to the chin there.
Spiteri is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Ik connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spiteri. Spiteri circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spiteri misses with a jab, cross combination.
Spiteri throws a big shot that misses.
Ik moves out of range of the strikes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Spiteri.
Ik throws a hook but Spiteri avoids it easily.
Ik moves away from the strike by Spiteri.
Spiteri moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice shot lands for Spiteri.
Spiteri scores with a nice right hand.
Spiteri tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Spiteri tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ik swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aapo Ik dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Spiteri.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ik.
Spiteri misses with a straight right.
Spiteri scores with a hook to the body. Ik takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ik connects with the punch.
Spiteri cracks the inside of Ik's front leg.
Ik just misses with a punch to the body.
Spiteri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ik slips a jab from Spiteri.
Spiteri slips under a jab.
Spiteri throws out a loose jab but Ik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ik half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Spiteri rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ik moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ik cracks Spiteri with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Spiteri takes a swing at Ik's ribcage but misses.
Nice defenses there by Ik.
Ik swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A big right from Spiteri misses.
Ik tries to move into range but Spiteri moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Spiteri jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Spiteri clobbers Ik with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Spiteri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ik manages to avoid it.
Spiteri avoids the body shot from Ik.
A jab from Ik misses.
A low kick from Spiteri misses

and Ik counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ik trying to control the position from guard on top but Spiteri is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ik throwing strikes from guard but Spiteri blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ik looking to pass the guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ik postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Spiteri keeping moving, preventing Ik from controlling successfully.
Ik trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ik throwing strikes but missing.
Ik is looking to work some ground and pound but Spiteri has wrist control.
Ik postures up in Spiteri's guard and throws a big left but Spiteri blocks it.
Ik trying to control but Spiteri is working from the bottom.
Ik lands a couple of elbows.
Ik preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spiteri controls Ik momentarily but Ik frees himself.
Ik is looking to work some ground and pound but Spiteri has wrist control.
Ik landing with the ground and pound.
Ik content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Spiteri working a defensive guard here.
Ik trying to control but Spiteri is working from the bottom.
Ik passes into half guard.
Spiteri wants to get back to full guard.
Ik looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ik is trying to control. Spiteri wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spiteri is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Ik is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Spiteri avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ik.
Ik frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ik throwing strikes but Spiteri bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Spiteri trying to control the position from guard on top but Ik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Spiteri got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ik has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Spiteri has managed to get both his arms back between Ik's legs - danger averted.
Spiteri is looking to work some ground and pound but Ik has wrist control.

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 Aapo Ik.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ik, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aapo Ik!