PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Bocek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johannes Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bocek comes into the arena with Song 2 blaring out of the sound system. This should be a great matchup!

Bocek
vs
Tikkanen

176 cm
19
159 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

182 cm
21
160 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Takomo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mark Bocek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Tikkanen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice defenses there by Bocek.
Tikkanen throws a series of punches but Bocek moves out of range.
Tikkanen throws a series of punches but Bocek avoids them all with ease.
Bocek keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tikkanen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Mark Bocek has been cut.
Tikkanen throws a series of punches but Bocek avoids them all with ease.
Tikkanen throws out a loose jab but Bocek uses good head movement to avoid it.

Bocek shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Bocek was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Bocek is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Tikkanen can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Bocek lands a nice shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bocek looking for a guillotine from mount but Tikkanen is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Bocek looking to control but Tikkanen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Bocek is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Tikkanen has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Tikkanen!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bocek is on top in guard.
Bocek in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bocek tries to free his leg and advance position but Tikkanen is retaining full guard.
Tikkanen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bocek.
Bocek passes Tikkanen's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tikkanen is staying active underneath Bocek, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Bocek is looking for a kimura but Tikkanen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bocek to get the leverage.
Bocek uses his free foot to push down on Tikkanen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Tikkanen.

Bocek is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Tikkanen has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Tikkanen!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bocek looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bocek has a closed guard, preventing Tikkanen from standing up.
Bocek looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tikkanen is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bocek has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Tikkanen is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Bocek.

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.
Tikkanen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bocek keeps working.
Bocek is looking to regain half guard here but Tikkanen keeps moving and retains side control.

Tikkanen tries for a kimura but Bocek is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Bocek's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Bocek dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Bocek's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tikkanen throws a jab when Bocek was well out of range.
Bocek fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tikkanen misses with a looping right.
Tikkanen tries to clinch but Bocek is having none of it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bocek.
Bocek tries to advance to mount but Tikkanen denies him.

Bocek is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tikkanen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Tikkanen is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bocek wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tikkanen keeps working.
Bocek cracks Tikkanen with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Bocek is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tikkanen has escaped the position, nice work there.

Bocek thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tikkanen tries to buck Bocek off but Bocek is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Bocek swings around for an armbar but Tikkanen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Bocek's guard.
Tikkanen won't allow Bocek to sweep him here.
Tikkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Bocek is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tikkanen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tikkanen controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tikkanen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bocek's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Bocek looking for submissions off his back.
Bocek is looking to improve his position.
Bocek punching from the bottom.
Bocek wants to improve his position but Tikkanen is controlling well.
Tikkanen wants to control but Bocek is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bocek tries to roll over but Tikkanen keeps him under control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tikkanen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tikkanen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tikkanen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mark Bocek is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Bocek shoots in and bounces Tikkanen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Bocek gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tikkanen fails with the takedown

and Bocek decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tikkanen's guard.
Tikkanen keeping full guard, as Bocek tries to pass.
Tikkanen keeping moving, preventing Bocek from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Bocek dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mark Bocek's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tikkanen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bocek is out of range and Tikkanen settles back down.

Bocek clinches up against the cage.
Tikkanen is looking to break free of the clinch but Bocek has double underhooks.
Tikkanen is pressed up against the cage. Bocek has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tikkanen down to the mat. Tikkanen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tikkanen misses with a hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tikkanen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Bocek shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bocek showed some decent athleticism there.
Tikkanen wants to get back to his feet.
Mark Bocek overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tikkanen won't allow Bocek to pass to mount.
Bocek lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bocek is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tikkanen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bocek.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bocek is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bocek seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tikkanen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bocek prevents Tikkanen from improving his position.
Bocek moves into full mount! Tikkanen won't be happy about that!

Bocek goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Tikkanen turns into him and now he's in Bocek's guard.
Bocek tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Bocek is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bocek has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Tikkanen has passed into side control.
Bocek is trying to improve his position.
Bocek manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tikkanen's best efforts.
Bocek is looking for a sweep. Tikkanen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bocek is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Tikkanen jumps into side control!
Bocek is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tikkanen has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Bocek!

Tikkanen gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Mark Bocek is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bocek will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Tikkanen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bocek's guard.
Tikkanen preventing the sweep.
Bocek working a defensive guard here.
Tikkanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bocek swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Tikkanen stands up from guard. Let's bang!

And that's the end of the fight!
Johannes Tikkanen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bocek has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Bocek!