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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harry Callahan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.
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| 186 cm
36
208 lbs
34 - 16 - 1 |
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200 cm
32
222 lbs
29 - 16 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed |
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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
34 - 16 - 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
29 - 16 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Harry Callahan!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkanen throws out a leg kick but Callahan moves out of range and Tikkanen only half commits.
Callahan has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Tikkanen is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Callahan throws a low kick but Tikkanen avoids it.
Tikkanen throws a body shot but no joy.
Tikkanen moves out of range as Callahan throws a body kick.
Tikkanen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick which misses Callahan's front leg but catches the back leg as Callahan tries to avoid it.
An inside leg kick from Tikkanen misses.
Tikkanen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Callahan as he avoids it easily.
Tikkanen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Callahan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Callahan let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tikkanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Callahan.
Tikkanen misses the body punch
and Callahan counters with a thumping low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tikkanen is looking to slow Callahan down with leg kicks.
Callahan is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen misses with a low kick.
Tikkanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Callahan.
Tikkanen slips a straight right by Callahan.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Callahan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tikkanen.
Tikkanen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Tikkanen seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Tikkanen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Callahan defends well and Tikkanen ends up having to push Callahan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Tikkanen thumps Callahan with a low kick.
Tikkanen with a nice cross.
Tikkanen with a nice cross.
Callahan dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tikkanen. That did some damage!
Tikkanen misses the shot to the body.
Tikkanen misses with a wild body shot.
Tikkanen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Callahan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tikkanen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tikkanen takes a swing at Callahan's ribcage but misses.
Harry Callahan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Callahan throws a looping overhand right but Tikkanen ducks down to avoid it.
Tikkanen misses with a body kick.
Tikkanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Callahan manages to avoid it.
That's two 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!
A clash of legs there as Tikkanen blocks the low kick.
Callahan throws a body punch but Tikkanen moves out of range.
Tikkanen looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Tikkanen is looking to wear down Callahan with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tikkanen throws a solid leg kick but Callahan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tikkanen.
Tikkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Callahan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Callahan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tikkanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Callahan.
Tikkanen scores with a leg kick.
Callahan keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tikkanen throws a hook but Callahan avoids it easily.
Tikkanen scoring well with a low kick there.
Callahan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tikkanen can pounce on him.
Tikkanen thows a leg kick but Callahan checks it
and Callahan counters with a leg kick.
Tikkanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A left lands for Callahan.
Tikkanen throws a nice outside leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Callahan's calf.
Tikkanen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Callahan can pounce on him.
Callahan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tikkanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Callahan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Callahan looks to land a combination. Tikkanen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Tikkanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Callahan at a distance.
Tikkanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Callahan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tikkanen.
Callahan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tikkanen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Tikkanen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Callahan checks it well.
Tikkanen looks to score with a jab to the body but Callahan is just out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tikkanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Callahan unleashes a big counter combination but Tikkanen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Callahan staying out of range there.
A head kick from Tikkanen lands but Callahan takes it in his stride.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Callahan.
Tikkanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Callahan cracks Tikkanen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Callahan throws a body punch but Tikkanen moves out of range.
Esa Tikkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tikkanen works Callahan's body with a nice hook.
Tikkanen lands a nice hook to Callahan's body. Callahan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Callahan misses with a hook. Tikkanen ducked under it nicely.
Tikkanen misses with a body kick.
Callahan swings for the body but Tikkanen moves out of range.
A clash of legs there as Tikkanen blocks the low kick.
Tikkanen cracks the inside of Callahan's front leg.
Callahan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tikkanen. Tikkanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Callahan just misses with a punch to the body.
Callahan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Esa Tikkanen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Callahan checks a leg kick nicely.
Callahan drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tikkanen defends it well.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Callahan might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Tikkanen has got the better of the exchanges.
Callahan throws a shot from downtown. Tikkanen moves away and avoids it.
Tikkanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Callahan moves out of range as Tikkanen throws a body kick.
Tikkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Callahan can do to turn this around?
Callahan takes one to the chin there.
Callahan tries to score with a low kick but Tikkanen moves his leg out of the way.
Callahan misses with a body kick.
A slow jab from Callahan misses its intended target.
Nice uppercut there from Callahan.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tikkanen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick lands from Callahan.
Tikkanen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Callahan quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Callahan has his hands clasped together around Tikkanen's back. He's all about the action.
Tikkanen moves nicely into side control.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Tikkanen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Tikkanen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tikkanen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tikkanen trying to control the action but Callahan is working from the bottom.
Tikkanen controlling the position from side mount.
Tikkanen cracks Callahan with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Callahan is trying to improve his position.
Tikkanen working the head with strikes.
Tikkanen creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Callahan is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tikkanen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Callahan manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tikkanen's best efforts.
Tikkanen is looking to take a break and control but Callahan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Callahan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tikkanen is working away from the top position though.
Tikkanen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Tikkanen is looking for a kimura here.
That's four 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.
Callahan is looking to improve his position.
Callahan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Callahan is trying to get back to full guard.
Tikkanen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Callahan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Callahan is concentrating on defense, preventing Tikkanen from advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Esa Tikkanen dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Callahan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tikkanen tries a body shot but Callahan blocks it.
Callahan prevents a body shot from Tikkanen.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tikkanen.
Callahan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tikkanen's elbow.
Callahan lands a shot to the body.
Tikkanen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Callahan pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Callahan landing knees to the head.
It looks like Esa Tikkanen has been cut.
Callahan swings wildly with an uppercut but Tikkanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Callahan throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tikkanen blocks it with crossed arms.
Callahan lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tikkanen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right hook to the body lands for Callahan.
Callahan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tikkanen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Callahan tries to land knees in the clinch but Tikkanen avoids the damage to the body.
Tikkanen works on Callahan's body with a couple of short punches.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Callahan misses with a punch on the inside.
Tikkanen turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Tikkanen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Callahan has escaped the position, nice work there.
Callahan is looking for a sweep.
Esa Tikkanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Callahan is trying to control Tikkanen's posture but Tikkanen avoids it.
Callahan manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Tikkanen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Callahan has managed to free his arm - good work.
Tikkanen is working for a submission of some sort.
Harry Callahan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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 with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Callahan tries to roll over but Tikkanen keeps him under control.
Callahan actively working from the bottom here.
Callahan is looking to control Tikkanen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Callahan avoid being mounted?
Tikkanen not doing much here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Callahan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tikkanen slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tikkanen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Callahan shapes to counter with a head kick.
Callahan tries a head kick but it misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Callahan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tikkanen backing away here, and Callahan unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Tikkanen blocks the body kick.
Callahan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tikkanen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Callahan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nice uppercut there from Callahan.
Callahan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Callahan throws a right hand that misses
and Tikkanen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tikkanen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tikkanen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tikkanen takes a swing at Callahan's ribcage but misses.
Callahan looks for the body kick but Tikkanen saw that one coming.
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 Esa Tikkanen.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tikkanen, 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esa Tikkanen!
An out of breath Esa Tikkanen thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
47% |
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