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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Claude LeBlanc (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). LeBlanc comes to the cage accompanied by Professor Green ft. Maverick Sabre - Jungle. Esa Tikkanen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 184 cm
26
220 lbs
14 - 4 - 0 |
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186 cm
36
208 lbs
35 - 16 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
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
14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Claude LeBlanc!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
35 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esa Tikkanen!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Don Winkell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkanen digs a good hook to LeBlanc's body.
LeBlanc takes a body punch but keeps moving.
LeBlanc checks the leg kick.
A slow jab from LeBlanc misses its intended target.
Tikkanen lands a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as LeBlanc checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
An attempted straight right counter from LeBlanc misses the target.
Tikkanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tikkanen thows a leg kick but LeBlanc checks it
and LeBlanc counters with a three punch combo that has Tikkanen backing up. Tikkanen nods at LeBlanc to acknowledge the strikes.
LeBlanc lands a right hook to the body.
Tikkanen misses with a jab to the body
and LeBlanc counters with a lovely shot to the body.
LeBlanc blocks a low kick nicely.
Esa Tikkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LeBlanc throws an off balance right hand
and LeBlanc takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tikkanen cracks LeBlanc with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tikkanen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down LeBlanc rather than just go for the knockout.
An inside leg kick lands from LeBlanc.
Tikkanen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
We've been told by LeBlanc's head coaches at School Of Fighting that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Tikkanen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
LeBlanc manages to escape and get back to his feet!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick but LeBlanc moved away.
A counter left hand to the body from LeBlanc misses its target.
LeBlanc staying out of range there.
LeBlanc lands a jab to the head.
LeBlanc tries to land a leg kick but Tikkanen saw it coming and moves away.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick that is checked
and LeBlanc counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A low kick from Tikkanen is predictable there
and LeBlanc counters with an outside leg kick.
Tikkanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tikkanen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
LeBlanc scores with a jab to the jaw.
Tikkanen misses with a lunging right hand
enabling LeBlanc to counter with a crisp 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!
Tikkanen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A good leg kick by Tikkanen.
LeBlanc chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The fighters circling - Tikkanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tikkanen lands a slapping body shot.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc needs to keep his hands up - Tikkanen had a free shot at his head there.
LeBlanc tries to work over Tikkanen's front leg with a kick but Tikkanen checks it.
LeBlanc punishes Tikkanen's body with a nice straight punch.
Tikkanen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around LeBlanc's waist but LeBlanc gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tikkanen off to one side.
LeBlanc bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tikkanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice sprawl there from LeBlanc as Tikkanen shoots in.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick but LeBlanc sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tikkanen tries to score with a low kick but LeBlanc moves his leg out of the way.
Tikkanen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
LeBlanc looks to land a left hand but Tikkanen moved out of range nicely.
A low kick from Tikkanen is predictable there
and LeBlanc counters with a nice uppercut.
Tikkanen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tikkanen slips under a jab from LeBlanc.
Tikkanen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tikkanen feints a counter leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tikkanen.
LeBlanc takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
LeBlanc takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tikkanen has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
A jab from LeBlanc misses.
Tikkanen pushes LeBlanc up against the cage in a clinch.
LeBlanc avoiding damage.
LeBlanc content to slow the pace in the clinch.
LeBlanc throws a punch but it's blocked by Tikkanen.
Tikkanen has LeBlanc pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. LeBlanc manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Claude LeBlanc has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esa Tikkanen.
Tikkanen misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tikkanen.
Tikkanen digs a right hand into LeBlanc's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on LeBlanc's gas tank.
Tikkanen tries to throw a body punch but LeBlanc avoids it by throwing Tikkanen back against the cage.
Tikkanen misses with a punch on the inside.
LeBlanc working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
LeBlanc tries a body shot but Tikkanen blocks it.
Tikkanen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
LeBlanc lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tikkanen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
LeBlanc using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tikkanen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
LeBlanc cracks Tikkanen with a nice body shot.
Tikkanen digs a right hand into LeBlanc's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on LeBlanc's gas tank.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tikkanen.
LeBlanc will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tikkanen up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head punch on the inside from LeBlanc fails to land.
A short right from Tikkanen on the inside.
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 Claude LeBlanc will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Tikkanen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
LeBlanc takes one on the button.
LeBlanc has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from LeBlanc there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tikkanen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tikkanen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by LeBlanc.
Tikkanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as LeBlanc throws out the jab.
Tikkanen lands a jab to the nose.
LeBlanc moves forwards but Tikkanen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
LeBlanc throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tikkanen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Tikkanen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Esa Tikkanen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
LeBlanc throws a leg kick but Tikkanen moved away.
Tikkanen misses with a takedown
and LeBlanc counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
LeBlanc takes a swing at Tikkanen's ribcage but misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Tikkanen.
A lazy body kick from LeBlanc
and Tikkanen counters with a nice low kick that buckles LeBlanc's knee momentarily.
Tikkanen swings away with a body shot that misses
and LeBlanc counters with a nice body shot.
LeBlanc swings widly with a right hand
and Tikkanen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
LeBlanc misses with a head kick.
Tikkanen throws a head kick but LeBlanc moves out of range.
LeBlanc throws a shot from downtown. Tikkanen moves away and avoids it.
Tikkanen takes a kick to the side of the head.
Tikkanen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent LeBlanc stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tikkanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A quick step to the side and LeBlanc tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tikkanen misses with a leg kick.
LeBlanc looks to score with a jab to the body but Tikkanen is just out of range.
LeBlanc misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Tikkanen counters with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
LeBlanc throws a head kick that misses.
Tikkanen tries a quick counter leg kick but LeBlanc is wise to it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Tikkanen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Tikkanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tikkanen takes a swing at LeBlanc's ribcage but misses.
Tikkanen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches LeBlanc on the side of the head.
Tikkanen looks to score with a jab to the body but LeBlanc is just out of range.
LeBlanc misses with a lunging right hand
and LeBlanc takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
LeBlanc throws a shot from downtown. Tikkanen moves away and avoids it.
A countering left hand to the body from Tikkanen misses.
A clash of legs there as LeBlanc blocks the low kick.
Tikkanen misses with a wild body shot.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick but LeBlanc sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tikkanen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by LeBlanc.
Tikkanen lands a head shot.
Sloppy strikes from Tikkanen. Those never looked like landing.
LeBlanc is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
LeBlanc ducks under a wild hook from Tikkanen.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Tikkanen jabs at LeBlanc's body.
Tikkanen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tikkanen misses with a body shot.
Tikkanen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but LeBlanc checks it well.
A slow jab from LeBlanc misses its intended target.
LeBlanc uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tikkanen.
LeBlanc fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tikkanen lands a nice leg kick that just misses LeBlanc's sensitive parts.
Tikkanen tried to score with a low kick but LeBlanc checks it.
Tikkanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
LeBlanc uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tikkanen.
Nice defenses there by Tikkanen.
Tikkanen throws a head kick that misses
and LeBlanc counters with a nice body kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen shoots in but LeBlanc avoids the takedown attempt easily.
LeBlanc gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tikkanen to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tikkanen preventing the sweep.
Tikkanen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Tikkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but LeBlanc is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
LeBlanc seems keen to control Tikkanen's posture.
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.
That's time! LeBlanc's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Some bone on bone action there as LeBlanc checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
LeBlanc throws a head kick that misses.
Tikkanen throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling LeBlanc to counter with a crisp jab.
LeBlanc wants to land a leg kick but Tikkanen is out of range.
Tikkanen doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tikkanen feints a jab promting LeBlanc to slip. Tikkanen then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. LeBlanc slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Tikkanen misses the shot to the body.
Tikkanen misses with a jab to the body
enabling LeBlanc to counter with a crisp jab.
A good leg kick by LeBlanc.
Tikkanen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt LeBlanc.
Nice uppercut there from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from LeBlanc.
Tikkanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
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 fakes a jab and throws a low kick but LeBlanc checks it well.
Tikkanen defending well as LeBlanc loads up on a big left hand.
Tikkanen with a jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen checks a low kick from LeBlanc.
Tikkanen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tikkanen moves out of range of the strikes.
Tikkanen lands a nice looking kick to the body. LeBlanc takes a step back to recover.
LeBlanc turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
LeBlanc waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tikkanen.
Tikkanen moves in looking to clinch but LeBlanc pushes him off.
LeBlanc looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
LeBlanc keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
LeBlanc throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tikkanen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
LeBlanc scores with a shot to the body.
Tikkanen lands with a nice body kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc takes a kick to the side of the head.
Tikkanen wants to land a leg kick but LeBlanc is out of range.
LeBlanc throwing a counter right hand but Tikkanen manages to avoid it.
LeBlanc throws a lazy right hand but Tikkanen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tikkanen misses with a head kick.
Tikkanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from LeBlanc 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 Tikkanen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tikkanen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
LeBlanc avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
LeBlanc moves out of range as Tikkanen strikes.
Tikkanen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tikkanen is looking to land body kicks.
LeBlanc looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tikkanen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
LeBlanc is looking for a counter combo.
LeBlanc gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tikkanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tikkanen stopping the sweep attempt from LeBlanc.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
LeBlanc trying to control the pace.
Tikkanen is trying to get back to full guard.
LeBlanc with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. LeBlanc connects with a nice short shot to Tikkanen's temple.
LeBlanc trying to pass the guard but Tikkanen defending well.
LeBlanc is taking a breather. Tikkanen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc 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.
Tikkanen is doing well to control the position and prevent LeBlanc from advancing to side control.
LeBlanc slows the pace down in half guard.
Tikkanen is looking to improve his position.
Claude LeBlanc overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tikkanen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tikkanen actively working from the bottom here.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Esa Tikkanen.
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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esa Tikkanen!
In his post fight interview, Esa Tikkanen started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
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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
65% |
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