PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Blaze (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blaze has chosen Blueberry Yum Yum - Ludacris as his entrance music. 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.

Tikkanen
vs
Blaze

186 cm
37
208 lbs
36 - 18 - 1

192 cm
26
224 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

MayheM sportswear

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 36 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Esa Tikkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Johnny Blaze!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Fujiwara and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blaze shoots in for a takedown but Tikkanen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tikkanen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Esa Tikkanen has been cut.
Johnny Blaze seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tikkanen moves away from the strike by Blaze.
As Blaze backs away, Tikkanen returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Decent striking displayed by Blaze there.
Good standup being displayed there by Blaze as he connects with a hook.
Blaze avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Blaze fails with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Tikkanen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tikkanen wants it to stay on the feet.
Esa Tikkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Blaze.
Blaze rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tikkanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Blaze 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.
Blaze tries for a takedown but Tikkanen circles away easily
enabling Tikkanen 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 fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Blaze has his takedown stuffed
and Tikkanen counters with an inside leg kick.
Blaze looks winded!
Blaze shoots for a takedown but Tikkanen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Tikkanen misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaze shoots in for a takedown but Tikkanen shows good takedown defense.
Blaze 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.
Blaze swings for the body but Tikkanen moves out of range.
Blaze shoots for a double leg takedown but Tikkanen sprawls well. He's pushed Blaze's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tikkanen scores with a hook to the body. Blaze takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tikkanen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Blaze stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tikkanen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at LOD: Lightning Kicks (MaxID260K) in the buildup to the fight.
Tikkanen lands with a kick to the ribs.
Tikkanen scores with a spinning back kick!
Tikkanen lands a front kick.

Tikkanen connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Blaze to the floor! Tikkanen dives in looking for the finish!

Blaze is rocked!

It looks like Johnny Blaze has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tikkanen lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Blaze! More strikes land and this one is all over! Tikkanen jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Esa Tikkanen!
A very excited looking Esa Tikkanen rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.