PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kusi Luikku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tafari Mengestu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tafari Mengestu is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Luikku
vs
Mengestu

189 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
207 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kusi Luikku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tafari Mengestu!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Luikku tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mengestu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Luikku ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mengestu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mengestu swings widly with a right hand
and Luikku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Luikku closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Luikku looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Luikku won't allow Mengestu to sweep him here.
Luikku is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Luikku decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Mengestu, up you get!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luikku dives in for a single leg takedown but Mengestu sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Luikku fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mengestu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luikku.
Luikku doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Luikku takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Luikku throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Luikku will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Luikku forces Mengestu back against the cage and clinches.
Come on Luikku - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mengestu is trying to push Luikku away but Luikku has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Luikku slows down the pace here.
Luikku gets underhooks to prevent Mengestu's takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mengestu tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Luikku just stands there and leans against the cage.
Luikku is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kusi Luikku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tafari Mengestu.
Mengestu jumps guard but Luikku turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Luikku pulls Mengestu into guard.

Luikku is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mengestu defends well.
Mengestu trying to control but Luikku is working from the bottom.
Mengestu passes into half guard.
Luikku looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mengestu is looking to take a break and control but Luikku is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've been informed that Mengestu has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Mengestu tries to pass to full mount but Luikku defends it.
Luikku is looking to improve his position.
Luikku trying to control from the bottom.
Mengestu is trying to control the action in half guard but Luikku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

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.
Luikku has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mengestu is working away from the top position though.
Luikku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Luikku tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mengestu defends well and Luikku ends up having to push Mengestu into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A jab from Mengestu finds it's way through Luikku's defenses.
Mengestu's jab looks to have found its range, popping Luikku under the eye.
Luikku takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Luikku avoids the body shot from Mengestu.
Good exchange - Mengestu coming out on top.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mengestu connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Luikku's hands.
Tafari Mengestu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mengestu tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tafari Mengestu will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Luikku changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mengestu tries to avoid it but Luikku manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mengestu to the ground. Mengestu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Mengestu lands a glancing blow to the side of Luikku's head.
Mengestu cracks Luikku with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Luikku moves into range and clinches up with Mengestu.
Mengestu is trying to pull guard but Luikku turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mengestu tries to pull guard but Luikku holds him up against the cage and eventually Mengestu drops back down to his feet.
Mengestu prevents a takedown attempt there.
Luikku has Mengestu pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mengestu manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kusi Luikku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mengestu tries to break the clinch but Luikku is controlling the position.
Mengestu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mengestu tries to break free but Luikku pushes him back against the cage.
Mengestu is trying to break the clinch but Luikku is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luikku displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mengestu up against the cage.
Luikku is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mengestu gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mengestu jumps guard but Luikku stands there with Mengestu around his waist. Mengestu gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Luikku pulls Mengestu into guard.
Mengestu trying to control but Luikku is working from the bottom.
Luikku trying to control the position.
Mengestu trying to control but Luikku is working from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Mengestu looking to sit in guard and control but Luikku gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Luikku is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mengestu is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mengestu has escaped and now he's on top!

Mengestu stopping the sweep attempt from Luikku.
Luikku is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mengestu is trying to maintain the position but Luikku is very close to passing his half guard.

Luikku is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Mengestu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Luikku is working away from the top position though.
Luikku content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mengestu wants to sweep but Luikku has passed to side control!
Mengestu wants to control but Luikku postures up.

Luikku is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mengestu knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mengestu is looking to regain half guard here but Luikku keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kusi Luikku dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Luikku blocks a jab.
Mengestu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mengestu scores with a body shot.
Luikku tries to clinch but Mengestu is having none of it.
Mengestu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mengestu misses with an uppercut.
Mengestu fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Luikku on the side of the head.
Mengestu connects with a nice looking jab.
Mengestu lands the left hand.
Mengestu throws a hook to the side of Luikku's head but Luikku sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looked like Luikku was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Luikku instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luikku wants to take the fight to the mat but Mengestu manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Luikku is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Mengestu tries to pull guard but Luikku holds him up against the cage and eventually Mengestu drops back down to his feet.
Mengestu tries to break free but Luikku pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luikku keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mengestu's efforts to push away.
Mengestu is looking to take this one to the mat.
Mengestu is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Luikku will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mengestu up against the cage.
Mengestu tries to pull guard but Luikku holds him up against the cage and eventually Mengestu drops back down to his feet.
Kusi Luikku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tafari Mengestu.
Luikku jumps guard but Mengestu stands there with Luikku around his waist. Luikku gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mengestu has had enough of the clinch but Luikku keeps him there for the moment.

That's two 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.
Mengestu tries to break free but Luikku pushes him back against the cage.

Luikku breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mengestu misses with an uppercut.
Mengestu loads up on a big right hand but Luikku slips the punch.
A slow jab from Mengestu misses its intended target.
Mengestu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Luikku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tafari Mengestu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheers as Mengestu lands an impressive looking overhand right. Luikku doesn't seem phased though.
Mengestu throws the left hand but Luikku avoids the punch easily.
Mengestu swings widly with a right hand
and Luikku counters with a one-two to the body.
Mengestu throws a big shot that misses.
Luikku looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Luikku.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luikku shoots in for a double leg but Mengestu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mengestu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mengestu might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Mengestu scores with the left hand. Luikku knows he should have avoided that one.
Mengestu throws a shot from downtown. Luikku moves away and avoids it.
Mengestu lands with a shot to the body.
Mengestu moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mengestu connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Luikku changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mengestu tries to avoid it but Luikku manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mengestu to the ground. Mengestu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A countering left hand to the body from Mengestu misses.
Jab, jab by Mengestu - just one landing.
Luikku moves forwards but Mengestu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Luikku walks into a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mengestu swings for the body but Luikku moves out of range.
Kusi Luikku is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luikku tries for a takedown but Mengestu circles away easily
and Mengestu counters with a left to the body.
Luikku ducks right into an uppercut from Mengestu.
Nice shot lands for Mengestu.
Luikku looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Mengestu scores with a jab.
Mengestu throws the left hand but Luikku avoids the punch easily.
Tafari Mengestu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice shot lands for Mengestu.
Mengestu misses with the combination.
Luikku has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Luikku there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nice shot by Mengestu.
Mengestu fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tafari Mengestu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mengestu 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tafari Mengestu!
After winning the bout, Tafari Mengestu thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.