PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Numbers Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lauri Tikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lauri Tikka looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Franklin
vs
Tikka

217 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
190 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Numbers Franklin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lauri Tikka!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Franklin has taken the fight to the clinch.

Tikka has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Franklin regains guard immediately.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tikka advances position into side control!
Franklin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Franklin working Tikka over with strikes.
Franklin controlling the pace.
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. Franklin connects with a nice short shot to Tikka's temple.
Tikka regains full guard. Nicely done.

Tikka looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Franklin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tikka has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Franklin has managed to get both his arms back between Tikka's legs - danger averted.
Tikka looks winded!

Tikka has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Franklin 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 Tikka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikka is looking to reverse the position.
Franklin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tikka on the ground.

Franklin decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Tikka looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Franklin has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Tikka off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Franklin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Franklin shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tikka is trying to defend but Franklin finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Franklin slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tikka looking for submissions off his back.
Franklin working the head and body with strikes.
Tikka wants to get back to full guard.
Franklin with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin is thwarting Tikka's attempts to control the position.
Franklin takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tikka is refusing to be controlled, as Franklin sits in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Tikka wants to get back to full guard.
Tikka is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Franklin landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

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.
Franklin is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Franklin shoots in and drives through. Tikka sprawls well.
Franklin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tikka is fending him off so far but Franklin persists. Nope, Tikka circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Numbers Franklin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tikka decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Tikka is looking for a kimura here.
Franklin trying to control from the bottom.
Franklin tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Numbers Franklin dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Franklin throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Tikka tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Franklin is in Tikka's guard.
Tikka should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Franklin decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Tikka shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Franklin is trying to defend but Tikka finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Franklin is holding on to half guard well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tikka seems to be looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tikka is trying to work for a kimura but Franklin is defending well.
Tikka is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikka is thwarting Franklin's attempts to control the position.
Tikka moves nicely into side control.
Franklin is looking to reverse the position.
Franklin struggling a bit here.
Tikka is chipping away with strikes.
Franklin is trying to control Tikka's posture but Tikka avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Tikka is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Franklin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Tikka wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Franklin, who protects the arm well.
Tikka tries to advance to mount but Franklin instead regains half guard.
Franklin manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tikka drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Franklin dives on top into guard.

Franklin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Franklin distracts Tikka with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Tikka had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Franklin defends it easily.
Franklin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Franklin really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

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.

Tikka escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Franklin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Franklin won't allow Tikka to sweep him here.
Tikka being controlled here, momentarily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Franklin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tikka's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Numbers Franklin will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Tikka as Franklin shoots in.
And Tikka tries to counter it with a takedown but Franklin pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tikka has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Franklin is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Tikka feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Tikka has gone for a leg lock! Franklin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tikka's guard.

Franklin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Franklin trying to control but Tikka is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tikka is looking to sweep but instead, Franklin has passed into half guard.
Tikka wants to sweep but Franklin has passed to side control!
Tikka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
You can see the frustration on Tikka's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tikka is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Tikka looks to move to half guard but instead Franklin has passed into mount! Damn!
Franklin moves to back control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin is hanging on to Tikka's back as he tries to escape.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Tikka is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Tikka defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Tikka can't escape the position.
I would not like to be Tikka right now.
Tikka is really stuck here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikka trying to control the hands but Franklin won't let him.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Tikka tries to roll but Franklin sticks to his back.

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.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Franklin tightening his grip on Tikka, looking for the choke.
Tikka breaks Franklin's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Lauri Tikka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Numbers Franklin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tikka throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Numbers Franklin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Franklin, 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Numbers Franklin!
Lauri Tikka spoke after the fight, saying 'This was the way it is. Things will never be the same. Next time is my time.'.