PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johannes Tulikoura (ranked 1912 p4p, 2335 weight class) and Maki Tantor (ranked 262 p4p, 312 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tulikoura
vs
Tantor

175 cm
38
172
30 - 18 - 1

182 cm
31
180
21 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Johannes Tulikoura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Maki Tantor!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Ron Honeybunn and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tulikoura lands with an uppercut that bounces Tantor off the cage and back into range.
Tantor has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Tantor scores with a hook.
Tantor throws a head kick but Tulikoura moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tantor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice defenses there by Tantor.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tantor doesn't manage to clinch there - Tulikoura circles away.
Tantor throws a head kick that misses
and Tulikoura makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tulikoura lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tulikoura throws a push kick but Tantor slaps the foot to one side.
Tulikoura listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tantor tries to clinch up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tantor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tantor doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tulikoura scores with a jab. Tantor acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tantor with a poor takedown
and Tulikoura counters with an outside leg kick.
Tantor slips a jab from Tulikoura.
Tantor shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tulikoura but Tulikoura pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Maki Tantor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tulikoura feints and then cracks Tantor's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tantor down.

Tantor instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tulikoura fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tantor lands an uppercut.

Tantor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tulikoura lands a leg kick that knocks Tantor off balance momentarily.
Tulikoura chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tantor misses with a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Tantor checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Tulikoura throws a chopping leg kick but Tantor manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tantor checks a leg kick.
Tulikoura wants to land a leg kick but Tantor is out of range.
Tulikoura throws a leg kick but Tantor checks it.
Tantor gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tulikoura counters with an inside leg kick.
Johannes Tulikoura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maki Tantor.
Tantor throws a head kick that misses.
Tantor tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tantor throws a head kick that misses.
Tulikoura lands a nice looking body shot.
Tantor wants to clinch.
As Tantor backs away, Tulikoura returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Tulikoura throws a front kick aimed at Tantor's knee but Tantor avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tantor drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice shot lands for Tulikoura.
Tulikoura scores with a leg kick.
Tantor throws a sloppy head kick and Tulikoura moves out of range easily.
Tantor walks into a stiff left hand from Tulikoura.
Jab from Tulikoura.
Tantor gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice straight punches there by Tulikoura. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tulikoura.
Tulikoura wants to slow Tantor down by chopping away at his legs.
Tulikoura throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tulikoura avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tulikoura lands with an overhand left.
Tantor pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tulikoura bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tantor has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tulikoura.
Tantor misses with the combination.
Tantor lands with a shot to the body.
Tantor's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tulikoura misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tantor clinches with his opponent.

Tantor breaks from the clinch.
Tulikoura throws a solid leg kick but Tantor takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tulikoura.
Tantor will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tulikoura throwing a counter right hand but Tantor manages to avoid it.
Tulikoura avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tulikoura is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Tulikoura tries to work over Tantor's front leg with a kick but Tantor checks it.

Tantor has Tulikoura up against the cage in a clinch.

Tantor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Tantor moves into the clinch.
Tulikoura digs a right hand underneath Tantor's ribcage. Tantor let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tantor blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Tantor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tulikoura scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tulikoura throws a front kick that sends Tantor stumbling back into the cage.
Tantor tries to clinch there but Tulikoura circles away.
Tulikoura lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tantor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tantor takes one on the button.

Tantor has Tulikoura up against the cage in a clinch.
Tulikoura tries to work over Tantor's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tulikoura misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tantor is trying to pull guard but Tulikoura turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Tantor breaks the clinch.
Tulikoura throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tantor.
Tantor connects with a single shot there.
Tantor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tulikoura.
Tantor lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Tantor has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nice body punch from Tulikoura.
Tantor pushes Tulikoura back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Tulikoura breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tulikoura clobbers Tantor with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tantor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tantor connects with a looping right hand.
Tulikoura avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tulikoura looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tantor throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tulikoura's waist but Tulikoura gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tantor off to one side.
Tantor looks to land a left hand but Tulikoura moved out of range nicely.
Tulikoura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tantor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tulikoura connects with a looping right hand.
Tulikoura throws a looping overhand right but Tantor ducks down to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Tulikoura dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tantor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tulikoura swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tulikoura throws a leg kick which misses Tantor's front leg but catches the back leg as Tantor tries to avoid it.
Tantor fails with a takedown attempt.
Tantor throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tulikoura's waist but Tulikoura gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tantor off to one side.
The fighters circling - Tulikoura throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tantor checks a leg kick nicely.

Tulikoura tries to keep at a distance but Tantor has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tulikoura softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tulikoura tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tantor is trying to push Tulikoura away but Tulikoura has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tulikoura throws a head punch that misses.
Tulikoura swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tulikoura misses with the head strike.
Tulikoura tries to throw a body punch but Tantor avoids it by throwing Tulikoura back against the cage.

Tulikoura escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tantor has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tantor there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tantor darts in looking for a takedown but Tulikoura gets double underhooks and turns Tantor into the cage.
Johannes Tulikoura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maki Tantor.
Tulikoura throws a hook but Tantor avoids it easily.
Tulikoura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tantor can do to turn this around?

Tantor drives through and clinches with Tulikoura against the cage.
Maki Tantor seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tulikoura misses with a body punch.

Tantor manages to break the clinch.
Good shot there by Tantor.
Tulikoura lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tantor fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tantor shoots in for a double leg but Tulikoura sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A good leg kick by Tulikoura.
Tulikoura lands with a right hand.
Johannes Tulikoura is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Tantor rushes Tulikoura and presses him up against the cage.
Tantor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tantor takes a shot to the head.
Tantor tries to break free but Tulikoura pushes him back against the cage.
Tulikoura tries a body shot but Tantor blocks it.
Tantor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tulikoura lands with a light punch inside.
Tulikoura misses with a body punch.
Tulikoura tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tulikoura working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tantor has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
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!
Tulikoura working aggressively here.
Tulikoura has a couple of punches blocked by Tantor.
Tantor is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tulikoura to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Tulikoura.
Tulikoura working aggressively here.
Tantor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Tantor lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Tulikoura.
Tulikoura lands an uppercut.

Tantor successfully pulls guard.
Tulikoura wants to pass the guard but Tantor is keeping the position.
Tulikoura stays in close to Tantor's body and controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tantor bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tulikoura's guard.

Tantor won't allow Tulikoura to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tantor is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Tulikoura wants to stand up but Tantor is controlling him.
Tantor controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tulikoura tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tantor stands and throws Tulikoura's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Tulikoura gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Tulikoura has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tantor is working away from the top position though.
Tantor takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Tulikoura dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tulikoura paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tantor shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tulikoura pinned against the cage. Tulikoura gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tulikoura pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tantor is out of range and Tulikoura settles back down.
Tantor fails with the takedown.
Tantor misses with a head kick.
Maki Tantor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tantor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tantor has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tulikoura.
Tantor keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tulikoura misses with a low kick.
Tulikoura with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tantor takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tantor tries to clinch up but Tulikoura circles away and keeps his distance.
Tulikoura connects with a leg kick.
Tulikoura with the inside leg kick.
Tulikoura slips under a jab.
Sloppy strikes from Tulikoura. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tantor wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tantor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tantor takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tantor throws a head kick but Tulikoura moves out of range.
Tantor throws a looping overhand right but Tulikoura ducks down to avoid it.
Tulikoura thumps Tantor with a low kick.
Tulikoura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tantor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tulikoura lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tulikoura staying out of range there.
Tantor misses with a head kick.
Tantor throws a series of punches but Tulikoura moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Tulikoura - just one landing.
Tantor misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tantor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tulikoura jabs Tantor to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tulikoura takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tulikoura is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab from Tulikoura does it's job there.
Tulikoura lands with a good body shot.
Tulikoura keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tantor has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Tantor clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tulikoura.
Tantor blocks a body shot from Tulikoura.

Tantor breaks from the clinch.
Tantor tries to move into range but Tulikoura moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A big right from Tantor misses.
Tulikoura is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Tulikoura cracks Tantor with a good jab.
Tantor takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tulikoura shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Some bone on bone action there as Tantor checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Tulikoura is looking to slow Tantor down with leg kicks.
Tantor 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.
Tantor tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tulikoura throws a hook but Tantor avoids it easily.
Tantor fails to land with a series of punches.
Tantor misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tantor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tulikoura circles away quickly and effectively.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tulikoura.
Tantor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tulikoura clobbers Tantor with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tulikoura works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tantor looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Johannes Tulikoura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maki Tantor.
Tulikoura connects with a solid leg kick.
Tantor misses with a two punch combination.
Good exchange - Tulikoura coming out on top.
Tantor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tantor throws a sloppy head kick and Tulikoura moves out of range easily.
Tulikoura darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Johannes Tulikoura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tantor chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tulikoura can pounce on him.
Tulikoura lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tulikoura scoring well with a low kick there.
Tulikoura lands a head shot.
Tantor walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Tantor moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tulikoura lands with a right to the head.
Maki Tantor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tulikoura.
Tantor tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tulikoura just stands there and leans against the cage.

Tulikoura breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tantor tries to clinch up.
Tantor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tulikoura paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tantor ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tantor tries to clinch up.
Tulikoura with a nice calf kick.
Tulikoura keeps the fight on the outside.
Tantor scores with a shot to the body.
Tantor shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tantor misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No joy there for Tantor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tantor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tulikoura moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tantor has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tulikoura.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tulikoura.
Tulikoura tried to score with a low kick but Tantor checks it.
Tantor takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tantor tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice sprawl there from Tulikoura as Tantor shoots in.
Tulikoura lands with a shot to the body.
Tulikoura swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johannes Tulikoura showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tulikoura, 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johannes Tulikoura!
Johannes Tulikoura tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.