PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Neko Strong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donatelo Tikeim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Strong
vs
Tikeim

185 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
22
273 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Neko Strong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Donatelo Tikeim!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tikeim moves into the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tikeim.
Tikeim throws a knee to the head but misses.
Strong looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Tikeim has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Strong uses from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Strong showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Strong tries to stand but Tikeim is controlling from the bottom.
Strong prevents Tikeim from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tikeim tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Strong passes Tikeim's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strong throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tikeim really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Strong. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Strong is trying to control the action in half guard but Tikeim is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Strong is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tikeim is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Tikeim pushes Strong off looking to stand but Strong dives back in and keeps control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tikeim takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Strong scores with a nice body kick.

Tikeim closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Tikeim looks gassed!
Strong is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Strong gets full guard.
Strong not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tikeim stops Strong from standing up.
Tikeim won't allow Strong to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikeim with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tikeim preventing the sweep.
Tikeim trying to stand up but can't free himself from Strong's guard.
Tikeim trying to control the position from guard on top but Strong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice sprawl there from Tikeim as Strong shoots in.
Strong tries for a takedown but Tikeim circles away easily

and Tikeim counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Strong is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tikeim defends well.
Strong might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Strong is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikeim connects with a couple of short punches.
Tikeim throws a big right hand that misses.
Strong manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Strong landing strikes, looking to finish!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tikeim can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tikeim wants to hold on but Strong pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Strong with shots to the head and body - Tikeim looks very uncomfortable down there.
Strong sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Strong trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Strong can't control as he wanted to and Tikeim manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donatelo Tikeim dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tikeim shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Strong's guard.
Tikeim trying to control but Strong is working from the bottom.
Strong is trying to control the position but Tikeim postures up.
Tikeim would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Tikeim prevents Strong from getting back to his feet.
Tikeim has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Strong is proving hard to escape from.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tikeim wants to stand and escape but instead Strong has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Strong postures up and lands a big shot to Tikeim's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strong drops back looking for a leg! Tikeim is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tikeim manages to kick Strong off! Strong jumps back into Tikeim's guard.
Strong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Strong prevents Tikeim from getting back to his feet.
Strong trying to control the position from guard on top but Tikeim is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Strong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Strong controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Strong wants to pass the guard but Tikeim is keeping the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tikeim tries for a takedown but Strong circles away easily

and Strong counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tikeim is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Strong is controlling him.
Strong looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strong throws a big right hand that misses.
Strong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tikeim swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Strong trying to control the position from guard on top but Tikeim is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.
Tikeim is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Strong is controlling him.
Tikeim not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tikeim tries to clinch but Strong is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strong tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tikeim swivels and escapes.
Strong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tikeim is fending him off so far but Strong persists. Nope, Tikeim circles away and we're back to standing.
Strong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tikeim throws a predictable looking body shot

and Strong counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neko Strong dominated that second round.
That's time! Strong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Strong tries for a takedown but Tikeim sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Tikeim has managed to clinch.
Tikeim is struggling to control the position.
Strong is looking to break free of the clinch but Tikeim has double underhooks.
Strong blocks an elbow strike from Tikeim.
Tikeim with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tikeim prevents Strong from breaking the clinch.

Tikeim pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Strong has managed to clinch.
Tikeim is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tikeim misses with an elbow over the top.

Tikeim breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Strong with that takedown attempt.

Tikeim gets a clinch.
Tikeim drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Strong jumps into guard, dragging Tikeim to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strong is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tikeim wants to stand but Strong has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Strong is looking for a triangle but Tikeim pushes his legs off easily.
Strong trying to control the position here.
Tikeim won't allow Strong to get back to his feet.
Strong tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Strong kicks Tikeim off and gets to his feet.
Tikeim closes the distance looking to clinch

and Strong counters by clinching up.
Tikeim managing to block the knees to the body from Strong.
Tikeim fails to pull guard.
Strong has Tikeim pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tikeim manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Neko Strong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strong wants to break the clinch but can't.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Tikeim.
Strong looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Strong is working Tikeim over against the cage.
Tikeim is looking to control Strong's arms but Strong gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tikeim has his back to the cage.

Tikeim breaks the clinch.
Tikeim tries to close the distance and clinch up but Strong swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Donatelo Tikeim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strong tries for a takedown but Tikeim circles away easily

and Tikeim counters by moving into the clinch.
Strong takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tikeim misses with an elbow over the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tikeim decides to pull guard.
Tikeim looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Tikeim is wriggling around but Strong manages to pass to half guard.
Tikeim is looking for a sweep. Strong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Strong is trying to control the action in half guard but Tikeim is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Strong wants to pass to mount but Tikeim is defending the position.
Strong is keen to just control but Tikeim is a slippery customer.
Tikeim looks like he's trying to stand up.
Strong is looking to advance position but Tikeim won't allow it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Strong throws a low kick, looking for Tikeim's leg but Tikeim calmly moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Donatelo Tikeim.
I think Tikeim 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donatelo Tikeim!