PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ilija Guzina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aapo Ik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Guzina
vs
Ik

185 cm
19
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ilija Guzina!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aapo Ik!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ik throws a shot from downtown. Guzina moves away and avoids it.

Guzina forces Ik back against the cage and clinches.
Ik changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Guzina fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Guzina closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Guzina decides to pull guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ik wants to control from the top but Guzina keeps moving.
Ik connects with a couple of short punches.
Guzina thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ik trying to control the position from guard on top but Guzina is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ik scoring with some ground and pound.
Ik trying to control but Guzina is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ik stopping the sweep attempt from Guzina.
Guzina keeping moving, preventing Ik from controlling successfully.
Ik pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Guzina is keeping the position for now.
Guzina is adopting a defensive guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Aapo Ik.
Guzina shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ik defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guzina misses with a takedown attempt - Ik sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ik looks to land a right hand but Guzina moved out of range.
Ik will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Guzina closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ik's guard.

Guzina stands and steps away. Ik gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ik misses with a hook. Guzina ducked under it nicely.
Ik throws a hook but Guzina blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Guzina instigates a clinch.
Ik is trying to maintain a safe position but Guzina gets an underhook and turns Ik into the cage.
Ik has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ik tries to break the clinch but Guzina is controlling the position.
Ik changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Guzina fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ilija Guzina has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aapo Ik.

Guzina darts in and clinches Ik up against the cage.
Ik is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ik has Guzina pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Guzina manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Guzina jumps into guard, dragging Ik to the mat.
Guzina trying to control the position here.
Ik tries to free his leg and advance position but Guzina is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ik advances position into side control!

Ik looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Guzina throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ik lands a few punches from side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ik connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Guzina some visible discomfort.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ik wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Guzina, who protects the arm well.

Ik is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Guzina is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Aapo Ik will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ik misses with a takedown attempt - Guzina sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Guzina has a takedown stuffed.
Guzina throws a body kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Guzina pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ik throws a looping overhand right but Guzina ducks down to avoid it.

Guzina instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guzina has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ik is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Guzina lands a body punch.

Guzina has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ik uses from the top position.
Ik trying to control the position from guard on top but Guzina is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ik thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Aapo Ik has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ik trying to control but Guzina is working from the bottom.
Ik controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Guzina looking to control.
Ik trying to control the position from guard on top but Guzina is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ik drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ik jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Guzina preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guzina wants to sweep here but Ik controlling him for the moment.
Ik cracks Guzina with a solid left hand.

Ik avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Guzina keeping moving, preventing Ik from controlling successfully.
Guzina can't keep his opponent in guard - Ik advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ik is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Ik lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Ik is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Guzina has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Ik seems content to control.
Ik working over Guzina with some ground and pound. Guzina looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Ik is looking for a kimura here.
Guzina moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ik slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Guzina prevents Ik from improving position.
Ik trying to control the action but Guzina is working from the bottom.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guzina takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Ik trying to control the action but Guzina is working from the bottom.
Guzina tries to buck Ik off but Ik is having none of it.
Ik trying to control the position but Guzina is working away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ik content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aapo Ik showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ik fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Guzina tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Guzina tries for a takedown but Ik circles away easily

and Ik counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Guzina's guard now.

Ik drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Guzina manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Ik has Guzina in his guard.
Ik manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ik is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Guzina can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Guzina tries to hold on but Ik postures up.
Ik postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Guzina looks a forlorn figure.

Ik jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Guzina manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Ik tries for a kimura but Guzina is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ik is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Guzina has escaped the position, nice work there.

Ik tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Ik working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Guzina regains half guard.
Ik is looking to take a break and control but Guzina is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ik is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ik has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Ik swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Guzina is now in Ik's guard. A big mistake from Ik there, giving up the dominant position!
Guzina with a flurry of punches that miss.
Guzina stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ik is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guzina missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ik working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Guzina.
Guzina knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ik on the ground.
Guzina wants to pass the guard but Ik is keeping the position.
Ik is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Guzina is controlling him.
Ik controls Guzina momentarily but Guzina frees himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Guzina stops Ik from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aapo Ik comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ik winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aapo Ik!