PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Erik Susitaival (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pertti Liikanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Susitaival
vs
Liikanen

192 cm
23
277 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

192 cm
28
250 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

CEC Nutrition Q160 & Loans

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Erik Susitaival!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Pertti Liikanen!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Susitaival fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Liikanen sprawls well initially but Susitaival persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Susitaival is trying to control the action in half guard but Liikanen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Liikanen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Susitaival. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Susitaival thows a huge punch but Liikanen dodges it nicely.
Susitaival throwing shots but Liikanen is blocking nicely.
Susitaival not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Susitaival not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Susitaival throwing shots but Liikanen is blocking nicely.
Susitaival throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Susitaival slips a nice elbow through Liikanen's hands, connecting with Liikanen's forehead.
Susitaival missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Susitaival throwing shots but Liikanen is blocking nicely.
Susitaival has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Susitaival missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liikanen is looking to control Susitaival's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Liikanen avoid being mounted?
Susitaival thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Susitaival wants to take a breather but Liikanen is having none of it.
Susitaival throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Susitaival missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Susitaival is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Liikanen defends it well.
Susitaival takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Susitaival thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Liikanen's head.
Susitaival thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Liikanen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Susitaival.
Susitaival misses with a head shot. Liikanen uses the momentum to regain guard.
Susitaival throwing strikes from guard but Liikanen blocks nicely.
Susitaival scoring with some ground and pound.
Susitaival throws a big elbow that misses.
Susitaival wants to control from the top but Liikanen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Susitaival is looking to work some ground and pound but Liikanen has wrist control.
Susitaival working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liikanen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Susitaival.
Susitaival trying to control the position from guard on top but Liikanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Liikanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Susitaival is one step ahead there.
Susitaival throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Liikanen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Liikanen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Susitaival.
Susitaival throws a big right hand that misses.
Susitaival throws a big elbow that misses.
Susitaival is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Liikanen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Susitaival throws an elbow that misses. Liikanen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Susitaival's guard. Nice move by Liikanen!
Susitaival keeping moving, preventing Liikanen from controlling successfully.
Susitaival throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Susitaival has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Liikanen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Susitaival pulls Liikanen in close to his closed guard and prevents Liikanen from doing any damage or advancing position.

Susitaival escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Liikanen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liikanen has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Susitaival is proving hard to escape from.
Liikanen won't allow Susitaival to sweep him here.
Susitaival lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Liikanen!
Poor strikes thrown by Susitaival there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Susitaival misses with a head shot.
Liikanen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Susitaival misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Susitaival trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Susitaival dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Liikanen's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Liikanen duly obliges.

Susitaival has managed to clinch.
Susitaival wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Susitaival tries a body shot but Liikanen blocks it.

Liikanen gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Liikanen blocks the strikes from Susitaival.
Susitaival on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Susitaival tries to get out of the position.
Liikanen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Susitaival keeps working.
Susitaival throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Liikanen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Susitaival is trying to control but can't.
Susitaival wants to get back to full guard.

Susitaival kicks Liikanen off and gets back to his feet.
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!

Susitaival gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Susitaival struggles to land a body shot inside as Liikanen controls his hands.

Liikanen pulls guard successfully.
Susitaival throws a big right hand that misses.
Susitaival passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Susitaival throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liikanen is looking to reverse the position.
Susitaival working the ground and pound.

Susitaival tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Susitaival throws a strike aimed at the side of Liikanen's head but Liikanen avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Susitaival working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Susitaival throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Susitaival is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Liikanen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Susitaival working the ground and pound from side control.

Susitaival is trying to get an arm triangle but Liikanen is defending well.
Liikanen managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Susitaival.
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!
Susitaival fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Susitaival throwing strikes but Liikanen manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Liikanen wants to control but Susitaival is keeping him busy.
Liikanen working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liikanen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Susitaival keeps working.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Liikanen throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Susitaival is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Susitaival wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
You can see the frustration on Susitaival's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Susitaival is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Liikanen working the ground and pound but Susitaival is defending the strikes.
Susitaival manages to get back to half guard.
Susitaival is concentrating on defense, preventing Liikanen from advancing position.
Liikanen is pressing down on Susitaival's thigh, looking to free his foot. Susitaival is holding on for now.
Susitaival keeping hold of Liikanen's head, controlling as best he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Susitaival wants to improve his position but Liikanen is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Susitaival dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. 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.

Liikanen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Susitaival. Susitaival circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Susitaival pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Susitaival throws a shot from downtown. Liikanen moves away and avoids it.
Susitaival shoots in looking for a takedown but Liikanen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Susitaival's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Liikanen throws a series of punches but Susitaival moves out of range.
Susitaival scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Liikanen blocks a jab.
Susitaival misses with a looping right.
Susitaival pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Susitaival walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Liikanen avoids the body shot from Susitaival.
Susitaival lands a lovely overhand right.
Liikanen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Susitaival misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Liikanen.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Liikanen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Liikanen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Susitaival looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Susitaival misses with a looping right.
Liikanen connects with a right hand. Susitaival shakes it off.
Sloppy strikes from Liikanen. Those never looked like landing.
Liikanen's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Liikanen duly obliges.
Liikanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Susitaival swings for the body but Liikanen moves out of range.
Liikanen throws a one two combo.
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!
Liikanen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sloppy strikes from Liikanen. Those never looked like landing.
Some wild striking there from Susitaival.
Susitaival takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Liikanen displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Liikanen dodges the punch combination from Susitaival.
Liikanen misses with a two punch combination.
Pertti Liikanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Erik Susitaival seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liikanen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Liikanen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Susitaivals jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Liikanen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A lazy left from Liikanen finds it's target.
Susitaival tries to clinch up.
Liikanen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Susitaival's head.
Pertti Liikanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Susitaival fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Liikanen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Liikanen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A nice combination there by Liikanen.
Liikanen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Susitaival backs up against the cage.
Susitaival takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Liikanen fails to land with a series of punches.
Susitaival throws a looping overhand right but Liikanen ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liikanen cracks Susitaival with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Liikanen works Susitaival's body with a nice hook.
Liikanen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Liikanen works over Susitaival's head and body with a nice combination.
Liikanen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Susitaival gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Liikanen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Susitaival's hands.
Liikanen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Susitaival.
Susitaival jabs Liikanen right on the nose. Liikanen blinks but takes it well.
Sloppy strikes from Susitaival. Those never looked like landing.
Liikanen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liikanen throws a series of punches but Susitaival avoids them all with ease.
Susitaival is looking to clinch but Liikanen is avoiding it.
Susitaival has a takedown stuffed.
Erik Susitaival is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liikanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Liikanen lands with a cross.
Susitaival's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Liikanen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Susitaival scrambles back to his feet.
Liikanen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Susitaival looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Liikanen is fending him off so far but Susitaival persists. Nope, Liikanen circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Susitaival. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liikanen stuns Susitaival with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Erik Susitaival is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Liikanen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Liikanen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Liikanen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Susitaival.
Susitaival looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liikanen slips a straight right by Susitaival.
Susitaival misses with a series of wild punches.
Liikanen throws a right and a left that Susitaival avoids nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pertti Liikanen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Susitaival has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Susitaival!