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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clay Mercer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tikkanen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Bring The Pain. Mercer has chosen Kid CuDi - Wylin Cuz I'm Young as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Clay Mercer told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!
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| 186 cm
28
209 lbs
19 - 5 - 1 |
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189 cm
29
219 lbs
18 - 10 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
19 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esa Tikkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Clay Mercer!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercer misses with a wild body shot.
Tikkanen misses with a low kick.
Mercer takes a swing at Tikkanen's ribcage but misses.
Tikkanen has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mercer.
Tikkanen has a takedown stuffed.
Mercer comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tikkanen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercer.
Mercer with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tikkanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercer moves away.
Tikkanen misses with a looping left.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tikkanen. That's going to slow Mercer down.
Tikkanen avoids the body shot from Mercer.
Mercer thows a body shot but no joy.
Tikkanen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mercer lands with an uppercut that bounces Tikkanen off the cage and back into range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer looks to land a right hand but Tikkanen moved out of range.
Tikkanen takes one to the chin there.
It looks like Esa Tikkanen has been cut.
Mercer scores with a hook.
Clay Mercer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mercer just misses with a punch to the body.
Tikkanen throws a front kick aimed at Mercer's knee but Mercer avoids it well.
Tikkanen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
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!
Tikkanen trying to control from Mercer's half guard. Mercer has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Tikkanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tikkanen wants to control from the top but Mercer keeps moving.
Tikkanen lands a couple of elbows.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercer has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Tikkanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mercer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tikkanen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tikkanen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mercer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tikkanen trying to control but Mercer is working from the bottom.
Mercer controlling Tikkanen's posture.
Mercer is trying to keep Tikkanen in close.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer looking for a sweep. Not yet Mercer, not yet.
Tikkanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tikkanen is fighting to break Mercer's control of his arms but Mercer is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Clay Mercer.
Mercer scores with a push kick.
Tikkanen throws an off balance right hand
and Mercer counters with a thumping low kick.
Tikkanen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tikkanen misses the body punch
and Mercer counters with a straight right hand.
Tikkanen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mercer.
Esa Tikkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mercer fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mercer takes a swing at Tikkanen's ribcage but misses.
Tikkanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer throws a nice looking combination but Tikkanen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mercer forces Tikkanen back against the cage and clinches.
Tikkanen is working for takedown but Mercer is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tikkanen lands with a left to the head.
Tikkanen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mercer backwards.
Mercer has Tikkanen pushed against the cage.
Tikkanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tikkanen misses with a punch on the inside.
Mercer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mercer closes the distance and pushes Tikkanen back into the cage.
Tikkanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tikkanen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mercer backwards.
Tikkanen keeps control of Mercer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tikkanen working aggressively here.
Tikkanen lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Clay Mercer dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Esa Tikkanen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!
Tikkanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tikkanen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mercer connects with a body shot.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Mercer enables Tikkanen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mercer manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tikkanen wants to pass the guard but Mercer is keeping the position.
Tikkanen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tikkanen postures up in Mercer's guard and throws a big left but Mercer blocks it.
Mercer has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Mercer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tikkanen looking to pass the guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tikkanen is one step ahead there.
Mercer controlling Tikkanen's posture.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Clay Mercer was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Tikkanen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mercer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tikkanen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mercer sprawls well initially but Tikkanen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Tikkanen thows a huge punch but Mercer dodges it nicely.
Mercer wants to get back to full guard.
Mercer trying to control but Tikkanen postures up.
Tikkanen controlling the action here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen is just content to waste time from the top position. Mercer takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Tikkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Mercer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tikkanen won't allow Mercer to sweep him here.
Tikkanen 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.
Tikkanen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tikkanen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mercer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tikkanen is one step ahead there.
Mercer is trying to control the position from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tikkanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tikkanen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tikkanen wants to control from the top but Mercer keeps moving.
Tikkanen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mercer is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tikkanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mercer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tikkanen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mercer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tikkanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mercer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mercer pulls Tikkanen in close to his closed guard and prevents Tikkanen from doing any damage or advancing position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mercer is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tikkanen distracts Mercer with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercer keeping moving, preventing Tikkanen from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Esa Tikkanen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Esa Tikkanen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
A big right from Mercer misses.
Mercer throws a series of punches but Tikkanen moves out of range.
Mercer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mercer is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tikkanen rather than just go for the knockout.
Tikkanen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Tikkanen throws a nice looking combination but Mercer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mercer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tikkanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Mercer.
Tikkanen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mercer counters with a straight right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Mercer misses the target.
Mercer looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
It looks like Clay Mercer has been cut.
Tikkanen connects with a body shot.
Mercer misses with the combination.
Mercer slips under a jab from Tikkanen.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tikkanen.
Tikkanen thows a body shot but no joy.
Mercer misses with an uppercut. Tikkanen saw that one coming.
Mercer moves away from the strike by Tikkanen.
Mercer throws a nice looking combination but Tikkanen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tikkanen misses the shot to the body.
Mercer misses with a left hand
and Tikkanen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tikkanen wants to pass the guard but Mercer is keeping the position.
Esa Tikkanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tikkanen passes Mercer's left leg - he's now in half guard.
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!
Mercer moves into full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercer keeping moving, preventing Tikkanen from controlling successfully.
Tikkanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mercer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mercer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mercer is adopting a defensive guard.
Tikkanen stays in close to Mercer's body and controls the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tikkanen throws a quick inside leg kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Tikkanen. Beautiful body shot.
Tikkanen wants to slow Mercer down by chopping away at his legs.
Tikkanen closes the distance and pushes Mercer back into the cage.
Tikkanen tries to throw a body punch but Mercer avoids it by throwing Tikkanen back against the cage.
Tikkanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercer is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mercer gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tikkanen.
Mercer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tikkanen slips a jab from Mercer.
Tikkanen throws a solid leg kick but Mercer takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tikkanen.
Mercer rushes Tikkanen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen wants to take the fight to the mat but Mercer manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Esa Tikkanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tikkanen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mercer.
Mercer throws an elbow but it misses.
Tikkanen misses with a punch to the body.
Tikkanen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mercers head.
Tikkanen misses with a body punch.
Mercer trying to stall but Tikkanen improves his position.
Tikkanen throws a head punch that misses.
Mercer throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice elbow from Mercer.
A nice left hand lands by Mercer.
Mercer lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mercer is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Tikkanen is trying to trip Mercer. He has hold of a leg but Mercer is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Tikkanen persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Tikkanen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Esa Tikkanen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tikkanen 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esa Tikkanen!
After winning the bout, Esa Tikkanen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
79% |
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