PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Esko Viikate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Viikate
vs
James

190 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esko Viikate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rick James!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

James gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
James looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Viikate decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

James gets caught napping as Viikate dives in and scores a takedown. James manages to retain guard.
Viikate postures up in James's guard and throws a big left but James blocks it.

James is working an open guard so Viikate takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Viikate tries to clinch there but James circles away.

Viikate dives in and scores a takedown into James's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Viikate stays in close to James's body and controls the position.
Viikate seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down James for as long as he can get away with.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Esko Viikate.

James gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Viikate controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Viikate forces his way into half guard.
Viikate perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Viikate.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Viikate in particular looking to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Esko Viikate wasn't doing enough on the ground.

A momentary lapse in concentration from James enables Viikate to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. James manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Viikate slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Viikate takes a little break here. James wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viikate misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Viikate decides to take the fight back to the feet.
James takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Viikate throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. James tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Viikate is in James's guard.
Viikate seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Viikate sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed James's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James trying to hold on to Viikate's head to control him but Viikate postures up.
Viikate is controlling the pace.

James is defending against the submission attempts here by Viikate.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Viikate wants to work for an arm triangle but James is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A momentary lapse in concentration from James enables Viikate to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. James manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Viikate seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Viikate won't allow James to sweep him here.

Viikate gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Viikate moves into range and clinches up with James.
Viikate wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Viikate has picked James up - he's going for a ride! Viikate dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Viikate with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Viikate is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! James is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Esko Viikate!