PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Esko Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Hunter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tikkanen comes to the cage accompanied by Nyrkillä naamaan - Ei kannattais ees yrittää!. Hunter has chosen Galneryus - Everlasting as his entrance music. Tim Hunter has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tikkanen
vs
Hunter

182 cm
21
184 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
25
165 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Esko Tikkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Tim Hunter!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tikkanen darts in and clinches Hunter up against the cage.
Hunter has Tikkanen pressed against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tikkanen throws an elbow but misses.
Hunter tries to work over Tikkanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tikkanen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hunter has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tikkanen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tikkanen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Hunter pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tikkanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Hunter throws a right hand that Tikkanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Tikkanen also avoids with ease.
Tikkanen scores with a nice right hand.
Hunter steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tikkanen.
Hunter throws a lazy right hand but Tikkanen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunter defending well as Tikkanen loads up on a big left hand.
Hunter has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tikkanen finds it's way round the side to connect with Hunter's head.
Hunter misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Tikkanen moves into the clinch successfully.
Tikkanen misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hunter changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tikkanen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tikkanen throws a nice head kick!
Hunter swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hunter shoots in but no luck this time.
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.
Esko Tikkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Hunter.

Tikkanen takes the fight into the clinch.
Hunter avoids the elbow strike from Tikkanen, against the cage.
Hunter avoids a wild elbow strike from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen trying to land knees to the body.

Hunter manages to break the clinch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tikkanen, as that shot connected.
Tikkanen throws a one two combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hunter throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tikkanen misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen looks to land a left hand but Hunter moved out of range nicely.
Tikkanen blocks a leg kick.
Hunter tries to clinch but Tikkanen is having none of it.
Tikkanen throws a shot from downtown. Hunter moves away and avoids it.
Esko Tikkanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tikkanen stuffs the takedown attempt from Hunter. Hunter gets slowly back to his feet.
Tikkanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hunter.
Tikkanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tikkanen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tikkanen moves out of range as Hunter strikes.
Tikkanen dips to his left and cracks Hunter with an uppercut!
A combination from Hunter does no damage.

Hunter gets a clinch.
Hunter goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hunter wants to take the fight to the mat but Tikkanen manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Tikkanen working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen landing knees to the head.
Hunter looking to slow down the pace here.
Tikkanen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tikkanen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tikkanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Hunter avoids the damage to the body.

Hunter gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Tikkanen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hunter.
Tikkanen is looking for a sweep. Hunter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hunter is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hunter throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tikkanen is trying to control but can't.
Hunter has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hunter throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hunter trying to control the pace.
Tikkanen trying to hold on to Hunter's head to control him but Hunter postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Hunter gets a double leg takedown into Tikkanen's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tikkanen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hunter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Tikkanen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tikkanen slips a jab and a cross from Hunter.

Hunter shoots in and bounces Tikkanen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hunter is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hunter being controlled here momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hunter wants to control from the top but Tikkanen keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunter looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen keeping moving, preventing Hunter from controlling successfully.
Hunter looking to pass the guard.
Hunter working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Esko Tikkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tikkanen misses with a wild body shot.
Tikkanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hunter manages to avoid it.
Hunter takes a swing at Tikkanen's ribcage but misses.

Hunter takes the fight into the clinch.
Tikkanen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hunter's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter blocks an elbow strike from Tikkanen.
Hunter drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tikkanen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tikkanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hunter tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tikkanen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hunter somewhat.
Hunter tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tikkanen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tikkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tikkanen.
Tikkanen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hunter.
Esko Tikkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Hunter.
Hunter works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nice defenses there by Hunter.
Tikkanen lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Hunter shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tikkanen's guard.
Tikkanen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hunter wants to pass the guard but Tikkanen is keeping the position.
Tikkanen can't keep his opponent in guard - Hunter advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tikkanen is in trouble now - Hunter has advanced to mount!
Hunter with a couple of short strikes.
Hunter can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tikkanen is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Hunter lands a big elbow.
Tikkanen wants to control but Hunter is having none of it.
Hunter tries to control but Tikkanen wriggling away.
Hunter controlling the pace for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tikkanen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Hunter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tikkanen misses with a head kick.

Hunter moves into the clinch successfully.
Hunter on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tikkanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hunter avoids it.
Tikkanen unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hunter lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hunter tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tikkanen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hunter can't get the takedown.
Hunter lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tikkanen backwards.
Hunter blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tikkanen throws an elbow but misses.
Tikkanen prevents a takedown attempt there.
Esko Tikkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Hunter.
Tikkanen working Hunter over with knees to the body.
Hunter stalling in the clinch but Tikkanen improves position.
Hunter tries to score a body lock takedown but Tikkanen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen pushes Hunter back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hunter throws a head punch that misses.
Hunter working aggressively here.
Hunter goes for a takedown attempt but Tikkanen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hunter closes the distance and clinches up with Tikkanen, looking for a takedown. Hunter pushes Tikkanen against the cage but Tikkanen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hunter takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hunter will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tikkanen cracks Hunter with a good jab.
Hunter moves away from the strike by Tikkanen.
Tikkanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Tikkanen.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tikkanen. That's going to slow Hunter down.
Tikkanen slips under a jab from Hunter.
Tikkanen lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter just misses with a punch to the body.
Hunter walks into a straight right hand from Tikkanen.
An inside leg kick lands from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen throws a jab but it's blocked by Hunter.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hunter has managed to clinch.
Hunter scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hunter misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tikkanen blocks a body shot from Hunter.
Tikkanen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hunter.
Hunter pushes Tikkanen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tikkanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Hunter avoids the damage to the body.
Tikkanen tries to work over Hunter's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tikkanen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hunter's defenses.
Esko Tikkanen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hunter is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tikkanen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tikkanen misses with a punch to the body.
Hunter looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter tries a body shot but Tikkanen blocks it.
Tikkanen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tikkanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hunter avoids it.
Hunter blocks the elbow strike.
Hunter can't find room to land a body shot as Tikkanen controls the action.
Hunter scores with a shoulder strike.
Hunter has Tikkanen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tikkanen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tikkanen lands a damaging elbow.
A hook to the body from Hunter.
Hunter takes an elbow to the forehead.
Tikkanen blocks a body shot from Hunter.
Tikkanen blocks a body shot from Hunter.
Hunter blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tikkanen throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hunter tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hunter avoids the elbow strike from Tikkanen, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hunter has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hunter goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hunter is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hunter takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tikkanen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hunter doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hunter tries to work over Tikkanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tikkanen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hunter's brow.
Tikkanen missing with knees to the body.
Tikkanen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch on the inside from Tikkanen fails to land.

Hunter gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Tikkanen regains guard.
Hunter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tikkanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hunter advances to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esko 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esko Tikkanen!
Esko Tikkanen thanked the fans post fight for their support.