PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Fitzsimmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tikkanen
vs
Fitzsimmons

186 cm
34
208 lbs
31 - 12 - 1

188 cm
25
211 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Pearson Specter Litt
GREEN!160

Conviction

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 31 - 12 - 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 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jim Fitzsimmons!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkanen scores with a spinning back kick!

Tikkanen gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitzsimmons trying to hold on to Tikkanen's head to control him but Tikkanen postures up.
Fitzsimmons has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Fitzsimmons wants to sweep but Tikkanen has passed to side control!
Tikkanen wants to control but Fitzsimmons is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tikkanen advances to full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen working Fitzsimmons over with strikes here.
Tikkanen lands with some strikes.

Tikkanen is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Fitzsimmons has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Fitzsimmons!
Fitzsimmons slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
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.
Fitzsimmons won't allow Tikkanen to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tikkanen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fitzsimmons wants to stand but Tikkanen is controlling his posture from full guard.
Fitzsimmons trying to control the position from guard on top but Tikkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tikkanen working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Fitzsimmons has passed into half guard!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Fitzsimmons in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons is pressing down on Tikkanen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tikkanen is holding on for now.
Tikkanen is trying to get back to full guard.
Tikkanen is pressing down on Fitzsimmons's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Fitzsimmons stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tikkanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tikkanen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Fitzsimmons has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tikkanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fitzsimmons wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tikkanen keeps working.
Tikkanen is looking to reverse the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tikkanen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Fitzsimmons.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tikkanen. That's going to slow Fitzsimmons down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Tikkanen dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fitzsimmons blocks a low kick nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fitzsimmons, as that shot connected.
Fitzsimmons checks a leg kick.
Tikkanen wants to clinch.
Fitzsimmons swings for the body but Tikkanen moves out of range.
Tikkanen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tikkanen digs a good body shot into Fitzsimmons's ribs.
Tikkanen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tikkanen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fitzsimmons is looking for the big counter here.
Tikkanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Fitzsimmons to counter with a crisp jab.
Fitzsimmons throws a lazy uppercut
and Tikkanen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tikkanen throws a hook to the side of Fitzsimmons's head but Fitzsimmons sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fitzsimmons! But no joy.
Tikkanen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tikkanen thows a body kick. Fitzsimmons tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tikkanen throws a body kick that misses.
Fitzsimmons takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Fitzsimmons lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Fitzsimmons leaves Tikkanen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tikkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fitzsimmons can do to turn this around?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitzsimmons takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fitzsimmons staying out of range there.
Tikkanen tries to clinch but Fitzsimmons is having none of it.
Nice body kick there by Tikkanen.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tikkanen. That's going to slow Fitzsimmons down.
Tikkanen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tikkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Fitzsimmons moves out of range easily.
Tikkanen dives in and grabs Fitzsimmons's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fitzsimmons pushes down on Tikkanen's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Esa Tikkanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tikkanen misses with a takedown attempt
and Fitzsimmons counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tikkanen thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws a low kick, looking for Fitzsimmons's leg but Fitzsimmons calmly moves out of range.
Tikkanen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Fitzsimmons is out of range.

Tikkanen looking to score a takedown here. Fitzsimmons is defending well but Tikkanen drives through and ends up in Fitzsimmons's guard.
Tikkanen tries to free his leg and advance position but Fitzsimmons is retaining full guard.
Tikkanen postures up in Fitzsimmons's guard and throws a big left but Fitzsimmons blocks it.
Tikkanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fitzsimmons swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tikkanen is working hard here to advance position.
Tikkanen is looking to work some ground and pound but Fitzsimmons has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen looking to sit in guard and control but Fitzsimmons gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Tikkanen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Fitzsimmons passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tikkanen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tikkanen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Tikkanen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fitzsimmons is aware though and is defending well.

Tikkanen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fitzsimmons gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Tikkanen dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Tikkanen throws out a loose jab but Fitzsimmons uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tikkanen darts in looking for a takedown but Fitzsimmons gets double underhooks and turns Tikkanen into the cage.
Tikkanen shoots for a takedown but Fitzsimmons saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tikkanen tries for a takedown but Fitzsimmons sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tikkanen has been working on his balance at Wolf Training Lair, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Fitzsimmons.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Esa Tikkanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice uppercut there from Fitzsimmons.
Tikkanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fitzsimmons moves away.
Esa Tikkanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Fitzsimmons connects with a body shot that sends Tikkanen's belly button to the back.
Tikkanen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tikkanen connects with a nice looking jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Fitzsimmons to counter with a crisp jab.
Tikkanen throws a sloppy body shot
and Fitzsimmons counters with a stiff right hand.
Tikkanen pushes Fitzsimmons away with a front kick.

Tikkanen clinches.
Tikkanen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fitzsimmons swings wildly with an uppercut but Tikkanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons misses with a punch on the inside.
Tikkanen looking to stall.

Fitzsimmons manages to break the clinch.
A jab from Fitzsimmons misses.
Tikkanen throws a head kick that misses
and Fitzsimmons counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tikkanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons looks to land a combination but Tikkanen avoids it well.
Fitzsimmons drops his hands momentarily and Tikkanen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Tikkanen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Esa Tikkanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tikkanen is nestled in close to Fitzsimmons, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tikkanen lands strikes from half guard.
Fitzsimmons tries to roll over but Tikkanen keeps him under control.
Nice strikes from Tikkanen there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Fitzsimmons to regain full guard.
Tikkanen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tikkanen passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Jim Fitzsimmons has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tikkanen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Tikkanen trying to control the position but Fitzsimmons is working away.
The strikes coming from Tikkanen are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen working the strikes but Fitzsimmons uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Tikkanen lands with a punch from half guard.
Tikkanen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tikkanen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fitzsimmons keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tikkanen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fitzsimmons's head.
Tikkanen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Fitzsimmons is not content to let Tikkanen control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esa Tikkanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tikkanen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Esa Tikkanen!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Esa Tikkanen!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Esa Tikkanen!

Esa Tikkanen wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Esa Tikkanen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Jim Fitzsimmons spoke after the fight, saying 'The better fighter won today. Well done, that man.'.