PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Bunting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tikkanen
vs
Bunting

186 cm
34
208 lbs
32 - 13 - 1

208 cm
33
267 lbs
32 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Pearson Specter Litt
GREEN!160

Grand Champion Apparel

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 32 - 13 - 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 32 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Bunting!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkanen throws an overhand right that lands on Bunting's shoulder, as Bunting tries to avoid the shot.
Tikkanen delivers a nice body kick.
Bunting lands a slapping body shot.
Bunting thumps Tikkanen with a low kick.
Tikkanen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Bunting drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Tikkanen tries to bench press Bunting off him but Bunting keeps the position.
Tikkanen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bunting's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bunting is trying to control the action in half guard but Tikkanen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bunting lands a nice short elbow.
Tikkanen tries to get to full guard but Bunting has control of the leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bunting is trying to control. Tikkanen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tikkanen regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bunting.

Bunting got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tikkanen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bunting has managed to get both his arms back between Tikkanen's legs - danger averted.

Tikkanen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bunting defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bunting postures up in Tikkanen's guard and throws a big left but Tikkanen blocks it.

Tikkanen has an active guard here but Bunting has managed to pass into half guard.
Ground and pound from Bunting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tikkanen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tikkanen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bunting.
Tikkanen has hold of Bunting's hands but Bunting slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bunting scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bunting thows a huge punch but Tikkanen dodges it nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bunting is nestled in close to Tikkanen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bunting wants to take a breather but Tikkanen is having none of it.
Bunting not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bunting prevents Tikkanen from improving his position.
Tikkanen works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunting throws a big elbow that misses.
Tikkanen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Tikkanen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Tikkanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tikkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Bunting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bunting wants to sweep here but Tikkanen controlling him for the moment.
Tikkanen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bunting 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.
Bunting keeps trying to improve his position.
Tikkanen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tikkanen won't allow Bunting to sweep him here.
Tikkanen tries to free his leg and advance position but Bunting is retaining full guard.
Bunting tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bunting has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Tikkanen has passed into side control.
Bunting takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tikkanen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Tikkanen tries to move to mount but Bunting blocks the move with his legs.
Bunting tries to bench press Tikkanen off him but Tikkanen keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bunting dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bunting stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bunting wants it to stay on the feet.
Bunting throws a push kick but Tikkanen slaps the foot to one side.
Tikkanen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bunting throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tikkanen's waist but Tikkanen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bunting off to one side.
Sloppy strikes from Tikkanen. Those never looked like landing.
Tikkanen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Bunting closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Tikkanen wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bunting throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bunting working Tikkanen over with strikes.
Tikkanen gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tikkanen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tikkanen 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 throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bunting lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tikkanen wants to sweep but no luck.
Bunting tries to free his leg and advance position but Tikkanen is retaining full guard.

That's two 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.
Bunting working some strikes from top position.
Bunting controlling from the top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bunting's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Tikkanen has an active guard here but Bunting has managed to pass into half guard.

Tikkanen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bunting wants to free his trapped foot but Tikkanen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tikkanen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bunting is working away from the top position though.
Tikkanen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tikkanen.
Bunting keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tikkanen's head.
Tikkanen wants to hit a switch here but Bunting passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Tikkanen there!
Bunting trying to control but Tikkanen is having none of it.
Tikkanen is desperately trying to improve his position but Bunting has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tikkanen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Tikkanen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bunting avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bunting looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Tikkanen puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
John Bunting has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bunting tries to roll over but Tikkanen keeps him under control.
Bunting is still trying to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tikkanen is looking to advance position but Bunting won't allow it.
Tikkanen throws a strike but Bunting avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Bunting showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Bunting. No joy for Tikkanen on that attempt.
Bunting cracks the inside of Tikkanen's front leg.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bunting. Tikkanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tikkanen lands with a hook. Bunting tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bunting motions for Tikkanen to come forward. Bunting throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tikkanen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bunting is out of range.
Bunting misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bunting tries to bum rush Tikkanen with a series of wild strikes but Tikkanen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bunting cracks Tikkanen with an open hand slap.

It looks like Esa Tikkanen has been cut.
Bunting dips to his left and cracks Tikkanen with an uppercut!
Jab by Tikkanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bunting. Tikkanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bunting misses with a low kick.
Tikkanen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A head kick misses from Bunting.
Bunting just misses with a punch to the body.
A combination from Bunting does no damage.
Bunting connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Tikkanen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bunting napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Bunting tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Tikkanen easily slips into full mount!
Bunting is in a horrible position here. Tikkanen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

It looks like John Bunting has been cut.
Tikkanen postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Bunting looks a forlorn figure.
Esa Tikkanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tikkanen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Bunting turns into him and now he's in Tikkanen's guard.
Bunting pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tikkanen is keeping the position for now.
Tikkanen keeping moving, preventing Bunting from controlling successfully.

Tikkanen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bunting pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tikkanen is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunting lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bunting stays in close to Tikkanen's body and controls the position.
Bunting pushing down on Tikkanen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Bunting is looking to take a break and control but Tikkanen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tikkanen regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Tikkanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bunting can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bunting postures up and lands a big shot to Tikkanen's brow.
Tikkanen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Tikkanen isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Bunting stacks Tikkanen on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Bunting!
John Bunting is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bunting is working Tikkanen over with some ground and pound from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bunting is staying tight to Tikkanen's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Bunting wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tikkanen keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Bunting.
Well Bunting has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for John Bunting!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for John Bunting!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for John Bunting!

John Bunting wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, John Bunting thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.