PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vidor Makarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Otto Kaikkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaikkonen comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Duran Duran - WIld Boys kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Makarov
vs
Kaikkonen

190 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

187 cm
24
205 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vidor Makarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Otto Kaikkonen!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makarov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kaikkonen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kaikkonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Makarov misses with a few strikes there.
Makarov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Makarov misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Makarov tries to keep at a distance but Kaikkonen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kaikkonen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kaikkonen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kaikkonen misses with a knee strike.
Makarov blocks the elbow strike.
Kaikkonen tries for a takedown. No joy.

Kaikkonen breaks from the clinch.

Makarov moves into the clinch.
Makarov wants to get back to striking at distance but Kaikkonen won't allow it.
Kaikkonen tries to land a knee to the head but Makarov blocks with his arms.

Kaikkonen manages to break the clinch.
Makarov wants to clinch

and Kaikkonen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kaikkonen.
Makarov wants to get back to striking at distance but Kaikkonen won't allow it.
Kaikkonen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kaikkonen looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kaikkonen gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Makarov wants to get back to his feet.
Kaikkonen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Kaikkonen postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Makarov to stand up.
Some wild striking there from Makarov.
Kaikkonen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Makarov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kaikkonen to score with a decent uppercut.
Makarov darts in trying to clinch

and Kaikkonen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Makarov gets underhooks to prevent Kaikkonen's takedown attempt.
Vidor Makarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Otto Kaikkonen.
Makarov tries to break free but Kaikkonen pushes him back against the cage.
Kaikkonen lands a hook that snaps the head of Makarov backwards.

Kaikkonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vidor Makarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kaikkonen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kaikkonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaikkonen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Makarov.
Makarov misses with a double jab.
Kaikkonen shoots in for a takedown but Makarov shows good takedown defense.
Kaikkonen looks gassed!
Makarov misses with a series of wild punches.
Makarov fails to land with a series of punches.

Kaikkonen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kaikkonen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kaikkonen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Makarov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Makarov on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Makarov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kaikkonen counters with a shoot takedown into 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!
Kaikkonen stops Makarov from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kaikkonen stands up and beckons Makarov to join him on the feet.

Kaikkonen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Makarov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Makarov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kaikkonen is controlling him well.
Kaikkonen is putting a hurting on Makarov here, landing some big shots from side control.

Kaikkonen stands up.
Makarov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Makarov wants to clinch

and Kaikkonen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kaikkonen.
Makarov can't break the clinch.
Kaikkonen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Makarov's face.
Makarov has had enough of the clinch but Kaikkonen keeps him there for the moment.

Kaikkonen breaks from the clinch.
Makarov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kaikkonen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Makarov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kaikkonen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Kaikkonen decides to stand back up.
Makarov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kaikkonen moves into the clinch.
Kaikkonen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Makarov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Makarov tries to break the clinch but Kaikkonen is controlling the position.
Makarov is trying to break the clinch but Kaikkonen has him pressed against the cage.
Kaikkonen lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Makarov has had enough of the clinch but Kaikkonen keeps him there for the moment.
Kaikkonen misses with a knee to the head.
Kaikkonen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makarov wants to break the clinch but can't.

Kaikkonen decides to pull guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kaikkonen has a closed guard, preventing Makarov from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otto Kaikkonen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kaikkonen looks for a takedown but Makarov sprawls well.
Vidor Makarov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kaikkonen closes the distance and clinches.
Kaikkonen swings wildly with an uppercut but Makarov uses good head movement to avoid it.

Kaikkonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kaikkonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Makarov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Makarov looks to land a combination. Kaikkonen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Makarov lands a head shot.

Nice combo by Makarov! Oh, that's hurt him - Kaikkonen falls to the canvas and Makarov follows him into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Makarov decides to stand back up.
Makarov falls off balance throwing a combination

and Kaikkonen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kaikkonen.
Makarov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kaikkonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Makarov moves in looking to clinch but Kaikkonen pushes him off.
Makarov throws a series of punches but Kaikkonen moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makarov swats away the attempt to clinch by Kaikkonen.

Kaikkonen drives through and clinches with Makarov against the cage.
Kaikkonen connects with a knee to the head.
Makarov can't break the clinch.
Makarov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Makarov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Makarov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kaikkonen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Makarov is fending him off so far but Kaikkonen persists. Nope, Makarov circles away and we're back to standing.

Makarov drives through and clinches with Kaikkonen against the cage.
Makarov takes an elbow to the temple.
Kaikkonen scores with a knee to the head.
Makarov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kaikkonen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Makarov wants to get back to striking at distance but Kaikkonen won't allow it.
Makarov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kaikkonen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Makarov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Vidor Makarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Otto Kaikkonen.
Makarov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kaikkonen lands a damaging elbow.
Kaikkonen stalling.
Kaikkonen has Makarov pressed against the cage, preventing Makarov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kaikkonen scores with a knee to the head.
Makarov tries to break the clinch but Kaikkonen is controlling the position.
A knee to the head by Kaikkonen.
Kaikkonen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Makarov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Kaikkonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kaikkonen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Makarov.
Kaikkonen wants to clinch
and Makarov counters with a two punch combo.
Makarov misses with a wild combination.
Makarov throws a right hand that Kaikkonen ducks under and follows up with a left that Kaikkonen also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makarov misses with a wild combination.
Makarov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Kaikkonen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Makarov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kaikkonen has Makarov pressed against the cage, preventing Makarov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Kaikkonen turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Kaikkonen stands up and beckons Makarov to his feet.
Makarov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kaikkonen circles away quickly and effectively.
Kaikkonen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Makarov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kaikkonen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Makarov throws a series of punches but Kaikkonen avoids them all with ease.
Kaikkonen misses with a takedown attempt - Makarov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kaikkonen dives in and grabs Makarov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Makarov pushes down on Kaikkonen's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makarov wants to clinch.
Kaikkonen tries to clinch but Makarov is having none of it.
A combination from Makarov does no damage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kaikkonen is defended easily by Makarov.
Makarov closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kaikkonen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Makarov!
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!
Kaikkonen lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Otto Kaikkonen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kaikkonen landing strikes from the mount and Makarov is in trouble!
Makarov really wants to buck Kaikkonen off and get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaikkonen pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vidor Makarov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kaikkonen.
Makarov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Makarov cracks Kaikkonen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Makarov tries to clinch up but Kaikkonen circles away and keeps his distance.

Kaikkonen forces Makarov back against the cage and clinches.
Kaikkonen lands a nice uppercut.
Makarov being controlled against the cage.
Makarov can't break the clinch.
Kaikkonen tries to land a knee to the head but Makarov blocks with his arms.
Kaikkonen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kaikkonen misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Makarov wants to break free but Kaikkonen has control.
Makarov tries to break the clinch but Kaikkonen is controlling the position.
Makarov wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makarov tries to circle away but Kaikkonen has him pinned against the cage.
Makarov tries to break free but Kaikkonen pushes him back against the cage.
Makarov is trying to break the clinch but Kaikkonen has him pressed against the cage.
Kaikkonen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Makarov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kaikkonen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Makarov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kaikkonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Makarov.
Makarov misses with a few strikes there.
Makarov doesn't manage to clinch there - Kaikkonen circles away.
Kaikkonen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Makarov circles away.
Vidor Makarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Otto Kaikkonen.

Makarov takes the fight into the clinch.
Kaikkonen wants to stall.
Kaikkonen looking to throw knees to the head but Makarov is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Makarov tries to break the clinch but Kaikkonen is controlling the position.
Makarov working hard to break the clinch.
Makarov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kaikkonen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Makarov's face.
Makarov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Kaikkonen breaks from the clinch.
Makarov misses with a series of wild punches.
Kaikkonen fails with a takedown attempt.
Kaikkonen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Makarov.
Makarov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Makarov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kaikkonen rushes Makarov and presses him up against the cage.
Kaikkonen jumps guard but Makarov stands there with Kaikkonen around his waist. Kaikkonen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kaikkonen slowing the pace effectively.
Makarov working hard to break the clinch.
Kaikkonen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Makarov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kaikkonen tries to pull guard but Makarov holds him up against the cage and eventually Kaikkonen drops back down to his feet.
Kaikkonen tries to land a knee to the head but Makarov blocks with his arms.
Kaikkonen trying to land knees to the body.

Kaikkonen breaks from the clinch.
Makarov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A shot to de liver by Makarov. Beautiful body shot.
Kaikkonen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Makarov.
Makarov misses with the combination.

Kaikkonen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kaikkonen lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaikkonen stops Makarov from standing up.

Kaikkonen stands and steps away. Makarov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kaikkonen tries to clinch but Makarov is having none of it.
Makarov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Makarov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Makarov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Makarov misses with a series of wild punches.

Kaikkonen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Makarov was covering up waiting for the punch and Kaikkonen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kaikkonen stops Makarov from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Otto Kaikkonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kaikkonen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Otto Kaikkonen!