PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sulevi Sammalharju (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raimo Tikkari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Sammalharju
vs
Tikkari

179 cm
19
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
24
160 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sulevi Sammalharju!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Raimo Tikkari!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkari pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Raimo Tikkari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sammalharju throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tikkari throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sammalharju keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A good leg kick by Tikkari.
A nice combination there by Tikkari.
Tikkari fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sammalharju.
Sammalharju misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tikkari throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tikkari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tikkari lands a jab to Sammalharju's midsection.
Tikkari ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sammalharju moves away.
Sammalharju jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tikkari looks to score with a jab to the body but Sammalharju is just out of range.
Tikkari lands a jab-cross combination.
Tikkari throws a looping overhand right but Sammalharju ducks down to avoid it.
Sammalharju checks a low kick from Tikkari.
Sammalharju thows a body shot but no joy.
Tikkari fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sammalharju on the side of the head.
Sammalharju fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tikkari misses with a hook to the body
and Tikkari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sammalharju jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tikkari throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sammalharju stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sammalharju will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tikkari is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sammalharju rather than just go for the knockout.
Sammalharju misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkari throws a body punch but Sammalharju moves out of range.
Tikkari misses with a hook. Sammalharju ducked under it nicely.
Tikkari throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sammalharju throws a series of strikes that have Tikkari backpedaling.
Tikkari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sammalharju tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tikkari was well out of range. Poor timing from Sammalharju.
Sammalharju checks a low kick from Tikkari.
Tikkari just misses with a punch to the body.
Sammalharju misses with the combination.
Tikkari will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sammalharju looks to land a right hand but Tikkari moved out of range.
Tikkari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Good leg kick by Tikkari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tikkari lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Sammalharju has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sammalharju and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sammalharju misses with a hook.
Nice uppercut there from Tikkari.
Tikkari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sammalharju. That did some damage!
Sammalharju throws a hook but Tikkari avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sammalharju misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tikkari.
Sammalharju is breathing heavily.
Tikkari throws a jab but it's blocked by Sammalharju.
Tikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Good shot there by Tikkari.
Sammalharju takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tikkari looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sammalharju swats away the attempt to clinch by Tikkari.
Sammalharju scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sammalharju throws a looping overhand right but Tikkari ducks down to avoid it.
Sammalharju takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sammalharju throws the left hand but Tikkari avoids the punch easily.
Tikkari fails to land with a series of punches.
Sammalharju tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tikkari was well out of range. Poor timing from Sammalharju.
Tikkari does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Tikkari tries to clinch
and Sammalharju counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tikkari thinking.
Tikkari throws a sloppy head kick
and Sammalharju counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sammalharju just misses with a punch to the body.
Tikkari throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tikkari scores with a decent looking hook.
Tikkari staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammalharju looks to score with a jab to the body but Tikkari is just out of range.
Sammalharju throws a right hand that Tikkari ducks under and follows up with a left that Tikkari also avoids with ease.
Sammalharju has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sammalharju waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tikkari.
Tikkari goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sammalharju takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Tikkari displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sammalharju fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sammalharju on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tikkari.
Sammalharju is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tikkari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sammalharju.
Tikkari connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tikkari misses with a hook to the body
and Sammalharju counters with a right hand to the body.
Tikkari lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tikkari.
Tikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tikkari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sammalharju. That did some damage!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tikkari fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tikkari throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tikkari lands a jab to Sammalharju's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sammalharju avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sammalharju takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sammalharju walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sammalharju throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tikkari.
Tikkari scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tikkari tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sammalharju is able to avoid easily.
Sammalharju takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Tikkari dips to his left and cracks Sammalharju with an uppercut!
Tikkari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tikkari.
Tikkari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tikkari tries to land a leg kick but Sammalharju saw it coming and moves away.
Tikkari scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sammalharju pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sammalharju chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tikkari can pounce on him.
Sammalharju gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tikkari.
Tikkari is working the combinations to good effect here.
An inside leg kick lands from Tikkari.
Tikkari lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sammalharju circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimo Tikkari dominated that round.
That's time! Sammalharju's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sammalharju takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tikkari keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tikkari will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sammalharju. Tikkari does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tikkari lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tikkari.
Tikkari takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tikkari is looking to clinch but Sammalharju is avoiding it.
Sammalharju lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A bone on bone clash there as Sammalharju blocks the leg kick.
Sammalharju wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tikkari throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sammalharju stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tikkari shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sammalharju connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tikkari scores with a jab to the body.
Tikkari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sammalharju swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A jab from Sammalharju finds it's way through Tikkari's defenses.
Sammalharju throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tikkari sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tikkari works Sammalharju's body with a nice hook.
Tikkari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sammalharju throws out a powerful jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkari misses with a series of wild punches.

Tikkari rushes Sammalharju and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tikkari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tikkari is trying to break the clinch but Sammalharju is controlling him.

Tikkari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sammalharju checks a leg kick.
Tikkari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sammalharju lands with an uppercut that bounces Tikkari off the cage and back into rage.
Tikkari connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sammalharju lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tikkari thumps Sammalharju with a low kick.
Sammalharju takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sammalharju takes one to the chin there.
Tikkari misses with a wild body shot.
Tikkari takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tikkari lands a head shot.
Nice jab there from Sammalharju.
Tikkari dodges the punch combination from Sammalharju.
Tikkari slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sammalharju avoids the body shot from Tikkari.
Tikkari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tikkari is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sammalharju throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tikkari counters with an outside leg kick.
Tikkari fails to land with a series of punches.
Tikkari misses with a body shot.
Tikkari throws a leg kick but Sammalharju sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sammalharju avoids the body shot from Tikkari.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tikkari blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Tikkari breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sammalharju throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tikkari counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sammalharju throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tikkari throws a nice head kick!
Tikkari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sammalharju. That did some damage!
Tikkari just misses with a punch to the body.
Tikkari lands a jab to Sammalharju's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sammalharju.
A head kick misses from Tikkari.
Tikkari throws and low kick but Sammalharju moves out of range easily.
Sammalharju needs to keep his hands up - Tikkari had a free shot at his head there.
Sammalharju misses with a straight right.
Tikkari misses with a body shot.
Tikkari misses with a body punch
and Sammalharju counters with a nice body shot.
Tikkari tries to clinch but Sammalharju moves away
and Tikkari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tikkari misses with a hook. Sammalharju ducked under it nicely.
Tikkari connects with a high kick.
Tikkari tries to clinch up.
Sammalharju tries to bum rush Tikkari with a series of wild strikes but Tikkari uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tikkari cracks the inside of Sammalharju's front leg.
Sammalharju misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tikkari.
Tikkari tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tikkari throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sammalharju counters with a straight right hand.
A head kick misses from Tikkari.
Tikkari throws a series of punches but Sammalharju avoids them all with ease.
Tikkari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tikkari ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sammalharju moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sammalharju throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tikkari swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tikkari feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sammalharju's calf.
Tikkari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sammalharju misses with a straight left.
Sammalharju looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sammalharju looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tikkari looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sammalharju takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Tikkari swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sammalharju counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tikkari throws a leg kick which misses Sammalharju's front leg but catches the back leg as Sammalharju tries to avoid it.
Tikkari works Sammalharju's body with a nice hook.
Sammalharju bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tikkari, right into the meat.
A bone on bone clash there as Sammalharju blocks the leg kick.
Tikkari cracks a nice hook into Sammalharju's ribs.
Tikkari ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimo Tikkari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Sammalharju's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tikkari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good exchange - Tikkari coming out on top.
Raimo Tikkari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tikkari lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sammalharju's sensitive parts.
Sammalharju waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tikkari.
Sammalharju takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tikkari scores with a nice body kick.
Tikkari moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Tikkari changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tikkari is looking to slow Sammalharju down with leg kicks.
Sammalharju moves out of range of the leg kick from Tikkari.
Tikkari throws a sloppy head kick and Sammalharju moves out of range easily.
Tikkari chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tikkari tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sammalharju swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tikkari moves in looking to clinch but Sammalharju pushes him off.
An inside leg kick lands from Tikkari.
Tikkari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tikkari.
Tikkari throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sammalharju takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tikkari lands with a nice combination. Sammalharju backs away looking to recover.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tikkari thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammalharju takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tikkari scores with a one two! Sammalharju had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Tikkari goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tikkari feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sammalharju's calf.
Sammalharju takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sammalharju takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sammalharju keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tikkari with a nice cross.
Tikkari connects with a body shot.
Tikkari lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sammalharju's sensitive parts.
Tikkari is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sammalharju moves out of range as Tikkari throws a body kick.
Tikkari throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Tikkari.
Tikkari throws a series of strikes that have Sammalharju backpedaling.
Sammalharju doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sammalharju keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari scoring well with a low kick there.
A slow jab from Tikkari misses its intended target.
Sammalharju lands a jab to the nose.
Nice jab there from Tikkari.
Tikkari misses with a looping left.
Sammalharju uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tikkari.
An inside leg kick from Tikkari misses.
Tikkari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sammalharju paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sammalharju misses with a looping right.
Sammalharju tries to clinch but Tikkari is having none of it.
Sammalharju takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Tikkari ducks under a wild hook from Sammalharju.
Tikkari scores with a one two! Sammalharju had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
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!
Tikkari avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sulevi Sammalharju is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tikkari lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sammalharju at a distance.
Tikkari moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tikkari tries to close the distance and clinch but Sammalharju swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tikkari looks to land a combination. Sammalharju sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari lands with a slapping head kick.
A punch combination from Tikkari misses.
Sammalharju misses with a hook. Tikkari ducked under it nicely.
Sammalharju loads up on a big right hand but Tikkari slips the punch.
Tikkari throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tikkari looks to land a left hand but Sammalharju moved out of range nicely.
Tikkari lands with a right hand.
Sammalharju checks a leg kick.
Sammalharju throws a hook to the side of Tikkari's head but Tikkari sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sammalharju takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sammalharju.
Tikkari lands with a kick to the temple. Sammalharju shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Tikkari scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sammalharju doesn't seem bothered though.
Sammalharju takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tikkari swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sammalharju takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tikkari connects with a solid leg kick.
Sammalharju throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tikkari is looking to slow Sammalharju down with leg kicks.
Sulevi Sammalharju has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tikkari is looking to slow Sammalharju down with leg kicks.
Sammalharju throws a big shot that misses.
Tikkari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sammalharju takes one on the button.
Tikkari scores with a jab to the head.
Tikkari throws a jab when Sammalharju was well out of range.
Tikkari will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tikkari. Sammalharju does a little dance to reset his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Tikkari.
Tikkari throws out a leg kick but Sammalharju moves out of range and Tikkari only half commits.
Tikkari lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sammalharju's sensitive parts.
Tikkari throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sammalharju misses the jab.
Tikkari looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sammalharju throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raimo Tikkari is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tikkari avoids the body shot from Sammalharju.
Tikkari wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raimo Tikkari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tikkari 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raimo Tikkari!