PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Greg Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keke Ikonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ikonen comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Conan the Barbarian kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Anderson
vs
Ikonen

188 cm
23
190 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

180 cm
25
188 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Greg Anderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Keke Ikonen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Anderson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ikonen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Anderson tries to advance to mount but can't.
Anderson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ikonen keeps working.

Anderson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ikonen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Anderson tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Anderson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Ikonen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Anderson.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Anderson tries to advance to mount but can't.
An elbow from Anderson crashes against the mat.
An elbow from Anderson crashes against the mat.

Anderson tries for a kimura but Ikonen is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Ikonen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ikonen managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Anderson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ikonen is not content to let Anderson control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ikonen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Anderson counters with a shoot takedown. Ikonen fights it but they end up in guard.
Anderson throwing strikes from guard but Ikonen blocks nicely.
Anderson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Anderson connects with a couple of short punches.

Anderson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ikonen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ikonen has escaped and now he's on top!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ikonen throwing strikes from guard but Anderson blocks nicely.
Anderson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ikonen is one step ahead there.
Ikonen lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ikonen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ikonen wants to control from the top but Anderson keeps moving.
Ikonen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Anderson keeping moving, preventing Ikonen from controlling successfully.
Anderson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ikonen!
Ikonen tries to hold on but Anderson pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Anderson goes for an armbar but Ikonen turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ikonen.
Ikonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Anderson is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Anderson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ikonen is aware though and is defending well.
Anderson is breathing heavily.
Ikonen postures up in Anderson's guard and throws a big left but Anderson blocks it.
Ikonen wants to stand but Anderson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Anderson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Ikonen stopping the sweep attempt from Anderson.
Anderson keeping moving, preventing Ikonen from controlling successfully.
Ikonen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Anderson tries to clinch up but Ikonen circles away and keeps his distance.
Ikonen misses with a takedown attempt

and Anderson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ikonen won't be happy with that.

Anderson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ikonen is trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Greg Anderson dominated that 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.

Ikonen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Anderson is trying to get back to half guard.
Anderson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Ikonen is looking for a kimura here.
Anderson gets back to full guard.

Ikonen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ikonen preventing the sweep.
Anderson working a defensive guard here.
Ikonen forces his way into half guard.

Ikonen wants to work for an arm triangle but Anderson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ikonen is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson gets back to full guard.
Anderson wants to sweep here but Ikonen controlling him for the moment.
Greg Anderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Anderson pulls Ikonen in to control the position.
Anderson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Anderson wants to sweep here but Ikonen controlling him for the moment.

Ikonen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ikonen with a hook.
Ikonen with a lazy takedown attempt

and Anderson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ikonen's guard.
Ikonen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Anderson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ikonen is keeping the position for now.
Ikonen is trying to keep Anderson in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Anderson trying to move into half guard but instead Ikonen has managed to sweep!

Anderson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ikonen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ikonen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ikonen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Anderson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ikonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ikonen has his takedown stuffed

and Anderson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ikonen!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Anderson trying to control but Ikonen is having none of it.

Anderson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Ikonen has worked his arm free - good work by Ikonen!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ikonen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Anderson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Anderson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Anderson creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ikonen sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Ikonen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Anderson wants to control but Ikonen is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Anderson working the ground and pound but Ikonen is defending the strikes.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ikonen misses with a takedown

and Anderson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Anderson.
Greg Anderson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keke Ikonen.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anderson pushes down on Ikonen's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Anderson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Greg Anderson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Ikonen fails with the takedown

and Anderson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Anderson thows a huge punch but Ikonen dodges it nicely.
Anderson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Anderson working over Ikonen with some ground and pound. Ikonen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Anderson is pressing down on Ikonen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ikonen is holding on for now.
Anderson stops Ikonen from getting back to his feet.
Anderson is keen to just control but Ikonen is a slippery customer.
Ikonen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Anderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Ikonen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Ikonen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Anderson did well to prevent Ikonen getting side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Anderson is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ikonen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Anderson is trying to maintain the position but Ikonen is very close to passing his half guard.
Anderson gets back to full guard.
Anderson wants to sweep but no luck.

Anderson is working an open guard so Ikonen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Anderson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ikonen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Anderson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Anderson postures up in Ikonen's guard and throws a big left but Ikonen blocks it.
Anderson throws and elbow that misses. Ikonen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Anderson's guard. Nice move by Ikonen!

Ikonen stands and steps away. Anderson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Ikonen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Anderson pushes Ikonen off and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Anderson has a takedown stuffed.

Ikonen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Anderson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ikonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Anderson keeps working.

Ikonen tries for a kimura but Anderson is defending well.

Ikonen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ikonen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Anderson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ikonen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Anderson is looking to improve his position.
Ikonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Anderson keeps working.
Anderson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ikonen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Anderson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Greg Anderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ikonen with a poor takedown

so Anderson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Anderson wants to control from the top but Ikonen keeps moving.
Keke Ikonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anderson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ikonen is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Anderson throws a big right hand that misses.
Greg Anderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Anderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Ikonen is retaining full guard.
Ikonen throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ikonen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Anderson controls the pace.
Anderson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A big right from Ikonen misses.

Anderson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Anderson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Anderson looking to ground and pound but Ikonen is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ikonen working to try and regain half guard.
Ikonen is squirming around, avoiding Anderson's attempts to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Greg Anderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Anderson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Greg Anderson!