PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kake Luikku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elijah Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kake Luikku could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Elijah Stevens's chin.

Luikku
vs
Stevens

225 cm
26
320 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

210 cm
24
300 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kake Luikku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Elijah Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Luikku bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet but Luikku drags him back down.
Luikku throws an elbow but Stevens slips to the side and avoids it well.
Luikku trying to control the position but Stevens is working away.
Stevens defending against the ground and pound.
Luikku throws a strike aimed at the side of Stevens's head but Stevens avoids it well.
Luikku trying to control the action but Stevens is working from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Stevens can do anything to dispel that myth.

Luikku is trying to get an arm triangle but Stevens is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Luikku is controlling him well.
Luikku misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Stevens is trying to buck Luikku off.
Luikku will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Luikku working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Stevens is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Luikku lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Stevens being controlled for a moment.
Luikku throws a strike aimed at the side of Stevens's head but Stevens avoids it well.
Luikku is staying tight to Stevens's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Luikku is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stevens has escaped the position, nice work there.
Luikku looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Stevens is avoiding damage well.
Luikku wants to control but Stevens is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
An elbow from Luikku crashes against the mat.
Stevens is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Luikku has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Luikku works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luikku fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Luikku is trying to get an arm triangle but Stevens is defending well.

Luikku tries for a kimura but Stevens is defending well.
Stevens is pushing Luikku's head away, looking to escape. Luikku manages to hold on to the position though.
Stevens isn't going anywhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kake Luikku dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Luikku moves in looking to clinch but Stevens pushes him off.
Luikku ducks under a wild hook from Stevens.
Luikku checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Luikku shoots in and drives through. Stevens sprawls well.

Luikku darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Luikku wants to control but Stevens is keeping him busy.
Stevens avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Luikku.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Luikku not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Luikku is looking to take a break and control but Stevens is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luikku sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stevens defending well though.
Luikku throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Stevens is trying to stand back up but Luikku is controlling him
Luikku not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Luikku is defended easily by Stevens.
Stevens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Luikku throws out the jab.
Luikku shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stevens as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kake Luikku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luikku tries to clinch up.

That's two 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.
Luikku shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stevens as he avoids it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Luikku.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Luikku misses with a takedown attempt - Stevens sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Luikku shoots in but Stevens avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Stevens tests Luikku's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Luikku closes this distance looking for a takedown but Stevens circles away.
Kake Luikku is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Luikku fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stevens avoids it really well and circles away.
Stevens lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Stevens.
Stevens is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Luikku scores with a takedown into Stevens's guard.
Stevens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Luikku.
Luikku tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevens is retaining full guard.
Luikku trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Stevens is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Luikku drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Luikku jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Luikku is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Luikku tries to clinch up but Stevens circles away and keeps his distance.
Luikku shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stevens pinned against the cage. Stevens gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stevens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Luikku moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Stevens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Luikku is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stevens sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Luikku dodges the punch combination from Stevens.
Nice shot lands for Stevens.

Luikku shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Luikku showed some decent athleticism there.
Luikku landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Luikku is trying to control the action in half guard but Stevens is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Luikku keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Stevens tries to get to full guard but Luikku has control of the leg.
Stevens really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Luikku. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stevens looks like he's trying to stand up.
Luikku 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luikku thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stevens's head.
Luikku tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stevens knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Luikku not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Luikku seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Luikku lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Stevens blocking the ground and pound attempt from Luikku.
Stevens on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luikku wants to take a breather but Stevens is having none of it.
Stevens keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stevens avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Luikku.

Stevens is defending against the submission attempts here by Luikku.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Luikku missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Luikku prevents Stevens from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luikku winds up and cracks Stevens with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Luikku moves into full mount! Stevens won't be happy about that!
Stevens is squirming around, avoiding Luikku's attempts to control the action.
Stevens is looking to improve his position but Luikku isn't that keen on the idea.

Luikku looking to secure an arm triangle but Stevens defends it well.
Stevens is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Luikku looking for a guillotine from mount but Stevens is having none of it.
Luikku working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Luikku can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stevens is looking to escape.
Luikku throws some wild stikes that Stevens manages to avoid easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kake Luikku showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Luikku has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kake Luikku!