PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Erin Little (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommi Sihoven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Little
vs
Sihoven

178 cm
22
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

164 cm
18
134 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Infliction Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Erin Little!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tommi Sihoven!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Little doesn't manage to clinch there - Sihoven circles away.
Little throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Little tries to clinch there but Sihoven circles away.
Little stuffs the takedown attempt from Sihoven. Sihoven gets slowly back to his feet.
Little moves in looking to clinch but Sihoven pushes him off.
Little is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sihoven avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sihoven tries to clinch there but Little circles away.
Little clinches but Sihoven breaks the clinch

and Sihoven counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sihoven.
Little lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Little bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sihoven's guard.
Little 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.
Sihoven 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.
Sihoven looks gassed!
Sihoven avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Little works over Sihoven with some ground and pound from guard.
Sihoven avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Little is looking to work some ground and pound but Sihoven has wrist control.
Little lands a couple of elbows.
Little with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Little lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sihoven preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Little forces his way into half guard.
Little not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Little lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Little really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Little working over Sihoven with some ground and pound. Sihoven looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Little thows a huge punch but Sihoven dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Little not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sihoven flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Little lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sihoven is looking to improve his position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Little darts in trying to clinch

and Sihoven counters with a nice double leg into side control. Little won't be happy with that.
Little manages to work his way to half guard, despite Sihoven's best efforts.
Little is not content to let Sihoven control the position.

Sihoven looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Little tries to get to full guard but Sihoven has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sihoven scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Little tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sihoven takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sihoven is tying to control. Little wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Sihoven is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Little defends it well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Little throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sihoven avoids the head kick by Little.
Sihoven shoots in but no luck this time.
Sihoven takes a kick to the side of the head.

Sihoven scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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!
Sihoven is looking to take a break and control but Little is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Little tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sihoven thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Little is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sihoven off and has taken his back!
Little will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Little is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Sihoven up.
Little keeps control of the position as Sihoven tries to break free.
Sihoven is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sihoven trying to control the hands but Little breaks the grip.
Little cracks Sihoven with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Sihoven from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Little keeps control of the position as Sihoven tries to break free.
Little scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Sihoven tries to roll but Little sticks to his back.
Little scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Sihoven is looking for a way out.
You can see the frustration on Sihoven's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Little misses with a punch to the head.
Little has Sihoven flattened out and is raining down punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Little lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Sihoven.
Little keeps control of the position as Sihoven tries to break free.
Little is trying to stick to Sihoven's back but Sihoven is turning into Little. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Little's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Sihoven.
Little will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Little trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Little keeping moving, preventing Sihoven from controlling successfully.
Little tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sihoven trying to control the position from guard on top but Little is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Little tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Sihoven counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sihoven must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Little looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sihoven is one step ahead there.
Sihoven is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Little will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Sihoven makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sihoven stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Little swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommi Sihoven 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.

Sihoven rushes Little and presses him up against the cage.

Sihoven manages to break the clinch.

Sihoven has managed to clinch.
Little landing knees to the head.
Little tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Little misses with a knee to the head.
Little tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Little with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Little looking to throw knees to the head but Sihoven is blocking nicely.

Sihoven escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Little wants to clinch but Sihoven slips to the side

so Sihoven counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Little looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sihoven is one step ahead there.
Little throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Little is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sihoven is trying to control but can't.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Little lands a nice short elbow.
Sihoven is breathing heavily.
Little lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sihoven is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nice strikes from Little there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sihoven trying to control from the bottom.
Sihoven wants to improve his position but Little is controlling well.
Sihoven is pressing down on Little's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Little lands a couple of elbows.
Sihoven has momentary wrist control but Little slips an elbow through the middle.
Sihoven is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Sihoven throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sihoven is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Little is pressing down on Sihoven's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Little thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Little throws a couple of heel strikes.
Little striking from the bottom.
Little 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.
Tommi Sihoven has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sihoven trying to control the position from guard on top but Little is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sihoven throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sihoven lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sihoven lands a couple of digs.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Sihoven shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Sihoven was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Sihoven with a couple of short strikes.
Little is wriggling around trying to escape.

Sihoven jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Little manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Sihoven looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Little is avoiding damage well.
Little sneaks back into half guard.
Sihoven wants to pass the guard but Little is defending well.
Sihoven wants to take a breather but Little is having none of it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Little. No joy for Sihoven on that attempt.
Little wants to clinch

and Sihoven counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sihoven.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sihoven wants to pass the guard but Little is keeping the position.
Sihoven advances to half guard.
Little is looking for a sweep. Sihoven is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sihoven not doing much here.
Little is in trouble now - Sihoven has advanced to mount!
Little is looking to improve his position but Sihoven isn't that keen on the idea.
Sihoven in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Little throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Little keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Little bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Little throwing strikes from guard but Sihoven blocks nicely.

Sihoven working for a triangle but Little defends it easily.
Little lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Little makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Little working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Little wants to pass the guard but Sihoven is keeping the position.
Little loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Little working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sihoven can't keep his opponent in guard - Little advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Little working Sihoven over with strikes.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Little connects with a nice short shot to Sihoven's temple.
Nice strikes from Little there.
Sihoven is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Little working Sihoven over with strikes.
Sihoven wants to improve his position but Little is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommi Sihoven 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! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Little tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Little tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Little closes the distance and clinches.
Sihoven takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sihoven tries to stall but Little uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Little looking to throw knees to the head but Sihoven is blocking nicely.
Little tries to land a knee to the head but Sihoven blocks with his arms.
Sihoven has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Little avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Little misses with a knee strike.
Little stops a takedown attempt from Sihoven.
Little tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Little tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sihoven is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Little misses with a knee to the head.
Little misses with a knee strike.

Sihoven has picked Little up - he's going for a ride! Sihoven dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Little punching from the bottom.
Sihoven moves into full mount! Little won't be happy about that!
Sihoven scoring with strikes but Little is staying in there.

Sihoven is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Little has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Little regains half guard.
Sihoven prevents Little from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sihoven is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sihoven is tying to control. Little wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sihoven trying to mount his opponent but Little defends it.
Little connecting with a few gentle strikes.

Sihoven is looking for a kimura here.
Little works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sihoven content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Little keeping moving, preventing Sihoven from controlling successfully.
Little trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Little preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Little wants to sweep but no luck.
Sihoven trying to control but Little is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Little wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sihoven misses with a takedown attempt - Little sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Erin Little has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommi Sihoven.
Little lands a high kick!
Little fails in his attempt to clinch.
Little closes the distance but Sihoven moves to the side

and Sihoven counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sihoven trying to pass the guard but Little defending well.
Little regains full guard. Nicely done.
Little lands a decent punch to the body there.

Sihoven thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Little preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Little doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Sihoven preventing the sweep.
Little striking from the bottom here.
Little lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Little bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sihoven's guard.
Little postures up and lands a big shot to Sihoven's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Little chips away with some ground and pound.
Sihoven working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Little.
Little stands up over Sihoven, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Little with a flurry of punches that miss.
Little postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Little postures up.
Sihoven wants to sweep here but Little controlling him for the moment.
Little postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sihoven doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Sihoven has managed to clinch.
Little avoiding damage as Sihoven throws knees to the body.
Little using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sihoven has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sihoven tries to score a body lock takedown but Little shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sihoven takes a knee right on the jaw!

Little is fighting off a takedown attempt but Sihoven is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Little to the mat. Little regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Little throwing short punches from the bottom.
Little keeping moving, preventing Sihoven from controlling successfully.
Little tries to strike from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sihoven accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Little looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sihoven is one step ahead there.
Sihoven throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Little works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Little striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Little throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Little clinches but Sihoven breaks the clinch

and Sihoven counters with a shoot takedown. Little fights it but they end up in guard.
Sihoven slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Little regains half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sihoven is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sihoven lands a nice short elbow.
Little moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Little had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Sihoven is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Little Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Sihoven's back instead.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Little is not going to allow Sihoven to sit and survive in this position.
Erin Little has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Little landing with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommi Sihoven comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sihoven winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommi Sihoven!