PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rolf Thorkildsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raimo Tikkari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thorkildsen comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Hell's Bells. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Thorkildsen
vs
Tikkari

176 cm
31
165 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

172 cm
31
160 lbs
12 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Good knees
KO power

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rolf Thorkildsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Raimo Tikkari!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikkari swings widly with a right hand
enabling Thorkildsen to counter with a crisp jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Thorkildsen checks a leg kick.
Thorkildsen blocks the body kick.
Tikkari's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Tikkari duly obliges.

It looks like Rolf Thorkildsen has been cut.
Tikkari connects with a body shot that sends Thorkildsen's belly button to the back.
Thorkildsen slips a jab and a cross from Tikkari.
Tikkari uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thorkildsen.
Tikkari throws a quick inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tikkari. That's going to slow Thorkildsen down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tikkari lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Thorkildsen backs up against the cage.
Thorkildsen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tikkari takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Good leg kick by Tikkari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Thorkildsen throws a body punch but Tikkari moves out of range.
Tikkari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorkildsen moves out of range of the body kick.
Raimo Tikkari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thorkildsen misses with a wild body shot.
Tikkari throws a lazy head kick
and Thorkildsen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Tikkari lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thorkildsen misses the jab.
Tikkari throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Both fighters circling a little - Tikkari finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Thorkildsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tikkari digs a good body shot into Thorkildsen's ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tikkari throws a leg kick that is checked

and Thorkildsen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Thorkildsen is breathing heavily.
Tikkari avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thorkildsen.
Tikkari is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tikkari defending well though.
Thorkildsen is looking to advance position but Tikkari won't allow it.
Tikkari tries to kick Thorkildsen off but Thorkildsen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tikkari kicks Thorkildsen off and gets back to his feet.
Raimo Tikkari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Thorkildsen shoots in and gets a takedown into Tikkari's guard.
Thorkildsen wants to control from the top but Tikkari keeps moving.
Tikkari avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tikkari working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thorkildsen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari wants to stand but Thorkildsen is controlling the position.

Thorkildsen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tikkari manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Thorkildsen has Tikkari in his guard.
Tikkari must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thorkildsen trying to control the position.
Tikkari wants to get up but he can't break Thorkildsen's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Thorkildsen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Thorkildsen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tikkari can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen wants to improve his position but instead Tikkari has moved into half guard.
Thorkildsen 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.
Tikkari tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Thorkildsen.
The fighters are battling for position here. Thorkildsen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Tikkari trying to stand up but can't free himself from Thorkildsen's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thorkildsen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tikkari is one step ahead there.

Tikkari stands up from guard. Let's bang!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimo Tikkari dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rolf Thorkildsen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Thorkildsen. Tikkari does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tikkari throws a body kick the misses
and Thorkildsen counters with an inside leg kick.
Tikkari throws a leg kick but Thorkildsen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tikkari.
Thorkildsen moves out of range of the leg kick from Tikkari.
Thorkildsen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thorkildsen missing with a left hand there. Tikkari was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tikkari misses with a combination
and Thorkildsen counters with a nice body shot.
Thorkildsen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tikkari tries to avoid it but Thorkildsen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tikkari to the ground. Tikkari escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tikkari throws a leg kick which misses Thorkildsen's front leg but catches the back leg as Thorkildsen tries to avoid it.
Thorkildsen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tikkari was well out of range. Poor timing from Thorkildsen.
Tikkari tries a low kick but Thorkildsen avoids it.
Tikkari lands with a kick to the temple. Thorkildsen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkari throws a nice inside leg kick.
Thorkildsen blocks a head kick by Tikkari.
Tikkari misses with a double jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. Thorkildsen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Thorkildsen has a takedown stuffed.
Thorkildsen takes a kick to the side of the head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tikkari.
Tikkari cracks the inside of Thorkildsen's front leg.
A good leg kick by Tikkari.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thorkildsen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tikkari.
Tikkari misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Rolf Thorkildsen's cut is getting worse.
Thorkildsen is looking to wear down Tikkari with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Thorkildsen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tikkari at a distance.
Tikkari throws a sloppy head kick
and Thorkildsen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Thorkildsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tikkari.
Thorkildsen blocks a head kick by Tikkari.
A good leg kick by Tikkari.
Thorkildsen moves out of range of the leg kick from Tikkari.
Tikkari slips under a jab from Thorkildsen.
Tikkari throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tikkari throws a solid leg kick but Thorkildsen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tikkari.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tikkari.
Thorkildsen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkari connects with a leg kick. Thorkildsen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Thorkildsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tikkari.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tikkari.
A good leg kick by Tikkari.
Thorkildsen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A low kick from Tikkari is predictable there

and Thorkildsen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tikkari!
Tikkari is breathing heavily.
Thorkildsen thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Thorkildsen throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thorkildsen looking to ground and pound but Tikkari is blocking nicely.
Tikkari 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.
Thorkildsen thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Thorkildsen won't let Tikkari get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Thorkildsen in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Thorkildsen looking to finish with strikes here!
Thorkildsen throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Tikkari because Thorkildsen loaded up on that one.
Thorkildsen unloads with some shots from mount but Tikkari bucks and avoids them well.
Thorkildsen landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thorkildsen throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Thorkildsen looking to ground and pound but Tikkari is blocking nicely.
Tikkari holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Thorkildsen tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Raimo Tikkari will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Rolf Thorkildsen's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tikkari fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tikkari throws a big shot that misses.
Tikkari avoids the head kick by Thorkildsen.
Tikkari throws a head kick that misses.
Tikkari drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A good leg kick by Tikkari.
Tikkari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tikkari steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Tikkari misses with a low kick.
Tikkari connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tikkari jabs Thorkildsen to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkari lands a head kick!
Tikkari misses with a hook to the body
and Thorkildsen counters with a one-two to the body.
Tikkari digs a good hook to Thorkildsen's body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thorkildsen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tikkari.
Tikkari lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tikkari lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tikkari misses with a double jab.
Thorkildsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tikkari moves away.
Raimo Tikkari is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tikkari throws a leg kick but Thorkildsen checks it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tikkari. That's going to slow Thorkildsen down.
Tikkari fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Thorkildsen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thorkildsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tikkari.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thorkildsen fails with the takedown.
Tikkari cracks the inside of Thorkildsen's front leg.
Tikkari dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tikkari throws a nice head kick!
Thorkildsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tikkari moves away.

Thorkildsen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Tikkari to the ground. Thorkildsen is now in Tikkari's guard.
Thorkildsen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tikkari is keeping the position for now.
Thorkildsen stops Tikkari from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen is pushing down on Tikkari's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tikkari is fighting to maintain full guard but Thorkildsen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rolf Thorkildsen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thorkildsen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tikkari's head.
Thorkildsen throws a strike but Tikkari avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Thorkildsen looking to pass the guard.

Tikkari manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Tikkari throws a leg kick that misses.
Tikkari throws a body kick the misses
and Thorkildsen counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tikkari enables Thorkildsen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tikkari manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tikkari is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Thorkildsen throws a big right hand that misses.
Rolf Thorkildsen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Thorkildsen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tikkari wants to stand and escape but Thorkildsen is having none of it.
Thorkildsen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Thorkildsen is looking to work some ground and pound but Tikkari has wrist control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thorkildsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Tikkari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thorkildsen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raimo Tikkari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tikkari 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

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