PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dongmin Oh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tikkanen has chosen Bring The Pain as his entrance music. Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Oh
vs
Tikkanen

186 cm
21
217 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
209 lbs
10 - 0 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dongmin Oh!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esa Tikkanen!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Oh gets tackled into the cage by Tikkanen. Tikkanen maintains the clinch.
Oh digs a right hand underneath Tikkanen's ribcage. Tikkanen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Oh prevents a body shot from Tikkanen.
Oh is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Tikkanen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Oh throws an elbow that misses.
Tikkanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Oh.
Tikkanen tries to stall but Oh uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Tikkanen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dongmin Oh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oh doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tikkanen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Oh fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tikkanen checks it well.
Oh tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tikkanen moves out of range as Oh throws a body kick.
Tikkanen blocks a head kick by Oh.
Tikkanen throws a jab but it's blocked by Oh.
Tikkanen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oh throws a leg kick but Tikkanen moved away.
An inside leg kick from Tikkanen misses.
Oh misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tikkanen tries for a takedown but Oh sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Oh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Oh misses with a head kick.
Tikkanen scores with a sloppy right hand. Oh should have avoided that one.
Tikkanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Oh.
Oh tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tikkanen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tikkanen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Oh can pounce on him.
Tikkanen scores with a jab.
A slow jab from Tikkanen misses its intended target.
Sloppy strikes from Tikkanen. Those never looked like landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oh tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tikkanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Oh.
Tikkanen scores with a hook to the body. Oh takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A slow jab from Tikkanen misses its intended target.
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!
Tikkanen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Oh throws a nice head kick!
Tikkanen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Oh.
Tikkanen moves out of range as Oh throws a body kick.
Oh throws a low kick, looking for Tikkanen's leg but Tikkanen calmly moves out of range.
Oh misses with a head kick.
Tikkanen checks a leg kick.
Oh scores with a nice body kick.

Tikkanen drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Tikkanen trying to control but Oh is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen working some strikes from top position.
Oh bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tikkanen's guard.
Tikkanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Oh is one step ahead there.
Tikkanen is trying to control the position but Oh postures up.

Tikkanen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Oh defends well.

Tikkanen is working an open guard so Oh takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oh slips under a jab.
Tikkanen checks a low kick from Oh.
Tikkanen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Oh 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.
Tikkanen thows a body shot but no joy.
Oh lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oh motions for Tikkanen to come forward. Oh throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Oh throws a leg kick that misses.
Tikkanen misses with a series of wild punches.
Oh keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Oh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Oh avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Oh throws a leg kick but Tikkanen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Esa Tikkanen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Oh showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen throws a wild body kick that Oh sees coming a mile off.
Esa Tikkanen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tikkanen misses with a wild combination.

Tikkanen rushes Oh and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tikkanen misses with a punch on the inside.
Oh keeps control of Tikkanen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Oh lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Esa Tikkanen has been cut.
Oh being controlled against the cage.
Tikkanen avoiding damage as Oh throws knees to the body.
Oh trying to stall but Tikkanen improves his position.
Oh pushes off an throws an elbow but Tikkanen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Oh misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tikkanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen tries to break the clinch but Oh is controlling the position.
Tikkanen misses with a punch to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Oh throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Tikkanen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tikkanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tikkanen blocking some punches.
Tikkanen avoids the elbow strike from Oh, against the cage.
Tikkanen tries to circle away but Oh has him pinned against the cage.
Oh landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tikkanen is trying to break the clinch but Oh has him pressed against the cage.
Oh lands an elbow just above Tikkanen 's eye.

Tikkanen gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Oh on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Oh tries to get out of the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Oh trying to hold on to Tikkanen's head to control him but Tikkanen postures up.

Tikkanen is looking for a kimura but Oh is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tikkanen to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oh is concentrating on defense, preventing Tikkanen from advancing position.
Tikkanen tries to pass to full mount but Oh defends it.
Tikkanen is trying to control the action in half guard but Oh is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Tikkanen wants to work for an arm triangle but Oh is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oh won't allow Tikkanen to pass to mount.

Oh is defending against the submission attempts here by Tikkanen.
Oh is staying active underneath Tikkanen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Oh tries to roll over but Tikkanen keeps him under control.
Oh is working hard here to advance position.
Tikkanen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oh is in trouble now - Tikkanen has advanced to mount!
Tikkanen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Oh is looking to escape.

Tikkanen is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Oh has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tikkanen avoids the attempt from Oh to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esa Tikkanen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Esa Tikkanen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tikkanen tries for a takedown but Oh sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Oh throws the left hand but Tikkanen avoids the punch easily.
Oh tests Tikkanen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Oh pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A combination from Tikkanen does no damage.
Tikkanen misses with a low kick.
Oh 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.
Tikkanen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Tikkanen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tikkanen avoids the head kick by Oh.
Tikkanen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Oh lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Oh blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Tikkanen scores with a shot to the body.
Tikkanen moves away from the strike by Oh.

Oh drives through and clinches with Tikkanen against the cage.
Oh stalling in the clinch.
Tikkanen blocks an elbow strike.
Tikkanen pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tikkanen tries a body shot but Oh blocks it.
Nice elbow from Oh.
With the fighters up against the cage, Oh throws an elbow but misses.
Tikkanen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tikkanen tries to work over Oh's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen blocks an elbow strike.
Tikkanen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Oh's elbow.
Tikkanen blocks an elbow strike from Oh.
Dongmin Oh has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tikkanen struggles to land a body shot inside as Oh controls his hands.
Tikkanen pressing his opponent against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Oh creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A nice left hand lands by Tikkanen.

Tikkanen manages to break the clinch.
Oh scoring well with a low kick there.
Tikkanen looks to throw the jab but Oh is out of range.
Oh digs a good hook to Tikkanen's body.
Tikkanen misses with a straight left.
Tikkanen defending well as Oh loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Oh counters with an outside leg kick.
Tikkanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tikkanen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Oh.

Oh forces Tikkanen back against the cage and clinches.
Tikkanen tries to circle away but Oh has him pinned against the cage.

Tikkanen breaks the clinch.
Oh throws a head kick that misses.
Tikkanen checks a low kick from Oh.
Tikkanen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Oh is able to avoid easily.

Tikkanen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Oh keeping moving, preventing Tikkanen from controlling successfully.
Oh wants to sweep here but Tikkanen controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oh keeping moving, preventing Tikkanen from controlling successfully.
Oh is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tikkanen stops Oh from standing up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Oh tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Oh knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tikkanen on the ground.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tikkanen thows a body shot but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tikkanen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dongmin Oh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Oh thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tikkanen if he has to take too many more of those.
Tikkanen wants to land a leg kick but Oh is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Dongmin Oh did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Esa Tikkanen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tikkanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Oh.
Oh ducks under a wild hook from Tikkanen.
Oh takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Oh is looking to score with low kicks.
Oh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tikkanen manages to avoid it.
Oh jabs at Tikkanen's body.
Oh misses with a body shot.
Tikkanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Oh was well out of range. Poor timing from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen blocks a low kick nicely.
Oh tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tikkanen throws a nice looking combination but Oh bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Oh pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tikkanen is out of range and Oh settles back down.
Tikkanen throws a hook but Oh avoids it easily.
Tikkanen swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oh tries to clinch there but Tikkanen circles away.
Tikkanen clobbers Oh with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Oh tries a head kick but it misses.
Tikkanen swings for the body but Oh moves out of range.
Tikkanen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Oh is able to avoid easily.
Oh is looking to chop away at Tikkanen's legs.
Tikkanen throws out a leg kick but Oh moves out of range and Tikkanen only half commits.
Oh tries to clinch up but Tikkanen circles away and keeps his distance.
Tikkanen misses with a looping right.
Tikkanen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tikkanen.
Oh tries a head kick but it misses.
Oh is looking to score with low kicks.
Tikkanen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Oh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen tests Oh's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tikkanen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tikkanen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Oh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tikkanen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Oh lands a nice looking body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oh misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Oh wants to slow Tikkanen down by chopping away at his legs.
Good standup being displayed there by Oh as he connects with a hook.
Oh scores with a spinning back kick!
Oh throws a leg kick but Tikkanen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Oh keeps Tikkanen at a distance using the push kick.
Oh lands a front kick.
Oh throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikkanen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Oh.
Oh is looking to wear down Tikkanen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Oh lunges at Tikkanen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tikkanen's hand.
Tikkanen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Oh can pounce on him.

Oh drives through and clinches with Tikkanen against the cage.
Oh displaying some good clinch control by pressing Tikkanen up against the cage.
Oh pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A body shot lands from Oh.
Tikkanen has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Oh.
Oh lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tikkanen backwards.
Oh missing with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Oh.
Oh pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oh misses with an elbow strike.
A short right from Oh on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oh looking to slow down the pace here.

Tikkanen pulls guard.
Tikkanen has control of Oh's left arm, preventing Oh from doing any damage.

Oh stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Oh throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tikkanen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Oh misses with a body kick.
Tikkanen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tikkanen misses with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dongmin Oh had his way with Esa Tikkanen in that round.
The cut man is working on Esa Tikkanen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Oh swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Oh with a nice cross.
Oh tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tikkanen throws out a loose jab but Oh uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jab, jab by Tikkanen - just one landing.

Tikkanen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Oh was covering up waiting for the punch and Tikkanen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Oh keeping moving, preventing Tikkanen from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tikkanen postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Oh looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Oh misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Oh forces Tikkanen back against the cage and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Oh as Tikkanen tries to tie him up.
Oh scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Oh is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tikkanen is defending well for now.
Tikkanen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Tikkanen dodges an elbow strike from Oh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oh tries to land knees in the clinch but Tikkanen avoids the damage to the body.
Oh throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Tikkanen stalling against the cage.

Tikkanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Oh throws a low kick but Tikkanen moves out of range easily.
Tikkanen throws a shot from downtown. Oh moves away and avoids it.
Tikkanen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Oh as he jumps to the side.
Tikkanen avoids a kick to the body.
Good work by Tikkanen as he checks the leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Oh.
Tikkanen checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oh with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tikkanen to score with a decent uppercut.
Oh throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tikkanen.
Oh fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tikkanen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tikkanen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tikkanen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Tikkanen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tikkanen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Oh gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dongmin Oh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esa Tikkanen.
Oh missing with knees to the body.
Tikkanen takes an elbow to the temple.
Oh has Tikkanen pressed against the cage, preventing Tikkanen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Oh throws a head punch that misses.
Oh throws an elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oh prevents a body shot from Tikkanen.
Tikkanen can't break the clinch.
Oh looking to stall.
Tikkanen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oh is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tikkanen is defending well for now.
Tikkanen tries to pull guard but Oh holds him up against the cage and eventually Tikkanen drops back down to his feet.
Oh misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tikkanen misses with some punches.
Oh looking to stall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Oh makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Good body shot from Tikkanen.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dongmin Oh.
I think Oh 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 48:47
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dongmin Oh!
Dongmin Oh retains his light heavyweight title!
Dongmin Oh really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Brute logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.