PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikkel Koch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Wikstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Wikstrom's choice of entrance music: Remeber the name. Wikstrom has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Tony Wikstrom is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Koch
vs
Wikstrom

184 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikkel Koch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tony Wikstrom!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koch looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Koch keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wikstrom looks winded!
Koch fails to land the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Koch is defended easily by Wikstrom.
Nice sprawl there from Wikstrom as Koch shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikkel Koch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Koch closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wikstrom circles away.
Koch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wikstrom's waist but Wikstrom gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koch off to one side.
Koch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wikstrom's waist but Wikstrom gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koch off to one side.
Wikstrom on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Koch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koch shoots in but Wikstrom avoids the takedown attempt easily.
No luck for Koch with that takedown attempt.

Wikstrom instigates a clinch.
Wikstrom gets underhooks to prevent Koch's takedown attempt.
Wikstrom gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Koch.

Wikstrom breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wikstrom changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Koch tries to avoid it but Wikstrom manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Koch to the ground. Koch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Koch scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Koch stuffs the takedown attempt from Wikstrom. Wikstrom gets slowly back to his feet.
Wikstrom tries to clinch but Koch moves out of range.
Koch tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Wikstrom swivels and escapes.
Koch swings for the body but Wikstrom moves out of range.
Koch closes the distance and clinches up with Wikstrom, looking for a takedown. Koch pushes Wikstrom against the cage but Wikstrom circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Wikstrom takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wikstrom prevents a takedown attempt there.

Wikstrom's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Koch.
Wikstrom stuffs the takedown attempt from Koch. Koch gets slowly back to his feet.

Wikstrom drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wikstrom looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Koch shoots for a double leg takedown but Wikstrom sprawls well. He's pushed Koch's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Koch. Wikstrom does a little dance to reset his feet.
Koch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Koch leaves Wikstrom with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Wikstrom shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Koch but Koch pushes him off and we're back to square one.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Koch takes the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tony Wikstrom will probably get the nod.
That's time! Koch's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Koch moves in looking to clinch but Wikstrom pushes him off.
Koch wants to clinch up but Wikstrom keeps it at a distance.
Koch closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wikstrom circles away.
Wikstrom tries to clinch up but Koch circles away and keeps his distance.
Koch shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wikstrom but Wikstrom pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Koch tries to clinch up.
Koch shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikkel Koch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Koch lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wikstrom backs up against the cage.
Tony Wikstrom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wikstrom misses with a takedown attempt - Koch sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Wikstrom. No joy for Koch on that attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Koch shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wikstrom sprawls well. Wikstrom wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Koch gets slowly back to his feet.

Wikstrom feints and as Koch raises his hands in defense, Wikstrom changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Koch is looking for a triangle here but Wikstrom uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Koch tries to buck Wikstrom off but Wikstrom is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koch wants to control but Wikstrom postures up.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Koch is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Wikstrom goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Koch rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Wikstrom's guard! Nice work there by Koch!
Koch trying to control the position from guard on top but Wikstrom is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wikstrom being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mikkel Koch just wasn't active enough.
Koch throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Wikstrom has closed the distance and engaged Koch in a clinch.
Koch tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Wikstrom smiles and moves away.

Wikstrom drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Koch working for a triangle but Wikstrom defends it easily.

Koch looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wikstrom wants to control from the top but Koch keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Koch is trying to control the position but Wikstrom postures up.

Wikstrom got a little sloppy there for a moment and Koch has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wikstrom has managed to get both his arms back between Koch's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tony Wikstrom will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Wikstrom throws a push kick but Koch slaps the foot to one side.
Koch fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wikstrom avoids it really well and circles away.
Koch looks to clinch

and Wikstrom counters with a takedown into side control.
Koch throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Koch tries to bench press Wikstrom off him but Wikstrom keeps the position.
Koch prevents Wikstrom from improving position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Koch manages to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wikstrom is looking to advance position but Koch won't allow it.
Koch is pressing down on Wikstrom's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Wikstrom avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Koch is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Wikstrom trying to control but Koch is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wikstrom 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.

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

Koch is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wikstrom defends well.
Wikstrom passes Koch's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koch is trying to control but Wikstrom passes into side control!
Check out the look on Wikstrom's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Wikstrom wants to control but Koch is keeping him busy.
Koch wants to get back to his feet but Wikstrom drags him back down.
Koch is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Mikkel Koch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wikstrom decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Koch wants to clinch.
Koch tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Koch misses with a double jab.
Koch shoots in looking for a takedown. Wikstrom tries to sprawl out of it but Koch keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wikstrom manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mikkel Koch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Wikstrom has Koch up against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tony Wikstrom.
I've got Wikstrom 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Wikstrom!
During a confident post fight interview, Tony Wikstrom thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.