PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esa Tikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li comes to the cage accompanied by 2pac - hit em up. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Li
vs
Tikkanen

190 cm
38
274 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

186 cm
35
208 lbs
32 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esa Tikkanen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li shoots in for a takedown but Tikkanen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've been hearing reports that Li has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Tikkanen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Tikkanen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Li tries to get to full guard but Tikkanen has control of the leg.
Tikkanen working over Li with some ground and pound. Li looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Li is trying to get back to full guard.

Li looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Li looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Li won't allow Tikkanen to pass to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li has hold of Tikkanen's hands but Tikkanen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Li has hold of Tikkanen's hands but Tikkanen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Li looking for submissions off his back.
Tikkanen trying to control the action but Li is working from the bottom.

Li looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikkanen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Li slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Tikkanen stands up over Li, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Li is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Tikkanen has his hands clasped together but Li extends and breaks Tikkanen's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Li.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Li!
After winning the bout, John Li thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.