PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Repa Tiitti (ranked 5619 p4p, 579 weight class) and Seth Sexton (ranked 4473 p4p, 502 weight class). Tiitti's entrance music is AC/DC Back in Black . A fine choice. Sexton is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: I'm too sexy - Right Said Fred. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Seth Sexton was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Tiitti
vs
Sexton

182 cm
33
175 lbs
6 - 11 - 0

188 cm
26
202 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Repa Tiitti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Seth Sexton!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tiitti shoots in and gets a takedown into Sexton's guard.
Tiitti wants to control from the top but Sexton keeps moving.

Sexton escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tiitti gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sexton 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tiitti wants to control from the top but Sexton keeps moving.
Tiitti tries to stand but Sexton is controlling from the bottom.
Sexton looking for a sweep. Not yet Sexton, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tiitti is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sexton manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tiitti manages to get himself to full guard.

Sexton trying to control the position from guard on top but Tiitti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiitti wants to get back to his feet but Sexton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Sexton showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
My spies in Hellfire Antechamber inform me that Sexton has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Sexton tries to free his leg and advance position but Tiitti is retaining full guard.
Tiitti keeping moving, preventing Sexton from controlling successfully.
Sexton works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Tiitti is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sexton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tiitti's head.
Sexton trying to control the action but Tiitti is working from the bottom.
Tiitti tries to kick Sexton off but Sexton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sexton working the head and body with strikes.
Sexton wants to control but Tiitti is keeping him busy.

Sexton is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tiitti is just riding it out for now. Sexton eventually gives up the hold.
Tiitti flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiitti is not content to let Sexton control the position.
Sexton thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Sexton is trying to work for a kimura but Tiitti is defending well.
Tiitti trying to hold on to Sexton's head to control him but Sexton postures up.
Tiitti holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Tiitti is looking to control Sexton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tiitti avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tiitti looks to land a combination but Sexton avoids it well.
Sexton misses with a hook. Tiitti ducked under it nicely.
Tiitti went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Sexton.
Tiitti stuffs the takedown attempt from Sexton. Sexton gets slowly back to his feet.
Tiitti throws a head kick but Sexton moves out of range.
Sexton cracks Tiitti with a right hand to the side of the head.
A slapping body kick lands there for Tiitti.
Sexton takes a swing at Tiitti's ribcage but misses.
Tiitti throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sexton stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tiitti definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Tiitti is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sexton's half guard.
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!
Sexton is looking for a sweep. Tiitti is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tiitti throwing shots but Sexton is blocking nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tiitti is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Sexton regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Repa Tiitti will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tiitti is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sexton connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tiitti momentarily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sexton.
Sexton throws a body shot but no joy.
A head kick misses from Tiitti.
Sexton swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Decent striking displayed by Sexton there.
Tiitti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tiitti rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sexton moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tiitti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Sexton shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tiitti is trying to defend but Sexton finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tiitti wants to improve his position but Sexton is controlling well.
Sexton working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tiitti tries to roll over but Sexton keeps him under control.
Sexton is taking a breather. Tiitti says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sexton working Tiitti over with strikes.
Sexton controlling the action here.
Tiitti is trying to stand.

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.
Tiitti is trying to maintain the position but Sexton is very close to passing his half guard.
Tiitti is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sexton's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sexton's back!
Sexton breaks Tiitti's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Tiitti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sexton is one step ahead there.
Sexton showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Tiitti had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sexton defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiitti not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sexton is looking to work some ground and pound but Tiitti has wrist control.
Sexton's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sexton is looking to work some ground and pound but Tiitti has wrist control.
Sexton advances position into side control!
Sexton trying to control the position but Tiitti is working away.
Tiitti stops Sexton from passing to mount.
Tiitti is not content to let Sexton control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sexton throws an elbow but Tiitti slips to the side and avoids it well.
Tiitti wants to control but Sexton postures up.
Sexton gets to mount! Tiitti was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Sexton punching from mount but Tiitti doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Sexton controlling the position easily from mount.
Sexton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sexton tries to control but Tiitti wriggling away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sexton goes for an armbar but Tiitti turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Tiitti.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seth Sexton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tiitti tries a head kick but it misses.
Sexton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tiitti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sexton throws a head kick but Tiitti moves out of range.
Sexton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tiitti.
Sexton waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tiitti.

Tiitti has Sexton up against the cage in a clinch.
Tiitti is trying to push Sexton away but Sexton has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sexton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tiitti's efforts to push away.
Tiitti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot in the inside from Sexton.
Tiitti is trying to break free.
Sexton prevents Tiitti from breaking the clinch.
Tiitti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tiitti has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sexton gets through Tiitti's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Sexton.
Tiitti wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tiitti wants to break free but Sexton has control.
Tiitti has had enough of the clinch but Sexton keeps him there for the moment.
Sexton tries a body shot but Tiitti blocks it.
Tiitti is trying to break free.
Tiitti missing with knees to the body.

Tiitti gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sexton tries to get to full guard but Tiitti has control of the leg.
Sexton missing with punches from the bottom.
Sexton is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sexton trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton tries to get to full guard but Tiitti has control of the leg.
Sexton trying to control but Tiitti postures up.
Sexton wants to get back to full guard.
Sexton trying to hold on to Tiitti's head to control him but Tiitti postures up.
Tiitti wants to get back to his feet.

Tiitti decides to stand and escape the position.
Tiitti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sexton.
Tiitti throws a sloppy head kick and Sexton moves out of range easily.
Sexton looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiitti missing with a left hand there. Sexton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Tiitti closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sexton is looking to improve his position.
Tiitti is trying to control the action in half guard but Sexton is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Tiitti stands up from half guard.
Tiitti takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Tiitti manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sexton on his heels. He'll look to pass Sexton's guard now, I'm sure.
Repa Tiitti overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sexton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tiitti defends it easily.
Tiitti wants to control from the top but Sexton keeps moving.
Tiitti is really struggling to control Sexton but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sexton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tiitti defends it easily.
Tiitti has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Tiitti wants to control from the top but Sexton keeps moving.
Sexton 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.
Tiitti is looking to work some ground and pound but Sexton has wrist control.

Sexton escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tiitti gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

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 Repa Tiitti.
I think Tiitti 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Repa Tiitti!
Repa Tiitti decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Seth Sexton spoke after the fight, saying 'Naaah, didn't happen. This was just a bad mushroom trip and I'm still undefeated! '.