PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rupert Buckingham (ranked 4869 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Ikonen (ranked 4815 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Buckingham
vs
Ikonen

182 cm
18
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rupert Buckingham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Niko Ikonen!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ikonen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ikonen throws a sloppy body shot
and Ikonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Buckingham connects with a right hand. Ikonen shakes it off.

Ikonen clinches up against the cage.
Ikonen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Buckingham wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ikonen lands a shot to the body.
Buckingham goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Buckingham is trying to force a seperation but Ikonen has the dominant position.
Buckingham is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Buckingham goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Buckingham.
Ikonen misses with the head strike.
Ikonen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Buckingham.
Buckingham fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Buckingham wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ikonen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Buckingham pushes Ikonen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Buckingham lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buckingham throws a head punch that misses.
Ikonen tries to throw a body punch but Buckingham avoids it by throwing Ikonen back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Ikonen fails to land.
Buckingham is trying to break free.
Buckingham scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ikonen prevents a body shot from Buckingham.
A shot in the inside from Buckingham.
Buckingham lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Buckingham tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ikonen's elbow.
Buckingham misses with a hook to the ribs.
Buckingham is trying to force a seperation but Ikonen has the dominant position.
Buckingham lands with a light punch inside.
Ikonen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ikonen keeps control of Buckingham as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Buckingham goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ikonen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Buckingham works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Buckingham takes a shot to the head.
Buckingham tries a body shot but Ikonen blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ikonen swings wildly with an uppercut but Buckingham uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ikonen can't find room to land a body shot as Buckingham controls the action.
Buckingham has a couple of punches blocked by Ikonen.
Ikonen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ikonen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Buckingham throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ikonens head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ikonen.
Buckingham looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ikonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ikonen has a couple of punches blocked by Buckingham.
Still in the clinch, Ikonen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Buckingham lands with a short shot to the head.
Ikonen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Buckingham backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Ikonen.
Ikonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ikonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Buckingham softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ikonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Buckingham can't break the clinch.
Buckingham swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Buckingham is trying to break the clinch but Ikonen has him pressed against the cage.
Ikonen prevents a body shot from Buckingham.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ikonen.
Ikonen lands a hook to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ikonen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Buckingham misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ikonen pushes Buckingham back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ikonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ikonen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Buckingham backwards.
Buckingham blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ikonen takes a shot to the head.
Buckingham swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ikonen has a couple of punches blocked by Buckingham.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ikonen is working Buckingham over against the cage.
Buckingham tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Buckingham tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ikonen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Buckingham lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ikonen backwards.
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!
Buckingham gets through Ikonen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ikonen lands with a right to the head.
Buckingham lands a body punch.
Buckingham tries to break free but Ikonen pushes him back against the cage.
Buckingham working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Buckingham has a couple of punches blocked by Ikonen.
Buckingham tries to circle away but Ikonen has him pinned against the cage.
Ikonen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ikonen misses with the head strike.
Buckingham makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ikonen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Buckingham's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ikonen prevents a body shot from Buckingham.
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 Rupert Buckingham will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ikonen moves into the clinch.
Buckingham swings wildly with an uppercut but Ikonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ikonen swings wildly with an uppercut but Buckingham uses good head movement to avoid it.
Buckingham is trying to break free.
A body shot lands from Ikonen.
Ikonen lands with a right to the head.
Buckingham lands a body punch.
Buckingham scores with a shot to the side of Ikonen's head.
Ikonen misses with the head strike.
A short right from Buckingham.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buckingham is trying to break free.
Nice body punch from Buckingham.
Ikonen pushes Buckingham back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Buckingham.
Ikonen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Buckingham is trying to break the clinch but Ikonen is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buckingham wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Buckingham wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Buckingham's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ikonen swings wildly with an uppercut but Buckingham uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Buckingham.
Rupert Buckingham has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Buckingham blocks an uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Ikonen.
A frustrated look appears on Buckingham's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Buckingham lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ikonen.
Ikonen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ikonen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Buckingham is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ikonen lands an uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ikonen blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buckingham misses with the head strike.
Buckingham pushes Ikonen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ikonen has a couple of punches blocked by Buckingham.
A right handed body shot lands from Ikonen.
Buckingham lands with a light punch inside.
Buckingham struggles to land a body shot inside as Ikonen controls his hands.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ikonen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Buckingham prevents a body shot from Ikonen.
Buckingham has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ikonen takes a shot to the head.
Ikonen gets through Buckingham's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Ikonen.
Buckingham lands a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Buckingham.
Ikonen lands with a short shot to the head.
Ikonen lands a nice uppercut.
Ikonen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Ikonen.
Buckingham scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ikonen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Buckingham lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ikonen blocking some punches.
Buckingham stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Buckingham working aggressively here.
Ikonen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Buckingham lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ikonen backwards.
A hook to the body from Ikonen.
Buckingham wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Ikonen as the two fighters clinch.
Buckingham goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ikonen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nice body punch from Ikonen.
Ikonen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Buckingham backwards.
Ikonen misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buckingham prevents a body shot from Ikonen.
A right hook to the body lands for Buckingham.
Ikonen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
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!
A shot in the inside from Ikonen.
Buckingham scores with a nice hook to the head.
Buckingham can't break the clinch.
Ikonen works on Buckingham's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right from Ikonen on the inside.
Ikonen blocks a body shot from Buckingham.
A nice left hand lands by Ikonen.
A short right from Buckingham.
Ikonen holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Buckingham scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ikonen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Buckingham backwards.
Ikonen throws a head punch that misses.
Buckingham throws a punch but it's blocked by Ikonen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Ikonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Buckingham's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ikonen under the eye.
Buckingham lunges at Ikonen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ikonen's hand.
Buckingham digs a good hook to Ikonen's body.
Ikonen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Buckingham scores with a jab to the head.
Ikonen looks to land a left hand but Buckingham moved out of range nicely.
Buckingham cracks Ikonen with an open hand slap.

Ikonen clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Buckingham.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Buckingham.
Ikonen has a couple of punches blocked by Buckingham.
Buckingham lands a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ikonen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Buckingham misses with the head strike.
Buckingham misses with some punches.
Ikonen tries a body shot but Buckingham blocks it.
Buckingham is trying to maintain a safe position but Ikonen gets an underhook and turns Buckingham into the cage.
Buckingham is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ikonen misses with a punch on the inside.
Buckingham is trying to break the clinch but Ikonen has him pressed against the cage.
Ikonen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Buckingham's elbow.
Buckingham wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ikonen misses with a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Buckingham.
Buckingham has a couple of punches blocked by Ikonen.
Ikonen has Buckingham pressed against the cage, preventing Buckingham from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Buckingham goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ikonen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ikonen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Buckingham has a couple of punches blocked by Ikonen.
Ikonen blocks an uppercut.
Ikonen misses with some punches.
Buckingham wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ikonen has him pressed against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Ikonen as the two fighters clinch.
Buckingham misses with the head strike.
Ikonen lands with a left to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ikonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ikonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Buckingham trying to stall but Ikonen improves his position.
Buckingham tries a body shot but Ikonen blocks it.
Buckingham is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Buckingham scores with a nice hook to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Ikonen.
Buckingham makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ikonen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Buckinghams head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ikonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ikonen.
Buckingham misses with a hook from the clinch.
A hook to the body from Ikonen.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Buckingham working aggressively here.
A right hook to the body lands for Ikonen.
Ikonen lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ikonen.
Ikonen lands an uppercut.

Buckingham is rocked!
A short uppercut from Ikonen.
Oh Buckingham is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The referee calls for Ikonen to work.
Buckingham has a couple of punches blocked by Ikonen.
Ikonen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Buckingham backwards.
Ikonen lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Buckingham to his knees! Ikonen keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Niko Ikonen!