PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Niko Sikaniska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Forrest McShane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sikaniska's entrance music is Medeia - Cold Embrace. A fine choice. Niko Sikaniska has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sikaniska
vs
McShane

174 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

175 cm
21
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White 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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Sikaniska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Forrest McShane!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sikaniska feints and as McShane raises his hands in defense, Sikaniska changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sikaniska throwing strikes but missing.
Sikaniska throws a big right hand that misses.
Sikaniska lands a couple of elbows.
Sikaniska trying to control but McShane is working from the bottom.
McShane controls Sikaniska momentarily but Sikaniska frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McShane trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
McShane wants to sweep here but Sikaniska controlling him for the moment.
Sikaniska throws a big right hand that misses.
Sikaniska has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sikaniska is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sikaniska stopping the sweep attempt from McShane.
McShane controls Sikaniska momentarily but Sikaniska frees himself.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Sikaniska shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McShane's guard.
McShane is striking from the bottom but Sikaniska uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McShane is looking to get back to is feet but Sikaniska passes into side control.
McShane tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sikaniska wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
McShane trying to control but Sikaniska flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Sikaniska biding his time, looking for the opening.

Sikaniska working for the choke.
McShane tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Sikaniska is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Sikaniska connects with a massive shot to the dome!
McShane is desperately trying to improve his position but Sikaniska has a good base and remains in mount.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sikaniska avoids the attempt from McShane to control.
McShane throwing hammer fists to the chest of Sikaniska. What's that going to do exactly?
McShane tries to reverse the position but Sikaniska maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
McShane is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
McShane working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Sikaniska dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sikaniska takes a kick to the side of the head.
Sikaniska circles away from the clinch attempt.
McShane with a poor takedown

and Sikaniska counters with a single leg into guard. McShane didn't expect that.
McShane is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sikaniska trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sikaniska showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
McShane looking to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sikaniska working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McShane has his hands on Sikaniska's head, controlling the position.
McShane keeping moving, preventing Sikaniska from controlling successfully.
McShane 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.

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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sikaniska tries for a takedown but McShane circles away easily
letting McShane counter with a right hand.
McShane moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Forrest McShane seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McShane lands a jab-cross combination.

McShane drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sikaniska is on top in guard.
McShane wants to control but Sikaniska passes easily into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McShane wants to control but Sikaniska is keeping busy.
Sikaniska 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.
McShane is looking to control Sikaniska's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McShane avoid being mounted?

That's four 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.
McShane is trying to stand back up but Sikaniska is controlling him
McShane is looking for a sweep. Sikaniska is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sikaniska doesn't succeed with the takedown

so McShane counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
McShane should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Sikaniska not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McShane seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
McShane trying to control the position from guard on top but Sikaniska is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest McShane showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sikaniska forces McShane back against the cage and clinches.
Sikaniska is trying to drag McShane to the mat but McShane just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sikaniska letting McShane take a breather here.

McShane gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Sikaniska regains guard.
Sikaniska is trying to keep McShane in close.
Sikaniska is trying to hold McShane in close to prevent damage but McShane has managed to pass into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McShane trying to control from half guard but Sikaniska is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McShane tries to stand and escape but Sikaniska is controlling the position.

McShane is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sikaniska has managed to free his arm - good work.

Sikaniska pushes McShane off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sikaniska shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and McShane counters with a shoot takedown. Sikaniska fights it but they end up in guard.
Sikaniska managing to control the position.
McShane trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McShane wants to control from the top but Sikaniska keeps moving.
McShane looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sikaniska not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sikaniska keeping moving, preventing McShane from controlling successfully.
McShane preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McShane tries for a takedown but Sikaniska circles away easily

and Sikaniska counters with a nice double leg into side control. McShane won't be happy with that.
Niko Sikaniska overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McShane is looking for a sweep.
McShane is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McShane throws a few strikes from the bottom but Sikaniska takes advantage and mounts!
McShane wants to hold on but Sikaniska pushes him away.
Sikaniska is landing with some decent strikes but McShane is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
McShane keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

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 Niko Sikaniska.
I think Sikaniska 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Forrest McShane!