PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Onni Virtanen (ranked 2844 p4p, 3928 weight class) and Stephen McGarvey (ranked 325 p4p, 425 weight class). Onni Virtanen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Virtanen
vs
McGarvey

188 cm
21
188
6 - 2 - 0

188 cm
21
185
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Onni Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Stephen McGarvey!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Cecil Peabody and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virtanen throws a half hearted mid kick.
McGarvey takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Virtanen misses with a left hand
and McGarvey counters with a nice leg kick.
McGarvey moves out of range as Virtanen throws a body kick.
McGarvey slips a straight right by Virtanen.
McGarvey throws a fast counter high kick but Virtanen manages to duck under it in time.
Virtanen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A lazy body kick from Virtanen
and McGarvey counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nice defenses there by McGarvey.
Virtanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McGarvey manages to avoid it.
Virtanen throws a lazy body kick
and McGarvey counters with a nice body shot.
Virtanen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
And McGarvey responds with a good body kick, but Virtanen manages to step out the way in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGarvey connects with an inside leg kick.
Virtanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McGarvey manages to avoid it.
Virtanen throws a half hearted mid kick.
McGarvey replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Virtanen blocks it well.
Virtanen thuds a left hand into McGarvey's body.
Onni Virtanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Virtanen lands with an uppercut that bounces McGarvey off the cage and back into range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen throws a combination that misses
and McGarvey counters with a good low kick that Virtanen was not able to check.
Virtanen just misses with a punch to the body.
McGarvey chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Virtanen cracks McGarvey with a right hand to the side of the head.
Virtanen throws a sloppy body shot
and McGarvey cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Virtanen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Virtanen misses with an uppercut
and McGarvey counters with a leg kick.
Virtanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Virtanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McGarvey was well out of range. Poor timing from Virtanen.
McGarvey throws a fast counter high kick but Virtanen manages to duck under it in time.
Virtanen misses with a left hand
and McGarvey counters with a stiff right hand.
Virtanen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
McGarvey throws a big counter head kick but Virtanen avoids it with no problem.
Virtanen tries to land a front kick but McGarvey steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Virtanen moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMcGarvey.
Virtanen throws a jab when McGarvey was well out of range.
McGarvey only half commits to the counter leg kick.
McGarvey turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen misses with an attempted mid kick.
McGarvey unleashes a big counter combination but Virtanen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Virtanen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McGarvey doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Virtanen misses with a lunging right hand
and McGarvey counters with a slapping leg kick.
Virtanen throws out a loose jab but McGarvey uses good head movement to avoid it.
Virtanen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Virtanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Virtanen gets off balance looking for a body kick
and McGarvey counters with a nice low kick that buckles Virtanen's knee momentarily.
Virtanen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
McGarvey avoids the body shot from Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with a hook
and McGarvey counters with a two punch combo.
Virtanen looks to land a right hand but McGarvey moved out of range.
McGarvey avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McGarvey is looking to slow Virtanen down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and McGarvey counters with a head kick.
Virtanen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Virtanen throws a hook to the side of McGarvey's head but McGarvey sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McGarvey takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A slow jab from Virtanen misses its intended target.
Virtanen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and McGarvey is able to avoid easily.
Virtanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McGarvey replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Virtanen blocks it well.
McGarvey uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Virtanen.
Virtanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McGarvey was well out of range. Poor timing from Virtanen.
Virtanen throws an overhand right that lands on McGarvey's shoulder, as McGarvey tries to avoid the shot.
An inside leg kick from Virtanen misses.
Virtanen misses the body punch
and McGarvey makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Virtanen really felt that one!
Virtanen misses with a straight left.
Virtanen lands with an overhand left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen misses with a kick to the body.
Virtanen moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMcGarvey.
Virtanen throws the kick towards the body but McGarvey avoids it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Virtanen's corner calls for a 1-2. Virtanen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Virtanen tries to land a front kick but McGarvey steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Virtanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Virtanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Virtanen.
McGarvey is looking for the big counter here.
McGarvey lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
McGarvey throws a quick inside leg kick.
Virtanen throws the kick towards the body but McGarvey avoids it.
McGarvey plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Virtanen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McGarvey counters with a thumping low kick.
Virtanen throws a lazy body kick
and McGarvey counters with a nice kick to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Onni Virtanen will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McGarvey moves out of range of the body kick from Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a lazy body kick
and McGarvey counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Virtanen is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Virtanen throws a body punch but McGarvey moves out of range.
Virtanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McGarvey was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Virtanen throws a lazy uppercut
and McGarvey counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Virtanen misses with a wild body shot.
Virtanen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Virtanen misses with a right hand
and McGarvey counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Virtanen thows a left - swing and a miss!
McGarvey steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
McGarvey pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virtanen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Virtanen lands a leg kick that knocks McGarvey off balance momentarily.
Onni Virtanen is winning the standup battle so far.
No joy there for Virtanen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Virtanen misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Virtanen finds it's target.
Virtanen misses with the combination.
Virtanen throws a right hand that McGarvey ducks under and follows up with a left that McGarvey also avoids with ease.
McGarvey appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Virtanen has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Virtanen looks to land a left hand but McGarvey moved out of range nicely.
McGarvey is trying to counter with his kicks.
Virtanen cracks McGarvey with a right hand to the side of the head.
Virtanen throws a jab but it's blocked by McGarvey.
Virtanen thows a leg kick but McGarvey checks it
and McGarvey counters with a series of strikes. Virtanen will be more careful next time no doubt.
McGarvey scores with a head kick.
Virtanen misses with a kick to the body
and McGarvey counters with a slapping leg kick.
Virtanen moves out of range of the body kick from McGarvey.
A lazy body kick from Virtanen
and McGarvey counters with a thumping low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGarvey throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen throws a lazy uppercut
and McGarvey counters with a solid body kick.
McGarvey throws a quick inside leg kick.
That kick from McGarvey tenderised Virtanen's leg. Virtanen is trying to keep his angry face on.
McGarvey pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McGarvey slips a straight right by Virtanen.
Virtanen moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMcGarvey.
McGarvey moves out of range of the strikes.
McGarvey throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Virtanen.
Virtanen checks a leg kick.
A punch lands to the side of McGarvey 's head but he takes it in his stride.
McGarvey slips under a jab from Virtanen.
Virtanen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Virtanen tries to land a body kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Virtanen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGarvey lands with a kick to the temple. Virtanen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Virtanen misses with a body punch
and McGarvey makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Virtanen really felt that one!
McGarvey connects with an inside leg kick.
McGarvey's jab looks to have found its range, popping Virtanen under the eye.
Virtanen just misses with a punch to the body.
McGarvey is looking for the big counter here.
McGarvey lands a nice looking kick to the body. Virtanen takes a step back to recover.
McGarvey ducks under a wild hook from Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with a body kick.
McGarvey throws a big counter head kick but Virtanen avoids it with no problem.
Virtanen throws a looping overhand right but McGarvey ducks down to avoid it.
Virtanen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and McGarvey counters with a low kick, right behind Virtanen 's knee.
Virtanen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by McGarvey.
Virtanen throws an overhand right that lands on McGarvey's shoulder, as McGarvey tries to avoid the shot.
McGarvey is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
McGarvey scoring well with a low kick there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen throws a poor cross that misses
and McGarvey counters with a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Virtanen misses with a hook to the body
enabling McGarvey to counter with a crisp jab.
Virtanen misses with a hook to the body
and McGarvey counters with a body kick.
Virtanen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McGarvey.
We've been informed that McGarvey has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
McGarvey throws a nice outside leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for McGarvey.
Virtanen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and McGarvey counters with a low kick, right behind Virtanen 's knee.
Virtanen throws a leg kick
and McGarvey makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Virtanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McGarvey moves away.
Virtanen misses with an uppercut. McGarvey saw that one coming.
McGarvey throws a counter combo.
Virtanen misses with a straight right.
Virtanen will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
McGarvey scores with a nice body kick.
Virtanen just misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen McGarvey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Virtanen misses with a series of wild punches.
Virtanen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McGarvey looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Virtanen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A shot to the body from Virtanen misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Virtanen swings for the body but McGarvey moves out of range.
McGarvey tries a quick counter leg kick but Virtanen is wise to it.
A head kick misses from McGarvey.
Virtanen lands a jab to the head.
Virtanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virtanen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McGarvey makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Virtanen misses with an uppercut.
Virtanen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and McGarvey counters with a slapping leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGarvey throws a leg kick which misses Virtanen's front leg but catches the back leg as Virtanen tries to avoid it.
Virtanen misses with a kick to the body
and McGarvey counters with a low kick, right behind Virtanen 's knee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGarvey connects with an inside leg kick.
Virtanen misses with a right hand
and McGarvey counters with an outside leg kick.
Virtanen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Virtanen throws a sloppy body shot
and McGarvey counters with a nice low kick that buckles Virtanen's knee momentarily.
McGarvey throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Virtanen misses with a body shot.
McGarvey throws a big counter head kick but Virtanen avoids it with no problem.
Virtanen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Virtanen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Virtanen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Virtanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McGarvey was well out of range. Poor timing from Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with a kick to the body.
McGarvey was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
McGarvey displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Virtanen throws out the jab.
McGarvey throws a big counter head kick but Virtanen avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGarvey tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGarvey throws a head kick that misses.
Virtanen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McGarvey counters with a nice leg kick.
Virtanen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McGarvey can pounce on him.
McGarvey ducks under a wild hook from Virtanen.
McGarvey flicks out a counter leg kick but Virtanen steps away.
McGarvey connects with a right hand. Virtanen shakes it off.
Virtanen throws a right hand that misses
and McGarvey counters with a low kick, right behind Virtanen 's knee.
Virtanen throws a hook but McGarvey blocks it.
McGarvey blocks the body kick.
McGarvey needs to keep his hands up - Virtanen had a free shot at his head there.
Virtanen misses with a shot to the body
and McGarvey counters with a big head kick but Virtanen shrugs it off.
Virtanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Virtanen misses with a hook to the body
and McGarvey makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Virtanen.
McGarvey looks to land a body kick but Virtanen moved away.
McGarvey throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
McGarvey with the inside leg kick.
Virtanen looks to land a body kick but McGarvey moved away.
McGarvey moves out of range of the body kick.
McGarvey throws a big counter head kick but Virtanen avoids it with no problem.
McGarvey lands with a nice body kick.
Virtanen misses with a kick to the body
and McGarvey counters with a body kick that stops Virtanen in his tracks momentarily.
McGarvey moves out of range of the body kick.
As Virtanen backs off McGarvey throws a huge counter combo but Virtanen manages to avoid it all.
McGarvey scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Virtanen throws a body shot but no joy.
McGarvey lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGarvey avoids the body shot from Virtanen.
McGarvey throws a big counter head kick but Virtanen avoids it with no problem.
Virtanen throws a sloppy body shot
and McGarvey counters with a nice low kick that buckles Virtanen's knee momentarily.
Virtanen is looking to land body kicks.
McGarvey steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Virtanen throws a body kick that misses
and McGarvey counters with a good low kick that Virtanen was not able to check.
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!
McGarvey scores with a head kick. Virtanen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
McGarvey lands a head kick!
Virtanen gets off balance looking for a body kick
and McGarvey counters with a good low kick that Virtanen was not able to check.
McGarvey lands a nice looking kick to the body. Virtanen takes a step back to recover.
Virtanen misses with a body kick.
Virtanen throws a lazy uppercut
and McGarvey counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Virtanen is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Virtanen looks to throw a body kick
and McGarvey counters with a nice body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Virtanen misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephen McGarvey comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McGarvey has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephen McGarvey!
As Stephen McGarvey got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: I'd like to thank my family and most of all God, for making me an Atheist. Cheers!'.