PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jussi Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Soldier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Soldier will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Virtanen
vs
Soldier

170 cm
20
217 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

186 cm
19
238 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Red Light Clothing ► Amsterdam!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jussi Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Soldier!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virtanen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Soldier tried to score with a low kick but Virtanen checks it.
Soldier misses with an uppercut.
Virtanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Soldier circles away.
Soldier rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Virtanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Soldier 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.
Virtanen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice straight punches there by Soldier. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Soldier.
Virtanen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Soldier tries to avoid it but Virtanen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Soldier to the ground. Soldier escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jussi Virtanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soldier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Virtanen shoots for a double leg takedown but Soldier sprawls well. He's pushed Virtanen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Soldier lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Virtanen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Virtanen shoots in but Soldier avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Virtanen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Soldier!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldier tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Soldier holds on for dear life.
Virtanen is breathing heavily.
Soldier is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Soldier is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Virtanen controlling the position easily from mount.
Soldier working to try and regain half guard.
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.
Soldier really wants to buck Virtanen off and get back to his feet.

Virtanen has control of Soldier's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Soldier regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Soldier is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Soldier regains half guard.

Soldier makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Soldier connects with a single shot there.
Soldier throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Virtanen's head.
Soldier bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Virtanen's head backwards.
A chopping leg kick lands by Soldier.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fight stays on the outside here - Soldier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A nice combination there by Soldier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Soldier dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Soldier tries to clinch up.
Soldier lands a really nice looking cross but Virtanen seems unphased.
Virtanen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Soldier. Soldier obviously looking to wear him down.
Virtanen walks into a left hand.
Virtanen closes the distance and clinches up with Soldier, looking for a takedown. Virtanen pushes Soldier against the cage but Soldier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Soldier lands with a nice body punch.
Soldier lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Soldier clinches with his opponent.
Virtanen takes an elbow to the temple.
Soldier lands a damaging elbow.
Soldier effectively controlling the action here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Soldier receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldier pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Soldier lands an elbow just above Virtanen 's eye.
Soldier stalling against the cage.
Soldier throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Virtanen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Soldier pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Soldier lands an elbow just above Virtanen 's eye.
Soldier is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's two 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 ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mike Soldier.
Soldier chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Good shot there by Soldier.
Soldier goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Virtanen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Soldier. Soldier obviously looking to wear him down.
Soldier is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Soldier closes the distance and clinches.
Soldier throws an elbow but it misses.
Soldier lands a nice elbow.
Soldier lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Soldier content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen takes an elbow to the temple.
Soldier lands an elbow inside that Virtanen shrugs off.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Soldier.
Soldier lands a nice elbow.
Soldier has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Soldier stalling.
Virtanen blocks the elbow strike.
Soldier taking a breather.
Soldier stops a takedown attempt from Virtanen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jussi Virtanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soldier holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Soldier lands a nice elbow.
Soldier is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Soldier lands an elbow that stopped Virtanen in his tracks for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Soldier throws an elbow that misses.
Virtanen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Soldier is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Soldier slows down the pace here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Soldier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Soldier.
A nice inside leg kick there by Soldier. That's going to slow Virtanen down.
Mike Soldier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soldier lands a jab.
Soldier paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Soldier clinches.
Virtanen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nice elbow from Soldier.
Soldier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Soldier taking a breather.
Virtanen takes an elbow to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldier lands a damaging elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soldier manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Virtanen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Soldier comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

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.
Soldier lands an elbow just above Virtanen 's eye.
Soldier stalls.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mike Soldier.

Soldier moves into the clinch successfully.
Soldier taking a breather.
Soldier lands an elbow inside that Virtanen shrugs off.
Soldier lands a damaging elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Soldier avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Soldier lands an elbow inside.
Soldier throws an elbow but it misses.
Soldier lands an elbow inside.
Soldier lands a nice elbow.
Soldier creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Soldier stops a takedown attempt from Virtanen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jussi Virtanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Soldier lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

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.
Virtanen takes an elbow to the temple.
Mike Soldier is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Soldier lands a nice elbow.
Soldier has Virtanen pushed against the cage.
Soldier gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Jussi Virtanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Virtanen throws an elbow but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Soldier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Soldier 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight for Mike Soldier!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Mike Soldier!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Mike Soldier!

Mike Soldier wins by unanimous decision!