PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elias Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jack Smith is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Virtanen
vs
Smith

174 cm
20
162 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

176 cm
26
165 lbs
8 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Elias Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Jack Smith!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping body kick lands there for Virtanen.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Smith.
Smith misses the jab.
Virtanen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Smith avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Virtanen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Smith blocks a leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Smith blocks the leg kick.
Smith lands with a shot to the body.
Virtanen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Smith is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Virtanen.
Smith on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Virtanen. Virtanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Smith throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Virtanen counters with a big head kick but Smith shrugs it off.
Good exchange - Virtanen coming out on top.
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!
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses.
Smith on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Smith 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Virtanen throws and low kick but Smith moves out of range easily.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Virtanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Smith throws a shot from downtown. Virtanen moves away and avoids it.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Virtanen.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Some bone on bone action there as Smith checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen throws a leg kick but Smith moved away.
An inside leg kick from Virtanen misses.
Virtanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Virtanen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Virtanen connects with a solid leg kick.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Virtanen misses with a low kick.
Virtanen misses with a low kick.
Virtanen connects with a single shot there.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Virtanen tries to land a leg kick but Smith saw it coming and moves away.
Smith blocks the body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Virtanen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Smith misses with a hook. Virtanen ducked under it nicely.
Virtanen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Smith goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Smith avoids the head kick by Virtanen.
Smith with a hook.
Virtanen does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Virtanen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smith finds it's way round the side to connect with Virtanen's head.
Virtanen is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith works Virtanen's body with a nice hook.
Smith takes a swing at Virtanen's ribcage but misses.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Virtanen. Virtanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Virtanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Virtanen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Virtanen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Smith momentarily.
Virtanen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Smith.
Virtanen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Smith's head.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Virtanen.
Virtanen lands with a nice combination. Smith backs away looking to recover.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Virtanen.
Virtanen moves out of range of the leg kick from Smith.
Virtanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Virtanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smith.
Virtanen tried to score with a low kick but Smith checks it.
Virtanen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Smith.
Smith misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a body punch but Virtanen moves out of range.
Smith is looking to score with low kicks.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Virtanen manages to avoid it.
Virtanen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Virtanen misses with a head kick.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Virtanen.

Virtanen has taken the fight to the clinch.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Virtanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Virtanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Virtanen tries to work over Smith's front leg with a kick but Smith checks it.
Virtanen throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Smith avoids the head kick by Virtanen.
Smith lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Smith.
Virtanen tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Virtanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Virtanen circles away quickly and effectively.
Virtanen misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Virtanen blocks a jab.
A good leg kick by Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Virtanen throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Virtanen throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Smith throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Virtanen drops his hands momentarily and Smith takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A right-left combo lands from Smith.
Virtanen throws a leg kick which misses Smith's front leg but catches the back leg as Smith tries to avoid it.
Smith takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virtanen throws a low kick, looking for Smith's leg but Smith calmly moves out of range.
Virtanen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Smith fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Smith throws a body punch but Virtanen moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Virtanen dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Smith jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
A clash of legs there as Smith blocks the low kick.
Smith smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Virtanen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Virtanen throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Virtanen.
Virtanen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Virtanen is looking to chop away at Smith's legs.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Virtanen misses with a kick to the body.
Virtanen misses with a body kick.
Smith misses with a jab to the body
letting Virtanen counter with a right hand.
Smith scores with a decent looking hook.
Smith is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Virtanen rather than just go for the knockout.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.

Virtanen closes the distance and clinches.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Virtanen lands a knee to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Virtanen fails to land.
Virtanen trying to land knees to the body.
Virtanen wants to stall.
Smith lands a body shot.
Virtanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Smith misses.
Smith swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Virtanen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Smith lands with an overhand left.
Virtanen throws the kick towards the body but Smith avoids it.
Smith thows a body shot but no joy.
Virtanen throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
Virtanen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Smith bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Virtanen's head backwards.
Smith takes a swing at Virtanen's ribcage but misses.
Virtanen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smith's calf.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Virtanen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Virtanen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Smith.
Virtanen throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.
Smith blocks a head kick by Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Virtanen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Virtanen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Elias Virtanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Virtanen connects with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Smith finds it's way through Virtanen's defenses.
Smith lands the left hand.
Virtanen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Virtanen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A head kick misses from Virtanen.
Smith lands with a straight right. Virtanen didn't see that one coming.
Smith uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Virtanen has time to react.
Virtanen throws a leg kick but Smith moved away.
Virtanen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith connects with a nice looking jab.
Smith lands a jab to Virtanen's midsection.
Virtanen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Virtanen avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith misses the jab.
Smith avoids the head kick by Virtanen.
Smith scores with the left hand. Virtanen knows he should have avoided that one.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Smith slips a straight right by Virtanen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith jabs at Virtanen's body.
Virtanen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Virtanen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Smith to score with a decent uppercut.
Smith tests Virtanen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Virtanen.
Smith throws a body punch but Virtanen moves out of range.
Smith lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Virtanen at a distance.
Smith wants to slow Virtanen down by chopping away at his legs.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Virtanen misses with a double jab
and Smith connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Smith cracks Virtanen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Smith misses with the combination.
Smith bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Smith cracks a nice hook into Virtanen's ribs.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Virtanen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Smith has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Smith and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Smith lands a nice hook to Virtanen's body. Virtanen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Virtanen throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Virtanen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Virtanen throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Virtanen throws a leg kick that misses.
Virtanen throws a sloppy body shot
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Virtanen tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A big right from Virtanen misses.
Virtanen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
Smith blocks a head kick by Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses.
Virtanen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Smith as he connects with a hook.
Virtanen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Virtanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Virtanen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Virtanen wants to land a leg kick but Smith is out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Virtanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Virtanen connects with the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Smith 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Virtanen moves away.
Virtanen looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Smith uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Virtanen.
Smith tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A head kick misses from Virtanen.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Smith thows a body shot but no joy.
Smith scores with a body shot.
Virtanen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Smith uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Smith fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Virtanen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Smith blocks a head kick by Virtanen.
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith checks the leg kick nicely there.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Virtanen is just out of range.
Smith throws a shot to the body.
Smith throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Virtanen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Smith lands with a nice body punch.
A jab from Smith finds it's way through Virtanen's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen misses with a low kick as Smith jumps back.
Virtanen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Virtanen throws a leg kick but Smith checks it.
Virtanen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Smith is out of range.
Virtanen thuds a left hand into Smith's body.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Virtanen.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Smith crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Virtanen - the referee stops the clock and Smith gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Virtanen. Smith manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
The fighters circling - Virtanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Virtanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Virtanen doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Virtanen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Smith fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
Virtanen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Virtanen.
Smith misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Smith blocks the leg kick.

Virtanen rushes Smith and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Smith lands a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith lands a body punch in the clinch.
Virtanen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smith's face.
Virtanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Smith avoids the damage to the body.
Smith stalling against the cage.
Virtanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Virtanen won't allow it.
A nice left hand lands by Smith.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smith.
Virtanen tries to stall but Smith uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Virtanen is looking to score with low kicks.
Virtanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Virtanen.
Smith lands with a nice body punch.
Smith lands a right hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Virtanen.
Smith thuds his right hand into Virtanen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Smith blocks a low kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Smith. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Smith.
Smith with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Virtanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Virtanen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Virtanen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Smith listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Virtanen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Smith fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Virtanen checks it well.
Virtanen throws a hook but Smith avoids it easily.
Virtanen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Virtanen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Smith scores with a jab.
Smith connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Smith moves out of range as Virtanen strikes.
Virtanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Virtanen misses with a head kick.
Good work by Smith as he checks the leg kick.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Virtanen fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Smith is out of range.
Virtanen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Smith loads up on a big right hand but Virtanen slips the punch.
Smith will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Virtanen moves into range and clinches up with Smith.
Smith is working Virtanen over against the cage.
Virtanen tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
Virtanen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Virtanen wants to stall.
Smith is trying to break free.
Virtanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Virtanen tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Virtanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Virtanen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Virtanen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Virtanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Virtanen circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Virtanen is just out of range.
Smith throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Smith tries to score with a low kick but Virtanen moves his leg out of the way.
Smith lands a nice shot that snaps Virtanen's head back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smith 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Smith!