PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jussi Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antti Laaksonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Virtanen is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Virtanen
vs
Laaksonen

170 cm
22
217 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

180 cm
20
288 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jussi Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Laaksonen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laaksonen lands a slapping body shot.
Virtanen is breathing heavily.
Laaksonen scores with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Virtanen takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Laaksonen lands a big shot that drops Virtanen! Can he finish him?
Laaksonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Laaksonen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Laaksonen throws a big right hand that misses.
Laaksonen trying to control but Virtanen is working from the bottom.
Laaksonen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Virtanen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laaksonen pushing down on Virtanen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Laaksonen is trying to work for a kimura but Virtanen is defending well.
Virtanen has hold of Laaksonen's hands but Laaksonen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Laaksonen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Virtanen's head.
Ground and pound from Laaksonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laaksonen passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Virtanen!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laaksonen lands with some strikes.
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 in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Laaksonen is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Virtanen is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Virtanen flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Laaksonen anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Virtanen and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Laaksonen slips an arm under Virtanen chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Laaksonen has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Laaksonen is squeezing on Virtanen like an anaconda would it's prey. Virtanen fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Antti Laaksonen!