PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pink Long Term Project (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jussi Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jussi Virtanen is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Long Term Project
vs
Virtanen

225 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
22
217 lbs
5 - 10 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pink Long Term Project!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jussi Virtanen!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick from Long Term Project lands but Virtanen takes it in his stride.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Long Term Project is defended easily by Virtanen.
Long Term Project has a takedown stuffed.

Virtanen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Long Term Project napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on Long Term Project's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Long Term Project is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

Virtanen decides to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Virtanen shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Long Term Project trying to control from the bottom.
Virtanen working Long Term Project over with strikes.
Virtanen is thwarting Long Term Project's attempts to control the position.

Long Term Project actively working from the bottom here.
Virtanen is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Virtanen is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Long Term Project is looking for a sweep. Virtanen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Virtanen is looking to pass Long Term Project's guard but actually Long Term Project recovers to full guard.

Long Term Project looking for subs off his back but Virtanen has passed one foot through into half guard.
Virtanen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Long Term Project moves into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Virtanen trying to control but Long Term Project is working from the bottom.
Long Term Project looking to hit a scissor sweep but Virtanen is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jussi Virtanen dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Virtanen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Virtanen stands and throws Long Term Project's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Virtanen. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Virtanen working away.
Long Term Project trying to control but Virtanen flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Virtanen is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen has the hooks in. Long Term Project is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Long Term Project trying to control the hands but Virtanen won't let him.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Virtanen controlling the positon.

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.
Long Term Project can't escape the position.
Long Term Project looking very determined here, making life difficult for Virtanen.
Long Term Project trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Long Term Project is really stuck here.
Long Term Project trying to control the action but Virtanen just sinks the hooks in.
Long Term Project holding both Virtanen 's hands and preventing any damage.

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.
Long Term Project rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Long Term Project has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Virtanen is working away from the top position though.
Long Term Project tries to get to full guard but Virtanen has control of the leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Long Term Project trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jussi Virtanen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Long Term Project throws a nice looking combination but Virtanen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Virtanen tries to clinch up.
Long Term Project tries to clinch but Virtanen moves out of range.
Virtanen fails with a takedown attempt.
Long Term Project misses with a takedown attempt

and Virtanen counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Long Term Project's guard now.
Long Term Project is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Long Term Project tries to strike from the bottom.
Long Term Project wants to sweep but no luck.
Virtanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Long Term Project manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Virtanen manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Long Term Project tries to stand but Virtanen is controlling from the bottom.
Virtanen wants to stand but Long Term Project is controlling the position.
Long Term Project trying to control but Virtanen is working from the bottom.
Long Term Project looking to pass the guard.
Long Term Project has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two 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.
Virtanen throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Virtanen has a closed guard, preventing Long Term Project from standing up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Virtanen keeping moving, preventing Long Term Project from controlling successfully.

Pink Long Term Project has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Long Term Project tries for a takedown but Virtanen circles away easily

and Virtanen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Long Term Project is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen blocks the strikes from Long Term Project.
Long Term Project trying to control here.
Long Term Project is looking to escape.
Jussi Virtanen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Long Term Project throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

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.
Long Term Project pushes Virtanen off looking to stand but Virtanen dives back in and keeps control.
Long Term Project moves into full guard.
Long Term Project is looking to stand up but Virtanen isn't so interested in that idea.
Long Term Project wants to sweep but no luck.
Long Term Project is trying to keep Virtanen in close.
Pink Long Term Project has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jussi Virtanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Long Term Project is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Virtanen is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jussi Virtanen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Virtanen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jussi Virtanen!