PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elias Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roman Burza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Virtanen comes to the cage accompanied by Haittavaikutus - Matkalla. Burza is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Guns N' Roses - Welcome To The Jungle. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Virtanen
vs
Burza

174 cm
31
162 lbs
24 - 8 - 1

178 cm
34
170 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Brute

Ultra Fight Gear
Cavalheiro Luta Vestuario

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Elias Virtanen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Roman Burza!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Burza slips under a jab from Virtanen.
Burza fails with a takedown attempt.
Burza shoots in for a takedown but Virtanen shows good takedown defense.
Burza cracks the inside of Virtanen's front leg.
Burza throws a push kick but Virtanen slaps the foot to one side.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Burza.
Nice body kick from Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with a head kick.
Virtanen throws a lazy head kick
and Burza counters with a straight right hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Virtanen.
Burza takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Virtanen throws the kick towards the body but Burza avoids it.
Burza scores with a body shot.
Virtanen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Elias Virtanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen lands with an uppercut that bounces Burza off the cage and back into range.
Virtanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Burza at a distance.
Burza moves out of range as Virtanen throws a body kick.
Virtanen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Virtanen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Burza thows a body shot but no joy.
An inside leg kick lands from Virtanen.
Virtanen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Virtanen scores with a hook.
Virtanen misses the shot to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Virtanen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Virtanen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Virtanen throws a looping overhand right but Burza ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen swings for the body but Burza moves out of range.
Elias Virtanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Virtanen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Virtanen wants to land a leg kick but Burza is out of range.
Virtanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Burza moves away.
Burza blocks a head kick by Virtanen.
Burza has a takedown stuffed.
Elias Virtanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Burza.
Burza shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Virtanen but Virtanen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Virtanen throws a head kick but Burza moves out of range.

Burza scores with a takedown into Virtanen's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Burza pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Virtanen is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen has Burza pulled in close to control his posture.
Burza postures up.
Virtanen wants to sweep here but Burza controlling him for the moment.
Virtanen trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Elias Virtanen.
Virtanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Virtanen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Burza checks it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burza moves out of range of the leg kick from Virtanen.
Virtanen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Burza.
Burza throws a quick inside leg kick.
Burza moves out of range of the body kick.
Virtanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Virtanen misses with a low kick.
Virtanen misses with a wild combination.
Virtanen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Burza sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Burza misses with a series of wild punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
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.
Burza looks to land a left hand but Virtanen moved out of range nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Virtanen 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.

Nice sprawl there from Virtanen as Burza shoots in.
Burza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Virtanen sprawls well. Virtanen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Burza gets slowly back to his feet.
Elias Virtanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Virtanen throws a front kick that sends Burza stumbling back into the cage.
Burza blocks a head kick by Virtanen.
Virtanen throws out a leg kick but Burza moves out of range and Virtanen only half commits.
Virtanen throws the kick towards the body but Burza avoids it.
Burza blocks a low kick nicely.
Virtanen throws a leg kick but Burza sees it coming and moves out of range.
Burza pivots, looking for a leg kick but Virtanen is out of range and Burza settles back down.
Virtanen is looking to clinch.
Burza misses with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses.
Nice takedown defense from Virtanen. No joy for Burza on that attempt.
Elias Virtanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Burza.
Virtanen moves forwards but Burza connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Burza avoids the head kick by Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with a wild body shot.
Burza avoids the head kick by Virtanen.
Roman Burza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Burza swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Burza swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Burza on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Burza moves out of range of the body kick.
Virtanen misses with a low kick.
Burza attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burza thows a body shot but no joy.
Burza lands a jab-cross combination.
Virtanen throws a sloppy head kick and Burza moves out of range easily.
Virtanen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Burza tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Burza dives in and grabs Virtanen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Virtanen pushes down on Burza's head and hops out.

Burza shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Virtanen wants to stand but Burza is controlling the position.
Burza is stalling in the full guard.
Burza wants to control from the top but Virtanen keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Virtanen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Burza throws an elbow that misses. Virtanen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Burza's guard. Nice move by Virtanen!
Virtanen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Burza controls Virtanen momentarily but Virtanen frees himself.
Burza looking for a sweep. Not yet Burza, not yet.
Virtanen wants to control from the top but Burza keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Roman Burza.
Burza looks to score with a jab to the body but Virtanen is just out of range.
Virtanen misses with a looping right.
Burza thuds his right hand into Virtanen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A jab lands there for Virtanen.
Virtanen looks for the body kick but Burza saw that one coming.
Burza shoots in but Virtanen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Virtanen throws a head kick that half lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burza moves out of range of the body kick from Virtanen.
Virtanen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Burza steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Virtanen. That one must have hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Elias Virtanen will probably get the nod.
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.

Virtanen throws a head kick that misses.
Virtanen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Burza. That did some damage!
A low kick from Burza misses
and Virtanen counters with a leg kick.
Burza tries to land a leg kick but Virtanen saw it coming and moves away.
A shot to the body from Burza misses
letting Virtanen counter with a right hand.
Virtanen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Burza swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Virtanen misses with a leg kick

and Burza counters with a takedown into side control.
Burza working away.
Burza working the ground and pound but Virtanen is defending the strikes.
An elbow from Burza crashes against the mat.
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 is looking for a sweep.
Burza working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen is looking to reverse the position.
Burza creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The strikes coming from Burza are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Burza throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Burza throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Burza has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Burza in side control, throwing shots but Virtanen defends.
Virtanen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Burza off and has taken his back!
I really don't envy Burza right now.
Good control from Virtanen.
Virtanen is not going to allow Burza to sit and survive in this position.
Virtanen keeps control of the position easily here as Burza tries to buck him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Burza looking very determined here, making life difficult for Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with a punch to the head.
Virtanen struggling to keep hold of the position.
Roman Burza has got the better of the ground game so far.
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!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Burza is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Burza rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Virtanen is taking a breather. Burza says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

We're going to have a standup here because Elias Virtanen wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Virtanen looks to land a left hand but Burza moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen throws the left hand but Burza avoids the punch easily.
A jab from Virtanen finds it's way through Burza's defenses.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Virtanen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Virtanen jabs at Burza's body.
Burza looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Virtanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Virtanen lands with a kick to the temple. Burza shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Virtanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Virtanen wants to clinch.
Virtanen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Virtanen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Burza has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Virtanen lands with a slapping head kick.
Burza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Virtanen's waist but Virtanen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Burza off to one side.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice straight punches there by Virtanen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Virtanen.
Burza is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Virtanen.
Virtanen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virtanen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Virtanen tries to clinch but Burza is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Virtanen clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Virtanen throws a leg kick but Burza moved away.
Virtanen misses with a looping left.
Virtanen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Burza misses with a hook.
Burza takes a jab right on the kisser.
Virtanen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Burza. Burza circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Virtanen tries to sprawl but Burza drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Virtanen is trying to stand.

Virtanen is defending against the submission attempts here by Burza.
Virtanen wants to improve his position but Burza is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen is controlling Burza's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Virtanen is trying to get back to full guard.
Burza with the ground and pound but Virtanen uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Burza drops back, looking for a kneebar! Virtanen looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Virtanen looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Virtanen!

Virtanen decides to stand back up.
Virtanen throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Virtanen checks a leg kick.
Virtanen misses with a wild body shot.
Virtanen misses with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Virtanen.
Burza bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Virtanen's head.
Burza closes the distance and clinches up with Virtanen, looking for a takedown. Burza pushes Virtanen against the cage but Virtanen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Virtanen.
Burza misses with a combination
and Virtanen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Burza misses with a wild combination.
Burza misses with a series of wild punches.
Burza is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Virtanen.
Virtanen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Burza pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Burza on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Virtanen. Virtanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Burza avoids the head kick by Virtanen.
A leg kick checked by Burza.
Burza looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Virtanen lands with a nice body punch.
Virtanen keeps Burza at a distance using the push kick.
Burza's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Burza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Virtanen.
Virtanen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Virtanen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Burza checks it well.
Nice shot lands for Burza.
Burza blocks a head kick by Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a jab when Burza was well out of range.
Virtanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Virtanen misses with a head kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Burza checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No joy there for Burza, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Virtanen looks for the body kick but Burza saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Virtanen had his way with Roman Burza in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Virtanen lands a slapping body shot.
Burza thows a leg kick but Virtanen checks it

and Virtanen counters by moving into the clinch.
Burza avoiding damage as Virtanen throws knees to the body.
Virtanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Burza avoids it.

Burza escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Virtanen throws a body kick that misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Virtanen misses the target.
Virtanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Virtanen scores with a nice strike.
Virtanen misses with a body shot.
Burza misses the shot to the body.
Virtanen throws a sloppy head kick and Burza moves out of range easily.
Burza moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Virtanen.
A clash of legs there as Virtanen blocks the low kick.
Burza lands a right hook to the body.
Burza tries to bum rush Virtanen with a series of wild strikes but Virtanen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Burza.
Burza tries to move into range but Virtanen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Virtanen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Burza slips a straight right by Virtanen.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Virtanen enables Burza to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Virtanen manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Burza is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Burza stopping the sweep attempt from Virtanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Virtanen has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Burza off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Virtanen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Virtanen clinches with his opponent.
Virtanen scores a nice knee to the body.
Virtanen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Virtanen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Burza's elbow.

Virtanen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Burza fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Virtanen avoids it really well and circles away.
Burza on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Virtanen. Virtanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Roman Burza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen lands a high kick!

Virtanen gets caught napping as Burza dives in and scores a takedown. Virtanen manages to retain guard.
Virtanen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Virtanen wants to sweep here but Burza controlling him for the moment.
Virtanen is pulling down on Burza's head to control his posture.
Virtanen trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Elias Virtanen just wasn't active enough.
Virtanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Virtanen cracks Burza with a right hand to the side of the head.
Virtanen connects with a solid leg kick.
Virtanen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Burza 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 Virtanen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Virtanen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Virtanen doesn't manage to clinch there - Burza circles away.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Burza looks for the body kick but Virtanen saw that one coming.
Burza scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Burza takes a body punch but keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elias Virtanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Virtanen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 50:45
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 50:45
Judge William Peck scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elias Virtanen!
Elias Virtanen retains his lightweight title!
Our winner, Elias Virtanen, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.