PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jordan Lisko (ranked 3730 p4p, 2109 weight class) and Tapio Virtainen (ranked 440 p4p, 269 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lisko
vs
Virtainen

179 cm
23
182
4 - 5 - 1

184 cm
22
180
4 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jordan Lisko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tapio Virtainen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virtainen tests Lisko's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lisko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Virtainen.
Virtainen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Virtainen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Virtainen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Lisko throws a leg kick but Virtainen moved away.
Lisko wants to land a leg kick but Virtainen is out of range.
Lisko moves away from the strike by Virtainen.
Lisko attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lisko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Virtainen.
Lisko half committed to a counter leg kick.
Lisko throws a hook but Virtainen blocks it.
Lisko avoids the head kick by Virtainen.
Lisko scores with a head kick. Virtainen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Virtainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Lisko misses with a left hand
and Virtainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Virtainen scores with a sloppy right hand. Lisko should have avoided that one.
Virtainen throws a head kick that misses.
Lisko lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Virtainen misses with an uppercut. Lisko saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtainen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lisko. Lisko obviously looking to wear him down.
Virtainen moves away from the strike by Lisko.
A clash of legs there as Lisko blocks the low kick.
Lisko throws a lazy uppercut

so Virtainen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Virtainen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Lisko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Virtainen defends it easily.
Virtainen scoring with punches to the head and body.

Virtainen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Virtainen postures up.

Lisko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Virtainen cracks Lisko with a solid left hand.
Virtainen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lisko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Virtainen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtainen scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Virtainen is in close to Lisko's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Virtainen works over Lisko with some ground and pound from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lisko keeping full guard, as Virtainen tries to pass.
Virtainen with a flurry of punches that miss.

Virtainen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Lisko is trying to keep Virtainen in close.
Virtainen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Virtainen advances to half guard.
Virtainen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Lisko on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Lisko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Virtainen pulls his head out easily.
Virtainen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lisko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Virtainen lands strikes from half guard.
Virtainen working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lisko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Virtainen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Virtainen is trying to control. Lisko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Virtainen is thwarting Lisko's attempts to control the position.
Virtainen slips a nice elbow through Lisko's hands, connecting with Lisko's forehead.
Virtainen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Virtainen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nice strikes from Virtainen there.
Virtainen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lisko defending well though.

Lisko looking for submissions off his back.
Virtainen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Virtainen seems to be working for a kimura but Lisko defends the submission attempt.
Lisko on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lisko trying to hold on to Virtainen's head to control him but Virtainen postures up.

Virtainen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lisko doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Virtainen.
Lisko trying to control from the bottom.

Virtainen wants to work for an arm triangle but Lisko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Lisko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Virtainen pulls his head out easily.

Lisko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Virtainen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lisko is trying to maintain the position but Virtainen is very close to passing his half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tapio Virtainen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Virtainen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lisko on the side of the head.
Lisko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lisko looks to land a combination but Virtainen avoids it well.
Tapio Virtainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Virtainen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lisko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Virtainen lands a jab to the nose.
Tapio Virtainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lisko ducks right into an uppercut from Virtainen.
Lisko with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lisko is looking to clinch.
Virtainen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lisko in his tracks.
Lisko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Virtainen.
Virtainen has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Virtainen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice defenses there by Virtainen.
A low kick lands for Lisko.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Virtainen lands with a nice body punch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Virtainen checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lisko defending well as Virtainen loads up on a big left hand.
Virtainen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Virtainen blocks a head kick by Lisko.
Virtainen moves out of range as Lisko strikes.
Virtainen scores with a leg kick.
Lisko swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Lisko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice straight punches there by Virtainen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Virtainen.
Lisko misses with a body punch

and Virtainen counters with a shoot takedown. Lisko fights it but they end up in guard.
Virtainen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lisko looking to control.
Virtainen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Virtainen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Lisko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Virtainen defends well.
Virtainen passes Lisko's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Virtainen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Lisko trying to control but Virtainen postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lisko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lisko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Virtainen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Virtainen working Lisko over with strikes.
Virtainen trying to pass the guard but Lisko defending well.
Lisko trying to control from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Virtainen lands a nice short elbow.
Virtainen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Virtainen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Lisko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Virtainen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lisko has hold of Virtainen's hands but Virtainen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Virtainen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Lisko is pressing down on Virtainen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Virtainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Lisko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtainen scoring with some ground and pound.
Virtainen working some strikes from top position.
Virtainen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Virtainen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Virtainen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Virtainen throwing strikes from guard but Lisko blocks nicely.
Lisko keeping moving, preventing Virtainen from controlling successfully.

Lisko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Virtainen landing some decent shots from guard.
Virtainen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Virtainen advances position into side control!
Lisko is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lisko wants to control but Virtainen postures up.
Lisko sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Lisko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Virtainen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Lisko!
Virtainen dominating with strikes here.
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!
Lisko is trying desperately to improve position.
Lisko wants to hold on but Virtainen pushes him away.
Virtainen has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lisko's face.
The referee warns Lisko that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Lisko wants to control but Virtainen is having none of it.
BOOM! Virtainen connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Lisko defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Virtainen.
The referee warns Lisko that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Virtainen lands a big shot there that rocks Lisko but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Lisko is rocked!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tapio Virtainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Virtainen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Oh Lisko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lisko avoids the head kick by Virtainen.
Lisko seems to have got his legs back now.
Lisko is looking to clinch but Virtainen is avoiding it.
Virtainen throws a head kick that misses.
Virtainen lands the left hand.
Lisko connects with a leg kick.
Virtainen checks a low kick from Lisko.
Lisko throws a lazy head kick
and Virtainen counters with a stiff right hand.
Virtainen throws a head kick that misses.
Virtainen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lisko.
Virtainen misses with a two punch combination.
Lisko avoids the body shot from Virtainen.
Lisko looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Lisko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Virtainen throws a wild body kick that Lisko sees coming a mile off.
Lisko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Virtainen moves away.
Virtainen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lisko.
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!
Lisko slips a straight right by Virtainen.
Lisko wants to clinch
and Virtainen counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtainen with a nice cross.
Virtainen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Lisko throws a sloppy head kick and Virtainen moves out of range easily.
Lisko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Virtainen manages to avoid it.
Virtainen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Virtainen.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lisko misses with a knee strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Lisko.

It looks like Tapio Virtainen has been cut.
Lisko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lisko connects with a nasty looking knee right to Virtainen's face.
Virtainen tries to score a body lock takedown but Lisko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tapio Virtainen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lisko misses with a knee strike.
Lisko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Virtainen is trying to trip Lisko. He has hold of a leg but Lisko is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Virtainen persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Virtainen stays in close to Lisko's body and controls the position.
Virtainen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Let's hope that Virtainen has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Virtainen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lisko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Virtainen has managed to get both his arms back between Lisko's legs - danger averted.
Virtainen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lisko swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lisko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lisko controls Virtainen momentarily but Virtainen frees himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Lisko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Virtainen defends well.
Lisko being controlled here, momentarily.

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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Virtainen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lisko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Virtainen has managed to get both his arms back between Lisko's legs - danger averted.
Virtainen looking to pass the guard.
Virtainen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lisko throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Jordan Lisko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lisko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tapio Virtainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Virtainen 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tapio Virtainen!