PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pascal Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lauri Lepisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Virtanen comes into the arena with Taivas lyö tulta blaring out of the sound system. Pascal Virtanen could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Lauri Lepisto's chin.

Virtanen
vs
Lepisto

181 cm
21
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pascal Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lauri Lepisto!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virtanen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lepisto looks to land a right hand but Virtanen moved out of range.
Virtanen defending well as Lepisto loads up on a big left hand.
Virtanen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lepisto finds it's way round the side to connect with Virtanen's head.
Lepisto keeps the fight on the outside.
Virtanen tries to clinch up.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lepisto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Virtanen throws a head kick but Lepisto moves out of range.
Virtanen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lepisto swivels and escapes.
Lepisto throws a jab but it's blocked by Virtanen.
Lepisto misses with a looping left.
Lepisto throws a hook but Virtanen blocks it.
Virtanen slips under a jab.
Virtanen slips under a jab.
Lepisto throws a hook but Virtanen blocks it.
Lauri Lepisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Virtanen slips under a jab from Lepisto.
Lepisto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lepisto stuffs the takedown attempt from Virtanen. Virtanen gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pascal Virtanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lepisto throws a shot from downtown. Virtanen moves away and avoids it.
Virtanen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lepisto as he jumps to the side.
Virtanen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Virtanen is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Lepisto.

It looks like Pascal Virtanen has been cut.
Lepisto looks to land a right hand but Virtanen moved out of range.
Lauri Lepisto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lepisto misses with a looping right.
Virtanen ducks under a wild hook from Lepisto.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Virtanen is defended easily by Lepisto.
Virtanen defending well as Lepisto loads up on a big left hand.
Virtanen fails with a takedown attempt.
Virtanen slips under a jab.
Virtanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lepisto.
Virtanen moves forwards but Lepisto connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Virtanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lepisto.
A big left from Lepisto misses.
Lepisto lands with an uppercut that bounces Virtanen off the cage and back into rage.
Virtanen ducks under a wild hook from Lepisto.
Lepisto waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Virtanen.
Lepisto misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lepisto fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Virtanen on the side of the head.
Lepisto throws a shot from downtown. Virtanen moves away and avoids it.
Virtanen doesn't manage to clinch there - Lepisto circles away.
Virtanen slips a straight right by Lepisto.
Virtanen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lepisto.
Lepisto throws a lazy right hand but Virtanen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Virtanen slips a straight right by Lepisto.
Virtanen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lepisto throws a jab but it's blocked by Virtanen.
Lepisto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lepisto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Virtanen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lepisto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Virtanen. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Lepisto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jab by Lepisto.
Lepisto waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Virtanen.
Virtanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Virtanen moves out of range as Lepisto strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen moves in looking to clinch but Lepisto pushes him off.
Virtanen staying out of range there.
Virtanen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lepisto.
Lepisto throws a shot from downtown. Virtanen moves away and avoids it.
Virtanen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lepisto.
Virtanen misses with a takedown attempt - Lepisto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lepisto throws the left hand but Virtanen avoids the punch easily.
Virtanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lepisto throws out the jab.
Virtanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lepisto throws out the jab.
Lepisto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lepisto throws a jab but it's blocked by Virtanen.
Virtanen fails to land the takedown.
Lepisto throws the left hand but Virtanen avoids the punch easily.
Virtanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lepisto.
Lepisto throws an overhand right that lands on Virtanen's shoulder, as Virtanen tries to avoid the shot.

Virtanen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lepisto sprawls well initially but Virtanen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lepisto pushes Virtanen off looking to stand but Virtanen dives back in and keeps control.

Lepisto has one foot on Virtanen's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Lepisto misses with a hook. Virtanen ducked under it nicely.
Lepisto misses with a straight left.
Virtanen feints and then cracks Lepisto's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Lepisto down.
Virtanen shoots in looking for a takedown. Lepisto tries to sprawl out of it but Virtanen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lepisto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Virtanen closes the distance and clinches up with Lepisto, looking for a takedown. Virtanen pushes Lepisto against the cage but Lepisto circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lepisto misses with a hook. Virtanen ducked under it nicely.
Lepisto misses with a looping right.
Virtanen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Virtanen looks for a takedown but Lepisto sprawls well.
A swing and a miss from Lepisto.
Lepisto looks to land a right hand but Virtanen moved out of range.
Virtanen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lepisto tries to avoid it but Virtanen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lepisto to the ground. Lepisto escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lauri Lepisto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pascal Virtanen's cut.
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 slips under a jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Virtanen is defended easily by Lepisto.
Lepisto is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Lepisto misses with a straight right.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Virtanen.
Nice defenses there by Virtanen.
Lepisto lands with a cross.
Virtanen slips under a jab.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lepisto paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Virtanen moves away from the strike by Lepisto.
Lepisto throws out a loose jab but Virtanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virtanen slips a straight right by Lepisto.
Lepisto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Virtanen dives in and grabs Lepisto's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lepisto pushes down on Virtanen's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pascal Virtanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Virtanen ducks under a wild hook from Lepisto.
The fight stays on the outside here - Virtanen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lepisto jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lepisto as he avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Virtanen is defended easily by Lepisto.
Jab, jab by Lepisto - just one landing.
Lepisto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lepisto throws a hook but Virtanen avoids it easily.
Lepisto jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lepisto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Virtanen rushes Lepisto and presses him up against the cage.
Lepisto is trying to break free.

Virtanen pulls Lepisto into guard.

Virtanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lepisto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lepisto preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lepisto postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lepisto chips away with some ground and pound.
Lepisto wants to stand but Virtanen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lepisto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Virtanen.
Lepisto looks to land a right hand but Virtanen moved out of range.
Virtanen pushes Lepisto away with a front kick.
Lepisto might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Virtanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lepisto circles away.
Lauri Lepisto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lepisto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lepisto misses with an uppercut. Virtanen saw that one coming.
The fighters circling - Lepisto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lepisto throws a big shot that misses.
Virtanen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lepisto as he avoids it easily.
Lepisto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lepisto keeps the fight on the outside.
Virtanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lepisto.
Lepisto throws the left hand but Virtanen avoids the punch easily.
Lepisto waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Virtanen.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Virtanen.
Lepisto looks to land a left hand but Virtanen moved out of range nicely.
No luck for Virtanen with that takedown attempt.
Virtanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lepisto throws out the jab.
Lepisto loads up on a big right hand but Virtanen slips the punch.
Lepisto missing with a left hand there. Virtanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Virtanen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lepisto throws a hook but Virtanen avoids it easily.
Lepisto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lepisto slaps away a takedown attempt from Virtanen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Virtanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lepisto.
Virtanen walks into a stiff left hand from Lepisto.
Virtanen shoots in for a double leg but Lepisto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Virtanen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lepisto on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Virtanen lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Lepisto down.
Lepisto wants to get back to his feet.
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 Pascal Virtanen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pascal Virtanen's cut.
That's time! Virtanen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A big left from Lepisto misses.
Virtanen tries to clinch there but Lepisto circles away.
Lepisto looks to land a left hand but Virtanen moved out of range nicely.
Lepisto thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fight stays on the outside here - Lepisto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Virtanen looks for a takedown but Lepisto sprawls well.
A slow jab from Lepisto misses its intended target.
Virtanen moves away from the strike by Lepisto.
Lepisto circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lepisto misses with an uppercut. Virtanen saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Virtanen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Virtanen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Lepisto trying desperately to get to his feet.
Lepisto throwing hammer fists to the chest of Virtanen. What's that going to do exactly?
You get the feeling that Lepisto really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Virtanen is going olschool here, as he tries to force Lepisto to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Lepisto shrugs it off.
Lepisto is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Lepisto is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Virtanen is looking to stand but Virtanen has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Virtanen looking to control but Lepisto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lepisto swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

Virtanen is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Lepisto is surviving well by controlling Virtanen's body position as best he can.
Lepisto is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Virtanen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Lepisto is trying to stand up.

Virtanen wants to finish this one by submission but Lepisto is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Virtanen.

Virtanen wants to finish this one by submission but Lepisto is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Virtanen.
Lepisto's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Virtanen looking for a guillotine from mount but Lepisto is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Virtanen working for a submission but Lepisto is keeping him at bay.
Lepisto is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Virtanen unloading with bombs!
Lepisto trying desperately to get to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lepisto can do anything to dispel that myth.

Virtanen has control of Lepisto's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Lepisto regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Lepisto is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's four 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.
Lepisto is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Lepisto keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Virtanen looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Lepisto is trying to escape the mount.
Lepisto is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Virtanen landing punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pascal Virtanen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Virtanen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Pascal Virtanen!