PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Artturi Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aalio Paalio II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paalio II has chosen Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Virtanen
vs
Paalio II

202 cm
24
285 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

200 cm
21
290 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Artturi Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aalio Paalio II!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virtanen throws a nice looking combination but Paalio II bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice defenses there by Paalio II.
Virtanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Virtanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Paalio II swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Paalio II avoids the body shot from Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with a straight left.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Paalio II, right into the meat.
Virtanen throws a looping overhand right but Paalio II ducks down to avoid it.

Paalio II closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Paalio II has Virtanen pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Paalio II pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Virtanen tumbling to the mat - Paalio II dives into Virtanen's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Paalio II accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Virtanen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Virtanen can't keep his opponent in guard - Paalio II advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paalio II missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Paalio II lands with a punch from half guard.

Paalio II is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Virtanen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Paalio II missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Paalio II sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Virtanen defending well though.
Virtanen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Paalio II.
Paalio II throwing shots but Virtanen is blocking nicely.

Paalio II is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Virtanen is just riding it out for now. Paalio II eventually gives up the hold.
Paalio II prevents Virtanen from standing back up.
Virtanen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Virtanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paalio II gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Virtanen looks to land a left hand but Paalio II moved out of range nicely.

Paalio II rushes Virtanen and presses him up against the cage.
Virtanen wants to break the clinch but can't.

Paalio II gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Paalio II thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Paalio II sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Virtanen defending well though.
Virtanen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Paalio II is working away from the top position though.
Virtanen pushes Paalio II off looking to stand but Paalio II dives back in and keeps control.
Paalio II not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Paalio II not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Paalio II is working for a kimura but Virtanen is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen is holding on to half guard well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Paalio II keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Virtanen tries to clinch up
and Paalio II counters with a leg kick.
Virtanen closes the distance looking to clinch

and Paalio II counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Paalio II throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Paalio II throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Paalio II.

Paalio II thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Virtanen looking for a sweep. Not yet Virtanen, not yet.
Paalio II has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Paalio II in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Paalio II content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Paalio II is fighting to break Virtanen's control of his arms but Virtanen is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Paalio II prevents Virtanen from getting back to his feet.
Virtanen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Paalio II in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Paalio II postures up in Virtanen's guard and throws a big left but Virtanen blocks it.
Paalio II working some strikes from top position.
Paalio II pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Virtanen is keeping the position for now.
Paalio II with a flurry of punches that miss.
Paalio II looks gassed!
Paalio II missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Virtanen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aalio Paalio II dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Paalio II gets the takedown into side control.
Paalio II throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Virtanen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Paalio II has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Paalio II is trying to get an arm triangle but Virtanen is defending well.
Virtanen managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Paalio II.
Virtanen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Paalio II on the ground.
Paalio II tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Virtanen is looking to reverse the position.
Paalio II creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Virtanen sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Virtanen is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Virtanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paalio II moves away.
Virtanen throws a right hand that Paalio II ducks under and follows up with a left that Paalio II also avoids with ease.
Virtanen looks to throw the jab but Paalio II is out of range.
Virtanen looks to land a right hand but Paalio II moved out of range.
Artturi Virtanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paalio II uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Paalio II clinches with his opponent.
Paalio II prevents Virtanen from breaking the clinch.
Virtanen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Paalio II drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Virtanen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Paalio II drops down looking for an ankle pick but Virtanen pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two 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.
Virtanen tries to clinch up

and Paalio II counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Paalio II.
Virtanen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Virtanen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Paalio II working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Paalio II thows a big elbow that misses.
Paalio II working some strikes from top position.
Paalio II prevents Virtanen from getting back to his feet.
Aalio Paalio II has got the better of the ground game so far.
Paalio II won't allow Virtanen to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paalio II chips away with some ground and pound.
Paalio II postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Paalio II throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Virtanen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Virtanen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Paalio II missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Paalio II throws a big right hand that misses.
Paalio II is breathing heavily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Virtanen misses the shot to the body.
Virtanen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paalio II.

Paalio II rushes Virtanen and presses him up against the cage.
Paalio II tries to score a body lock takedown but Virtanen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Artturi Virtanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aalio Paalio II.
Paalio II changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Virtanen fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Paalio II gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Virtanen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Paalio II tries for a takedown but Virtanen manages to get underhooks.

Paalio II has clasped his hands together around Virtanen's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Virtanen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Paalio II.

Paalio II looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Paalio II prevents Virtanen from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aalio Paalio II showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Virtanen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Virtanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paalio II was well out of range. Poor timing from Virtanen.
Virtanen tries to clinch up

and Paalio II holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Paalio II changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Virtanen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virtanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paalio II manages to avoid it.
Paalio II attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paalio II displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Virtanen throws out the jab.
Virtanen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Paalio II drops his hands momentarily and Virtanen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Virtanen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paalio II tries to move into range but Virtanen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Virtanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paalio II.
Virtanen misses with a wild body shot.
Virtanen swinging wilding here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Virtanen swinging wilding here.

Paalio II scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paalio II working Virtanen over with strikes.

Paalio II is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Virtanen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paalio II.
Paalio II not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Paalio II prevents Virtanen from standing back up.
Paalio II scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Paalio II thows a huge punch but Virtanen dodges it nicely.
Paalio II sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Virtanen defending well though.
Virtanen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Paalio II trying to mount his opponent but Virtanen defends it.
Paalio II thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Virtanen's head.
Paalio II thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Virtanen's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen pushes Paalio II off looking to stand but Paalio II dives back in and keeps control.
Virtanen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Paalio II.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Virtanen darts in trying to clinch

and Paalio II counters with a takedown into side control.
Virtanen struggling a bit here.
Paalio II throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Paalio II lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Virtanen down.
Paalio II tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Paalio II working the ground and pound but Virtanen is defending the strikes.
Paalio II throws an elbow but Virtanen slips to the side and avoids it well.
Virtanen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Paalio II has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Paalio II working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Paalio II throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paalio II tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Paalio II has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Paalio II in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Virtanen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Paalio II circles away quickly and effectively.
Virtanen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Paalio II looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Artturi Virtanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Virtanen scores with a jab to the body.
Virtanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paalio II was well out of range. Poor timing from Virtanen.
Virtanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Virtanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A combination from Virtanen does no damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Artturi Virtanen.
I think Paalio II has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aalio Paalio II!