PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bertti Wirtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Real Dragon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wirtanen comes to the cage accompanied by Korpiklaani - vodka. This should be a great matchup!

Wirtanen
vs
Dragon

186 cm
23
177 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

180 cm
23
170 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bertti Wirtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Real Dragon!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Taro Takaoka and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dragon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dragon wants it to stay on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wirtanen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wirtanen wants to clinch.

Wirtanen gets a clinch.
Wirtanen tries to land a knee to the head but Dragon blocks with his arms.
Wirtanen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Wirtanen throws a knee to the head but misses.

Dragon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A good leg kick by Dragon.

Dragon has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wirtanen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wirtanen misses with a knee to the head.
Wirtanen is breathing heavily.
Wirtanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dragon effectively controlling the action here.

Dragon breaks the clinch.

Dragon closes the distance and pushes Wirtanen back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dragon stalls.
Wirtanen misses with a knee to the head.
Wirtanen tries to land a knee to the head but Dragon blocks with his arms.

Dragon breaks from the clinch.

Dragon takes the fight into the clinch.
Dragon lands a nice knee to the body.

Dragon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wirtanen blocks a head kick by Dragon.
Dragon throws a head kick that misses.
A lazy left from Dragon finds it's target.
Dragon throws a nice head kick!
Dragon misses with a head kick.
Dragon pushes Wirtanen away with a front kick.
Dragon scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dragon closes the distance and pushes Wirtanen back into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Dragon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Dragon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dragon lands a good knee to the midsection. Wirtanen won't want to take too many of those.

Dragon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dragon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dragon lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Dragon has Wirtanen up against the cage in a clinch.

Dragon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dragon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dragon throws a sloppy head kick and Wirtanen moves out of range easily.

Dragon forces Wirtanen back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dragon breaks from the clinch.

Dragon clinches up against the cage.
Wirtanen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Knees to the body from Dragon.

Dragon breaks from the clinch.

Dragon rushes Wirtanen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Wirtanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dragon blocks it with crossed arms.
Dragon displaying some good clinch control by pressing Wirtanen up against the cage.

Dragon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dragon thuds his shin into the meat of Wirtanen's side.

Dragon rushes Wirtanen and presses him up against the cage.
Dragon landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Dragon manages to break the clinch.
Dragon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Dragon clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wirtanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wirtanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wirtanen avoiding damage as Dragon throws knees to the body.

Dragon manages to break the clinch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Dragon.

Dragon has closed the distance and engaged Wirtanen in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dragon lands a nice elbow.

Dragon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dragon throws a sloppy head kick and Wirtanen moves out of range easily.
Wirtanen on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dragon lands a nice looking body kick.
Dragon lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Dragon lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Real Dragon 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.

Dragon throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Wirtanen.
Wirtanen has a takedown stuffed.

Dragon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wirtanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Dragon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dragon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Dragon clinches.
Wirtanen tries to land a knee to the head but Dragon blocks with his arms.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Dragon in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Wirtanen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dragon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Dragon manages to break the clinch.

Dragon closes the distance and pushes Wirtanen back into the cage.
Dragon lands a nice elbow.

Dragon breaks from the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wirtanen looks for a takedown but Dragon sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dragon drives through and clinches with Wirtanen against the cage.
Dragon throws an elbow that misses.

Dragon breaks from the clinch.
Dragon throws a head kick that misses.

Dragon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wirtanen, pushing him back against the cage.

Dragon manages to break the clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dragon.
A head kick misses from Dragon.

Dragon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wirtanen, pushing him back against the cage.
Dragon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wirtanen tries to land a knee to the head but Dragon blocks with his arms.

Dragon breaks from the clinch.
Wirtanen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Dragon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dragon takes the fight into the clinch.
Dragon unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Knees to the body from Dragon.
Wirtanen misses with a knee to the head.
Wirtanen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wirtanen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Dragon lands a knee to the body.
Dragon is pushing Wirtanen up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A short left from Dragon.
Dragon lands with a light punch inside.

Dragon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dragon misses with a two punch combination.

Dragon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Dragon obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dragon pushes Wirtanen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Dragon lands an elbow inside.

Dragon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dragon throws a nice inside leg kick.
Dragon throws a head kick that misses.
Dragon scores with a head kick.
Dragon misses with a few strikes there.
Dragon lands a front kick.
Dragon lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Wirtanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dragon throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dragon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dragon clinches up with Wirtanen and pushes him back against the cage.
Dragon dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Dragon breaks the clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Dragon.
Wirtanen avoids the head kick by Dragon.
Dragon darts in trying to clinch

so Wirtanen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Dragon had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Wirtanen is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Dragon Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Wirtanen's back instead.
Dragon throwing sloppy strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Real Dragon 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. And we move into the final round!

Wirtanen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Dragon throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A low kick from Dragon is predictable there

and Wirtanen counters by clinching up.
Wirtanen tries to land a knee to the head but Dragon blocks with his arms.
Wirtanen tries a knee to the head but Dragon blocks it.
Wirtanen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wirtanen will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

Dragon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dragon clinches with his opponent.
Wirtanen blocks an elbow strike from Dragon.
Wirtanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dragon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice body kick from Dragon.
Wirtanen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dragon can pounce on him.

Dragon closes the distance and pushes Wirtanen back into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dragon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dragon throws a head kick that Wirtanen semi-blocks.
Dragon scores with a nice head shot.

Dragon moves into the clinch.
Dragon missing with knees to the body.
Wirtanen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dragon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Dragon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A lazy body kick from Dragon

and Wirtanen counters with a shoot takedown. Dragon fights it but they end up in guard.
Wirtanen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Dragon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wirtanen wants to stand but Dragon is controlling his posture from full guard.
Dragon wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dragon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Dragon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wirtanen is aware though and is defending well.
Dragon has a closed guard, preventing Wirtanen from standing up.
Wirtanen stays in close to Dragon's body and controls the position.

Dragon manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Wirtanen throws a nice looking combination but Dragon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wirtanen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Dragon counters with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wirtanen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wirtanen blocks a head kick by Dragon.

Dragon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wirtanen, pushing him back against the cage.
Dragon's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Wirtanen misses with a knee to the head.
Wirtanen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dragon lands a damaging elbow.

Dragon breaks from the clinch.
Wirtanen misses with a takedown attempt
and Dragon counters with a good low kick that Wirtanen was not able to check.
Bertti Wirtanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wirtanen misses with a takedown attempt
and Dragon counters with a nice kick to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Dragon. No joy for Wirtanen on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bertti Wirtanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.

Dragon closes the distance and clinches.
Bertti Wirtanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wirtanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dragon throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dragon misses with a knee strike.
Dragon looking to throw knees to the head but Wirtanen is blocking nicely.
Wirtanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wirtanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dragon blocks it with crossed arms.
Dragon lands a good knee to the midsection. Wirtanen won't want to take too many of those.
Wirtanen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Wirtanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dragon blocks it with crossed arms.
Wirtanen misses with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Dragon.
Dragon avoiding damage.
Wirtanen looking to throw knees to the head but Dragon is blocking nicely.
Wirtanen throws a knee to the head but misses.

Dragon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Real Dragon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wirtanen moves out of range of the body kick from Dragon.

And that's the end of the fight!
Real Dragon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dragon 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 26:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 26:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Real Dragon!