PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ara Virta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mista Blista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mista Blista will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Virta
vs
Blista

174 cm
23
183 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

190 cm
26
185 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

XTREME PWNAGE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ara Virta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mista Blista!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters circling a little - Blista finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Blista connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Virta's hands.
Virta throws a head kick that misses
and Blista counters with a head kick.
Virta lands a nice shot that snaps Blista's head back.
Virta throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Decent striking displayed by Blista there.
Virta pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ara Virta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blista takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Virta uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Virta lands with a good body shot.

Virta gets the takedown into side control.
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!
Virta taking a breather here.
Virta seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Blista for as long as he can get away with.
Blista wants to control but Virta postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virta working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Blista seems a little lost for a moment, as Virta dominates the positioning.
Virta misses with the ground and pound.
Blista is looking to regain half guard here but Virta keeps moving and retains side control.
Virta tries to move to mount but Blista blocks the move with his legs.
Virta taking a breather here.
Blista can't do much from the bottom here.
A lull in the action here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Blista can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Virta scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Blista lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Virta throws a nice looking combination but Blista bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Virta throws a jab when Blista was well out of range.
Virta avoids a punch combination nicely.
Virta throws a half hearted mid kick.
Blista thows a body shot but no joy.

Virta manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Blista on his heels. He'll look to pass Blista's guard now, I'm sure.
Virta slips nicely into half guard.
Blista trying to control here.
Virta looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Virta is trying to work for a kimura but Blista is defending well.
Virta is controlling the pace.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ara Virta wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Blista takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Virta throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Virta misses with an uppercut
and Blista counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Blista scores with a leg kick.
Virta takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Virta comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Blista takes a swing at Virta's ribcage but misses.
Virta fails with a takedown attempt.
Virta takes one on the button.
Virta throws a leg kick but Blista sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Virta tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blista was well out of range. Poor timing from Virta.
Virta has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Blista finds it's way round the side to connect with Virta's head.
Virta tries to clinch but Blista is having none of it.
Mista Blista is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blista scoring well with a low kick there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virta turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A cross from Virta lands.
Blista moves out of range as Virta throws a body kick.
Virta lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Blista gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Virta.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Virta moves out of range of the body kick.
Blista 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.
Virta pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Blista back to the cage. Virta follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Virta scores with a jab. Blista acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Virta thows a left - swing and a miss!
Blista throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blista takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Blista swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ara Virta is winning the standup battle so far.
Blista on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Virta drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blista wants to control but Virta postures up.
Blista trying his best to control but Virta has mounted him.
Virta content just to control the position here.
Virta thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Blista tries to reverse the position but Virta maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virta tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Blista wants to hold on but Virta pushes him away.
Virta controlling from the full mount.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Blista wants to hold on but Virta pushes him away.
Virta sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blista wants to hold on but Virta pushes him away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Virta.
Blista slips a jab and a cross from Virta.
Some wild striking there from Blista.
Virta misses with the combination.
Blista blocks a leg kick.
Ara Virta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Blista avoids the body shot from Virta.
Virta lands a nice leg kick that just misses Blista's sensitive parts.
Blista connects with a leg kick. Virta looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Virta will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virta takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Virta falls off balance throwing a combination
and Blista counters with an inside leg kick.
Virta throws a shot from downtown. Blista moves away and avoids it.
Blista fakes the leg kick and cracks Virta in the body.
Blista lands a front kick.
Blista scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Virta on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Virta misses with a lunging right hand
and Blista counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Blista throws a hook but Virta avoids it easily.
Virta takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nice defenses there by Blista.
Virta thows a body kick. Blista tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Blista avoids the head kick by Virta.
A left and a right from Blista both land. Nice combination.
Blista has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Blista throws a body punch but Virta moves out of range.
Virta 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.
Blista lands with a right hand.
Blista misses with a body kick.
Virta misses the shot to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Blista.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Blista tries to avoid it but Virta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Blista to the ground. Blista escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Blista rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Virta moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The fighters circling - Virta throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big right from Virta misses.
Virta is looking to score with low kicks.
Blista fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Blista uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Virta.
Virta lands a slapping body shot.
Blista throws a solid leg kick but Virta takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Blista.
Virta throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Blista 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 Virta has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Virta and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Virta darts in and clinches Blista up against the cage.
Virta is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Blista's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Virta lands with a left to the head.
Virta manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virta is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Blista is defending well for now.
Virta lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Virta lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Virta as the two fighters clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ara Virta dominated that second round.
That's time! Virta's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Blista checks a leg kick.
Blista misses with a looping right.
Virta throws a leg kick but Blista sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Blista misses with a double jab.
Blista uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Virta.
Virta swinging wildly here.

Virta is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Blista's half guard.
Blista wants to control but Virta is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Virta trying to control the pace.
Virta uses his free foot to push down on Blista's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Blista.
Virta controlling his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virta's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Blista tries to reverse the position but Virta maintains control.
Virta controlling his opponent.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Virta cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Blista is in all sorts of trouble here.
Virta raining down hammerfists from mount.
Blista tries to lock up and control but Virta gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Virta looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blista tries to hold on but Virta pushes him away.
Virta content just to control the position here.
Blista tries to hold on but Virta postures up.
Blista holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Virta tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virta tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Blista is wriggling around trying to escape.
Virta controlling from mount.
Blista is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Virta controlling the position easily from mount.
Blista keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Virta controlling the pace for now.
Blista is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ara Virta clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A jab from Virta does it's job there.
Virta is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Blista can do to turn this around?
Virta throws a front kick aimed at Blista's knee but Blista avoids it well.
Blista throws a right and a left that both miss.
Virta falls off balance throwing a combination
and Blista counters with an inside leg kick.
Virta misses with a double jab.
Virta bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Blista's head.
Blista lands a body shot.
Virta gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Blista.
Virta throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Virta fails in his attempt to clinch.
Virta throws an overhand right that lands on Blista's shoulder, as Blista tries to avoid the shot.
Virta pivots, looking for a leg kick but Blista is out of range and Virta settles back down.
Virta punishes Blista's body with a nice straight punch.
Virta misses with a double jab.
Blista looks for the body kick but Virta saw that one coming.
Virta blocks a low kick nicely.
Virta throws a hook to the side of Blista's head but Blista sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Blista connects with a solid leg kick.
Virta lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Virta rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Blista moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A slow jab from Virta misses its intended target.
Virta bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Blista's head.
Blista throws out a loose jab but Virta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Virta scores with a kick to the midsection.

Virta has Blista up against the cage in a clinch.
Come on Virta - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Virta lands an elbow inside that Blista shrugs off.
The referee calls for Virta to work.
Blista is trying to maintain a safe position but Virta gets an underhook and turns Blista into the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A short right from Blista.
Virta leaning his opponent against the cage.
Blista wants to get back to striking at distance but Virta won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blista prevents a takedown attempt there.
Blista misses with a short punch on the inside.
Blista blocks an elbow strike from Virta.
Blista tries to break the clinch but Virta is controlling the position.
Virta landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Blista is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Virta is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Blista is defending well for now.
A right hand to the body from Virta.
A head punch on the inside from Blista fails to land.
Virta holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Blista misses with a punch to the body.
Blista wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Virta has Blista pressed against the cage, preventing Blista from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The referee is keeping an eye on Virta - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A short uppercut from Virta.
Virta lands a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Virta lands a shoulder strike.
Virta lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Blista backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blista is trying to force a seperation but Virta has the dominant position.
Virta drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Blista is trying to break the clinch but Virta is controlling him.
Virta keeps control of Blista as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Blista doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Blista is trying to push Virta away but Virta has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Blista misses with some punches.

Virta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Virta shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Virta tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Blista is able to avoid easily.
Virta misses with a looping left.
Virta throws a leg kick which misses Blista's front leg but catches the back leg as Blista tries to avoid it.
Blista checks a leg kick.
Blista throws a hook but Virta avoids it easily.
Virta scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nice jab there from Virta.
Blista looks to score with a jab to the body but Virta is just out of range.
Blista smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Blista, right into the meat.
Virta tries to clinch up.
Virta swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A slapping leg kick lands for Blista.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Virta.
Blista misses the shot to the body.
Virta connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Virta looks to land a right hand but Blista moved out of range.
Nice defenses there by Virta.
Blista throws a looping overhand right but Virta ducks down to avoid it.
Virta throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Virta throws a half hearted mid kick.
Virta takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Blista pivots, looking for a leg kick but Virta is out of range and Blista settles back down.
Blista swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Virta slips under a jab from Blista.
Virta misses with a few strikes there.
Blista slips a jab from Virta.
Virta throws a head kick that misses.
Virta throws a nice looking combination but Blista bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ara Virta had his way with Mista Blista in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Virta throws a sloppy head kick
and Blista cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Virta tries to land a leg kick but Blista saw it coming and moves away.
Virta takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Virta tries to clinch but Blista moves out of range.
Blista scores with a shot to the body.
Virta scores with a nice head shot.
Virta misses with a low kick.
Blista lands with a thumping leg kick.
Virta lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Virta closes the distance and clinches up with Blista, looking for a takedown. Virta pushes Blista against the cage but Blista circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Blista.
Blista turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Blista - that will leave a mark!
No luck for Virta with that takedown attempt.
Virta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Virta takes one on the chin but seems OK.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Blista pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Virta misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blista throws a quick inside leg kick.
Virta looks to score with a jab to the body but Blista is just out of range.
A low kick from Virta is predictable there
and Blista counters with a nice uppercut.
Virta takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Virta shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Blista lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Virta moves into the clinch.
Virta tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ara Virta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blista has a couple of punches blocked by Virta.
The referee calls for Virta to work.
Blista wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Blista working aggressively here.
Nice body punch from Virta - that landed with a thud.
Blista tries to stall but Virta uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Virta lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Virta manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Blista blocks the elbow strike.
Blista is looking to break free of the clinch but Virta has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virta lands a good knee to the midsection. Blista won't want to take too many of those.
Blista tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Virta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Blista is trying to break the clinch but Virta is controlling him.
Virta looking to slow down the pace here.
Blista misses with the head strike.
Blista takes an elbow to the temple.
Blista stalling against the cage.
Virta pressing his opponent against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Virta as Blista tries to tie him up.
Blista wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Virta blocks an uppercut.
Virta lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Virta has clasped his hands together around Blista's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Blista is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The referee asks Virta politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Virta prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Virta are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Blista is trying to control Virta's posture but Virta avoids it.
Virta staying calm.
Blista really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Virta. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Virta grinds an elbow into Blista's temple.
Mista Blista has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Blista is looking to regain half guard here but Virta keeps moving and retains side control.
Blista is being controlled here.
Blista is looking for a sweep.
Virta throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Virta happy to just control the position for now.
Ara Virta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Blista is trying to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ara Virta showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Virta has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 50:45
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 50:45
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ara Virta!
Ara Virta retains his middleweight title!