PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jerrold Cole (ranked 5446 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Virtanen (ranked 4986 p4p, 0 weight class). Jerrold Cole has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Cole
vs
Virtanen

207 cm
18
151 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jerrold Cole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Virtanen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cole closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Virtanen quickly recovers to half guard.
Virtanen gets back to full guard.
Cole in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Virtanen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Cole has passed into side control.
Cole fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Cole will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The ground and pound from Cole seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Cole misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virtanen is trying to get back to half guard.
Cole has control of an arm but Virtanen manages to advance to Cole's back!
Cole has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Virtanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole can't escape the position.
Cole is trying to get back to his feet but Virtanen has full control of the position and if anything, Cole has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Virtanen throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Cole has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Virtanen throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Virtanen keeps control of the position as Cole tries to break free.
Cole is trying to stand back up.
Cole looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good control from Virtanen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Virtanen is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Cole knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Cole for a finish.
Cole turns into Virtanen and is now in his guard.
Virtanen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Cole lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cole controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Virtanen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cole's guard.

Cole controlling the position.
Cole tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Virtanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Virtanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cole really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Virtanen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cole wants to get back to his feet but Virtanen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Virtanen stands and steps away. Cole gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Virtanen gets a double leg takedown into Cole's guard.
Virtanen trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Virtanen wants to stand but Cole has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cole wants to hit a switch here but Virtanen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Cole there!
Cole is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Virtanen dominated that round.
That's time! Cole's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice takedown defense from Cole. No joy for Virtanen on that attempt.
Virtanen looks for a takedown but Cole sprawls well.
Virtanen with a poor takedown
and Virtanen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jerrold Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Virtanen.
Cole takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Cole tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Virtanen swivels and escapes.
Cole is trying hard to land a takedown here. Virtanen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A jab lands there for Cole.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virtanen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cole is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Virtanen is looking to clinch.
Virtanen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cole manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cole fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Virtanen is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Virtanen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cole avoids it really well and circles away.
Virtanen shoots and misses
and Cole connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Virtanen with a poor takedown
and Cole counters with a straight right hand.
Virtanen is breathing heavily.
Cole dives in and grabs Virtanen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Virtanen pushes down on Cole's head and hops out.
Virtanen lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Virtanen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Virtanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen shoots for a double leg takedown but Cole sprawls well. He's pushed Virtanen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Virtanen moves out of range of the strikes.
A lazy left from Cole finds it's target.
Cole misses with a hook. Virtanen ducked under it nicely.
Cole's jab looks to have found its range, popping Virtanen under the eye.
Virtanen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Cole throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Virtanen tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cole is in Virtanen's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cole postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Virtanen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Virtanen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cole distracts Virtanen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole landing with the ground and pound.
Cole working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cole scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cole distracts Virtanen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cole working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Virtanen has an active guard here but Cole has managed to pass into half guard.
Virtanen taking some punishment here, with Cole in his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Cole is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cole scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Cole working Virtanen over with strikes.
Cole lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Virtanen is trying to control but Cole passes into side control!
Cole cracks Virtanen with a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jerrold Cole dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Cole is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Virtanen's half guard.

Virtanen manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Cole shoots in but Virtanen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Virtanen with the counter takedown but Cole avoids it easily.
Cole cracks Virtanen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Cole gets tackled into the cage by Virtanen. Virtanen maintains the clinch.
Virtanen stalling.
Virtanen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cole avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Virtanen breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole shoots in for a double leg but Virtanen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Virtanen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Virtanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cole looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Virtanen is fending him off so far but Cole persists. Nope, Virtanen circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jerrold Cole. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Virtanen takes a swing at Cole's ribcage but misses.
Cole is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Virtanen tries for a takedown but Cole circles away easily
and Cole cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mike Virtanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cole gets a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Cole wants a takedown.
Cole has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Virtanen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole wants to break the clinch but can't.
Virtanen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cole is defending well.
Virtanen tries to pull guard but Cole forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Virtanen tries to pull guard but Cole forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Cole is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cole jumps guard but Virtanen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Cole managing to block the knees to the body from Virtanen.
Cole wants a takedown but no success here.
Cole goes for a takedown in the clinch but Virtanen prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cole has clasped his hands together around Virtanen's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Cole scores with a couple of short elbows.
Cole gets to mount! Virtanen was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Cole dominating with strikes here.
Virtanen is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Cole lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Virtanen gets back to half guard.
Virtanen is positioning himself well to prevent Cole advancing to mount.
Still in half guard, Cole seems content to control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cole connects with a nice short shot to Virtanen's temple.
Virtanen trying to control from the bottom.
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!
Cole drops an elbow to the side of Virtanen's head.

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 Jerrold Cole.
I think Cole 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jerrold Cole!
The defeated Mike Virtanen had this to say: 'He was the better man today - I'll continue to train and work hard, until that belt is mine. The show must go on'.