QFC Tournament 51 Round 3 PBP Commentary

Co-main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Juhani Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Havas Mitautas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Virtanen
vs
Mitautas

168 cm
23
142 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Juhani Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Havas Mitautas!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virtanen misses with a low kick.
Mitautas throws a head kick that half lands.
Virtanen moves out of range of the body kick from Mitautas.
Virtanen 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.
Virtanen blocks a head kick by Mitautas.
Mitautas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Virtanen closes the distance but Mitautas moves to the side
and Mitautas counters with a low kick, right behind Virtanen 's knee.
Mitautas blocks a low kick nicely.
A big left from Mitautas misses.
Virtanen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mitautas checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Virtanen is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitautas moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Juhani Virtanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Virtanen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Virtanen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mitautas lands with a kick to the ribs.

Mitautas gets tackled into the cage by Virtanen. Virtanen maintains the clinch.
Mitautas is trying to maintain a safe position but Virtanen gets an underhook and turns Mitautas into the cage.
Virtanen stalling in the clinch.
Virtanen throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Virtanen lands a nice uppercut.
Mitautas taking a breather.
Virtanen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen misses with an elbow strike.
Virtanen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mitautas backwards.
Virtanen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Virtanen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mitautas avoids a wild elbow strike from Virtanen.
With the fighters up against the cage, Virtanen throws an elbow but misses.
Virtanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Virtanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mitautas blocks the elbow strike.
Virtanen tries to stall but Mitautas uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Virtanen lands an elbow inside that Mitautas shrugs off.

It looks like Havas Mitautas has been cut.
Mitautas blocks an uppercut.
Mitautas lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Virtanen displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mitautas up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitautas wants to stall.
Mitautas working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mitautas.
A short right from Virtanen on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Mitautas fails to land.
Virtanen leaning against his opponent.
Mitautas blocks an elbow strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Virtanen as Mitautas tries to tie him up.
Virtanen being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitautas tries to stall but Virtanen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mitautas blocks the elbow strike.
Virtanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Mitautas avoids the damage to the body.
Mitautas trying to stall but Virtanen improves his position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Havas Mitautas.
Virtanen moves in looking to clinch but Mitautas pushes him off.
Mitautas circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mitautas misses with a kick to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mitautas doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch but Mitautas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mitautas misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Juhani Virtanen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Havas Mitautas's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Some bone on bone action there as Virtanen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Virtanen avoids the body shot from Mitautas.
Mitautas fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Virtanen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Virtanen is looking to score with low kicks.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mitautas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Virtanen is looking to clinch.

Virtanen drives through and clinches with Mitautas against the cage.
Virtanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Virtanen.
Virtanen blocking some punches.
Mitautas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mitautas dodges an elbow strike from Virtanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
With the fighters up against the cage, Virtanen throws an elbow but misses.

Mitautas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mitautas checks a leg kick.
Virtanen tries to clinch but Mitautas is having none of it.
Virtanen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Virtanen checks the leg kick.
Mitautas throws a body kick that misses.
Mitautas circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitautas throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Virtanen blocks a head kick by Mitautas.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mitautas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A clash of legs there as Virtanen blocks the low kick.
Mitautas misses with a head kick.
Virtanen tries to clinch up
and Mitautas counters with a head kick. That will keep Virtanen thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Mitautas avoids a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Virtanen throws out a leg kick but Mitautas moves out of range and Virtanen only half commits.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen moves in looking to clinch but Mitautas pushes him off.
Virtanen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mitautas tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Virtanen is able to avoid easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mitautas.
Mitautas fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Virtanen checks it well.
Virtanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mitautas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Mitautas. Virtanen shrugs it off though.
Havas Mitautas seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Virtanen gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Virtanen misses with an elbow over the top.
Virtanen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Virtanen holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Virtanen throws an elbow but it misses.
Virtanen misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Mitautas as the two fighters clinch.
Mitautas avoiding damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Virtanen blocking some punches.
Virtanen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mitautas blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Havas Mitautas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Havas Mitautas's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Virtanen tries to clinch but Mitautas is having none of it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mitautas.
Mitautas will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Mitautas throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Virtanen misses with a body kick.
Virtanen is looking to clinch but Mitautas is avoiding it.
Mitautas thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Virtanen if he has to take too many more of those.
Mitautas pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mitautas throws a head kick that Virtanen semi-blocks.
A low kick from Mitautas misses
and Virtanen counters with an inside leg kick.
Virtanen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Virtanen darts in and clinches Mitautas up against the cage.
Juhani Virtanen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mitautas is looking to control Virtanen's arms but Virtanen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mitautas has his back to the cage.
Mitautas is stalling here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mitautas.
Mitautas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mitautas is trying to maintain a safe position but Virtanen gets an underhook and turns Mitautas into the cage.
Virtanen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mitautas avoids the elbow strike from Virtanen, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Virtanen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Mitautas trying to stall but Virtanen improves his position.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Virtanen.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mitautas has a couple of punches blocked by Virtanen.
Mitautas has a couple of punches blocked by Virtanen.
Virtanen lands an elbow that stopped Mitautas in his tracks for a moment.
Virtanen lands with a short shot to the head.
Mitautas wants to get back to striking at distance but Virtanen won't allow it.
Virtanen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Virtanen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mitautas struggles to land a body shot inside as Virtanen controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitautas working hard to break the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Virtanen.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Virtanen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mitautas working hard to break the clinch.
Virtanen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Virtanen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Virtanen throws an elbow but it misses.
Virtanen misses with an elbow strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mitautas stalling in the clinch but Virtanen improves position.
Virtanen misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen misses with an elbow over the top.
Mitautas wants to stall.
Mitautas holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Virtanen misses with a punch to the body.
Virtanen throws an elbow that misses.

Mitautas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mitautas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mitautas throws a solid leg kick but Virtanen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mitautas.
Virtanen clobbers Mitautas with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Virtanen wants to clinch up but Mitautas keeps it at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Havas Mitautas.
I think Mitautas 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight for Havas Mitautas!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Juhani Virtanen!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Havas Mitautas!

Havas Mitautas wins by split decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
47%

Main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Harry Keogh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitry Sitnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Keogh comes to the cage accompanied by Droppin' Plates by Disturbed. Dmitry Sitnikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Keogh
vs
Sitnikov

170 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

174 cm
23
142 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Harry Keogh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dmitry Sitnikov!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keogh's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Keogh duly obliges.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sitnikov is defended easily by Keogh.
Keogh swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sitnikov.

Sitnikov is rocked!
Keogh throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sitnikov throws a chopping leg kick but Keogh manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Keogh misses with a wild combination.
Sitnikov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Keogh sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Keogh tries to bum rush Sitnikov with a series of wild strikes but Sitnikov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keogh misses with the combination.
Keogh lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sitnikov fails with a takedown attempt.
Harry Keogh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitry Sitnikov.
Keogh looks to land a combination. Sitnikov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sitnikov is still on wobbly legs! Can Keogh finish him?
Harry Keogh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Keogh lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sitnikov circles away quickly and effectively.
Sitnikov seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keogh throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Keogh throws out a loose jab but Sitnikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sitnikov fails with the takedown
and Keogh counters with a three punch combo that has Sitnikov backing up. Sitnikov nods at Keogh to acknowledge the strikes.
Sitnikov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Keogh lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Harry Keogh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Keogh throws a combination. Sitnikov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Keogh tries to land a front kick but Sitnikov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitnikov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Keogh looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Keogh throws a jab when Sitnikov was well out of range.
Keogh throws a leg kick but Sitnikov checks it.

Sitnikov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Keogh to the ground. Sitnikov is now in Keogh's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sitnikov wants to control from the top but Keogh keeps moving.
Sitnikov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sitnikov drops back looking for a leg! Keogh is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Keogh manages to kick Sitnikov off! Sitnikov jumps back into Keogh's guard.
Sitnikov wants to pass the guard but Keogh is keeping the position.
Sitnikov wants to control from the top but Keogh keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sitnikov forces his way into half guard.
Sitnikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Keogh keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Keogh throws a series of punches but Sitnikov avoids them all with ease.
Keogh looks to land a combination but Sitnikov avoids it well.
Keogh throws a right and a left that Sitnikov avoids nicely.
Keogh works the jab nicely.
Keogh lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Keogh misses with a series of wild punches.
Harry Keogh is winning the standup battle so far.
Keogh throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitnikov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A punch combination from Keogh misses.
Sitnikov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Keogh misses with a jab, cross combination.
Keogh misses with the combination.
Sitnikov shoots for a double leg takedown but Keogh sprawls well. He's pushed Sitnikov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sitnikov shoots for a takedown but Keogh saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keogh misses with a double jab.
A jab from Keogh finds it's way through Sitnikov's defenses.
Keogh will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Keogh rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sitnikov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Some wild striking there from Keogh.
Keogh lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sitnikov circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keogh displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sitnikov.
Harry Keogh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitry Sitnikov.
Sitnikov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Keogh misses with a two punch combination.
Sloppy strikes from Keogh. Those never looked like landing.
Sitnikov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Keogh tries to bum rush Sitnikov with a series of wild strikes but Sitnikov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sitnikov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Keogh tries to avoid it but Sitnikov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Keogh to the ground. Keogh escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sitnikov slips a jab and a cross from Keogh.
Keogh displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sitnikov.
Sitnikov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Keogh throws a right and a left that Sitnikov avoids nicely.
Keogh misses with a series of wild punches.
Sitnikov slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Keogh dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Keogh throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sitnikov.
Keogh throws a nice looking combination but Sitnikov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Keogh displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sitnikov.
Sloppy strikes from Keogh. Those never looked like landing.
Keogh throws an overhand right that lands on Sitnikov's shoulder, as Sitnikov tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keogh misses with a series of wild punches.
Keogh cracks Sitnikov with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Keogh, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Keogh throws a lazy right hand but Sitnikov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sitnikov dodges the punch combination from Keogh.
Sitnikov slips a jab and a cross from Keogh.
Keogh ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Keogh throws a jab when Sitnikov was well out of range.

Sitnikov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Keogh!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sitnikov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Sitnikov tries to control but Keogh wriggling away.
Sitnikov mounts Keogh! Really nice guard pass there!
Sitnikov trying to control but Keogh is having none of it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sitnikov working for a submission but Keogh is keeping him at bay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sitnikov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Keogh to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Keogh shrugs it off.

Keogh defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Sitnikov.

Sitnikov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Keogh to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Keogh shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keogh wants to control but Sitnikov is having none of it.

Sitnikov is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Keogh can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Sitnikov wants to take Keogh's back but he can't do it this time.
Keogh is squirming around, avoiding Sitnikov's attempts to control the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sitnikov with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitry Sitnikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Keogh 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 Donald Grub scores the fight for Harry Keogh!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Harry Keogh!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Harry Keogh!

Harry Keogh wins by unanimous decision!
Harry Keogh seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.