PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikko Vantinnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timmy Varas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Timmy Varas enters the cage!

Vantinnen
vs
Varas

189 cm
19
212 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

190 cm
20
200 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikko Vantinnen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Timmy Varas!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Paul Aken and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Varas shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vantinnen sprawls well. Vantinnen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Varas gets slowly back to his feet.
Varas swats away the attempt to clinch by Vantinnen.

Vantinnen closes the distance and pushes Varas back into the cage.
Vantinnen digs a right hand into Varas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Varas's gas tank.
Vantinnen looking to throw knees to the head but Varas is blocking nicely.
Vantinnen misses with a knee strike.
Vantinnen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Varas.
Vantinnen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Varas looks gassed!
A right hand to the body from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen trying to land knees to the body.
Varas takes an elbow to the temple.
Varas managing to block the knees to the body from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Vantinnen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Vantinnen misses with a knee to the head.
Vantinnen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vantinnen lands an elbow inside that Varas shrugs off.
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!
Vantinnen looking to throw knees to the head but Varas is blocking nicely.
Vantinnen connects with a knee to the head.
Varas has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vantinnen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vantinnen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Varas takes a shot to the head.
Varas takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vantinnen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Vantinnen lands an uppercut.
Varas taking a breather.
Vantinnen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Varas.
Vantinnen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Varas avoids it.
Vantinnen lands a knee to the head.
Vantinnen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Good body shot from Vantinnen.
Varas blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vantinnen lands a knee to the head.
Varas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Vantinnen tries a body shot but Varas blocks it.
Varas managing to block the knees to the body from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen misses with an elbow strike.
Vantinnen stops a takedown attempt from Varas.
Mikko Vantinnen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timmy Varas.
Varas tries to pull guard but Vantinnen won't allow it.
Vantinnen misses with a knee to the head.
Vantinnen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vantinnen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Varas tries for a takedown. No joy.
Varas avoiding damage as Vantinnen throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vantinnen lands a damaging elbow.
Varas is trying to force a seperation but Vantinnen has the dominant position.
Vantinnen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Varas avoiding damage as Vantinnen throws knees to the body.
Vantinnen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Varas has hold of one of Vantinnen's legs. Vantinnen is fighting the takedown attempt but Varas gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Vantinnen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Varas is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vantinnen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Vantinnen has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Varas off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Vantinnen tries to clinch up but Varas circles away and keeps his distance.
Vantinnen wants to clinch up but Varas keeps it at a distance.

Vantinnen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Vantinnen misses with a knee to the head.
Varas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varas drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Varas pulls Vantinnen into guard.

Vantinnen decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Varas, up you get!
Varas shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vantinnen as he jumps to the side.
Vantinnen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Varas shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Vantinnen pinned against the cage. Vantinnen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Vantinnen rushes Varas and presses him up against the cage.
Vantinnen lands a knee to the head.
Vantinnen tries to throw a body punch but Varas avoids it by throwing Vantinnen back against the cage.
Vantinnen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vantinnen tries to land knees in the clinch but Varas avoids the damage to the body.
Varas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Varas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Varas shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vantinnen defends it nicely.
Vantinnen tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varas circles away from the clinch attempt.

Vantinnen gets caught flat footed, as Varas shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Varas won't allow Vantinnen to get back to his feet.

Vantinnen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Varas can't get the takedown.
Vantinnen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Varas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vantinnen just stands there and leans against the cage.
A hook to the body from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Varas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Varas working hard to break the clinch.
Vantinnen working aggressively here.
Vantinnen connects with a knee to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Varas.
Varas has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Vantinnen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Vantinnen moves in looking to clinch but Varas pushes him off.
Vantinnen is looking to clinch but Varas is avoiding it.
Vantinnen moves in looking to clinch but Varas pushes him off.
Varas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vantinnen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vantinnen is looking to clinch but Varas is avoiding it.

Varas has taken the fight to the clinch.
Vantinnen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Varas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Varas blocks an elbow strike from Vantinnen.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Varas.
Vantinnen lands an elbow inside that Varas shrugs off.
Vantinnen misses with a knee to the head.
Vantinnen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Vantinnen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vantinnen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Varas wants a takedown.
Vantinnen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Varas.
Vantinnen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Varas is defending well for now.
Varas managing to block the knees to the body from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varas is trying to break the clinch but Vantinnen has him pressed against the cage.

Varas gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Vantinnen pushes Varas off looking to stand but Varas dives back in and keeps control.
Varas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
It looks like Varas is going to stand back up.
Varas scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Varas is trying to control. Vantinnen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Vantinnen wants to clinch

and Varas counters with a single leg into guard. Vantinnen didn't expect that.
Vantinnen wants to stand but Varas is controlling the position.
Varas is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Vantinnen scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Vantinnen tries to clinch

and Varas counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Varas stops Vantinnen from standing up.
Varas is looking to work some ground and pound but Vantinnen has wrist control.
Varas is looking to stand up but Vantinnen won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vantinnen wants to stand and escape but Varas is having none of it.
Varas trying to control the position from guard on top but Vantinnen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Varas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Varas stops Vantinnen from standing up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Varas shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Vantinnen pinned against the cage. Vantinnen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mikko Vantinnen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timmy Varas.
Vantinnen tries to clinch up

and Varas holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vantinnen connects with a knee to the head.
Vantinnen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Vantinnen landing knees to the body.

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.
Vantinnen tries to land a knee to the head but Varas blocks with his arms.
Vantinnen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Varas goes for a takedown attempt but Vantinnen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Vantinnen tries to clinch but Varas moves out of range.
Vantinnen wants to clinch
and Varas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vantinnen closes the distance but Varas moves to the side

and Varas counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Vantinnen!
Vantinnen is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vantinnen trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timmy Varas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Varas shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice takedown defense from Vantinnen. No joy for Varas on that attempt.
Vantinnen wants to clinch

and Varas decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Vantinnen's guard.

Vantinnen wriggles free and stands up.
Varas misses with a body kick.
Vantinnen wants to clinch up but Varas keeps it at a distance.
Vantinnen wants to clinch up but Varas keeps it at a distance.
Vantinnen tries to clinch up but Varas circles away and keeps his distance.

Vantinnen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vantinnen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Vantinnen obliges.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Vantinnen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Varas's brow.
Varas takes a knee right on the jaw!
Vantinnen looking to throw knees to the head but Varas is blocking nicely.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Varas.
Varas has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Varas managing to block the knees to the body from Vantinnen.
Varas blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varas wants to break free but Vantinnen has control.
Vantinnen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vantinnen missing with knees to the body.
Vantinnen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Vantinnen tries to land knees in the clinch but Varas avoids the damage to the body.
Vantinnen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Varas has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Varas on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Varas is trying to break free.
Vantinnen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Varas avoiding damage as Vantinnen throws knees to the body.
Vantinnen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Mikko Vantinnen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Varas blocks an elbow strike.

Varas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mikko Vantinnen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vantinnen tries to clinch up but Varas circles away and keeps his distance.
Varas looks for the body kick but Vantinnen saw that one coming.
Vantinnen tries to clinch but Varas is having none of it.
Vantinnen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Varas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vantinnen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Varas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Varas shoots in and drives through. Vantinnen sprawls well.
Mikko Vantinnen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timmy Varas.

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.

Vantinnen moves into the clinch.
Vantinnen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Vantinnen is leaning against Varas and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Vantinnen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Vantinnen has a couple of punches blocked by Varas.
Varas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vantinnen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Vantinnen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Varas.
Vantinnen throws an elbow that misses.
Vantinnen prevents the takedown attempt.
Nice elbow from Vantinnen.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen landing knees to the body.
Vantinnen misses with a knee strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Vantinnen.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Varas just misses with a elbow thrown towards Vantinnen's brow.
Varas wants a takedown.
Vantinnen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Varas is defending well for now.
Vantinnen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Varas is defending well for now.
Vantinnen throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Varas wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Vantinnen walks away with a smile on his face. Varas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Vantinnen moves into the clinch.
Varas managing to block the knees to the body from Vantinnen.
Varas jumps guard but Vantinnen stands there with Varas around his waist. Varas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Vantinnen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Varas.
Vantinnen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Varas's defenses.
Vantinnen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Varas.

Varas lands a takedown into guard.
Varas stops Vantinnen from standing up.
Vantinnen has momentary wrist control but Varas slips an elbow through the middle.
Vantinnen is looking to stand up but Varas isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vantinnen keeping moving, preventing Varas from controlling successfully.
Vantinnen is looking to stand up but Varas isn't so interested in that idea.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Varas tries for a takedown but Vantinnen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vantinnen tries to close the distance and clinch but Varas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vantinnen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Varas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Varas shoots in for a double leg but Vantinnen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vantinnen wants to clinch up but Varas keeps it at a distance.
Mikko Vantinnen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Varas fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Vantinnen avoids it really well and circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Varas closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Vantinnen did well to prevent Varas getting side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Timmy Varas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Varas 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timmy Varas!