PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jarppi Virne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seamus McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Virne comes into the arena with Jeff van Dyck - Soldier's Chant blaring out of the sound system. Jarppi Virne had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Virne
vs
McDonald

187 cm
24
262 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

196 cm
22
245 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jarppi Virne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Seamus McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virne keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
McDonald swats away the attempt to clinch by Virne.
Virne doesn't manage to clinch there - McDonald circles away.
Virne tries to clinch but McDonald is having none of it.
McDonald keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Virne.
Virne feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McDonalds jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

It looks like Seamus McDonald has been cut.
McDonald swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McDonald throws a lazy uppercut

and Virne counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in McDonald's guard now.
McDonald has a closed guard, preventing Virne from standing up.
McDonald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Virne controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McDonald trying to keep a closed guard but Virne is proving a slippery customer.

McDonald looking for a guillotine here but Virne defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virne wants to control from the top but McDonald keeps moving.
McDonald throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
McDonald is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Virne engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Jarppi Virne has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Virne ducks under a wild hook from McDonald.
Virne lunges at McDonald with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McDonald's hand.
McDonald misses with a leg kick.

Virne throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. McDonald was covering up waiting for the punch and Virne finishes the takedown easily into guard.
McDonald trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McDonald looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Virne has picked McDonald up and slammed him! McDonald can't keep hold of the triangle and Virne manages to pass to side control!
McDonald is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Virne wants to control but McDonald is keeping him busy.
McDonald is looking for a sweep.
Check out the look on Virne's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Virne misses with the ground and pound.
Virne landing strikes.
McDonald can't do much from the bottom here.
McDonald is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Virne off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald throws a series of strikes and Virne wriggles onto his back, so he's now mounted. He's in real trouble here.
Virne blocking the ground and pound.
McDonald punching from mount but Virne doing a good job of avoiding damage.
McDonald controlling from the full mount.
McDonald looking to land elbow strikes but Virne uses the position to regain half guard.
McDonald thows a huge punch but Virne dodges it nicely.

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.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but Virne defending well.
McDonald stalling away here and it's allowed Virne to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
McDonald tries to free his leg and advance position but Virne is retaining full guard.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Virne keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonald's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Seamus McDonald has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
McDonald throws a lazy uppercut

and Virne counters by clinching up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarppi Virne dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Seamus McDonald's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A telegraphed right hand from McDonald misses the target.

Virne has managed to clinch.
A short left from Virne.
McDonald lands with a right to the head.
Virne on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Virne is trying to force a seperation but McDonald has the dominant position.
McDonald throws a head punch that misses.
McDonald tries for a takedown but Virne manages to get underhooks.
McDonald is trying to break free.
Virne is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
McDonald prevents Virne from breaking the clinch.
Virne scores with a shoulder strike.

McDonald manages to break the clinch.
Virne tries to close the distance and clinch up but McDonald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Virne tries to clinch but McDonald is having none of it.
McDonald misses with a right hand

and Virne counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Virne wanted to stand there but McDonald had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McDonald is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Virne is aware though and is defending well.
McDonald working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Virne.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virne with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Virne's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Virne trying to control but McDonald is working from the bottom.
McDonald tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jarppi Virne overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McDonald is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McDonald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Virne loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Virne with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
McDonald has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Virne wants to stand and escape but instead McDonald has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
McDonald postures up in Virne's guard and throws a big left but Virne blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Virne swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Virne utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Virne looking for a sweep. Not yet Virne, not yet.
Virne controls McDonald momentarily but McDonald frees himself.
McDonald throws a strike but Virne rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

McDonald is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McDonald controls Virne momentarily but Virne frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Virne has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McDonald throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Virnes head.

Virne breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McDonald misses with a body shot.
Jarppi Virne is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Virne fails with the takedown.
McDonald comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Seamus McDonald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circle momentarily. McDonald darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

It looks like Jarppi Virne has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonald jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McDonald scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Virne takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Virne moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald connects with an inside leg kick.
McDonald looks to throw the jab but Virne is out of range.
McDonald bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Virne's head.
McDonald with a nice cross.
McDonald scores with a sloppy right hand. Virne should have avoided that one.

Jarppi Virne's cut is getting worse.
McDonald scores with a body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for McDonald.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McDonald.
McDonald is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Virne.
McDonald connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
McDonald misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Seamus McDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McDonald throws a hook but Virne blocks it.
Virne blocks a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McDonald throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
McDonald misses with a wild combination.
McDonald misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McDonald throws a hook but Virne blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seamus McDonald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Virne's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Virne shoots in and bounces McDonald off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
McDonald striking off his back but it's not causing Virne any problems.

McDonald looking for a guillotine here but Virne defends easily.
Virne seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
McDonald is trying to control the position but Virne postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Virne throwing strikes from guard but McDonald blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald trying to control the position.
Virne trying to control but McDonald is working from the bottom.
McDonald working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Virne.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Virne throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McDonald.
Virne bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McDonald's head backwards.
Virne takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Oooooh!!! McDonald has knocked Virne down with a huge combo! McDonald steps away and waves a wobbly Virne back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald misses with an uppercut. Virne saw that one coming.
McDonald lands with a kick to the ribs.
McDonald throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice cross by McDonald.

Jarppi Virne's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
McDonald throws a right and a left that Virne avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald slips a straight right by Virne.
Virne avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Virne tries to clinch there but McDonald circles away.
Virne takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Virne tries to clinch
and McDonald cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McDonald looks to score with a jab to the body but Virne is just out of range.
McDonald throws a nice inside leg kick.
McDonald lands a two punch combo.
McDonald takes one on the button.
Seamus McDonald seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Virne tries to clinch but McDonald is having none of it.
McDonald jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
McDonald scores with a nice head shot.
McDonald throws a nice looking combination but Virne bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A jab from McDonald misses.
Virne tries to clinch but McDonald is having none of it.
Virne lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McDonald circles away quickly and effectively.
McDonald throws a shot from downtown. Virne moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald on the wrong end of a nice jab.
McDonald misses the jab.
McDonald misses with a jab, cross combination.
McDonald misses the body punch

and Virne counters by clinching up.
Virne trying to control the position but instead, McDonald has worked for underhooks and has pushed Virne into the cage.
Virne takes a shot to the head.
Virne doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Virne wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McDonald has him pressed against the cage.
McDonald blocks an uppercut.
Virne jumps guard but McDonald stands there with Virne around his waist. Virne gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
McDonald misses with an elbow strike.
McDonald is looking to control Virne's arms but Virne gets an underhook and turns him. Now McDonald has his back to the cage.
Virne tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McDonald smiles and moves away.
McDonald keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McDonald.
Virne misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jarppi Virne. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald throws a shot to the body.
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!
McDonald with a hook.
McDonald misses with a two punch combination.
McDonald throws a series of punches but Virne avoids them all with ease.
McDonald swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Virne counters with a three punch combo that has McDonald backing up. McDonald nods at Virne to acknowledge the strikes.
McDonald loads up on a big right hand but Virne slips the punch.
McDonald walks into a straight right hand from Virne.
McDonald throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McDonald tries to bum rush Virne with a series of wild strikes but Virne uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Virne misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McDonald.
McDonald scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Virne doesn't seem bothered though.

McDonald tries to keep at a distance but Virne has taken the fight into the clinch.
McDonald trying to stall but Virne improves his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seamus McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McDonald 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seamus McDonald!