PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elias Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominick Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Virtanen's entrance music is Haittavaikutus - Matkalla. A fine choice. Jackson has chosen Jay Z - Moment of Clarity as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Virtanen
vs
Jackson

174 cm
29
162 lbs
21 - 5 - 0

170 cm
31
155 lbs
24 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Brute
ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30 (5% Laundry SALE)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Elias Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dominick Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a jab when Jackson was well out of range.
Jackson lands a nice shot to the body.
Virtanen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Virtanen feints and then cracks Jackson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Jackson down.
Virtanen tries to land a front kick but Jackson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A combination from Jackson does no damage.
Jackson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jackson checks a low kick from Virtanen.
Virtanen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jackson throws out a leg kick but Virtanen moves out of range and Jackson only half commits.
Virtanen throws a leg kick which misses Jackson's front leg but catches the back leg as Jackson tries to avoid it.
Virtanen connects with a high kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jackson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jackson looks to land a body kick but Virtanen moved away.
Virtanen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Virtanen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Jackson takes a step back to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Jackson.
Jackson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Virtanen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Virtanen cracks the inside of Jackson's front leg.
Virtanen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Jackson connects with a body shot that sends Virtanen's belly button to the back.
Virtanen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Jackson throws a shot to the body.
Virtanen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Virtanen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A swing and a miss from Jackson.
Virtanen lands a head kick. Jackson smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Virtanen looks to score with a jab to the body but Jackson is just out of range.
Jackson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Virtanen rather than just go for the knockout.
Virtanen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Jackson is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jackson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jackson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Virtanen cracks a nice hook into Jackson's ribs.
Virtanen clobbers Jackson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Jackson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Virtanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Virtanen throws a front kick aimed at Jackson's knee but Jackson avoids it well.
Virtanen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Jackson throws a leg kick
and Virtanen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Virtanen moves out of range of the body kick from Jackson.

Jackson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Jackson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Virtanen's elbow.
Virtanen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jackson is defending well for now.
Virtanen scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson prevents a body shot from Virtanen.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Jackson pushes Virtanen up against the cage in a clinch.
Virtanen scores with a hook to the body.

Virtanen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Jackson moves into the clinch successfully.
Virtanen misses with a knee strike.
Virtanen is trying to break free.
Virtanen blocking some punches.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Virtanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Virtanen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jackson's face.
Virtanen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Jackson tries to throw a body punch but Virtanen avoids it by throwing Jackson back against the cage.
Virtanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jackson blocks it with crossed arms.
Virtanen lands a good knee to the midsection. Jackson won't want to take too many of those.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jackson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Virtanen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen lands an uppercut.
Jackson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Virtanens head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with an elbow strike.
Virtanen tries a body shot but Jackson blocks it.
Nice body punch from Virtanen - that landed with a thud.
Virtanen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Jackson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Virtanen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jackson.

Virtanen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Virtanen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Virtanen throws the kick towards the body but Jackson avoids it.
Jackson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Virtanen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jackson is out of range and Virtanen settles back down.
Virtanen fails with an attempt to clinch.

Jackson forces Virtanen back against the cage and clinches.
A short uppercut from Jackson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Virtanen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Virtanen throws a head kick that misses
and Jackson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Elias Virtanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Jackson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Jackson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Virtanen can pounce on him.
Nice shot by Jackson.
Jackson throws a right hand that misses
and Virtanen counters with a nice leg kick.
Jackson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Jackson misses with a low kick.
Virtanen connects with a leg kick. Jackson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Virtanen.
Jackson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Jackson lands a lovely overhand right.
Virtanen tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.

Jackson clinches up with Virtanen and pushes him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Virtanen tries to work over Jackson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A shot in the inside from Virtanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Virtanen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Jackson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Virtanen lands with a short shot to the head.
Elias Virtanen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Jackson misses with a punch to the body.
Virtanen lands a body punch in the clinch.
Jackson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Virtanen lands with a right to the head.
Virtanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Jackson avoids the damage to the body.
Virtanen blocks a body shot from Jackson.
Jackson lands a right hand.
Virtanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jackson is trying to break free.
Virtanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Virtanen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Virtanen is defending well for now.
Virtanen blocks the elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson managing to block the knees to the body from Virtanen.
Jackson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Virtanen avoids it.
Virtanen lands an uppercut.
Virtanen lands an elbow that stopped Jackson in his tracks for a moment.
Jackson misses with a punch to the body.
Jackson is working Virtanen over against the cage.
Virtanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Jackson tries to land knees in the clinch but Virtanen avoids the damage to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Virtanen.
Virtanen working hard to break the clinch.
Virtanen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nice body punch from Virtanen.
Jackson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Virtanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jackson blocks an uppercut.
A knee to the head by Virtanen.
Jackson can't find room to land a body shot as Virtanen controls the action.
Jackson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Jackson is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson misses with a body punch.
Virtanen blocks a body shot from Jackson.
Virtanen misses with a knee to the head.
Jackson lands an elbow inside that Virtanen shrugs off.
A short right from Jackson on the inside.
Virtanen works on Jackson's body with a couple of short punches.
A short body shot lands from Virtanen as the two fighters clinch.
Jackson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Virtanen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
Virtanen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Virtanen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Virtanen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Virtanen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Virtanen is able to avoid easily.
Virtanen lands with a slapping head kick.
Virtanen scores with a nice head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen throws a leg kick which misses Jackson's front leg but catches the back leg as Jackson tries to avoid it.
Jackson takes one to the chin there.
Virtanen throws a leg kick which misses Jackson's front leg but catches the back leg as Jackson tries to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Jackson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Virtanen - the referee stops the clock and Jackson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Virtanen. Jackson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Jackson swats away the attempt to clinch by Virtanen.
A head kick misses from Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a body kick that misses.
A slow jab from Virtanen misses its intended target.
Virtanen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Virtanen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Virtanen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Virtanen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Virtanen dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Virtanen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Jackson swings widly with a right hand
and Virtanen makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Jackson really felt that one!
Jackson blocks a leg kick.
Jackson connects with a crisp jab.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jackson blocks a head kick by Virtanen.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Virtanen.
Virtanen scores with a kick to the body.
Virtanen tries to clinch there but Jackson circles away.
Virtanen moves out of range as Jackson strikes.
Jackson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jackson avoids the head kick by Virtanen.
Virtanen thows a leg kick but Jackson checks it
and Jackson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Virtanen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jackson is out of range and Virtanen settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Jackson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Virtanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jackson manages to avoid it.
Jackson cracks a nice hook into Virtanen's ribs.
Virtanen lands an overhand right.
Jackson throws an overhand right that lands on Virtanen's shoulder, as Virtanen tries to avoid the shot.
Virtanen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Jackson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Jackson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Virtanen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Virtanen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Jackson is out of range.
Jackson throws a leg kick but Virtanen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Virtanen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Virtanen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Jackson under the eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson takes a kick to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Virtanen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Jackson has managed to clinch.
Jackson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Jackson trying to land knees to the body.
Virtanen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Jackson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jackson dodges an elbow strike from Virtanen.
Jackson working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.
Jackson lands a knee to the body.
Jackson wants to break free but Virtanen has control.

Virtanen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jackson staying out of range there.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses.
Jackson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jackson scores with a head kick.
Virtanen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Jackson connects with a jab.
Virtanen tries to land a front kick but Jackson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Dominick Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Jackson has closed the distance and engaged Virtanen in a clinch.
Virtanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jackson blocks it with crossed arms.
Jackson prevents a body shot from Virtanen.
Jackson blocks a body shot from Virtanen.
Virtanen connects with a knee to the head.
Jackson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Virtanen's elbow.
Jackson misses with a punch to the body.
Jackson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson lands a body shot.
Virtanen lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Virtanen misses with a knee to the head.
Jackson keeps control of Virtanen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Jackson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Virtanen throws the left hand but Jackson avoids the punch easily.
Virtanen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Jacksons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Virtanen blocks a leg kick.
Virtanen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Some bone on bone action there as Virtanen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Jackson blocks a head kick by Virtanen.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Virtanen misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Virtanen.
Virtanen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elias Virtanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Virtanen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elias Virtanen!