PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mario Betoli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jarppi Virne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Betoli comes to the ring accompanied by Mario theme. Virne has chosen Jeff van Dyck - Soldier's Chant as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Betoli
vs
Virne

195 cm
40
282 lbs
43 - 24 - 0

187 cm
35
262 lbs
17 - 22 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Heavy handed

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 43 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mario Betoli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jarppi Virne!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, William Gold and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Betoli tries to score a power double leg takedown but Virne sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Betoli somewhat.

Virne closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Betoli's guard.
Virne slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Betoli is trying to get back to half guard.
Betoli is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Betoli is looking to control Virne's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Betoli avoid being mounted?

Virne is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Betoli doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Virne.
Betoli moves into full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Betoli holds on and takes a little breather.
Betoli keeping moving, preventing Virne from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betoli wants to sweep here but Virne controlling him for the moment.
Virne tries to free his leg and advance position but Betoli is retaining full guard.
Betoli looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Betoli is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Betoli is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Virne is just riding it out for now. Betoli eventually gives up the hold.
Virne is looking for a sweep. Betoli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Virne is still trying to improve position.
Virne has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Virne is refusing to be controlled, as Betoli sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Betoli 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.
Virne tries to roll over but Betoli keeps him under control.
Virne won't allow Betoli to pass to mount.
Virne is not content to let Betoli control the position.
Betoli is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Virne is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

We're going to have a standup here because Mario Betoli wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Virne shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Virne was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betoli tries to buck Virne off but Virne is having none of it.
Virne controls the position from side control.
You can see the frustration on Betoli's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Virne advances to full mount.
Betoli is desperately trying to improve his position but Virne has a good base and remains in mount.
Betoli is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Virne takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Betoli is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is working to get back to half guard.
Betoli tries to lock up and control but Virne gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Betoli sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Betoli is looking to improve his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Virne seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Betoli does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Virne controlling the action here.
Betoli wants to improve his position but Virne is controlling well.
Betoli trying to hold on to Virne's head to control him but Virne postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Betoli shoots in for a double leg but Virne sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mario Betoli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Virne stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Virne wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Betoli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Betoli closes the distance and clinches up with Virne, looking for a takedown. Betoli pushes Virne against the ropes but Virne circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Betoli enables Virne to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Betoli manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Virne trying to control the position from guard on top but Betoli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Betoli wants to hit a switch here but Virne passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Betoli there!
Betoli is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Virne wants to control the pace but Betoli is squirming around nicely.
Betoli tries to hold on but Virne pushes him away.
Virne controlling from the full mount.
Betoli tries to hold on but Virne postures up.
Virne tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Virne looking to control but Betoli is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Betoli tries to hold on but Virne pushes him away.
Betoli holds on, trying desperately to control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Betoli is squirming around, avoiding Virne's attempts to control the action.
Virne avoids the attempt from Betoli to control.
Virne trying to control but Betoli is having none of it.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is trying to escape the mount.
Virne avoids the attempt from Betoli to control.
Virne trying to control but Betoli is having none of it.
Virne avoids the attempt from Betoli to control.
Betoli is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Betoli is trying desperately to improve position.
Virne wants to control the pace but Betoli is squirming around nicely.
We've been hearing good reports from Betoli's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Virne is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Betoli slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is trying to control but can't.
Betoli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Betoli is in trouble now - Virne has advanced to mount!
Betoli is trying to escape the mount.
Virne looking to control but Betoli is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Virne might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Betoli haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Virne prevents Betoli from getting the reversal.
Virne trying to control but Betoli is having none of it.
Betoli is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Betoli tries to hold on but Virne pushes him away.
Betoli is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Virne controlling the pace for now.
Betoli tries to hold on but Virne postures up.
Virne trying to control but he's not successful this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virne controlling from mount.
Betoli is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jarppi Virne will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Betoli shoots for a double leg takedown but Virne sprawls well. He's pushed Betoli's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jarppi Virne is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Virne closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Betoli did well to prevent Virne getting side control.
Betoli wants to control but Virne is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Virne wants to lay and pray for a moment but Betoli keeps working.
Virne looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Jarppi Virne has got the better of the ground game so far.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Betoli makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Betoli.
Betoli keeping moving, preventing Virne from controlling successfully.

Jarppi Virne has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Virne gets the takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Betoli is not content to let Virne control the position.
Betoli sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betoli wants to improve his position but Virne is controlling well.
Betoli controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Betoli moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Betoli looking to control.
Betoli managing to control the position.
Betoli keeping full guard, as Virne tries to pass.
Virne keeps trying to improve his position.
Betoli looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Betoli is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Mario Betoli wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Betoli dives in for a single leg takedown but Virne sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.

Virne pulls Betoli into guard.
Betoli looking to pass the guard.
Betoli wants to control from the top but Virne keeps moving.
Betoli tries to free his leg and advance position but Virne is retaining full guard.
Betoli wants to control from the top but Virne keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Mario Betoli wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Betoli.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Betoli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Betoli fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Virne avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betoli looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Betoli misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Betoli is trying hard to land a takedown here. Virne sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Virne looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Virne is trying to control. Betoli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Virne sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Betoli is looking for a sweep. Virne is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Virne passes the guard and advances to mount!
Virne looking to control but Betoli is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virne tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Betoli is trying to escape the mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Betoli is working hard here to advance position.
Virne tries to control but Betoli wriggling away.
Betoli is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Virne trying to control but Betoli is having none of it.
Betoli sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Virne's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Virne's back!
Betoli tries to keep control of the position but Virne is staying busy.
Virne can't escape the position.
Betoli trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Virne doesn't escape.
Betoli tries to get the hooks in deep but Virne pushed the leg off.
Virne manages to reverse the position and now he's in Betoli's guard. Nice work there by Virne.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Virne postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Mario Betoli.
Betoli fails to land the takedown.
Betoli shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Virne but Virne pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Virne drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Virne working away.
Betoli is looking to reverse the position.
Virne slows the pace down.
Betoli is looking to regain half guard here but Virne keeps moving and retains side control.

Virne tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
A lull in the action here as Virne stalls from top position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Virne wants to lay and pray for a moment but Betoli keeps working.
Betoli sneaks back into half guard.
Virne is keen to just control but Betoli is a slippery customer.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jarppi Virne.
Betoli looks for a takedown but Virne sprawls well.

Virne looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Virne's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Virne's back!

Betoli working for the choke.

Betoli is persistently looking for the submission but Virne is defending it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Virne is in a bad position with Betoli working for a choke. Virne manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
Betoli is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Betoli keeping full guard, as Virne tries to pass.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Virne controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Betoli wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Virne is now in half guard.
Betoli won't allow Virne to pass to mount.
Virne prevents Betoli from improving his position.
Betoli moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Betoli trying to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betoli keeping moving, preventing Virne from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarppi Virne showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Virne shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Betoli is trying to defend but Virne finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Betoli tries to roll over but Virne keeps him under control.
Betoli trying to control but Virne postures up.
Virne wants to pass to mount but Betoli is defending the position.
Virne works his foot free and advances to mount.
Virne trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betoli tries to hold on but Virne postures up.
Virne tries to control but Betoli wriggling away.

Virne looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Virne trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Betoli tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Betoli regains half guard.
Betoli keeping hold of Virne's head, controlling as best he can.
Betoli trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virne trying to control the action but Betoli is working from the bottom.
Virne prevents Betoli from improving his position.
Betoli has a hand on Virne's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Virne takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Betoli really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Virne trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Virne controlling his opponent.
Betoli is looking to improve his position but Virne isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virne controlling from mount.
Betoli is squirming around, avoiding Virne's attempts to control the action.
Betoli can't escape the position.
Betoli manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Betoli keeping hold of Virne's head, controlling as best he can.
Virne wants to free his trapped foot but Betoli is holding on for dear life with his legs.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jarppi Virne wasn't active enough on the ground.

Virne closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
A lull in the action here.
Virne takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betoli sneaks back into half guard.
Betoli tries to get to full guard but Virne has control of the leg.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Betoli moves into full guard.
Betoli is trying to keep Virne in close.
Virne trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Virne thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Betoli looking to hit a scissor sweep but Virne is one step ahead there.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Virne postures up.
Virne trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Betoli is trying to control the position but Virne postures up.
Virne trying to control the position from guard on top but Betoli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Betoli looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Virne gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Betoli is looking to pass into half guard but Virne pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Virne is in guard.
Virne is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Betoli working a defensive guard here.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Betoli had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Virne defends it easily.
Virne sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Betoli's guard.
Virne works his way into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Betoli tries to improve position but can't.
Betoli is being controlled here.
Virne trying to control the position but Betoli is working away.
Betoli is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Betoli can't do much from the bottom here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is looking to regain half guard here but Virne keeps moving and retains side control.
Betoli is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Virne is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Virne wants to control the pace but Betoli is squirming around nicely.
Betoli holds on for dear life, controlling Virne's posture momentarily.
Betoli working to try and regain half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is squirming around, avoiding Virne's attempts to control the action.
Betoli tries to lock up and control but Virne gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Betoli tries to reverse the position but Virne maintains control.
Virne wants to control the pace but Betoli is squirming around nicely.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Betoli tries to hold on but Virne postures up.
Virne trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Betoli is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Virne working for a submission but Betoli is keeping him at bay.

Virne is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Betoli is surviving well by controlling Virne's body position as best he can.
Betoli is trying desperately to improve position.
Virne can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Betoli is looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betoli is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jarppi Virne.
Well Virne has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jarppi Virne!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Jarppi Virne!
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight for Jarppi Virne!

Jarppi Virne wins by unanimous decision!