PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ilmari Virtanen (ranked 2973 p4p, 325 weight class) and Phil Pollock (ranked 3963 p4p, 404 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Virtanen
vs
Pollock

184 cm
28
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

184 cm
25
200 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ilmari Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Phil Pollock!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by Pollock.
Virtanen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Pollock looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Pollock stalks Virtanen and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Virtanen's face. Virtanen staggers backwards, shaken.
Virtanen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pollock swivels and escapes.
Virtanen throws a sloppy head kick and Pollock moves out of range easily.
Virtanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Virtanen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pollock.
Virtanen looks for a takedown but Pollock sprawls well.
Virtanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pollock manages to avoid it.
Pollock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Virtanen works over Pollock's head and body with a nice combination.
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!
Virtanen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pollock swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ilmari Virtanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pollock slaps away a takedown attempt from Virtanen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Virtanen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Virtanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Virtanen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Pollock tests Virtanen's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pollock throws a series of punches but Virtanen avoids them all with ease.
Pollock throws a leg kick which misses Virtanen's front leg but catches the back leg as Virtanen tries to avoid it.
Virtanen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pollock looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Pollock throws a leg kick but Virtanen checks it.
Virtanen feinted with a counter takedown.
Pollock takes a swing at Virtanen's ribcage but misses.
Virtanen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Pollock wants to land a leg kick but Virtanen is out of range.
Pollock lands a body shot.
Pollock throws a front kick aimed at Virtanen's knee but Virtanen avoids it well.
Virtanen misses the shot to the body.
Pollock appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Pollock throws a looping overhand right but Virtanen ducks down to avoid it.
Virtanen throws a right and a left that Pollock avoids nicely.
Virtanen throws a right and a left that Pollock avoids nicely.
Virtanen throws a body punch but Pollock moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Virtanen.
Pollock uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Virtanen.
Phil Pollock is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pollock throws a big shot that misses.
Pollock has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Virtanen is looking to wear down Pollock with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Virtanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pollock manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pollock misses with a low kick.
Virtanen looks to score with a jab to the body but Pollock is just out of range.
As Virtanen backs off Pollock throws a huge counter combo but Virtanen manages to avoid it all.
Virtanen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pollock moves out of range as Virtanen throws a body kick.
Pollock on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pollock throws a body punch but Virtanen moves out of range.
Virtanen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Virtanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pollock manages to avoid it.
Virtanen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pollock tries to avoid it but Virtanen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pollock to the ground. Pollock escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pollock motions for Virtanen to come forward. Pollock throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pollock attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Virtanen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Virtanen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Good work by Virtanen as he checks the leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Pollock.
Pollock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Virtanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Pollock.
Virtanen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Virtanen has his takedown stuffed
and Pollock counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pollock dodges the punch combination from Virtanen.
Virtanen shoots in but Pollock avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pollock lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Pollock throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Virtanen lands a lovely overhand right.
Virtanen connects with a body shot.
Pollock lands with a hook. Virtanen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Virtanen scores with a hook to the body. Pollock takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pollock.
Virtanen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Virtanen misses with a hook.
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!
A good leg kick by Pollock.
Pollock will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pollock tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Virtanen shoots in and gets a takedown into Pollock's guard.
Virtanen trying to control but Pollock is working from the bottom.
We've been hearing that Virtanen has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Pollock working a defensive guard here.
Virtanen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Pollock trying to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pollock can do anything to dispel that myth.
Pollock manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Virtanen manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Virtanen seems keen to control Pollock's posture.

Virtanen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pollock is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Phil Pollock will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Virtanen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pollock avoids it really well and circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Pollock.
Pollock throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Pollock looks to land a combination. Virtanen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Virtanen shoots in and bounces Pollock off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Virtanen trying to control but Pollock is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Virtanen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Virtanen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Virtanen stands up over Pollock, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Virtanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Pollock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Virtanen passes Pollock's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Virtanen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ground and pound from Virtanen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pollock wants to control but Virtanen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Virtanen throwing shots but Pollock is blocking nicely.
Virtanen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pollock keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pollock is trying to stand back up but Virtanen is controlling him
Pollock is positioning himself well to prevent Virtanen advancing to mount.
Pollock is staying active underneath Virtanen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Virtanen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Pollock tries to roll over but Virtanen keeps him under control.
Virtanen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pollock with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Virtanen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen thows a huge punch but Pollock dodges it nicely.
Virtanen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ground and pound from Virtanen.
Virtanen throwing shots but Pollock is blocking nicely.
Virtanen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Virtanen wants to work for an arm triangle but Pollock is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Virtanen working the head and body with strikes.
Virtanen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pollock's head.
Pollock wants to improve his position but Virtanen is controlling well.
Virtanen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Pollock wants to control but Virtanen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen lands strikes from half guard.
Virtanen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Virtanen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Virtanen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Virtanen working Pollock over with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Virtanen wants to control but Pollock is keeping him busy.
Virtanen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilmari Virtanen dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Virtanen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Virtanen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pollock throws a leg kick that misses.
Virtanen fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ilmari Virtanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Virtanen shoots for a takedown but Pollock saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Virtanen misses with a takedown
and Pollock counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Virtanen thinking.
Virtanen swings for the body but Pollock moves out of range.
Pollock only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Virtanen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pollock dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Virtanen. That did some damage!
Phil Pollock seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pollock with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pollock tests Virtanen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Virtanen scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pollock punishes Virtanen's body with a nice straight punch.
Pollock moves away from the strike by Virtanen.
Virtanen swings for the body but Pollock moves out of range.
Virtanen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Pollock lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Virtanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Virtanen works over Pollock's head and body with a nice combination.
Danga de danga de dang - Pollock scores with a four punch combination!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pollock tries to work over Virtanen's front leg with a kick but Virtanen checks it.
Pollock doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Virtanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Virtanen shoots in but Pollock avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ilmari Virtanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Virtanen punishes Pollock's body with a nice straight punch.
Virtanen throws a shot from downtown. Pollock moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen swings for the body but Pollock moves out of range.
Virtanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Virtanen looking to score a takedown here. Pollock is defending well but Virtanen drives through and ends up in Pollock's guard.
Pollock is adopting a defensive guard.
Virtanen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Virtanen lands a couple of digs.
Virtanen throwing strikes from guard but Pollock blocks nicely.
Pollock trying to control the position.
Pollock really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Virtanen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen trying to control but Pollock is working from the bottom.
Virtanen is in close to Pollock's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Virtanen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Virtanen throwing strikes but missing.
Virtanen connects with a couple of short punches.
Pollock pulls Virtanen in close to his closed guard and prevents Virtanen from doing any damage or advancing position.
Pollock is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Virtanen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Virtanen working some strikes from top position.
Virtanen passes into half guard.
Virtanen is nestled in close to Pollock, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ilmari Virtanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Virtanen throwing shots but Pollock is blocking nicely.

Virtanen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pollock is just riding it out for now. Virtanen eventually gives up the hold.
Pollock looks like he's trying to stand up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ilmari Virtanen.
I think Virtanen 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ilmari Virtanen!