PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pauli Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Olli Kuhta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Virtanen comes to the cage accompanied by Ice Cube - Right Here, Right Now. Kuhta has chosen Break Out as his entrance music. The key to victory for Pauli Virtanen has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Virtanen
vs
Kuhta

205 cm
19
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
160 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Skinshop (LOTS OF GIF`S!)

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pauli Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Olli Kuhta!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuhta walks into a left hand.
Kuhta is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Virtanen.
Virtanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kuhta at a distance.
Virtanen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kuhta shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Virtanen as he jumps to the side.
Virtanen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Kuhta pushes Virtanen up against the cage in a clinch.

Kuhta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Virtanen throws a one two combo.
Virtanen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Virtanen scores with the left hand. Kuhta knows he should have avoided that one.
Virtanen connects with a body shot.
Virtanen displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kuhta fails in his attempt to clinch.
Virtanen circles away from the clinch attempt.

Virtanen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kuhta to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Virtanen wants to hit a switch here but Kuhta passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Virtanen there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen is working to get back to half guard.
Virtanen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kuhta lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Virtanen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kuhta tries to control but Virtanen wriggling away.
Virtanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Virtanen tries to lock up and control but Kuhta gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Virtanen is trying to reverse the position but instead Kuhta has taken his back - oops!
Kuhta doesn't have the hooks in and Virtanen manages to turn into his guard.
Virtanen looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Virtanen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Virtanen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kuhta doesn't seem bothered though.

Kuhta gets a clinch.

Kuhta has clasped his hands together around Virtanen's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Virtanen is trying to get back to half guard.
Virtanen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Virtanen moves into full mount! Kuhta won't be happy about that!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Virtanen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Kuhta turns into him and now he's in Virtanen's guard.
Virtanen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kuhta manages to get himself to full guard.
Virtanen tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuhta is retaining full guard.
Kuhta trying to keep a closed guard but Virtanen is proving a slippery customer.
Kuhta is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Virtanen advances position into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuhta is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Virtanen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Virtanen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Virtanen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Virtanen has knee on belly and moves into mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pauli Virtanen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kuhta walks into a jab.
Pauli Virtanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Virtanen!
Virtanen scores with a nice right hand.
Pauli Virtanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuhta takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kuhta walks into a jab.
Kuhta showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Virtanen.
Virtanen lands a jab.
Kuhta has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Virtanen scores with a hook.
Virtanen scores with a jab to the head.
Virtanen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Virtanen lands a jab-cross combination.
Kuhta has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Virtanen finds it's way round the side to connect with Kuhta's head.
Virtanen scores with a nice strike.
Kuhta takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Virtanen lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen connects with a looping right hand.
Virtanen throws a shot to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Virtanen!
Kuhta wants to clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Virtanen scores with a four punch combination!
Virtanen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Virtanen stalks Kuhta and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kuhta's face. Kuhta staggers backwards, shaken.
Jab from Virtanen.
Virtanen scores with a sloppy right hand. Kuhta should have avoided that one.
Kuhta takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Virtanen scores with a nice head shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuhta looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Virtanen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Virtanen sizes up Kuhta with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Virtanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Virtanen cracks Kuhta with an open hand slap.
Virtanen keeps the fight on the outside.

Kuhta gets a clinch.

Kuhta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuhta has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kuhta throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A nice combination there by Virtanen.
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 connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kuhta throws the left hand but Virtanen avoids the punch easily.
Kuhta has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Virtanen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Virtanen lands a nice shot that snaps Kuhta's head back.

Kuhta rushes Virtanen and presses him up against the cage.
Virtanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Virtanen is working for takedown but Kuhta is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kuhta has Virtanen pressed against the cage, preventing Virtanen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuhta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Virtanen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kuhta on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Virtanen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Virtanen scores with a jab.
Virtanen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kuhta takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Virtanen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Virtanen slips a straight right by Kuhta.
Kuhta moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Virtanen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Virtanen.
Kuhta doesn't manage to clinch there - Virtanen circles away.
Virtanen thuds his right hand into Kuhta's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kuhta walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Virtanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Virtanen lands a glancing blow to the side of Kuhta's head.
Virtanen looks to land a combination. Kuhta sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kuhta tries to clinch but Virtanen moves out of range.
Kuhta is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Virtanen does no damage.
Virtanen jabs at Kuhta's body.
Virtanen lands an overhand right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Virtanen sizes up Kuhta with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A bone on bone clash there as Kuhta blocks the leg kick.
Virtanen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Virtanen displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Virtanen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Virtanen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Virtanen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Virtanen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Virtanen slips under a jab.
Virtanen throws out a leg kick but Kuhta moves out of range and Virtanen only half commits.
The fighters circle momentarily. Virtanen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virtanen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Virtanen throws a series of strikes that have Kuhta backpedaling.
Virtanen looks to land a combination. Kuhta sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kuhta takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pauli Virtanen dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Virtanen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Danga de danga de dang - Virtanen scores with a four punch combination!
Kuhta tries to clinch but Virtanen moves out of range.
Virtanen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Virtanen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A right-left combo lands from Virtanen.
Kuhta misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A lazy left from Virtanen finds it's target.
Pauli Virtanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Virtanen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kuhta has time to react.
Virtanen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Virtanen tests Kuhta's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Kuhta fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Virtanen, pushing him back against the cage.

Kuhta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuhta walks into a left hand.
Virtanen throws a series of strikes that have Kuhta backpedaling.
Virtanen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kuhta backs up against the cage.
Virtanen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Pauli Virtanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuhta throws a push kick but Virtanen slaps the foot to one side.
Kuhta closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Virtanen punishes Kuhta's body with a nice straight punch.
Kuhta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Virtanen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Danga de danga de dang - Virtanen scores with a four punch combination!
Virtanen lands with a nice body punch.
Virtanen scores with a nice right hand.
Virtanen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kuhta on the side of the head.
Virtanen dips to his left and cracks Kuhta with an uppercut!
Virtanen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kuhta wants to clinch up but Virtanen keeps it at a distance.
Virtanen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Kuhta has closed the distance and engaged Virtanen in a clinch.
Virtanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kuhta can do to turn this around?
Virtanen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Kuhta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Virtanen scores with a jab to the body.
Virtanen is working the combinations to good effect here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Virtanen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Virtanen.
Virtanen displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Virtanen misses with a wild combination.
A punch combination from Virtanen misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Virtanen!
Kuhta tries to close the distance and clinch up but Virtanen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jab by Virtanen.
Kuhta shoots in looking for a takedown. Virtanen tries to sprawl out of it but Kuhta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Virtanen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Danga de danga de dang - Virtanen scores with a four punch combination!
Virtanen lands a lovely overhand right.
Jab by Virtanen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Virtanen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A cross from Virtanen lands.
Virtanen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuhta takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Virtanen misses with a few strikes there.
Kuhta moves forwards but Virtanen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Virtanen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kuhta takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A left lands for Virtanen.
Virtanen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Virtanen thuds a left hand into Kuhta's body.
Kuhta closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kuhta walks into a stiff left hand from Virtanen.
Virtanen jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Virtanen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kuhta has time to react.
Virtanen lands with a shot to the body.
Virtanen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Virtanen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Decent striking displayed by Virtanen there.
Virtanen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Virtanen closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Virtanen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Virtanen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Virtanen with a hook.
The crowd cheers as Virtanen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kuhta doesn't seem phased though.
Virtanen scores with a jab to the head.
Virtanen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kuhta walks into a straight right hand from Virtanen.
Kuhta gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Virtanen.
Kuhta on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kuhta ducks right into an uppercut from Virtanen.
Nice shot by Virtanen.
Left hook, right uppercut from Virtanen.
Kuhta walks into a stiff left hand from Virtanen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virtanen cracks Kuhta with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Virtanen connects with a looping right hand.
Kuhta tries to clinch but Virtanen moves out of range.
Olli Kuhta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pauli Virtanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuhta has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kuhta there as he acknowledges the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pauli Virtanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Virtanen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:25
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:25
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:25

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