PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elias Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Guy Kopec (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Virtanen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Haittavaikutus - Matkalla. Kopec has chosen Boats 'N Hoes as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Virtanen
vs
Kopec

174 cm
33
162 lbs
25 - 12 - 2

200 cm
33
165 lbs
13 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Merciless Gladiators

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 25 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Elias Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Guy Kopec!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kopec tries a low kick but Virtanen avoids it.
Virtanen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Virtanen rushes Kopec and presses him up against the cage.
Kopec is trying to break the clinch but Virtanen is controlling him.
Virtanen misses with a knee to the head.
Virtanen lands with a light punch inside.
Kopec wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Virtanen fails to land.
Kopec tries to work over Virtanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Knees to the body from Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kopec blocks it with crossed arms.
Kopec prevents a body shot from Virtanen.
Kopec changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Virtanen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Virtanen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kopec's head.
Kopec swinging wildly here.
Kopec is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nice defenses there by Kopec.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Virtanen has managed to clinch.
Virtanen working aggressively here.
Kopec looking to stall.
A nice left hand lands by Virtanen.
Virtanen scores a nice knee to the body.

Kopec breaks the clinch.
Kopec tries a head kick but it misses.
Virtanen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kopec.
Kopec misses the shot to the body.
Virtanen misses with a body kick.
Virtanen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kopec.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kopec lands a nice leg kick that just misses Virtanen's sensitive parts.
Virtanen throws a chopping leg kick but Kopec manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Virtanen. That's going to slow Kopec down.
Virtanen is looking to land body kicks.
A leg kick checked by Virtanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen is looking to score with low kicks.
Virtanen misses with a head kick.
Virtanen throws a nice outside leg kick.
No joy there for Kopec, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kopec throws a right and a left that Virtanen avoids nicely.
Virtanen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Virtanen connects with a solid leg kick.

Virtanen drives through and clinches with Kopec against the cage.
Kopec missing with knees to the body.
Virtanen tries to throw a body punch but Kopec avoids it by throwing Virtanen back against the cage.
Virtanen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kopec has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Virtanen seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kopec can turn it around.
Kopec wants to break the clinch but can't.
Virtanen lands a nice elbow.
Virtanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Virtanen breaks from the clinch.
Kopec stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Virtanen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen looks to land a left hand but Kopec moved out of range nicely.
Some bone on bone action there as Kopec checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kopec pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Virtanen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kopec is trying to push Virtanen away but Virtanen has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Kopec escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Virtanen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kopec finds it's way round the side to connect with Virtanen's head.
Kopec moves out of range of the body kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kopec.
Virtanen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Kopec connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kopec tries to score a power double leg takedown but Virtanen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kopec somewhat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kopec, as that shot connected.
Kopec 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.
Virtanen misses with a body shot.

Virtanen closes the distance and pushes Kopec back into the cage.
Kopec throws an elbow but it misses.
Kopec wants to break free but Virtanen has control.
Virtanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kopec blocks it with crossed arms.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Virtanen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Virtanen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kopec is defending well for now.

Virtanen breaks the clinch.
Virtanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Virtanen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kopec with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kopec throws a low kick, looking for Virtanen's leg but Virtanen calmly moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Virtanen misses with an uppercut

and Kopec counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Virtanen is holding on to half guard well.
Virtanen is trying to stand up here but Kopec is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Virtanen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kopec throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kopec throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Virtanen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Virtanen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kopec throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kopec is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Virtanen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Virtanen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A slow jab from Virtanen misses its intended target.
Kopec misses with a leg kick
enabling Virtanen to counter with a crisp jab.
Elias Virtanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Virtanen works the jab nicely.
Virtanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kopec lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Virtanen backs up against the cage.
Kopec will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kopec on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Virtanen. Virtanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Kopec walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Virtanen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen misses with a wild body shot.
Virtanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kopec moves away.
Kopec tries a head kick but it misses.
Virtanen misses with an uppercut
and Virtanen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Virtanen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kopec if he has to take too many more of those.
A solid leg kick lands there for Virtanen.
Virtanen avoids the body shot from Kopec.
Virtanen throws a jab when Kopec was well out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Virtanen. Kopec does a little dance to reset his feet.
Virtanen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kopec connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Virtanen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kopec moves out of range of the body kick from Virtanen.
Jab from Kopec.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Virtanen, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kopec scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kopec tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Virtanen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Virtanen moves into range and clinches up with Kopec.
Virtanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kopec avoids it.
Kopec blocks an elbow strike from Virtanen.
Kopec goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kopec is trying to force a seperation but Virtanen has the dominant position.
Virtanen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Virtanen scores with a shoulder strike.
Kopec wants to get back to striking at distance but Virtanen won't allow it.
Virtanen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kopec tries to break the clinch but Virtanen is controlling the position.
Virtanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Guy Kopec has been cut.
A short uppercut from Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kopec blocks it with crossed arms.
Virtanen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kopec has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen tries a body shot but Kopec blocks it.
Kopec wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kopec throws a head punch that misses.
Kopec looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kopec avoids the elbow strike from Virtanen, against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Kopec.
Virtanen working aggressively here.
Kopec tries to break the clinch but Virtanen is controlling the position.
Virtanen misses with a punch to the body.
Virtanen tries a knee to the head but Kopec blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Virtanen fails to land.
Virtanen working Kopec over with knees to the body.
Virtanen lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Kopec manages to break the clinch.
Kopec scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Virtanen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Virtanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kopec was well out of range. Poor timing from Virtanen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kopec checks a low kick from Virtanen.
Virtanen is looking to clinch but Kopec is avoiding it.
Kopec throws a leg kick but Virtanen checks it.
Virtanen tries to clinch there but Kopec circles away.
Virtanen thuds a left hand into Kopec's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kopec takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Virtanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Virtanen thows a body shot but no joy.
Virtanen is looking to slow Kopec down with leg kicks.
Kopec takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice shot lands for Kopec.
Kopec steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Virtanen.
Virtanen misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elias Virtanen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Guy Kopec's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kopec ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kopec lands with a right hand.
Virtanen 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.
Kopec lands with a nice combination. Virtanen backs away looking to recover.
Kopec bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Virtanen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kopec throws a sloppy head kick and Virtanen moves out of range easily.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses
and Virtanen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kopec misses the jab.
Virtanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Virtanen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kopec tried to score with a low kick but Virtanen checks it.
Kopec misses with a body kick.
Kopec avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopec on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Virtanen. Virtanen obviously looking to wear him down.
Kopec chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Virtanen can pounce on him.
Virtanen lands a really nice looking cross but Kopec seems unphased.
Virtanen takes a swing at Kopec's ribcage but misses.
Virtanen throws out a loose jab but Kopec uses good head movement to avoid it.
Virtanen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kopec paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Virtanen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kopec misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kopec checks the leg kick.
Virtanen wants to clinch up but Kopec keeps it at a distance.
Kopec has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kopec shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Virtanen pinned against the cage. Virtanen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
An inside leg kick from Kopec misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kopec throws the left hand but Virtanen avoids the punch easily.
Kopec throws a leg kick but Virtanen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Virtanen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Virtanen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kopec misses with an uppercut. Virtanen saw that one coming.

Kopec tries to keep at a distance but Virtanen has taken the fight into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Virtanen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kopec.
Virtanen stops a takedown attempt from Kopec.
Virtanen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kopec's defenses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Virtanen.
Virtanen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kopec takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Virtanen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kopec's face.

Virtanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Virtanen clobbers Kopec with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kopec's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A jab from Kopec misses.
Virtanen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Guy Kopec has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A slapping leg kick lands for Virtanen.
Kopec takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kopec keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a head kick that misses.
Kopec keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kopec moves out of range of the body kick from Virtanen.
Virtanen cracks the inside of Kopec's front leg.
Kopec throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Decent striking displayed by Kopec there.
Virtanen connects with a solid leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kopec lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Virtanen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Virtanen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kopec swings for the body but Virtanen moves out of range.
Virtanen works Kopec's body with a nice hook.
Virtanen scores with the left hand. Kopec knows he should have avoided that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kopec looks to land a combination but Virtanen avoids it well.
Kopec checks a low kick from Virtanen.
Virtanen throws a hook to the side of Kopec's head but Kopec sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Virtanen swings for the body but Kopec moves out of range.

Virtanen clinches with his opponent.
Virtanen is pressed up against the cage. Kopec has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Virtanen down to the mat. Virtanen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Elias Virtanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Guy Kopec.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kopec uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Virtanen.
Virtanen scores with a nice strike.
Virtanen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kopec finds it's way round the side to connect with Virtanen's head.
Virtanen misses with a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elias 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elias Virtanen!
A victorious Elias Virtanen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.