PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Niko Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Marshall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Virtanen
vs
Marshall

185 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

200 cm
24
158 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Niko Virtanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ben Marshall!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marshall missing with a left hand there. Virtanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Virtanen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Marshall throws a leg kick but Virtanen sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Marshall clinches with his opponent.

Marshall pulls Virtanen into guard.
Marshall not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Marshall looking for a sweep. Not yet Marshall, not yet.
Marshall is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Virtanen works over Marshall with some ground and pound from 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.
Marshall has control of Virtanen's left arm, preventing Virtanen from doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Marshall is on top in guard.
Marshall slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.

Marshall tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Marshall tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Marshall looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Virtanen is avoiding damage well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtanen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Marshall is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Marshall lands a nice short elbow.
Virtanen is trying to control but can't.
Marshall slows the pace down in half guard.
Virtanen wants to control but Marshall is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall is trying to control the action in half guard but Virtanen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Marshall avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Marshall goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Niko Virtanen has been cut.
Marshall throws a leg kick that misses.
Virtanen tries for a takedown but Marshall circles away easily

and Marshall counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Virtanen is rocked!
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!
Marshall controls from within his opponent's guard.
Marshall trying to control but Virtanen is working from the bottom.
Virtanen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Marshall stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Virtanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ben Marshall was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Marshall keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virtanen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Marshall defends well and Virtanen ends up having to push Marshall into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Marshall dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Niko Virtanen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Virtanen shoots and misses
enabling Marshall to counter with a crisp jab.
Virtanen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Marshall counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Marshall.
Marshall wants to break the clinch but can't.
Marshall tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Virtanen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Virtanen misses with a knee to the head.

Virtanen breaks from the clinch.
Niko Virtanen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Marshall gets a clinch.
Marshall tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Virtanen smiles and moves away.
Marshall throws a combination. Virtanen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Marshall shoots for a takedown but Virtanen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Niko Virtanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Marshall.

Virtanen closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshall is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Virtanen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Virtanen has Marshall pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Marshall manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Marshall jumps into guard, dragging Virtanen to the mat.
Virtanen is working Marshall over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Virtanen postures up.
Virtanen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Marshall on the ground.
Virtanen won't allow Marshall to sweep him here.
Marshall trying to control the position.
Ben Marshall has got the better of the ground game so far.
Virtanen throws an elbow that misses. Marshall uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Virtanen's guard. Nice move by Marshall!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marshall throwing strikes but missing.
Virtanen seems keen to control Marshall's posture.
Marshall is working Virtanen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Virtanen wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Marshall manages to pass to side control.
Virtanen trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshall scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Virtanen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Marshall not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Marshall trying to control but Virtanen is working from the bottom.
Marshall throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshall with a flurry of punches that miss.
Marshall trying to control but Virtanen is working from the bottom.
Marshall sitting in guard here, content to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ben Marshall hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Virtanen moves in looking to clinch but Marshall pushes him off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Marshall clinches with his opponent.

Virtanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Marshall showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Niko Virtanen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Marshall throws a sloppy head kick and Virtanen moves out of range easily.
Marshall throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Marshall dives in for a single leg takedown but Virtanen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Marshall on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Virtanen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Marshall is defending well.
Virtanen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Virtanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Virtanen wants to get back to striking at distance but Marshall won't allow it.
Virtanen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Marshall smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niko Virtanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Marshall forces Virtanen back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Virtanen.

Virtanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Virtanen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Marshall manages to get to full guard.
Marshall not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Marshall is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Marshall working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Virtanen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Marshall is tightening it up a little... Virtanen has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Virtanen reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Virtanen taps out! Nice BJJ there by Marshall!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Ben Marshall!
The defeated Niko Virtanen had this to say: 'I am a retard.'.