PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mitchel Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keijo Virtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thompson comes to the cage accompanied by Smashing pumpkins - Disarm. Virtanen has chosen Maamme Laulu as his entrance music. Mitchel Thompson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Thompson
vs
Virtanen

205 cm
26
278 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

188 cm
26
250 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Fast

Vikai Gear
Alcatraz Apparel

Alcatraz Apparel

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mitchel Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Keijo Virtanen!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Dirk Anderson and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Virtanen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thompson tries to avoid it but Virtanen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thompson to the ground. Thompson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Virtanen looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Virtanen fails with the takedown
and Thompson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thompson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mitchel Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keijo Virtanen.
Thompson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Virtanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Thompson.
Thompson throws a hook but Virtanen avoids it easily.
Thompson throws a hook to the side of Virtanen's head but Virtanen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Thompson gets caught flat footed, as Virtanen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Virtanen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Virtanen drops back looking for a leg! Thompson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Thompson manages to kick Virtanen off! Virtanen jumps back into Thompson's guard.

Virtanen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thompson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Virtanen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Virtanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thompson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Virtanen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Virtanen won't allow Thompson to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Virtanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Virtanen is pushing down on Thompson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Thompson is fighting to maintain full guard but Virtanen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Virtanen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thompson keeps working.
Virtanen is pressing down on Thompson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thompson is holding on for now.
Thompson is trying to escape back to his feet but Virtanen uses the scramble to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Virtanen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Virtanen has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Thompson is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Virtanen yanks on the arm and Thompson is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Virtanen.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Keijo Virtanen!
After winning the bout, Keijo Virtanen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.