PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Virgil Mccarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Kolanko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jan Kolanko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mccarthy
vs
Kolanko

157 cm
18
151 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

225 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Virgil Mccarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jan Kolanko!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Mccarthy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Mccarthy rushes Kolanko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mccarthy stalling the fight.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kolanko is looking to control Mccarthy's arms but Mccarthy gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kolanko has his back to the cage.
Kolanko seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Kolanko has Mccarthy pushed against the cage.
Kolanko trying to stall but Mccarthy improves his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kolanko just leaning against Mccarthy, taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jan Kolanko.
Kolanko tries to land a body kick
and Mccarthy counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Kolanko closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kolanko lands in his opponent's guard.

Mccarthy pushes Kolanko off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mccarthy darts in and clinches Kolanko up against the cage.
Kolanko just leaning against Mccarthy, taking a breather.
Kolanko trying to stall but Mccarthy improves his position.

Mccarthy is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kolanko is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Mccarthy to the mat. Mccarthy regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Mccarthy is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Kolanko presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Mccarthy jumps guard and drags Kolanko to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Mccarthy could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Mccarthy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kolanko wants to get up but he can't break Mccarthy's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Mccarthy kicks Kolanko off and gets to his feet.

Kolanko has Mccarthy up against the cage in a clinch.
Mccarthy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kolanko has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kolanko wants the takedown. Mccarthy is fighting it off but Kolanko persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Mccarthy's guard against the cage.

Mccarthy is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Kolanko presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Kolanko working Mccarthy over with knees to the body.
Kolanko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mccarthy.
Mccarthy tries to break the clinch but Kolanko is controlling the position.
Kolanko stalling in the clinch but Mccarthy improves position.
Mccarthy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kolanko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mccarthy up against the cage.

Kolanko lands a takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Mccarthy manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kolanko landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Mccarthy tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kolanko just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Virgil Mccarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kolanko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knees to the body from Kolanko.
Kolanko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mccarthy.

Mccarthy has Kolanko pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Mccarthy pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kolanko tumbling to the mat - Mccarthy dives into Kolanko's guard.
Mccarthy stops Kolanko from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mccarthy preventing the sweep.
Kolanko wants to control the position but Mccarthy says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Mccarthy decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Kolanko has Mccarthy up against the cage in a clinch.
Kolanko stalling against the cage.
Kolanko controlling the action here for a moment.
Kolanko receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Kolanko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Virgil Mccarthy dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mccarthy closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kolanko's guard.

Mccarthy gets to his feet - Kolanko follows without any prompting.
Mccarthy tries a low kick but Kolanko avoids it.
As Mccarthy backs off Kolanko throws a huge counter combo but Mccarthy manages to avoid it all.

Kolanko shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Mccarthy napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Mccarthy explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mccarthy gets caught napping as Kolanko dives in and scores a takedown. Mccarthy manages to retain guard.

Mccarthy pushes Kolanko off and gets back to his feet.
Mccarthy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kolanko can do to turn this around?

Kolanko moves into the clinch.
Kolanko has a couple of punches blocked by Mccarthy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kolanko gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Mccarthy pushes Kolanko off and gets back to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mccarthy enables Kolanko to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mccarthy manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Mccarthy manages to escape and get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kolanko enables Mccarthy to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kolanko manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kolanko is looking to stand back up but Mccarthy counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kolanko.

Kolanko is defending against the submission attempts here by Mccarthy.
Mccarthy controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mccarthy stands up and beckons Kolanko to join him on the feet.

Mccarthy tries to sprawl but Kolanko drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Mccarthy makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Virgil Mccarthy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mccarthy tries to bum rush Kolanko with a series of wild strikes but Kolanko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Mccarthy moves into range and clinches up with Kolanko.

Kolanko drags the fight down to the ground.
Kolanko wants to control but Mccarthy passes easily into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mccarthy decides to stand up.

Kolanko fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mccarthy sprawls well initially but Kolanko persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Mccarthy has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Kolanko is on him like a limpet, forcing Mccarthy back against the cage.
Mccarthy wants to take the fight to the mat but Kolanko manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mccarthy on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kolanko is pressed up against the cage. Mccarthy has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kolanko down to the mat. Kolanko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Mccarthy tries to sprawl but Kolanko drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Mccarthy kicks off Kolanko and gets to his feet.
Kolanko is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mccarthy tries to sprawl but Kolanko drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Mccarthy kicks off Kolanko and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kolanko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Knees to the body from Kolanko.
Mccarthy blocks a body shot from Kolanko.
Kolanko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Virgil Mccarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kolanko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kolanko slowing the pace effectively.
Mccarthy being controlled against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mccarthy jumps guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Virgil Mccarthy dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kolanko pushes Mccarthy up against the cage in a clinch.
Kolanko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kolanko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kolanko gets underhooks to prevent Mccarthy's takedown attempt.
Mccarthy drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kolanko pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Virgil Mccarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kolanko has closed the distance and engaged Mccarthy in a clinch.
Kolanko is trying to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kolanko stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Mccarthy pulls guard successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kolanko wants to stand but Mccarthy is controlling his posture from full guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Mccarthy manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Knees to the body from Kolanko.
Kolanko stalls.
Kolanko looking to stall.
Kolanko crunches a lovely knee into Mccarthy's ribcage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kolanko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mccarthy lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kolanko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Mccarthy ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mccarthy no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mccarthy seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kolanko has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mccarthy is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kolanko wants to stand and escape but instead Mccarthy has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kolanko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kolanko wants to hit a switch here but Mccarthy passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kolanko there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kolanko wants to hold on but Mccarthy pushes him away.
Mccarthy takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kolanko tries to reverse the position but Mccarthy maintains control.
Mccarthy content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mccarthy landing strikes from the mount.
Mccarthy avoids the attempt from Kolanko to control.
Mccarthy controlling the pace for now.

Mccarthy working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mccarthy looking to control and managing it successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Virgil Mccarthy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mccarthy, 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Virgil Mccarthy!