PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aatami Korpi (ranked 4730 p4p, 4910 weight class) and Valto Joki (ranked 442 p4p, 453 weight class). Valto Joki acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Korpi
vs
Joki

186 cm
19
207
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
19
216
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aatami Korpi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valto Joki!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joki tries to work over Korpi's front leg with a kick but Korpi checks it.
Korpi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Korpi misses the target.
Joki fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Korpi staying out of range there.
Korpi throws a counter high kick but Joki was just alert enough to avoid it.
Korpi moves away from the strike by Joki.
Korpi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Joki misses with a wild body shot.
Korpi thinks about countering with a body kick.
Korpi throws a leg kick which misses Joki's front leg but catches the back leg as Joki tries to avoid it.
Korpi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Joki.
Korpi wants to land a leg kick but Joki is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joki misses with a looping right.
A combination from Joki does no damage.
Korpi looks to land a left hand but Joki moved out of range nicely.
Korpi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Joki if he has to take too many more of those.
Joki ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korpi tries a head kick but it misses.
Joki misses with an uppercut
and Korpi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Joki lands a jab to Korpi's midsection.
Korpi tries a low kick but Joki avoids it.
Joki throws a lazy right hand but Korpi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Korpi. That's going to slow Joki down.
Korpi misses the shot to the body.
That kick from Korpi tenderised Joki's leg. Joki is trying to keep his angry face on.
Korpi throws a head kick that misses
and Joki counters with a straight right hand.
Joki scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Joki stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Korpi.
Korpi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aatami Korpi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Joki throws a big shot that misses.
Joki throws out a loose jab but Korpi uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korpi lands with a straight right. Joki didn't see that one coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joki blocks a head kick by Korpi.
Korpi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Joki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Joki. Korpi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Joki takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Joki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Korpi throws a sloppy head kick
and Joki counters with a nice uppercut.
Joki misses with a hook
and Korpi counters with a three punch combo that has Joki backing up. Joki nods at Korpi to acknowledge the strikes.
Korpi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Joki.
Korpi thows a leg kick but Joki checks it
and Joki cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Joki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Korpi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Joki.
It looked like Korpi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joki takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Joki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Korpi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Joki.
Korpi lands a leg kick that knocks Joki off balance momentarily.
Korpi throws a leg kick that misses.
Joki throws a jab but it's blocked by Korpi.
Korpi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A nice leg kick from Korpi, right into the meat of the thigh.
Korpi throws a lazy head kick
and Joki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Korpi thinking.
Joki throws an overhand right that lands on Korpi's shoulder, as Korpi tries to avoid the shot.
Korpi misses with an uppercut
and Joki counters with a straight right hand.
Korpi defending well as Joki loads up on a big left hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Korpi.
Korpi looks to land a right hand but Joki moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korpi throws a front kick aimed at Joki's knee but Joki avoids it well.
Korpi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Joki counters with a stiff right hand.
We've been informed that Joki has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
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!
A jab from Joki finds it's way through Korpi's defenses.
Korpi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Joki.
Korpi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Joki.
Korpi is looking for a counter combo.
Korpi misses with a shot to the body
and Joki counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Korpi throws a lazy head kick
and Joki counters with a nice uppercut.
That kick from Korpi tenderised Joki's leg. Joki is trying to keep his angry face on.
Joki avoids the head kick by Korpi.
Korpi throws a leg kick
and Joki counters with a stiff right hand.
Jab by Joki.
Korpi throws a head kick that misses
and Joki counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joki misses with a straight left.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Valto Joki dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Korpi throws a head kick but Joki moves out of range.
Joki throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Korpi counters with a leg kick.
Korpi slips under a jab from Joki.
Joki throws a jab when Korpi was well out of range.
Korpi loads up on a big right hand but Joki slips the punch.
Korpi lands a jab to the nose.
Joki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Joki misses with a two punch combination.
Joki looks to land a right hand but Korpi moved out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Korpi. Joki does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korpi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Joki counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Korpi throws a leg kick which misses Joki's front leg but catches the back leg as Joki tries to avoid it.
Joki moves out of range of the strikes.
Joki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joki checks a low kick from Korpi.
Korpi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Korpi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Joki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Korpi thows a leg kick but Joki checks it
enabling Joki to counter with a crisp jab.
Joki throws a jab when Korpi was well out of range.
Korpi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Joki.
Korpi thumps Joki with a low kick.
Korpi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Joki checks it well.
Korpi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Joki manages to avoid it.
Joki lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Joki moves out of range of the body kick.
Joki misses with a wild body shot.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Joki in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Joki throws a jab but it's blocked by Korpi.
As Joki backs away, Korpi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korpi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A nice leg kick from Korpi, right into the meat of the thigh.
Korpi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Joki.
Joki's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Joki throws a jab but it's blocked by Korpi.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Joki has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Korpi.
Korpi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Joki lands a body shot.
No joy there for Korpi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Joki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Korpi.
Joki connects with a solid leg kick.
Joki connects with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Joki.
Joki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpi moves out of range as Joki strikes.
Korpi blocks a jab.
Joki throws a jab when Korpi was well out of range.
Korpi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Joki ducks right into an uppercut from Korpi.
Korpi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Korpi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
It seemed like Joki was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Korpi tries to land a front kick but Joki steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Joki checks the leg kick.
Korpi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Joki is able to avoid easily.
Valto Joki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Joki looks to throw the jab but Korpi is out of range.
A thudding body kick lands there by Joki!
A jab from Joki misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joki throws a lazy right hand but Korpi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Korpi throws a leg kick but Joki moved away.
Korpi throws out a leg kick but Joki moves out of range and Korpi only half commits.
Korpi misses with a low kick.
Joki throws a low kick, looking for Korpi's leg but Korpi calmly moves out of range.
Joki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Korpi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Korpi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Joki connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Joki takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Korpi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Korpi throws a leg kick but Joki sees it coming and moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Joki misses.
Korpi thows a leg kick but Joki checks it
letting Joki counter with a right hand.
Nice shot lands for Joki.
Joki throws a shot from downtown. Korpi moves away and avoids it.
Korpi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Joki just manages to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Valto Joki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Korpi misses with a leg kick
and Joki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Joki misses with a hook.
Korpi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Korpi misses with a kick to the body.
Korpi throws a leg kick
and Joki counters with a straight right hand.
Joki misses with a straight left.
Joki moves away from the strike by Korpi.
Joki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Korpi is looking to slow Joki down with leg kicks.
Joki throws a jab but it's blocked by Korpi.
It looked like Korpi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joki avoids the head kick by Korpi.
Joki wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Korpi misses with a body shot.
Joki throws a shot from downtown. Korpi moves away and avoids it.
Joki throws a looping overhand right but Korpi ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korpi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Joki throws out a loose jab but Korpi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Korpi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Joki throws a looping overhand right but Korpi ducks down to avoid it.
Korpi quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Korpi swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Korpi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Joki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Joki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Korpi moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Korpi misses with a head kick.
Joki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Joki misses.
Korpi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korpi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A chopping leg kick lands by Korpi.
A slow jab from Joki misses its intended target.
A big left from Korpi misses.
Korpi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Korpi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Korpi slips under a jab from Joki.
Korpi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Aatami Korpi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joki throws a lazy right hand but Korpi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Korpi tried to counter with a leg kick but Joki avoided it.
Korpi staying out of range there.
Joki fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Korpi checks it well.
Joki looks to land a right hand but Korpi moved out of range.
Korpi throws a solid leg kick but Joki takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Korpi.
You can see that Joki has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Joki scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpi slips a jab from Joki.
Joki blocks the body kick.
Korpi 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.
Joki misses with an uppercut.
Korpi wants to slow Joki down by chopping away at his legs.
Korpi ducks under a wild hook from Joki.
Korpi tries to work over Joki's front leg with a kick but Joki checks it.
Korpi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Korpi defending well as Joki loads up on a big left hand.
Joki throws a big shot that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Korpi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Joki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Korpi can pounce on him.
Joki missing with a left hand there. Korpi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joki catches Korpi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Joki scores with a jab. Korpi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Korpi throws a leg kick
and Joki counters with a straight right hand.
Korpi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Joki.
Korpi wants to land a leg kick but Joki is out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Korpi.
A big right from Joki misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joki lands a nice looking body kick.
Joki takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Joki cracks Korpi with an open hand slap.
Joki pushes Korpi away with a front kick.
Joki takes a swing at Korpi's ribcage but misses.
Korpi takes a jab right on the kisser.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valto Joki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Joki has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valto Joki!