PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Risto Korpisuo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miksu Rupunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Korpisuo's entrance music is Eläkeläiset - Humpparaakki. A fine choice. Rupunen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Korpisuo
vs
Rupunen

183 cm
28
203 lbs
14 - 16 - 0

185 cm
33
205 lbs
21 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 14 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Risto Korpisuo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Miksu Rupunen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Korpisuo!
Rupunen looks to throw the jab but Korpisuo is out of range.
Korpisuo shoots for a double leg takedown but Rupunen sprawls well. He's pushed Korpisuo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rupunen throws a series of punches but Korpisuo moves out of range.
Rupunen misses with a few strikes there.
Korpisuo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rupunen defends it nicely.
Rupunen shoots in for a takedown but Korpisuo shows good takedown defense.
Rupunen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Korpisuo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Korpisuo misses with a double jab.
Rupunen digs a good hook to Korpisuo's body.
Rupunen throws a right and a left that both miss.

Korpisuo gets caught flat footed, as Rupunen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rupunen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rupunen is looking to work some ground and pound but Korpisuo has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rupunen wants to control from the top but Korpisuo keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korpisuo wants to sweep but no luck.
Rupunen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rupunen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rupunen controlling from the top position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Miksu Rupunen wasn't active enough on the ground.

Rupunen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rupunen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Rupunen controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Korpisuo can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Rupunen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Korpisuo is desperately trying to improve his position but Rupunen has a good base and remains in mount.
Rupunen punching from mount but Korpisuo doing a good job of avoiding damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rupunen moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Korpisuo has worked his arm free - good work by Korpisuo!
Rupunen taking a break here but Korpisuo is having none of it and regains half guard.
Rupunen is trying to control the action in half guard but Korpisuo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo wants to get back to full guard.

Rupunen is working for a submission of some sort.
Korpisuo is refusing to be controlled, as Rupunen sits in half guard.
Korpisuo moves into full guard.
Korpisuo controls Rupunen momentarily but Rupunen frees himself.
Rupunen tries to free his leg and advance position but Korpisuo is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo 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.
Korpisuo controlling the position.
Rupunen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rupunen looking to sit in guard and control but Korpisuo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Korpisuo lands a couple of digs.
Korpisuo is pushing down on Rupunen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rupunen is fighting to maintain full guard but Korpisuo has managed to sneak the leg through.
Korpisuo is thwarting Rupunen's attempts to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rupunen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Korpisuo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rupunen is just riding it out for now. Korpisuo eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miksu Rupunen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rupunen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Korpisuo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Korpisuo wants it to stay on the feet.
Rupunen misses with a wild combination.
Korpisuo slips under a jab from Rupunen.
Korpisuo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Rupunen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Korpisuo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rupunen tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Rupunen creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Korpisuo sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Korpisuo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rupunen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rupunen is pressing down on Korpisuo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Korpisuo is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korpisuo trying to control from the bottom.
Rupunen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rupunen working over Korpisuo with some ground and pound. Korpisuo looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rupunen passes to full mount!
Rupunen lands a big shot there that rocks Korpisuo but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rupunen wants to control the pace but Korpisuo is squirming around nicely.
Rupunen throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen thowing shots but they're missing.
Rupunen tries to control but Korpisuo wriggling away.
Korpisuo can't escape the position.
Korpisuo is working hard here to advance position.
Rupunen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Korpisuo is squirming around, avoiding Rupunen's attempts to control the action.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Rupunen jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Korpisuo is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Korpisuo and Rupunen has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Rupunen throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Korpisuo is not content to let Rupunen control the position.

Rupunen swings around for an armbar but Korpisuo sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Rupunen's guard.

Korpisuo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Korpisuo trying to control the position from guard on top but Rupunen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo scoring with some ground and pound.
Rupunen keeping moving, preventing Korpisuo from controlling successfully.
Korpisuo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rupunen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rupunen looking to control but Korpisuo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rupunen scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Rupunen is landing with some decent strikes but Korpisuo is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miksu Rupunen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rupunen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Korpisuo misses with a few strikes there.
Risto Korpisuo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Korpisuo doesn't manage to clinch there - Rupunen circles away.
Rupunen misses with a few strikes there.
Rupunen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Korpisuo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rupunen shoots in for a takedown but Korpisuo shows good takedown defense.
Rupunen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Korpisuo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Korpisuo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rupunen.
Korpisuo defending well as Rupunen loads up on a big left hand.
Jab by Korpisuo.
Korpisuo walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A jab from Korpisuo does it's job there.
Rupunen steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Korpisuo. That one must have hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Korpisuo.
Risto Korpisuo is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab lands there for Korpisuo.
Korpisuo shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korpisuo lands a nice looking body shot.
Rupunen misses with a body shot
and Korpisuo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rupunen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Korpisuo forces Rupunen back against the cage and clinches.
Korpisuo presses Rupunen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Korpisuo working Rupunen over with knees to the body.
Korpisuo lands a body shot.
Korpisuo scores with a shot to the side of Rupunen's head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Korpisuo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Korpisuo breaks from the clinch.

Korpisuo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Korpisuo is keen to just control but Rupunen is a slippery customer.
Rupunen tries to roll over but Korpisuo keeps him under control.
Korpisuo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Korpisuo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rupunen defends it well.
Korpisuo trying to pass the guard but Rupunen defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Korpisuo is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Rupunen wants to get back to full guard.
Rupunen taking some punishment here, with Korpisuo in his half guard.

Rupunen looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rupunen keeps working.
Rupunen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Korpisuo.
Korpisuo wants to pass the guard but Rupunen is defending well.

Rupunen actively working from the bottom here.
Korpisuo working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Korpisuo working the head and body with strikes.
Korpisuo is nestled in close to Rupunen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Korpisuo is working for a submission of some sort.
Rupunen regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo with a nice head shot there.
Risto Korpisuo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Rupunen is looking for a triangle here but Korpisuo uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Korpisuo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rupunen tries to bench press Korpisuo off him but Korpisuo keeps the position.
Miksu Rupunen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Korpisuo takes a little break here. Rupunen wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Rupunen regains half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rupunen trying to control from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Risto Korpisuo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rupunen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miksu Rupunen!