PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jason Diamond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Risto Korpisuo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Korpisuo has chosen Eläkeläiset - Humpparaakki as his entrance music. Risto Korpisuo has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Diamond
vs
Korpisuo

185 cm
35
202 lbs
23 - 15 - 3

183 cm
36
197 lbs
22 - 27 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 3, fighting out of New York, Jason Diamond!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 27 - 1, fighting out of New York, Risto Korpisuo!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Roberts and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diamond tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A jab from Diamond misses.
Diamond uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Korpisuo has time to react.
Diamond throws a leg kick but Korpisuo sees it coming and moves out of range.
Diamond misses with an uppercut. Korpisuo saw that one coming.
Diamond connects with a leg kick. Korpisuo looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Diamond misses with a hook. Korpisuo ducked under it nicely.
Diamond tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Korpisuo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Korpisuo connects with a nice short shot to Diamond's temple.
Korpisuo wants to pass the guard but Diamond is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Diamond wants to control but Korpisuo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Diamond is staying active underneath Korpisuo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korpisuo is looking to stall here but Diamond recovers full guard.

Diamond is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Korpisuo defends well.
Korpisuo trying to control the position from guard on top but Diamond is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Korpisuo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Diamond is looking to regain half guard here but Korpisuo keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diamond takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Diamond is not content to let Korpisuo control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo scoring with punches from side control.
Diamond tries to improve position but can't.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Diamond is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Diamond won't allow Korpisuo to pass to mount.
Diamond makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Diamond.
Diamond is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Korpisuo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Korpisuo preventing the sweep.
Diamond has momentary wrist control but Korpisuo slips an elbow through the middle.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Korpisuo trying to control but Diamond is working from the bottom.
Korpisuo stands and throws Diamond's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo is looking to take a break and control but Diamond is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diamond can't do much from the bottom here.
Diamond tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Korpisuo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Diamond is working hard here to advance position.
Korpisuo working away.
Diamond is trying to get back to half guard.
Diamond is not content to let Korpisuo control the position.
Korpisuo looks up at the clock and then as Diamond takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Korpisuo smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Diamond is trying to escape the position but Korpisuo is controlling the position.
Diamond manages to get back to half guard.
Korpisuo performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diamond tries to roll over but Korpisuo keeps him under control.
Korpisuo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diamond keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Diamond looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Diamond tries to kick Korpisuo off but Korpisuo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diamond is pressing down on Korpisuo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Diamond working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Korpisuo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Korpisuo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Risto Korpisuo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Korpisuo throws out a loose jab but Diamond uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jason Diamond seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diamond throws a head kick that misses.
Diamond misses with an uppercut. Korpisuo saw that one coming.
Korpisuo avoids the body shot from Diamond.
Diamond misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Some wild striking there from Diamond.
Diamond misses with a hook
and Korpisuo makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Diamond really felt that one!
Korpisuo needs to keep his hands up - Diamond had a free shot at his head there.
A right-left combo lands from Korpisuo.
Diamond tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diamond throws a hook to the side of Korpisuo's head but Korpisuo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Diamond comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Korpisuo!

Korpisuo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Diamond's guard.
Korpisuo passes into half guard.
Korpisuo trying to pass the guard but Diamond defending well.
Diamond is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Korpisuo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Diamond tries to roll over but Korpisuo keeps him under control.
Risto Korpisuo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Korpisuo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Diamond does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Diamond avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Korpisuo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diamond wants to get back to his feet.
Korpisuo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Diamond keeps working.
Korpisuo trying to control the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Risto Korpisuo was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Diamond motions for Korpisuo to come forward. Diamond throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Korpisuo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Diamond to the ground. Korpisuo is now in Diamond's guard.
Korpisuo trying to control the position from guard on top but Diamond is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Diamond has an active guard here but Korpisuo has managed to pass into half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Korpisuo working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Korpisuo is keen to just control but Diamond is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Diamond wants to get back to full guard.
Diamond is staying active underneath Korpisuo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Diamond is trying to maintain the position but Korpisuo is very close to passing his half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A head kick misses from Diamond.
Korpisuo swinging wildly here.
Diamond jabs Korpisuo right on the nose. Korpisuo blinks but takes it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo lands a nice shot to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Diamond or perhaps it was just good defense by Korpisuo, which made it look bad.
Korpisuo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Diamond misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Diamond misses the jab.
Korpisuo slips a straight right by Diamond.
Diamond throws a head kick that misses
and Korpisuo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

It looks like Jason Diamond has been cut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Korpisuo throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Diamond tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Korpisuo is in Diamond's guard.
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!
Diamond wants to sweep but no luck.
Korpisuo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Diamond keeping moving, preventing Korpisuo from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Risto Korpisuo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jason Diamond's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Korpisuo closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Diamond did well to prevent Korpisuo getting side control.
Korpisuo wants to control but Diamond is keeping him busy.
Diamond is trying to control but can't.
Diamond regains full guard. Nicely done.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Diamond is on top in guard.
Korpisuo keeping moving, preventing Diamond from controlling successfully.
Korpisuo trying to keep a closed guard but Diamond is proving a slippery customer.
Diamond passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Korpisuo is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Diamond off and has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korpisuo trying to control momentarily.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Korpisuo controlling the positon.
Diamond is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Korpisuo tries to get the hooks in deep but Diamond pushed the leg off.
Korpisuo is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Korpisuo doesn't have the hooks in and Diamond manages to turn into his guard.
Diamond stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Korpisuo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Korpisuo controlling Diamond's posture.
Diamond preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo seems keen to control Diamond's posture.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Risto Korpisuo.

Korpisuo shoots in and bounces Diamond off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Diamond looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Diamond is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Diamond has momentary wrist control but Korpisuo slips an elbow through the middle.
Korpisuo stopping the sweep attempt from Diamond.
Korpisuo wants to control from the top but Diamond keeps moving.

Diamond is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Korpisuo defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpisuo passes into half guard.
Korpisuo is thwarting Diamond's attempts to control the position.
Korpisuo looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Diamond with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Korpisuo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Diamond knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Korpisuo is thwarting Diamond's attempts to control the position.
Diamond tries to get to full guard but Korpisuo has control of the leg.
Korpisuo wants to pass the guard but Diamond is defending well.
Jason Diamond has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Diamond slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Risto Korpisuo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diamond is trying to keep Korpisuo in close.
Korpisuo passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Korpisuo lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Diamond down.
Diamond tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Korpisuo trying to control the action but Diamond is working from the bottom.
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!
Diamond tries to get back to half guard but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Korpisuo tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Korpisuo has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Diamond is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Risto Korpisuo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Korpisuo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Risto Korpisuo!
Risto Korpisuo seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.