PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maro Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Olavi Korhonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Olavi Korhonen was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Veljanovski
vs
Korhonen

182 cm
23
212 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

193 cm
23
211 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Maro Veljanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Olavi Korhonen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Veljanovski throws a right hand that Korhonen ducks under and follows up with a left that Korhonen also avoids with ease.
Veljanovski looks to land a body kick but Korhonen moved away.
Veljanovski takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Maro Veljanovski has been cut.
Korhonen has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Veljanovski is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Sloppy strikes from Korhonen. Those never looked like landing.
Veljanovski is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Korhonen.

Korhonen closes the distance and clinches.
Veljanovski keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Korhonen's efforts to push away.
Korhonen lands a right hand.
Korhonen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Veljanovski tries to work over Korhonen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Korhonen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Veljanovski's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Veljanovski is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Korhonen to keep the fight standing.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Korhonen gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veljanovski managing to block the knees to the body from Korhonen.

Korhonen gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Veljanovski makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Maro Veljanovski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Korhonen tries to clinch up.
Veljanovski throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Korhonen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Veljanovski throws a head kick but Korhonen moves out of range.
Veljanovski tries to clinch
and Korhonen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Veljanovski throws a leg kick
and Veljanovski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
Korhonen throws a series of punches but Veljanovski moves out of range.
Veljanovski doesn't manage to clinch there - Korhonen circles away.
Korhonen throws a counter combo.
Korhonen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Korhonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Veljanovski.
Korhonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Veljanovski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Korhonen connects with a looping right hand.
Korhonen avoids the body shot from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korhonen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Korhonen just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromVeljanovski.
Veljanovski tries to clinch up.
Korhonen blocks a head kick by Veljanovski.
It seemed like Korhonen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Veljanovski throws a head kick that misses.
Korhonen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Korhonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Veljanovski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Korhonen wants to clinch.
Korhonen looks winded!
Korhonen tries to clinch there but Veljanovski circles away.
Korhonen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Veljanovski wants to clinch.
Veljanovski misses with a right hand
and Korhonen counters with a left and a right that stings Veljanovski.

Korhonen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Veljanovski pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korhonen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Veljanovski's face.
Korhonen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Veljanovski has Korhonen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Korhonen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Veljanovski managing to block the knees to the body from Korhonen.
A nice left hand lands by Korhonen.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Veljanovski is trying to pull guard but Korhonen has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maro Veljanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Korhonen landing knees to the body.
Korhonen taking a breather.
Korhonen avoiding damage as Veljanovski throws knees to the body.
Korhonen tries to land a knee to the head but Veljanovski blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski is trying to pull guard but Korhonen turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Veljanovski with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Korhonen gets underhooks to prevent Veljanovski's takedown attempt.
Veljanovski working hard to break the clinch.
Korhonen tries to land a knee to the head but Veljanovski blocks with his arms.
Korhonen connects with a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Veljanovski as Korhonen tries to tie him up.
Korhonen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Veljanovski misses with a punch on the inside.
Korhonen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Olavi Korhonen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Maro Veljanovski's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Korhonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Veljanovski.

Korhonen feints and as Veljanovski raises his hands in defense, Korhonen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Veljanovski has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Korhonen is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Veljanovski is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Veljanovski drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Korhonen lands with a light punch inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Korhonen has clasped his hands together around Veljanovski's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Veljanovski bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veljanovski throws a sloppy head kick and Korhonen moves out of range easily.
Korhonen misses with a few strikes there.
It looked like Veljanovski was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Korhonen is breathing heavily.
Korhonen throws a body shot but no joy.
Korhonen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Olavi Korhonen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Korhonen blocks the body kick.
Korhonen defending well as Veljanovski loads up on a big left hand.
A head kick misses from Veljanovski.
Korhonen avoids the head kick by Veljanovski.
The crowd cheers as Korhonen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Veljanovski doesn't seem phased though.
Veljanovski is looking to clinch but Korhonen is avoiding it.
Korhonen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Veljanovski has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Veljanovski throws a half hearted mid kick.

Korhonen moves into the clinch successfully.
Korhonen taking a breather.
Veljanovski looking for a takedown.
Korhonen stalling in the clinch but Veljanovski improves position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korhonen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Veljanovski tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Olavi Korhonen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A nice right hand lands inside from Korhonen.
Veljanovski avoiding damage as Korhonen throws knees to the body.
Korhonen lands a left hand.

Korhonen tightens his grip and picks Veljanovski up, before dumping him to the ground. Veljanovski manages to land in guard.

Veljanovski manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Maro Veljanovski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Korhonen throws a body kick that misses.
Korhonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Veljanovski has Korhonen up against the cage in a clinch.
Korhonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Korhonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Veljanovski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Korhonen throws a right and a left that Veljanovski avoids nicely.
Veljanovski throws a body kick that misses
and Korhonen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Korhonen moves out of range of the strikes.
Veljanovski misses with a lunging right hand
and Korhonen counters with a left and a right that stings Veljanovski.
Veljanovski throws a looping overhand right but Korhonen ducks down to avoid it.
As Veljanovski backs off Korhonen throws a huge counter combo but Veljanovski manages to avoid it all.
A swing and a miss from Veljanovski.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Korhonen! But no joy.
Veljanovski misses with an attempted mid kick.
Veljanovski wants to clinch.
Veljanovski keeps the fight on the outside.

Korhonen gets a takedown into half guard.

Veljanovski has one foot on Korhonen's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Korhonen slips a jab from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski swinging wildly here.
Veljanovski misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Korhonen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Veljanovski throws a lazy head kick
and Korhonen counters with a one-two to the body.
Veljanovski fails with an attempt to clinch.
Korhonen misses with a two punch combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Veljanovski misses the target.
Veljanovski tries to land a front kick but Korhonen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Despite the aggression on Korhonen's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Veljanovski is looking to clinch but Korhonen is avoiding it.
Korhonen dodges the punch combination from Veljanovski.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Maro Veljanovski will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Maro Veljanovski's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Korhonen staying out of range there.
Olavi Korhonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Veljanovski throws a hook but Korhonen blocks it.
Korhonen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Veljanovski motions for Korhonen to come forward. Veljanovski throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Korhonen lands a glancing blow to the side of Veljanovski's head.
Veljanovski is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Veljanovski swings widly with a right hand
letting Korhonen counter with a right hand.
Korhonen tries to clinch there but Veljanovski circles away.
Veljanovski throws a quick counter head kick but Korhonen was just out of range.
Korhonen is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Korhonen doesn't manage to clinch there - Veljanovski circles away.
Veljanovski is looking to counter with head kicks.
Korhonen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Korhonen is looking to clinch.
A jab from Veljanovski misses.
Veljanovski swats away the attempt to clinch by Korhonen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Veljanovski misses the shot to the body.
Korhonen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Korhonen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like Veljanovski was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veljanovski's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Korhonen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Veljanovski scrambles back to his feet.
Veljanovski misses with a kick to the body
and Korhonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Veljanovski avoids a punch combination nicely.

Veljanovski rushes Korhonen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Veljanovski wants to take the fight to the mat but Korhonen manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Korhonen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Korhonen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Veljanovski in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Korhonen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Korhonen misses with a knee to the head.
Veljanovski is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Korhonen's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Veljanovski tries to stall but Korhonen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Korhonen prevents the takedown attempt.
Veljanovski takes a shot to the head.
Korhonen wants to get back to striking at distance but Veljanovski won't allow it.
Korhonen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Veljanovski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maro Veljanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Veljanovski can't break the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Korhonen.
Korhonen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Veljanovski tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski is looking to take this one to the mat.
Veljanovski tries to stall but Korhonen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Korhonen lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Korhonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Veljanovski swats away the attempt to clinch by Korhonen.
Veljanovski throws a hook to the side of Korhonen's head but Korhonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Veljanovski.
Korhonen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Korhonen blocks a head kick by Veljanovski.
Korhonen connects with a looping right hand.
Korhonen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Veljanovski throws a head kick that misses.

Korhonen clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Korhonen to keep the fight standing.
Veljanovski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Korhonen smiles and moves away.
Korhonen is looking to clinch.
Korhonen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Veljanovski circles away from the clinch attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Korhonen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Veljanovski misses with an uppercut.
Veljanovski uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Korhonen.
Veljanovski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Veljanovski doesn't manage to clinch there - Korhonen circles away.

Korhonen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Veljanovski manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Korhonen keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Korhonen breaks from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Olavi Korhonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Korhonen 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Olavi Korhonen!
A very excited looking Olavi Korhonen rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.