PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eero Jukola (ranked 1382 p4p, 1352 weight class) and Tom Korppila (ranked 135 p4p, 134 weight class). Korppila comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Mustasch - The Mauler kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Jukola
vs
Korppila

165 cm
42
148
34 - 21 - 1

180 cm
33
157
17 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 34 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eero Jukola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Korppila!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Daniel Blasius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jukola throws a lazy uppercut
and Korppila counters with a left to the body.
Jukola takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Korppila avoids the body shot from Jukola.
Jukola swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Korppila.
Jukola looks to land a right hand but Korppila moved out of range.
Jukola goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Korppila goes for a double leg but Jukola avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jukola continues to drive forward.

Korppila closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Jukola quickly recovers to half guard.
Jukola is trying to stand.
Jukola blocking the ground and pound attempt from Korppila.
Korppila sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Jukola defending well though.
Jukola is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
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.
Jukola blocking the ground and pound attempt from Korppila.
Korppila has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Bowsh Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Jukola might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Korppila working Jukola over with strikes.
Korppila sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Jukola defending well though.
Jukola keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Korppila not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Korppila is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jukola doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Korppila.

Jukola looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two 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.
Jukola works his way to full guard. Good work.
Korppila throws a big elbow that misses.
Korppila content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Korppila working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Korppila is in close to Jukola's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Korppila working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Korppila postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Korppila throws a strike but Jukola rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Korppila pulls Jukola in to control the position.
Jukola has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Korppila looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Jukola passes into side control.
Korppila is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jukola working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Jukola wants to lay and pray for a moment but Korppila keeps working.
Korppila is trying to control Jukola's posture but Jukola avoids it.
Korppila manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jukola is trying to stand up here but Korppila is controlling him well.

Korppila seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Jukola has recovered full guard.
Korppila slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Korppila trying to control the action but Jukola is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jukola is looking to regain half guard here but Korppila keeps moving and retains side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Korppila dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Korppila looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jukola is fending him off so far but Korppila persists. Nope, Jukola circles away and we're back to standing.
Korppila moves out of range of the strikes.
Korppila shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jukola pinned against the cage. Jukola gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Jukola gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Korppila to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Korppila content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korppila throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jukola works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Jukola had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Korppila defends it easily.
Korppila connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Korppila got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jukola has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Korppila has managed to get both his arms back between Jukola's legs - danger averted.
Korppila with a flurry of punches that miss.
Korppila is looking to work some ground and pound but Jukola has wrist control.
Korppila trying to control the position from guard on top but Jukola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Korppila stands up over Jukola, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tom Korppila has got the better of the ground game so far.
Korppila makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Korppila with a nice head shot there.
Jukola avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jukola looking to control.

Jukola looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Korppila passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Korppila wants to work for an arm triangle but Jukola is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Jukola gets back to full guard.
Jukola looking to hit a scissor sweep but Korppila is one step ahead there.
Korppila throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Korppila has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Korppila stands up over Jukola, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Korppila landing some decent shots from guard.
Korppila postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jukola looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Jukola has his foot on Korppila's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Korppila works his way back into a safe position though.
Korppila throws a strike but Jukola rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Jukola is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Jukola is looking to work some ground and pound but Korppila has wrist control.
Jukola is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Korppila tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jukola wants to control from the top but Korppila keeps moving.
Korppila has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Korppila working for submissions but it's allowed Jukola to get to half guard.
Korppila is pressing down on Jukola's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Jukola throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Korppila works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jukola stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Korppila swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Korppila looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jukola trying to control but Korppila is working from the bottom.
Jukola postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jukola is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tom Korppila will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Jukola.
Korppila avoids a kick to the body.
Korppila ducks right into an uppercut from Jukola.
Korppila misses with a jab to the body
and Jukola cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Korppila is defended easily by Jukola.
The crowd cheers as Korppila lands an impressive looking overhand right. Jukola doesn't seem phased though.
Jukola lands a really nice looking cross but Korppila seems unphased.
Jukola misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korppila shoots for a double leg takedown but Jukola sprawls well. He's pushed Korppila's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Eero Jukola is winning the standup battle so far.
Korppila misses with a takedown
and Jukola counters with a stiff right hand.
Eero Jukola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Korppila.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Korppila.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jukola goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Korppila with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Korppila with a hook.

Korppila looking to score a takedown here. Jukola is defending well but Korppila drives through and ends up in Jukola's guard.
Jukola wants to sweep but no luck.

Korppila avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jukola wants to sweep here but Korppila controlling him for the moment.
Korppila throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jukola works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jukola keeping moving, preventing Korppila from controlling successfully.
Korppila stopping the sweep attempt from Jukola.
Tom Korppila is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korppila working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Jukola's head.
Korppila landing with the ground and pound.
Jukola 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.
Korppila stays in close to Jukola's body and controls the position.
Korppila trying to control the position from guard on top but Jukola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jukola bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Korppila's guard.

Jukola makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Korppila is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jukola defends well.
Korppila trying to control the position.
Korppila wants to improve his position but instead Jukola has moved into half guard.
Korppila keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Korppila is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jukola scores with a couple of nice shots.
Korppila is pressing down on Jukola's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jukola throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Korppila works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jukola trying to stand up but can't free himself from Korppila's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Korppila is on top in guard.

Korppila postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Korppila engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Korppila forces his way into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jukola is looking for a sweep. Korppila is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Eero Jukola.
I think Korppila 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Korppila!
A determined Tom Korppila didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!