PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Takeo Arai (ranked 3780 p4p, 4009 weight class) and Jimi Korpela (ranked 468 p4p, 488 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Arai
vs
Korpela

188 cm
20
182
2 - 4 - 0

181 cm
20
165
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takeo Arai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jimi Korpela!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Arai lands a big head kick that sends Korpela tumbling to the mat! Arai takes a step backwards and waves Korpela back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Jimi Korpela has been cut.
Arai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Korpela throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Arai.
Arai connects with a solid leg kick.
Korpela throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Korpela takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Korpela throws a head kick but Arai moves out of range.
Korpela misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Arai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Korpela will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Arai is looking to slow Korpela down with leg kicks.
Korpela misses with a head kick.
Arai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Korpela.
Arai misses with a head kick.
Arai misses with a head kick.
Arai tries to clinch there but Korpela circles away.
Arai scoring well with a low kick there.
Korpela lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arai misses with a low kick.
Korpela looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Arai throws a leg kick but Korpela sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Korpela tries to counter with a clinch but Arai shakes him off and moves away.
Korpela blocks a head kick by Arai.
Arai throws an overhand right that lands on Korpela's shoulder, as Korpela tries to avoid the shot.
Arai scores with a head kick.
Arai throws a low kick but it's checked well by Korpela.
Korpela throws a head kick that misses.
Takeo Arai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arai throws a lazy head kick

and Korpela holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Arai blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Arai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Korpela landing knees to the head.
Korpela tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Arai avoids it.
Arai tries to land knees in the clinch but Korpela avoids the damage to the body.
Korpela missing with knees to the body.
Arai misses with a knee strike.
Korpela misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Arai.

Korpela breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Korpela on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick misses from Arai.
Korpela blocks a head kick by Arai.
Korpela wants to counter with a clinch but Arai pushes him away.
Arai throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Korpela throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Arai.
Arai buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Arai throws a leg kick but Korpela checks it.
Arai throws a leg kick but Korpela checks it.
Korpela throws a nice head kick!
Arai feints and then cracks Korpela's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Korpela down.
Korpela lands a head kick. Arai smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Korpela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Arai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Arai wants to slow Korpela down by chopping away at his legs.
Arai looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Korpela keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpela with a nice calf kick.
Korpela explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Korpela moves out of range of the strikes.
Korpela throws a quick inside leg kick.
That kick from Korpela tenderised Arai's leg. Arai is trying to keep his angry face on.
Arai is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Korpela.
Korpela avoids a kick to the body.
Arai swats away the attempt to clinch by Korpela.
Korpela blocks the body kick.
Korpela thinks about the counter body kick.
Korpela throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Korpela tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Arai is able to avoid easily.
Arai appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Arai steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Korpela. That one must have hurt.
Arai throws a lazy body kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A nice leg kick from Arai, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korpela misses with a head kick.
Arai attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Korpela checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Korpela tries to counter by closing the distance.
Arai blocks a head kick by Korpela.
Arai feinted there with a counter leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Korpela tries to work over Arai's front leg with a kick but Arai checks it.
Arai throws a jab but it's blocked by Korpela.
Korpela goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Korpela takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Korpela throws a leg kick but Arai moved away.

Arai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Korpela, pushing him back against the cage.
Arai throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Arai doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Korpela's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Korpela throws a head kick that misses.
Arai looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Korpela.
Korpela throws a leg kick but Arai sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Takeo Arai will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jimi Korpela's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Korpela pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Korpela throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Arai's head.
Good work by Korpela as he checks the leg kick.
Arai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Arai misses with a leg kick.
Arai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Korpela scores with a nice body kick.
Korpela checks a low kick from Arai.

Korpela has taken the fight to the clinch.
Korpela tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Arai lands a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korpela tries a knee to the head but Arai blocks it.
Korpela using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Arai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Korpela blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Korpela manages to break the clinch.
Korpela lands with a kick to the temple. Arai shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arai lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Arai moves out of range of the leg kick from Korpela.
Arai blocks a head kick by Korpela.
Arai is looking to clinch.
Arai misses with the body kick

and Korpela holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Korpela throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Arai blocks it with crossed arms.
Korpela on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Arai trying to land knees to the body.
Arai trying to land knees to the body.
Jimi Korpela seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Arai scores a nice knee to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Arai trying to land knees to the body.
Korpela with a knee to the head.
Arai misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Korpela putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Arai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Korpela.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Korpela.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Korpela looking to throw knees to the head but Arai is blocking nicely.
Korpela connects with a knee to the head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Korpela using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Arai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Korpela tries a knee to the head but Arai blocks it.

Korpela's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Korpela misses with a kick to the body.
Arai moves out of range as Korpela throws a body kick.
Arai is looking to counter with head kicks.
Arai pivots, looking for a leg kick but Korpela is out of range and Arai settles back down.
Arai moves in looking to clinch but Korpela pushes him off.
And Korpela responds with a good body kick, but Arai manages to step out the way in time.
Arai throws a nice inside leg kick.
Arai 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.
Korpela tries to counter by closing the distance.
Arai throws a leg kick
and Korpela counters with a nice low kick that buckles Arai's knee momentarily.
Korpela lands with a kick to the temple. Arai shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Arai tries to land a leg kick but Korpela saw it coming and moves away.
Korpela replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Arai blocks it well.
Arai throws a leg kick but Korpela sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Arai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Korpela pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Korpela blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Korpela is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Arai is defending well for now.
Arai blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Korpela landing knees to the head.

Korpela breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Arai is looking to land body kicks.
Korpela avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Korpela tries to keep at a distance but Arai has taken the fight into the clinch.
Arai trying to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Korpela.
Korpela tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Arai avoids it.
Arai using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Arai.

Korpela pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Arai throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Korpela lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Arai is looking to land body kicks.
Korpela lands a leg kick that knocks Arai off balance momentarily.
Arai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Korpela tries to land a front kick but Arai steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Arai scoring well with a low kick there.
Arai lands a nice looking body kick.
Arai throws a head kick that misses.
Arai wants to clinch
and Korpela makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Arai throws a leg kick but Korpela sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Korpela lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A head kick misses from Korpela.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jimi Korpela showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jimi Korpela's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Korpela scores with a body shot.
Arai misses with a body kick.
Korpela wants to counter with a clinch but Arai pushes him away.
Korpela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Arai dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Korpela. That did some damage!
Arai throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Korpela.
Arai throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Korpela sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Korpela tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Arai throws a head kick but Korpela moves out of range.
Korpela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Arai is looking to chop away at Korpela's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arai takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Arai has taken the fight to the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Arai.
Korpela tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Korpela putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Arai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korpela tries to land knees in the clinch but Arai avoids the damage to the body.
Korpela scores with a knee to the head.
Korpela on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A short right from Arai on the inside.
Korpela crunches a lovely knee into Arai's ribcage.
Korpela misses with a knee to the head.
Arai manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Korpela tries a knee to the head but Arai blocks it.
Arai landing knees to the body.
Korpela with a knee to the head.
Korpela misses with a knee strike.
Korpela with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Korpela looking to throw knees to the head but Arai is blocking nicely.
Arai using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Arai using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knees to the body from Arai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arai scores a nice knee to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Arai.
Korpela misses with a knee strike.
Arai landing knees to the body.
Arai connects with a nasty looking knee right to Korpela's face.
Korpela managing to block the knees to the body from Arai.
Knees to the body from Arai.
Korpela trying to land knees to the body.
Arai lands a nice knee to the body.
Korpela misses with a knee strike.
Arai misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Korpela.
Korpela using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Arai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Korpela.
Arai connects with a knee to the head.
Korpela on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Korpela's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Korpela misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Arai.
Arai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpela tries to land knees in the clinch but Arai avoids the damage to the body.
A knee to the head by Arai.
Korpela blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Arai managing to block the knees to the body from Korpela.
Arai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Korpela avoids it.
Arai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Korpela with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Arai.
Arai looking to slow down the pace here.
Arai misses with a knee strike.
Korpela throws a knee to the head but misses.

Korpela breaks from the clinch.
Jimi Korpela seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Arai takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Arai tries a head kick but it misses.
Arai blocks a head kick by Korpela.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arai missing with a left hand there. Korpela was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Arai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Korpela swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Arai tries to work over Korpela's front leg with a kick but Korpela checks it.
Korpela pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Arai closes the distance and clinches.
Korpela takes a knee to the side of the body.
Arai tries to land knees in the clinch but Korpela avoids the damage to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Arai using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Arai as Korpela tries to tie him up.
Korpela lands a knee to the body.
Korpela tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Arai avoids it.
Korpela using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Arai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Arai avoiding damage.
Arai's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Arai for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takeo Arai showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Arai has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takeo Arai!
Takeo Arai thanked the fans post fight for their support.
The defeated Jimi Korpela had this to say: 'No can do. Better fighter won. Thumbs up!'.