PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sauvo Korhonen (ranked 4144 p4p, 24693 weight class) and Vitor Velasquez (ranked 528 p4p, 632 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Korhonen
vs
Velasquez

190 cm
26
200
1 - 2 - 0

194 cm
26
185
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sauvo Korhonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vitor Velasquez !
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Ron Honeybunn and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez throws a head kick that misses.
Velasquez has a takedown stuffed.
Velasquez misses with the combination.
Korhonen seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Korhonen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Velasquez .
Velasquez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Korhonen is looking for a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Velasquez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Velasquez throws a wild body kick that Korhonen sees coming a mile off.
Velasquez swinging wildly here.
A counter left hand to the body from Korhonen misses its target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Velasquez tries to clinch but Korhonen moves out of range.
Velasquez throws a poor cross that misses
and Korhonen counters with a left and a right that stings Velasquez .
Velasquez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
That kick from Velasquez tenderised Korhonen's leg. Korhonen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Korhonen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Velasquez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Velasquez keeps the fight on the outside.
Korhonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Velasquez .
Velasquez misses with a combination
and Korhonen counters with a body kick that stops Velasquez in his tracks momentarily.
Sauvo Korhonen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Velasquez . Korhonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Velasquez throws a left and a right that both miss
and Korhonen counters with a three punch combo that has Velasquez backing up. Velasquez nods at Korhonen to acknowledge the strikes.
Korhonen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Velasquez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Korhonen went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
The fight stays on the outside here - Korhonen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Velasquez drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Korhonen defends it well.
Korhonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Velasquez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Korhonen tries to clinch but Velasquez is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez pushes Korhonen up against the cage in a clinch.
Korhonen blocks an elbow strike.
Korhonen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Velasquez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Korhonen avoids it.
Velasquez tries to break free but Korhonen pushes him back against the cage.
Velasquez wants to get back to striking at distance but Korhonen won't allow it.
Korhonen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Velasquez .
Velasquez jumps guard but Korhonen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sauvo Korhonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitor Velasquez .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez leaning against his opponent.
Velasquez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Korhonen has him pressed against the cage.
Velasquez tries to break the clinch but Korhonen is controlling the position.
Velasquez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Korhonen walks away with a smile on his face. Velasquez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Velasquez tries to clinch but Korhonen is having none of it.
Korhonen tries to clinch up.
Vitor Velasquez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Velasquez tries to clinch but Korhonen moves out of range.
Velasquez misses with the combination.
It appears Korhonen was looking to counter with a kick there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Korhonen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Velasquez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Velasquez with that takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Korhonen gets tackled into the cage by Velasquez . Velasquez maintains the clinch.

Korhonen pulls guard successfully.

Korhonen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Velasquez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Korhonen being controlled here, momentarily.
We've been hearing good reports from Korhonen's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Velasquez stands and throws Korhonen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korhonen is trying to get back to half guard.
Velasquez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Korhonen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Velasquez landing a few strikes.
Korhonen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Velasquez 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Korhonen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Korhonen looking for submissions off his back.
Velasquez looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Korhonen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Velasquez 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.

Korhonen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Velasquez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Korhonen is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Velasquez is tapping! Great win for Korhonen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Sauvo Korhonen!
A victorious Sauvo Korhonen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.