PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander Karelin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Emelianenko
vs
Karelin

200 cm
22
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

209 cm
22
265 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruslan Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Karelin!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Igor Prikhodko and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko looks to land a right hand but Karelin moved out of range.

Karelin scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Karelin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Karelin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Emelianenko's head.
Emelianenko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Karelin.
Karelin throwing shots but Emelianenko is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karelin working the head and body with strikes.
Karelin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Emelianenko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Karelin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nice strikes from Karelin there.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Karelin thows a huge punch but Emelianenko dodges it nicely.
Karelin working the head and body with strikes.
Emelianenko gets full guard.
Karelin throws a big right hand that misses.

Emelianenko has his foot on Karelin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Karelin works his way back into a safe position though.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Karelin works over Emelianenko with some ground and pound from guard.
Karelin postures up and lands a big shot to Emelianenko's brow.
Karelin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin distracts Emelianenko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Emelianenko has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Karelin should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Emelianenko has tightened it up now! Karelin should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Ruslan Emelianenko!