PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roman Emelianenko (ranked 1898 p4p, 2229 weight class) and Yannick Sakala (ranked 247 p4p, 279 weight class). Emelianenko comes to the cage accompanied by Mala Dama - Kabat. Sakala has chosen Pole Pole as his entrance music. Yannick Sakala is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Emelianenko
vs
Sakala

190 cm
20
265
5 - 1 - 0

193 cm
20
242
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roman Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yannick Sakala!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakala blocks a jab.
Sakala tries to clinch but Emelianenko moves away
and Emelianenko counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Emelianenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sakala.
Emelianenko looks to land a right hand but Sakala moved out of range.
Sakala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sakala misses with a body shot.
It looked like Emelianenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A low kick from Emelianenko is predictable there
and Sakala counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Roman Emelianenko has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianenko lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sakala throws a jab but it's blocked by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko tries to land a front kick but Sakala steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sakala on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws a hook but Sakala avoids it easily.
Sakala tries to counter with a clinch but Emelianenko shakes him off and moves away.
Emelianenko slips under a jab.
A jab lands there for Emelianenko.
Sakala misses with a two punch combination.
Emelianenko takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A left lands for Emelianenko.
Emelianenko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sakala doesn't seem bothered though.
Emelianenko looks to throw the jab but Sakala is out of range.
Sakala wants to counter with a clinch but Emelianenko pushes him away.
Emelianenko takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sakala throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sakala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Emelianenko moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakala swinging wildly here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakala scores with a sloppy right hand. Emelianenko should have avoided that one.
Sakala misses with a wild body shot.
Sakala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Emelianenko.
Sakala tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Emelianenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakala.
Sakala lands with a good body shot.
Emelianenko scores with a shot to the body.
Sakala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Emelianenko moves away.
Emelianenko appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Emelianenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Emelianenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As Emelianenko backs off Sakala throws a huge counter combo but Emelianenko manages to avoid it all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakala misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Emelianenko.
Sakala avoids the body shot from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko works Sakala's body with a nice hook.
Emelianenko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Emelianenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Emelianenko pushes Sakala away with a front kick.
Emelianenko takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Emelianenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sakala looks winded!
Emelianenko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sakala at a distance.
Emelianenko digs a good hook to Sakala's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko lands with a nice body kick.
Emelianenko definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Emelianenko feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Sakala sprawling to the canvas! Sakala rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Emelianenko finish him?!

It looks like Yannick Sakala has been cut.
Sakala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws a monster overhand right that drops Sakala! Emelianenko follows up with more strikes from mount and the fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Roman Emelianenko!
Roman Emelianenko seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.