PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eyvind Skallagrimsson (ranked 1548 p4p, 2293 weight class) and Roman Emelianenko (ranked 170 p4p, 248 weight class). Emelianenko has chosen Mala Dama - Kabat as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Skallagrimsson
vs
Emelianenko

195 cm
26
250
7 - 2 - 0

190 cm
27
257
13 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eyvind Skallagrimsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roman Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skallagrimsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Emelianenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Skallagrimsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Emelianenko as he avoids it easily.
Skallagrimsson misses with a straight left.

Skallagrimsson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Emelianenko on his heels. He'll look to pass Emelianenko's guard now, I'm sure.
Emelianenko is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Skallagrimsson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Emelianenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Skallagrimsson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Skallagrimsson is fighting to break Emelianenko's control of his arms but Emelianenko is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skallagrimsson postures up and lands a big shot to Emelianenko's brow.
Skallagrimsson throwing strikes from guard but Emelianenko blocks nicely.
Skallagrimsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Skallagrimsson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Skallagrimsson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Skallagrimsson scores with a couple of short elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Skallagrimsson trying to control the position but Emelianenko is working away.
We've been hearing that Skallagrimsson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skallagrimsson working the ground and pound but Emelianenko is defending the strikes.
Skallagrimsson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Skallagrimsson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Emelianenko is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson breaks from Emelianenko's wrist control and lands an elbow.

It looks like Roman Emelianenko has been cut.
Emelianenko holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Skallagrimsson tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Skallagrimsson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Emelianenko is looking to escape.
Skallagrimsson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Skallagrimsson trying to control but Emelianenko is having none of it.

Emelianenko defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Skallagrimsson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson throws some wild stikes that Emelianenko manages to avoid easily.
Skallagrimsson content just to control the position here.
Skallagrimsson looking to ground and pound but Emelianenko is blocking nicely.
Skallagrimsson lands with some strikes.
Skallagrimsson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Emelianenko is looking to escape.
Skallagrimsson throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Emelianenko blocking the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Skallagrimsson landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Skallagrimsson goes for an armbar but Emelianenko turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Emelianenko.
Skallagrimsson has a closed guard, preventing Emelianenko from standing up.
Emelianenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Skallagrimsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Emelianenko slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Skallagrimsson wants to sweep here but Emelianenko controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eyvind Skallagrimsson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roman Emelianenko's cut.
That's time! Skallagrimsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Decent striking displayed by Skallagrimsson there.
Skallagrimsson misses with a takedown attempt
and Emelianenko counters with a series of strikes. Skallagrimsson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Skallagrimsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Emelianenko manages to avoid it.
Skallagrimsson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A punch combination from Emelianenko misses.
Skallagrimsson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eyvind Skallagrimsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emelianenko connects with an inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianenko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Emelianenko slips under a jab.
Skallagrimsson misses with a body shot.
Emelianenko doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skallagrimsson.
Emelianenko was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Skallagrimsson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Emelianenko counters with a body kick.
Skallagrimsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Emelianenko moves away.
Skallagrimsson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Skallagrimsson shoots for a takedown but Emelianenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Emelianenko looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Skallagrimsson with a poor takedown
enabling Emelianenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Emelianenko avoids a kick to the body.
A clash of legs there as Skallagrimsson blocks the low kick.
It looked like Skallagrimsson was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Emelianenko.
Skallagrimsson is looking to wear down Emelianenko with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Emelianenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Roman Emelianenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Emelianenko throws a big shot that misses.
Skallagrimsson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Emelianenko sprawls and moves away.

Skallagrimsson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Emelianenko quickly recovers to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson is trying to control the action in half guard but Emelianenko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Skallagrimsson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Emelianenko is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Skallagrimsson trying to control from Emelianenko's half guard. Emelianenko has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Skallagrimsson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Skallagrimsson being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Skallagrimsson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Emelianenko is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Emelianenko has escaped and now he's on top!

Emelianenko looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Emelianenko postures up.
Emelianenko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Skallagrimsson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Emelianenko's guard.

Skallagrimsson trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Emelianenko controlling Skallagrimsson's posture.
Skallagrimsson postures up in Emelianenko's guard and throws a big left but Emelianenko blocks it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Skallagrimsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Emelianenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Roman Emelianenko'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. This is the final round!

Emelianenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Skallagrimsson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Skallagrimsson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Skallagrimsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Emelianenko as he avoids it easily.
Skallagrimsson fails to land the takedown.
Emelianenko avoids the body shot from Skallagrimsson.
Skallagrimsson misses with a looping left.
Skallagrimsson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
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.
Skallagrimsson misses the body punch

and Emelianenko counters with a left and a right that hurts Skallagrimsson! He wobbles and falls to the floor - he's in big trouble! Emelianenko jumps into full mount!

Skallagrimsson is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelianenko controlling the position easily from mount.
Oh Skallagrimsson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Emelianenko's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skallagrimsson wants to control but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Emelianenko content just to control the position here.
Skallagrimsson wants to hold on but Emelianenko pushes him away.
Skallagrimsson seems to have got his legs back now.
Emelianenko looking to control and managing it successfully.
Skallagrimsson wants to hold on but Emelianenko pushes him away.
Skallagrimsson regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko content to control rather than advance.
Skallagrimsson tries to get to full guard but Emelianenko has control of the leg.
Emelianenko tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Emelianenko is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Skallagrimsson trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Skallagrimsson is looking for a sweep. Emelianenko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

Skallagrimsson actively working from the bottom here.
Emelianenko looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Skallagrimsson fails with the takedown
and Skallagrimsson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eyvind Skallagrimsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch lands to the side of Emelianenko 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Roman Emelianenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Skallagrimsson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Skallagrimsson there as he acknowledges the shot.

It looks like Eyvind Skallagrimsson has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko falls off balance throwing a combination
and Skallagrimsson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Emelianenko thinking.
Emelianenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Skallagrimsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Emelianenko.
Skallagrimsson lands with an overhand left.
Emelianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Emelianenko lands a jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emelianenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Emelianenko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Skallagrimsson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Emelianenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Emelianenko 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Emelianenko!
After winning the bout, Roman Emelianenko thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.