PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kunilinger Ebalajtung (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Fedor Emelianenko has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Emelianenko
vs
Ebalajtung

183 cm
22
233 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

187 cm
20
221 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kunilinger Ebalajtung!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ebalajtung uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Emelianenko.
Ebalajtung keeps the fight on the outside.

Ebalajtung scores with a takedown into Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko wants to get back to his feet but Ebalajtung is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Emelianenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ebalajtung is one step ahead there.
Emelianenko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ebalajtung's guard.

Ebalajtung looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Emelianenko postures up in Ebalajtung's guard and throws a big left but Ebalajtung blocks it.
Ebalajtung working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Emelianenko.

Ebalajtung looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ebalajtung has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Emelianenko stands up and waves to Ebalajtung to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ebalajtung rushes Emelianenko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ebalajtung prevents Emelianenko from breaking the clinch.
Ebalajtung keeps control of Emelianenko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Ebalajtung's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Emelianenko cracks Ebalajtung with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Emelianenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Ebalajtung tries to sprawl out of it but Emelianenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ebalajtung manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Emelianenko tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Ebalajtung counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ebalajtung scoring with some ground and pound.
Ebalajtung slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Emelianenko 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.
Ebalajtung looks gassed!
Emelianenko throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ebalajtung trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ebalajtung won't allow Emelianenko to get back to his feet.
Ebalajtung in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ebalajtung pushing down on Emelianenko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Emelianenko punching from the bottom.
Ebalajtung trying to pass the guard but Emelianenko defending well.

Emelianenko has one foot on Ebalajtung's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Ebalajtung shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Emelianenko napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ebalajtung remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ebalajtung wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Emelianenko is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ebalajtung has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Emelianenko tries to bench press Ebalajtung off him but Ebalajtung keeps the position.
Emelianenko is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Ebalajtung wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping him busy.
Ebalajtung working the body and head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Emelianenko is looking to clinch.
Emelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ebalajtung swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ebalajtung looks to land a right hand but Emelianenko moved out of range.

Ebalajtung gets a clinch.

Ebalajtung is trying to trip Emelianenko. He has hold of a leg but Emelianenko is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Ebalajtung persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Ebalajtung trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ebalajtung prevents Emelianenko from getting back to his feet.
Ebalajtung is in close to Emelianenko's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Ebalajtung stands and steps away. Emelianenko gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ebalajtung ducks right into an uppercut from Emelianenko.

Ebalajtung changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Emelianenko looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko pushes Ebalajtung away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ebalajtung gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Ebalajtung stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Emelianenko lands a nice shot that snaps Ebalajtung's head back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kunilinger Ebalajtung dominated that round.
That's time! Emelianenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ebalajtung scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Ebalajtung working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Emelianenko tries to escape but Ebalajtung is in control.
Emelianenko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ebalajtung wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Ebalajtung wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Emelianenko, who protects the arm well.

Ebalajtung looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ebalajtung is looking to take a break and control but Emelianenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ebalajtung tries for a kimura but Emelianenko is defending well.
Ebalajtung scores with a couple of short elbows.
Ebalajtung lands a decent elbow from side control.
Emelianenko is trying to improve his position.

Ebalajtung tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ebalajtung avoids the strikes from the bottom by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko tries to improve position but can't.

Ebalajtung stands up.

Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Emelianenko was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Emelianenko scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ebalajtung?
Emelianenko misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ebalajtung wants to control but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Emelianenko postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ebalajtung looks a forlorn figure.
Kunilinger Ebalajtung has got the better of the ground game so far.
Emelianenko working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Emelianenko scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Emelianenko avoids the attempt from Ebalajtung to control.
Emelianenko landing shots from mount.
Ebalajtung is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ebalajtung working to try and regain half guard.
Ebalajtung tries to lock up and control but Emelianenko gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ebalajtung is looking to improve his position but Emelianenko isn't that keen on the idea.
Emelianenko cracks Ebalajtung with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Emelianenko looking to finish Ebalajtung with some ground and pound. This is bad for Ebalajtung!
Ebalajtung tries to lock up and control but Emelianenko gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Emelianenko looking to finish Ebalajtung with some ground and pound. This is bad for Ebalajtung!
Ebalajtung tries to lock up and control but Emelianenko gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ebalajtung gets back to half guard.
Emelianenko drops an elbow to the side of Ebalajtung's head.
Ebalajtung trying to control here.
Ebalajtung taking some punishment here, with Emelianenko in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kunilinger Ebalajtung showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Ebalajtung darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Emelianenko is trying to get back to full guard.

Ebalajtung is looking for a kimura but Emelianenko is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ebalajtung to get the leverage.
Emelianenko is not content to let Ebalajtung control the position.

Emelianenko is defending against the submission attempts here by Ebalajtung.
Emelianenko is looking to control Ebalajtung's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Emelianenko avoid being mounted?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko looks like he's trying to stand up.
Emelianenko is staying active underneath Ebalajtung, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Emelianenko is looking to clinch but Ebalajtung is avoiding it.

Ebalajtung closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Emelianenko did well to prevent Ebalajtung getting side control.
Ebalajtung prevents Emelianenko from improving his position.
Ebalajtung wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping him busy.

Emelianenko makes his way to full guard, as Ebalajtung worked for a kimura.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Ebalajtung from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko wants to get back to his feet but Ebalajtung is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ebalajtung trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ebalajtung is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ebalajtung prevents Emelianenko from getting back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Emelianenko closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ebalajtung is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Ebalajtung looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ebalajtung is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ebalajtung trying to control here.
Emelianenko seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ebalajtung tries to roll over but Emelianenko keeps him under control.

Emelianenko is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ebalajtung is just riding it out for now. Emelianenko eventually gives up the hold.
Ebalajtung is looking to control Emelianenko's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ebalajtung avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Emelianenko is looking to clinch but Ebalajtung is avoiding it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ebalajtung.
Emelianenko is looking to reverse the position.
Ebalajtung trying to control the position but Emelianenko is working away.

Ebalajtung stands up.
Fedor Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kunilinger Ebalajtung is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ebalajtung shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kunilinger Ebalajtung comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ebalajtung winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kunilinger Ebalajtung!