PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Emilio Barbosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emilio Barbosa has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Barbosa
vs
Emelianenko

197 cm
22
235 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
233 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Emilio Barbosa!
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, Fedor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Aleksandr Martynov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbosa throws a series of punches but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Emelianenko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Barbosa pinned against the cage. Barbosa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A punch lands to the side of Barbosa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Emelianenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Emelianenko staying out of range there.
Barbosa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barbosa waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Emelianenko.
Barbosa throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Emelianenko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barbosa but Barbosa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Emilio Barbosa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.
Barbosa jabs at Emelianenko's body.
Emelianenko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Emelianenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Barbosa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Emelianenko looks gassed!
Emelianenko fails with a takedown attempt.

Barbosa darts in and clinches Emelianenko up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa has Emelianenko pushed against the cage.
Barbosa tries to work over Emelianenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Barbosa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barbosa looks to land a right hand but Emelianenko moved out of range.
Emelianenko moves forwards but Barbosa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Barbosa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Barbosa tries to clinch but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Barbosa thows a body shot but no joy.
Emelianenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Emelianenko takes one on the button.
Emelianenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Barbosa instigates a clinch.
Barbosa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Barbosa works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Emelianenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Barbosa just stands there and leans against the cage.

Barbosa breaks the clinch.
Barbosa looks to score with a jab to the body but Emelianenko is just out of range.
Barbosa cracks Emelianenko with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko shoots in for a double leg but Barbosa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Emelianenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbosa.
A punch combination from Barbosa misses.
Barbosa cracks Emelianenko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barbosa lands a jab.
Barbosa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Barbosa throws a right and a left that both miss.

Barbosa has closed the distance and engaged Emelianenko in a clinch.
Emelianenko tries to pull guard but Barbosa holds him up against the cage and eventually Emelianenko drops back down to his feet.
Good body shot from Barbosa.
Barbosa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Emelianenko's elbow.
Barbosa stalling the fight.
Barbosa is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A right handed body shot lands from Barbosa.

Barbosa manages to break the clinch.
Barbosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Emelianenko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Barbosa defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Emelianenko there as he acknowledges the shot.
Emelianenko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barbosa misses with a two punch combination.

Barbosa darts in and clinches Emelianenko up against the cage.

Barbosa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barbosa takes a swing at Emelianenko's ribcage but misses.
Barbosa looks to land a combination but Emelianenko avoids it well.
Barbosa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Emelianenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Emelianenko shoots in and drives through. Barbosa sprawls well.
Barbosa scores with a jab to the body.
Barbosa just misses with a punch to the body.

Barbosa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emelianenko, pushing him back against the cage.

Barbosa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Emelianenko is looking to clinch.
Barbosa is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa moves into the clinch.
Barbosa has Emelianenko pressed against the cage, preventing Emelianenko from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Barbosa lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Emelianenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Barbosa gets through Emelianenko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Barbosa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barbosa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barbosa swinging wilding here.
Barbosa lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Emelianenko backs up against the cage.
Barbosa smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Emelianenko avoids the body shot from Barbosa.
Barbosa misses with a double jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barbosa misses with a jab, cross combination.
A jab from Barbosa does it's job there.
Emelianenko dives in and grabs Barbosa's left leg, looking for a takedown. Barbosa pushes down on Emelianenko's head and hops out.
Emelianenko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Barbosa dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Barbosa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Emelianenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbosa.
Emilio Barbosa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barbosa lands a glancing blow to the side of Emelianenko's head.

Emelianenko gets the takedown into side control.
Barbosa is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barbosa is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Emelianenko asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Emelianenko lands a nice forearm strike.
Barbosa is trying to improve his position.
Emelianenko trying to control the position but Barbosa is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa is trying to get back to half guard.
Emelianenko lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Barbosa gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Barbosa is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emelianenko trying to control the action but Barbosa is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Emelianenko looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Barbosa is trying to get back to full guard.
Barbosa works his way to full guard. Good work.

Barbosa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Emelianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Emilio Barbosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barbosa as he jumps to the side.
Emelianenko gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice sprawl there from Barbosa as Emelianenko shoots in.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
Barbosa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Barbosa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Emelianenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Barbosa fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Barbosa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Emelianenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barbosa throws a series of punches but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Barbosa misses with a straight right.
Barbosa looks to throw the jab but Emelianenko is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barbosa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barbosa thuds a left hand into Emelianenko's body.
Barbosa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Barbosa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Barbosa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barbosa misses with a wild combination.
Emilio Barbosa is winning the standup battle so far.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown attempt - Barbosa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Emilio Barbosa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.

Emelianenko rushes Barbosa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Barbosa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Emelianenko.
Barbosa manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emilio Barbosa dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Barbosa throws a shot from downtown. Emelianenko moves away and avoids it.
Barbosa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown but Barbosa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Emelianenko takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Barbosa fails with an attempt to clinch.

Barbosa clinches up against the cage.

Emelianenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barbosa is looking to clinch but Emelianenko is avoiding it.
Barbosa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Emelianenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbosa.
Barbosa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Barbosa takes a swing at Emelianenko's ribcage but misses.
Barbosa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Barbosa wants it to stay on the feet.
Emilio Barbosa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.

Barbosa has managed to clinch.
Emelianenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barbosa can't find room to land a body shot as Emelianenko controls the action.
Emelianenko tries to score a body lock takedown but Barbosa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa is leaning against Emelianenko and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hand to the body from Barbosa.
Barbosa stalling against the cage.

Barbosa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barbosa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Emelianenko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Barbosa misses the shot to the body.
Emelianenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Barbosa tries to clinch up.

Barbosa has taken the fight to the clinch.

Barbosa manages to break the clinch.
Barbosa misses with a wild combination.
Barbosa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Emelianenko can do to turn this around?
Barbosa lands a right hook to the body.
Barbosa throws a left and a right that both miss
and Emelianenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Barbosa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko takes a jab right on the kisser.
Decent striking displayed by Barbosa there.
Barbosa looks to score with a jab to the body but Emelianenko is just out of range.
Emelianenko throws a wild body kick that Barbosa sees coming a mile off.
Emilio Barbosa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barbosa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Emelianenko tries to clinch but Barbosa is having none of it.
Barbosa doesn't manage to clinch there - Emelianenko circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barbosa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barbosa throws a series of punches but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Emelianenko clinches but Barbosa breaks the clinch
and Barbosa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Barbosa cracks Emelianenko with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Emelianenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Barbosa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Emelianenko with a poor takedown
and Barbosa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Barbosa rushes Emelianenko and presses him up against the cage.
Emelianenko has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Barbosa manages to break the clinch.
Barbosa throws a series of punches but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Barbosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko closes the distance looking to clinch
and Barbosa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Barbosa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barbosa misses with a two punch combination.
Emelianenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Barbosa makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Barbosa moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko prevents a body shot from Barbosa.
Barbosa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barbosa avoiding damage.
Barbosa works on Emelianenko's body with a couple of short punches.
Emelianenko misses with a body punch.
Emilio Barbosa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barbosa lands a body punch in the clinch.
Emelianenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Barbosa just stands there and leans against the cage.

Barbosa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barbosa works over Emelianenko's head and body with a nice combination.
Barbosa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Barbosa throws a one two combo.
Barbosa scores with a body shot.
Barbosa stuns Emelianenko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Fedor Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barbosa throws a series of punches but Emelianenko moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emilio Barbosa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barbosa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emilio Barbosa!