PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Popov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Darude-Sandstorm. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Popov
vs
Emelianenko

179 cm
22
255 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
22
235 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Predator Nutrition
Predator Nutrition

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jack Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Popov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Emelianenko's half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Popov wants to stand up but Emelianenko is controlling the position.

Popov seems to be working for a kimura but Emelianenko defends the submission attempt.
Emelianenko lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.

Popov is looking for a kimura here.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back.
Popov wants to free his trapped foot but Emelianenko is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Popov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Popov not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Emelianenko shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Emelianenko showed some decent athleticism there.

Emelianenko is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Popov is just riding it out for now. Emelianenko eventually gives up the hold.
Emelianenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Popov has hold of Emelianenko's hands but Emelianenko slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Popov wants to get back to his feet.
Popov regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Emelianenko.

Emelianenko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Popov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Emelianenko has managed to get both his arms back between Popov's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko prevents Popov from getting back to his feet.
Popov is breathing heavily.
Popov keeping moving, preventing Emelianenko from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emelianenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Emelianenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Emelianenko pushing down on Popov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Emelianenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Popov's head.
Emelianenko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Popov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Emelianenko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Popov looking for submissions off his back.
Emelianenko wants to control but Popov is keeping him busy.
Emelianenko thows a huge punch but Popov dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko throwing shots but Popov is blocking nicely.
Popov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Emelianenko is working away from the top position though.
Popov tries to roll over but Emelianenko keeps him under control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Popov works over Emelianenko's head and body with a nice combination.
Emelianenko slips a jab and a cross from Popov.

Popov gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Popov stands up and beckons Emelianenko to his feet.
Popov tries to clinch there but Emelianenko circles away.
Popov wants to clinch.

Popov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Emelianenko is trying to defend but Popov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Emelianenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov looking to pass the guard.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Popov from controlling successfully.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Emelianenko is looking to sweep but instead, Popov has passed into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Emelianenko can do anything to dispel that myth.
Popov is looking to take a break and control but Emelianenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Popov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Emelianenko with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Popov tries to stand and escape but Emelianenko is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Popov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Popov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Popov misses with a takedown attempt
and Emelianenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Popov tries to clinch up but Emelianenko circles away and keeps his distance.
Popov walks into a left hand.
Popov ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko shoots and misses

and Popov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Emelianenko's guard.
Popov wants to get up but he can't break Emelianenko's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Popov is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Emelianenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Popov scoring with punches to the head and body.

Popov stands up and waves to Emelianenko to follow him.
Popov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Popov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Popov scores with a takedown into Emelianenko's guard.
Popov looking to pass the guard.
Emelianenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Emelianenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Emelianenko, not yet.

Popov stands and steps away. Emelianenko gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Emelianenko closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Popov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Emelianenko.
Popov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Emelianenko's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Emelianenko missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Popov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Popov is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko seems to be working for a kimura but Popov defends the submission attempt.
Popov gets full guard.
Popov wants to get back to his feet but Emelianenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Popov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Emelianenko is aware though and is defending well.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emelianenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Popov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Emelianenko!

Emelianenko defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Popov.
Emelianenko wants to control but Popov is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is squirming around, avoiding Popov's attempts to control the action.
Popov scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Popov goes for an armbar but Emelianenko turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko lands a couple of elbows.
Popov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Emelianenko postures up.
Emelianenko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Popov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Emelianenko defends well.

Popov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Emelianenko is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Emelianenko manages to pass to side control.

Popov is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Emelianenko pulls his head out easily.
Jack Popov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Popov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Emelianenko scores with a couple of nice shots.

Popov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Popov as he jumps to the side.
Popov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Emelianenko circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Popov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Popov tries to sprawl out of it but Emelianenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Popov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jack Popov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.
Emelianenko shoots in and drives through. Popov sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Popov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Popov scores with a takedown into Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko striking from the bottom here.
Popov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Emelianenko is proving hard to escape from.
Popov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Emelianenko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Emelianenko is pressing down on Popov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Popov is holding on for now.
Popov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Popov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Emelianenko decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Popov, up you get!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown

and Popov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Popov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Popov drags the fight down to the ground.

Popov has his foot on Emelianenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Emelianenko works his way back into a safe position though.
Emelianenko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Emelianenko chips away with some ground and pound.

Popov throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Emelianenko escapes and throws Popov's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Emelianenko trying to control the action but Popov is working from the bottom.
Popov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Emelianenko's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Emelianenko takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Popov is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Popov punching from the bottom.
Emelianenko working Popov over with strikes.
Popov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Emelianenko stops Popov from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No joy there for Popov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Emelianenko throws an overhand right that lands on Popov's shoulder, as Popov tries to avoid the shot.
Popov lands an overhand right.
Popov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Popov shoots in and bounces Emelianenko off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Popov drops back looking for a leg! Emelianenko is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Emelianenko manages to kick Popov off! Popov jumps back into Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko striking off his back but it's not causing Popov any problems.
Fedor Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Popov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Emelianenko is proving hard to escape from.

Popov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Jack Popov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Popov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jack Popov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.
Popov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Popov shoots in looking for a takedown. Emelianenko tries to sprawl out of it but Popov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Emelianenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Emelianenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Popov sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Popov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Emelianenko misses with a looping right.
Popov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Emelianenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Popov swivels and escapes.
Popov cracks the inside of Emelianenko's front leg.
Emelianenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Popov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Emelianenko manages to get to full guard.
Emelianenko doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Emelianenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Popov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Popov stands up from Emelianenko's guard - Popov perhaps looking for a knockout.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Popov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Popov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Popov!