PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between King Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Larry Laffer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Emelianenko
vs
Laffer

180 cm
25
232 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

195 cm
24
265 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, King Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Larry Laffer!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Laffer shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Laffer wants to work for an arm triangle but Emelianenko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Laffer is trying to control. Emelianenko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Laffer is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Laffer not doing much here.

Laffer seems to be looking for submissions.

Emelianenko is defending against the submission attempts here by Laffer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laffer is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Emelianenko is just riding it out for now. Laffer eventually gives up the hold.

Laffer is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Emelianenko doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Laffer.
Laffer slows the pace down in half guard.
Emelianenko is looking to control Laffer's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Emelianenko avoid being mounted?

That's two 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.
Laffer looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Emelianenko wants to improve his position but Laffer is controlling well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Emelianenko throws a series of punches but Laffer moves out of range.
Emelianenko doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Laffer counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Laffer.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laffer pushing down on Emelianenko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Laffer is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Emelianenko has managed to free his arm - good work.

Laffer is working for a submission of some sort.
Laffer looks gassed!
Emelianenko moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laffer trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.

Emelianenko has his foot on Laffer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Laffer works his way back into a safe position though.
Emelianenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Laffer is one step ahead there.
Laffer wants to pass the guard but Emelianenko is keeping the position.

Laffer drops back looking for a leg! Emelianenko is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Emelianenko manages to kick Laffer off! Laffer jumps back into Emelianenko's guard.

Laffer 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!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Emelianenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Laffer controlling Emelianenko's posture.
Emelianenko is pushing down on Laffer's leg trying to pass to half guard. Laffer is fighting to maintain full guard but Emelianenko has managed to sneak the leg through.
Laffer is trying to stand.
Emelianenko trying to control the action but Laffer is working from the bottom.
Laffer is looking to escape.

Emelianenko is looking for a kimura but Laffer is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Emelianenko to get the leverage.
Laffer wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Laffer with a lazy takedown attempt

and Emelianenko counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Emelianenko is trying to control. Laffer wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Laffer makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Emelianenko gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Emelianenko wants to sweep but no luck.

Emelianenko is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Laffer pulls guard successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laffer trying to control the position here.
Laffer 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 might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Laffer pushes Emelianenko off and scrambles back to his feet.
Laffer gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Emelianenko counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Laffer!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko controlling the pace for now.
Emelianenko trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Laffer sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Emelianenko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Laffer makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Laffer.
Laffer has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Laffer is on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Laffer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Laffer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Laffer wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.

Emelianenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Laffer gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Emelianenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Emelianenko, not yet.

Laffer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Laffer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laffer passes into half guard.
Emelianenko wants to improve his position but Laffer is controlling well.

Laffer seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Emelianenko is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Larry Laffer!