PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jeremiah Sainclair (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emalianenko (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?

Sainclair
vs
Emalianenko

200 cm
20
270 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
232 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jeremiah Sainclair!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emalianenko!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sainclair changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Emalianenko tries to avoid it but Sainclair manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Emalianenko to the ground. Emalianenko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sainclair tries for a takedown but Emalianenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Emalianenko has taken the fight to the clinch.

Emalianenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Emalianenko fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sainclair sprawls well initially but Emalianenko persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sainclair looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Emalianenko is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Emalianenko controlling the action here.

Sainclair actively working from the bottom here.
Emalianenko wants to take a breather but Sainclair is having none of it.
Emalianenko is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sainclair shoots and misses
and Emalianenko counters with a thumping low kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeremiah Sainclair. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sainclair has his takedown stuffed

so Emalianenko counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sainclair is breathing heavily.
Emalianenko forces his way into half guard.
Emalianenko performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Emalianenko working over Sainclair with some ground and pound. Sainclair looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Emalianenko stands up out of the half guard.

Emalianenko bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Emalianenko is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sainclair knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sainclair manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sainclair is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Emalianenko should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Emalianenko is controlling Sainclair's trapped leg to prevent Sainclair from advancing to side control.

Sainclair is looking for a kimura but Emalianenko is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sainclair to get the leverage.
Emalianenko trying to control here.
Sainclair passes to side control.

Sainclair is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Emalianenko is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Sainclair working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Emalianenko sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Sainclair is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Emalianenko doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sainclair.

Sainclair is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sainclair is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Sainclair seems to be working for a kimura but Emalianenko defends the submission attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Emalianenko has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sainclair is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor Emalianenko dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sainclair misses with a takedown

and Emalianenko counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sainclair won't be happy with that.
Emalianenko trying to control the action but Sainclair is working from the bottom.
Sainclair manages to get back to half guard.
Emalianenko looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Fedor Emalianenko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Emalianenko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Sainclair actively working from the bottom here.
Sainclair is refusing to be controlled, as Emalianenko sits in half guard.

Sainclair looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Emalianenko is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sainclair looking for submissions off his back.

Sainclair looking for submissions off his back.
Emalianenko wants to stand up but Sainclair has a hold of him and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Emalianenko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sainclair to the mat! Sainclair manages to get full guard.

Sainclair has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Emalianenko doesn't defend quickly enough and Sainclair has managed to lock this one up! Can Emalianenko escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Sainclair on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Jeremiah Sainclair!