PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between King Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Murdock Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Emelianenko
vs
Jr

180 cm
27
232 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

200 cm
24
275 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
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 8 - 6 - 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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Murdock Jr!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jr dips to his left and cracks Emelianenko with an uppercut!

Jr feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Emelianenko is looking for a triangle but Jr pushes his legs off easily.

Emelianenko working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Jr has passed into half guard!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emelianenko wants to sweep but Jr has passed to side control!
Jr working away.
Jr working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Jr wants to lay and pray for a moment but Emelianenko keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jr lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Emelianenko manages to work his way to half guard, despite Jr's best efforts.
Jr missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Emelianenko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Emelianenko regains full guard. Nicely done.
Emelianenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Emelianenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jr defends it easily.

Emelianenko working for submissions but it's allowed Jr to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jr connects with a nice short shot to Emelianenko's temple.
Jr landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Emelianenko has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Jr escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Jr!
Jr scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Emelianenko to see if he's OK.
Emelianenko is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jr creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Emelianenko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jr wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Jr scoring with punches from side control.
Emelianenko tries to bench press Jr off him but Jr keeps the position.
Jr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jr lands a nice forearm strike.
Jr trying to control the position but Emelianenko is working away.
Jr scoring with punches and elbows.
Emelianenko is looking for a sweep.
Emelianenko manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jr stands up out of the half guard.

Emelianenko scores with a takedown into Jr's guard.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jr bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Emelianenko's guard.
Jr wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.
Jr scoring with punches to the head and body.
Jr makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jr landing some decent shots from guard.

Emelianenko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jr defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murdock Jr dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jr paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Emelianenko slips under a jab.
Nice jab there from Jr.
Jr misses with a low kick.

Emelianenko scores a takedown into full mount!

Emelianenko jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Jr is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Jr and Emelianenko has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Jr sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Jr looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Jr actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko is just content to waste time from the top position. Jr takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Jr working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Emelianenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Emelianenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jr looking to control.
Emelianenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Jr controls Emelianenko momentarily but Emelianenko frees himself.

That's two 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.

Emelianenko is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Jr is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Jr has escaped and now he's on top!
Emelianenko has momentary wrist control but Jr slips an elbow through the middle.

Emelianenko working for submissions but it's allowed Jr to get to half guard.
Emelianenko is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jr working over Emelianenko with some ground and pound. Emelianenko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko trying to control but Jr postures up.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back.
Jr working the head and body with strikes.
Jr is looking to stall here but Emelianenko recovers full guard.

Emelianenko looking for a guillotine here but Jr defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jr lands a couple of digs.
Emelianenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Jr passes into half guard.

Jr 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. Jr eventually gives up the hold.
Jr landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murdock Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Emelianenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Emelianenko slips under a jab.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown
and Jr counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Jr feints and as Emelianenko raises his hands in defense, Jr changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Emelianenko has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Jr has passed into side control.
Jr tries to advance to mount but can't.
Emelianenko takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Emelianenko is trying to control Jr's posture but Jr avoids it.
Jr is putting a hurting on Emelianenko here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko wants to control but Jr postures up.
Jr lands an elbow.
Emelianenko is trying to control Jr's posture but Jr avoids it.
Jr creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Jr works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Jr gets to mount! Emelianenko was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emelianenko can't escape the position.
Jr looking to control but Emelianenko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jr fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Jr avoids the attempt from Emelianenko to control.
Emelianenko working to try and regain half guard.
Emelianenko is in a horrible position here. Jr smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Jr working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jr dominating with strikes here.
Emelianenko is trying desperately to improve position.
Jr landing punches.
Emelianenko is looking to get to half guard.
Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jr lands with some strikes.
Jr with shots to the head and body - Emelianenko looks very uncomfortable down there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jr lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is in all sorts of trouble here.
Jr with the ground and pound from mount.
Jr tries to control but Emelianenko wriggling away.
Jr lands a nice shot to the head.
Jr pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Jr has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Emelianenko's face.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Emelianenko is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
King Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jr lands a big shot there that rocks Emelianenko but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Murdock Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jr has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 26:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 26:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Murdock Jr!