PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Branko Dalibor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksander Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emelianenko is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Slayer - Bloodline. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Dalibor
vs
Emelianenko

191 cm
29
284 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

191 cm
25
245 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Branko Dalibor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksander Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko misses with a double jab

and Dalibor counters by moving into the clinch.
Dalibor is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Emelianenko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dalibor wants a takedown but no success here.
Dalibor has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Emelianenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Branko Dalibor. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Dalibor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Dalibor counters by clinching up.
Dalibor is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Emelianenko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dalibor is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Emelianenko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Emelianenko prevents the takedown attempt.
Dalibor can't get the takedown.
Dalibor has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Emelianenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dalibor wants a takedown but no success here.
Dalibor is breathing heavily.
Dalibor has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Emelianenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Dalibor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Emelianenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Dalibor counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dalibor.
Dalibor is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Emelianenko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Emelianenko is pressed up against the cage. Dalibor has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Emelianenko down to the mat. Emelianenko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dalibor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Emelianenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Emelianenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Emelianenko lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Branko Dalibor has been cut.
Emelianenko throws a left and a right that both miss

and Dalibor moves into the clinch.

Dalibor manages to break the clinch.
Emelianenko throws a series of punches but Dalibor avoids them all with ease.
Dalibor slips a jab from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Dalibor counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dalibor trying to control the position but Emelianenko is working away.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Dalibor working the head with strikes.
Dalibor is looking to take a break and control but Emelianenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dalibor landing strikes.
Dalibor cracks Emelianenko with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dalibor has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Emelianenko!
Dalibor tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Dalibor scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Dalibor controlling the position easily from mount.
Dalibor working the ground and pound effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dalibor lands a big elbow.
A nice elbow there by Dalibor.
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.
Dalibor scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Dalibor lands a nice shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emelianenko takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Dalibor's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Branko Dalibor!