PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between BJ Preen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flavor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). BJ Preen could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Flavor Emelianenko's chin.

Preen
vs
Emelianenko

200 cm
18
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
233 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Fast

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, BJ Preen!
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, Flavor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Preen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Preen trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Preen from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Preen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Emelianenko manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Emelianenko is working for a guillotine from mount but Preen frees his head quite easily.

Emelianenko goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Preen turns into him and now he's in Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko looks gassed!

Emelianenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Preen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Preen wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.
Preen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Preen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Preen pushes down on Emelianenko's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Emelianenko 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.
Preen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Preen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Preen is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Preen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Emelianenko tries to roll over but Preen keeps him under control.
Emelianenko is refusing to be controlled, as Preen sits in half guard.

Emelianenko actively working from the bottom here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Emelianenko moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Emelianenko lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Preen!
Emelianenko working away from the top, dropping strikes.

It looks like BJ Preen has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Emelianenko working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
A nice elbow there by Emelianenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Preen looks a forlorn figure.
Emelianenko fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Preen is rocked!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Emelianenko cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Oh Preen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Preen regains half guard.
Preen seems to have got his legs back now.

Emelianenko decides to return to a standing position.

Preen feints and as Emelianenko raises his hands in defense, Preen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Preen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emelianenko keeping full guard, as Preen tries to pass.

Emelianenko pushes Preen off and scrambles back to his feet.
Emelianenko stuffs the takedown.

Emelianenko gets a takedown into half guard.
Preen wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko works his way into side control.
Emelianenko looks up at the clock and then as Preen takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Emelianenko smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Check out the look on Emelianenko's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Emelianenko decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Emelianenko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Preen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Emelianenko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Preen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Preen takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Emelianenko looks up at the clock and then as Preen takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Emelianenko smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Preen prevents Emelianenko from improving position.
Emelianenko working the strikes but Preen uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

Emelianenko stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Preen to get to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flavor Emelianenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on BJ Preen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Emelianenko misses with a takedown attempt

and Preen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Emelianenko wants to get back to his feet.

Emelianenko manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Emelianenko throws a leg kick

and Preen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Nice strikes from Emelianenko there.

Emelianenko is working for a kimura but Preen is defending it quite comfortably.
Emelianenko lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Preen wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping busy.

Emelianenko is working for a kimura here but Preen manages to reverse the position and he's now in Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
Preen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Preen trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Preen is one step ahead there.
Emelianenko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Preen from controlling successfully.
Emelianenko wants to stand up but Preen is controlling him.

Preen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Preen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Preen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Preen trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Preen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Preen from controlling successfully.
Emelianenko throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Preen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

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

Emelianenko fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Preen sprawls well initially but Emelianenko persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Emelianenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Preen's head.

Emelianenko decides to return to a standing position.
Flavor Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Emelianenko looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Emelianenko wants to work for an arm triangle but Preen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Preen regains full guard. Nicely done.

Preen working for a triangle but Emelianenko defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Preen 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 wants to stand but Preen is controlling his posture from full guard.
Preen looking for a sweep. Not yet Preen, not yet.
Flavor Emelianenko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Preen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Preen is keeping the position for now.
Preen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Preen keeping full guard, as Emelianenko tries to pass.
Emelianenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Emelianenko stands up over Preen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko drops back looking for a leg! Preen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Preen manages to kick Emelianenko off! Emelianenko jumps back into Preen's guard.
Emelianenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Preen's head.
Emelianenko stands and throws Preen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Preen gets back to half guard.
Preen manages to get to full guard.
Preen throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Preen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko wants to stand but Preen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Emelianenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Preen is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Emelianenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Flavor Emelianenko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on BJ Preen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Emelianenko with a lazy takedown attempt

and Preen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Emelianenko has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Preen off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Emelianenko takes a swing at Preen's ribcage but misses.
Emelianenko misses with a double jab.
Preen misses with a takedown attempt
and Emelianenko counters with a stiff right hand.

Preen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Preen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Emelianenko, who protects the arm well.
Emelianenko regains half guard.
Preen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Emelianenko wants to get back to full guard.
Emelianenko works his way to full guard. Good work.

Emelianenko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Preen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Emelianenko manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Preen manages to get himself to full guard.
Emelianenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Preen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Preen working for a triangle but Emelianenko defends it easily.

Preen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Emelianenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Emelianenko postures up and lands a big shot to Preen's brow.

Preen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Emelianenko looking to pass the guard.
Preen throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko stands and steps away. Preen gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
An inside leg kick lands from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko with a poor takedown

and Preen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Emelianenko!
Preen trying to control but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Preen controlling from the full mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelianenko really wants to buck Preen off and get back to his feet.
Emelianenko flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Preen unloading with bombs!
Emelianenko keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
BOOM! Preen connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Emelianenko is trying to escape the mount.
Preen controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Preen working over Emelianenko with some ground and pound. Emelianenko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Preen is nestled in close to Emelianenko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Preen prevents Emelianenko from improving his position.
Preen trying to control from half guard but Emelianenko is working away.
Emelianenko wants to get back to full guard.

Emelianenko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Preen prevents Emelianenko from improving his position.
Emelianenko pushes Preen off looking to stand but Preen dives back in and keeps control.
Preen is tying to control. Emelianenko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Preen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Emelianenko!
Preen controlling from the full mount.
Preen landing strikes from the mount and Emelianenko is in trouble!
Preen 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.
Emelianenko manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Preen prevents Emelianenko from standing back up.
Emelianenko wants to improve his position but Preen is controlling well.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Preen wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping him busy.
BJ Preen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Emelianenko has one foot on Preen's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
BJ Preen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Emelianenko 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 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Flavor Emelianenko!