PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksander Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leon Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emelianenko kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Dale Oliver - Not A Stranger To (The) Danger. Smith has chosen Heavyweight Champion of the World as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Emelianenko
vs
Smith

199 cm
22
253 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

193 cm
20
250 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksander Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leon Smith!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko stuffs the takedown.
Emelianenko avoids the head kick by Smith.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Emelianenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Emelianenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Aleksander Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leon Smith.
Emelianenko blocks a head kick by Smith.
Emelianenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Emelianenko swivels and escapes.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smith.
Emelianenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Smith connects with the punch.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Emelianenko moves out of range easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Emelianenko darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Leon Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko lands an overhand right.
Nice body kick there by Smith.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Emelianenko, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Emelianenko against the cage but Emelianenko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko cracks Smith with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Emelianenko with a nice cross.
Emelianenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith scores with a leg kick.
A nice combination there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Smith.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Emelianenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Emelianenko misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Emelianenko avoids the head kick by Smith.
Smith throws a poor cross that misses
and Emelianenko counters with a one-two to the body.

It looks like Leon Smith has been cut.
Emelianenko works Smith's body with a nice hook.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Emelianenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Emelianenko scores with the left hand. Smith knows he should have avoided that one.
Emelianenko tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Smith fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Emelianenko.
Smith misses with a body punch
and Emelianenko counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A punch combination from Emelianenko misses.
A shot to the liver by Emelianenko. Beautiful body shot.
Emelianenko fails to land with a series of punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith scoring well with a low kick there.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith tries to work over Emelianenko's front leg with a kick but Emelianenko checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aleksander Emelianenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Leon Smith's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Emelianenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Emelianenko with a hook.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Aleksander Emelianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Smith with that takedown attempt.
Aleksander Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leon Smith.
A leg kick checked by Emelianenko.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Emelianenko as he avoids it easily.
Aleksander Emelianenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Smith throws a push kick but Emelianenko slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Emelianenko.
Smith throws a head kick but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Emelianenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Emelianenko throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smith counters with an inside leg kick.
Smith goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Aleksander Emelianenko has been cut.
Smith misses with an uppercut
and Emelianenko counters with a one-two to the body.
Emelianenko dips to his left and cracks Smith with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Emelianenko scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Emelianenko scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Smith throws a head kick but Emelianenko moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Emelianenko moves out of range easily.
Emelianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Smith throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Smith thuds his shin into the meat of Emelianenko's side.
Emelianenko misses with a wild body shot.
A punch combination from Emelianenko misses.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Emelianenko checks a low kick from Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko lands a nice hook to Smith's body. Smith takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Emelianenko feints a jab promting Smith to slip. Emelianenko then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Smith slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Emelianenko thuds a left hand into Smith's body.
Emelianenko lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Emelianenko.

Smith decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Emelianenko is looking to escape.

Emelianenko is defending against the submission attempts here by Smith.
Smith controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smith is trying to control. Emelianenko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith tries to pass to full mount but Emelianenko defends it.
Emelianenko is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Smith might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Emelianenko kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Leon Smith wasn't active enough on the ground.
Emelianenko avoids the head kick by Smith.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Smith momentarily.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Emelianenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leon Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Smith fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Emelianenko to the ground. Smith is now in Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko wants to stand but Smith is controlling the position.
Emelianenko on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Emelianenko tries to get out of the position.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith pushing down on Emelianenko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smith passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Emelianenko!
Emelianenko squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Emelianenko avoids a series of strikes thrown by Smith.
Smith can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Emelianenko is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko bucks Smith off and manages to get back to his feet!
Emelianenko fails to land with a series of punches.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Emelianenko moves out of range easily.
No joy there for Emelianenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emelianenko avoids the head kick by Smith.
Emelianenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Emelianenko leaves Smith with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko checks a low kick from Smith.
Smith shoots in but Emelianenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Aleksander Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leon Smith.
Smith misses with a takedown
and Emelianenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Smith tries for a takedown but Emelianenko circles away easily
and Emelianenko counters with a nice uppercut.
Emelianenko pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Smith back to the cage. Emelianenko follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Emelianenko displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko lands with a nice body punch.
Emelianenko moves into range and connects with a jab.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
Emelianenko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smith doesn't seem bothered though.
Emelianenko scores with a crisp jab that stopped Smith in his tracks.
Smith doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Emelianenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Smith has his takedown stuffed
and Emelianenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smith stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Emelianenko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Aleksander Emelianenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Emelianenko works the jab nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko throws a one two combo.
Emelianenko stuns Smith with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksander Emelianenko showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Emelianenko has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Aleksander Emelianenko!