PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tortoise Church (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emelianenko has chosen Fedor as his entrance music. Tortoise Church could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Fedor Emelianenko's chin.

Church
vs
Emelianenko

190 cm
22
255 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
245 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Voodoo Apparel

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tortoise Church!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Fedor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are , and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko fails to land with a series of punches.

Church bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Church tries to advance to mount but can't.
Emelianenko is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Church's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Emelianenko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Church tries to stand and escape but Emelianenko actually recovers to full guard.

Emelianenko has his foot on Church's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Church works his way back into a safe position though.
Church preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Church accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Church pushing down on Emelianenko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Church blocks the strikes from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Emelianenko is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Church pulls his head out easily.
Emelianenko looks gassed!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Church doesn't manage to clinch there - Emelianenko circles away.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Emelianenko has eaten all the pies!
Emelianenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Emelianenko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Church shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Emelianenko counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Church is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Emelianenko pulls his head out easily.
Church wants to get back to full guard.
Church tries to kick Emelianenko off but Emelianenko keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Church's head.
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. Emelianenko connects with a nice short shot to Church's temple.

Emelianenko stands up from half guard.

Emelianenko shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Emelianenko showed some decent athleticism there.
Church knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Emelianenko on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelianenko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Church defending well though.
Emelianenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Church tries to get to full guard but Emelianenko has control of the leg.
Church wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Emelianenko is looking to take a break and control but Church is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Church tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Emelianenko slips a nice elbow through Church's hands, connecting with Church's forehead.
Church slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Church is trying to control the position but Emelianenko postures up.
Church wants to get back to his feet but Emelianenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Emelianenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Emelianenko landing with the ground and pound.
Emelianenko trying to control but Church is working from the bottom.
Church is trying to keep Emelianenko in close.
Emelianenko looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Church tries to clinch but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Emelianenko fails with the takedown
and Church counters with an inside leg kick.
Emelianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Church counters with a left and a right that stings Emelianenko.
Church misses with a wild combination.
Church throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Church closes the distance and clinches.
Emelianenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Church prevents it.
Tortoise Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.
Emelianenko gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Church.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Church gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko prevents a takedown attempt there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor Emelianenko dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Emelianenko shoots in and drives through. Church sprawls well.
Church keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Church scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Church dodges the punch combination from Emelianenko.
Church throws a head kick but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Emelianenko closes the distance but Church moves to the side

and Church moves into the clinch.
Emelianenko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Church gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tortoise Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.

Emelianenko pulls guard effortlessly.

Emelianenko has his foot on Church's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Church works his way back into a safe position though.
Emelianenko tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Church stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Emelianenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Church tries to sprawl out of it but Emelianenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Church manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Church tries to close the distance and clinch but Emelianenko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko avoids a kick to the body.
A punch combination from Emelianenko misses.
Emelianenko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Church circles away.
Fedor Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Church but Church pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Emelianenko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Emelianenko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Church is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Church fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Emelianenko manages to avoid it.
Church cracks Emelianenko with an open hand slap.
Church looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Emelianenko is fending him off so far but Church persists. Nope, Emelianenko circles away and we're back to standing.
Emelianenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Church scores with a nice body kick.

Church darts in and clinches Emelianenko up against the cage.
Emelianenko tries to score a body lock takedown but Church shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Emelianenko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church crunches a lovely knee into Emelianenko's ribcage.
Church prevents a takedown attempt there.

Church breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Emelianenko tries for a takedown but Church sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Church thuds his shin into the meat of Emelianenko's side.
Church fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Church lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Fedor Emelianenko has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Church has Emelianenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Church digs a right hand into Emelianenko's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Emelianenko's gas tank.

Church breaks the clinch.
Emelianenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Church.
Emelianenko with a lazy takedown attempt
and Church counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Emelianenko is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Church moves into the clinch successfully.
Emelianenko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Emelianenko is working for takedown but Church is calmly controlling the position for now.
Church unloads a knee to the mid-section. Emelianenko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Emelianenko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Emelianenko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Church fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Church counter with a right hand.
Emelianenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Church sprawls well. He's pushed Emelianenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Church pushes Emelianenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Church prevents the takedown attempt.

Church breaks the clinch.
Church tries a head kick but it misses.
Emelianenko moves out of range as Church throws a body kick.
Tortoise Church is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Emelianenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Church swivels and escapes.

Emelianenko 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.
Church is looking to stand up but Emelianenko isn't so interested in that idea.
Church working a defensive guard here.
Emelianenko throws a big right hand that misses.

Church is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Church tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emelianenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Emelianenko works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Church trying to control from the bottom.
Church has hold of Emelianenko's hands but Emelianenko slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Church trying to hold on to Emelianenko's head to control him but Emelianenko postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Church pushes Emelianenko off and gets back to his feet.
Church feints and then cracks Emelianenko's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Emelianenko down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tortoise Church dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Fedor Emelianenko'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. This is the final round!

Church throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Emelianenko's waist but Emelianenko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Church off to one side.
Emelianenko has his takedown stuffed
and Church counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Church has taken the fight to the clinch.
Church landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Church stalls.

Church is fighting off a takedown attempt but Emelianenko is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Church to the mat. Church regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Church keeps moving.
Emelianenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Emelianenko working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Church's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Church has momentary wrist control but Emelianenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Emelianenko stopping the sweep attempt from Church.
Emelianenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Church keeping full guard, as Emelianenko tries to pass.
Emelianenko cracks Church with a solid left hand.

Church looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Emelianenko forces his way into half guard.
Church manages to get to full guard.
Church wants to get back to his feet but Emelianenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Emelianenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Church wants to stand up but Emelianenko is controlling him.

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.
Church wants to get back to his feet but Emelianenko passes into half guard.
Emelianenko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Church with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Emelianenko is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Church bucks Emelianenko off and manages to get back to his feet!
Emelianenko with a lazy takedown attempt
and Church counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown attempt

and Church counters by clinching up.
Tortoise Church has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.
Church managing to block the knees to the body from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Church is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Emelianenko pulls guard.
Church won't allow Emelianenko to sweep him here.
Church postures up in Emelianenko's guard and throws a big left but Emelianenko blocks it.
Emelianenko thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Church has passed into half guard!
Emelianenko moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Church trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Church would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Church postures up.
Emelianenko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Church is looking to work some ground and pound but Emelianenko has wrist control.
Church wants to stand but Emelianenko has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position but Church postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Emelianenko with a poor takedown
and Church counters with an outside leg kick.
Church misses with the combination.
Emelianenko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Church is fending him off so far but Emelianenko persists. Nope, Church circles away and we're back to standing.
Emelianenko takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Church looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Emelianenko is fending him off so far but Church persists. Nope, Emelianenko circles away and we're back to standing.
Church is looking to wear down Emelianenko with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Emelianenko scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Emelianenko working the ground and pound.
Church tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Emelianenko scoring with punches and elbows.
Church is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Church is looking to reverse the position.
Emelianenko landing strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fedor Emelianenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Emelianenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fedor Emelianenko!