PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Damien Marcello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Herb Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emelianenko is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Tangerine Sky. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Marcello
vs
Emelianenko

187 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
20
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Damien Marcello!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Herb Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Marcello tries to clinch up.
Marcello is looking to slow Emelianenko down with leg kicks.
Emelianenko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marcello tries to clinch but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Emelianenko lands a slapping body shot.
Emelianenko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Marcello's waist but Marcello gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Emelianenko off to one side.
Marcello wants to clinch up but Emelianenko keeps it at a distance.
A nice combination there by Emelianenko.
Marcello shoots for a double leg takedown but Emelianenko sprawls well. He's pushed Marcello's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Emelianenko throws a head kick but Marcello moves out of range.
Marcello fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Marcello looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Emelianenko is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Marcello tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Marcello gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Emelianenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marcello wants to clinch.
Marcello tries to clinch there but Emelianenko circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marcello has his takedown stuffed
and Emelianenko counters with a straight right hand.
Marcello closes the distance but Emelianenko moves to the side

and Emelianenko counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Emelianenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Marcello is keeping the position for now.

Marcello is looking for a triangle but Emelianenko pushes his legs off easily.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Marcello keeps moving.
Marcello keeping full guard, as Emelianenko tries to pass.
Emelianenko controlling from the top position.
Emelianenko wants to pass the guard but Marcello is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Marcello throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Emelianenko circles away from the clinch attempt
and Emelianenko counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Marcello thinking.
Marcello is breathing heavily.
Marcello wants to clinch

and Emelianenko counters with a shoot takedown. Marcello fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Emelianenko trying to stand up but can't free himself from Marcello's guard.

Marcello working for a triangle but Emelianenko defends it easily.
Marcello is trying to keep Emelianenko in close.
Marcello might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Marcello keeps moving.
Marcello controls Emelianenko momentarily but Emelianenko frees himself.
Emelianenko stands up over Marcello, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Emelianenko slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Emelianenko won't allow Marcello to sweep him here.
Emelianenko looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Marcello tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

Excellent takedown into side control there by Emelianenko.
Marcello is trying to control Emelianenko's posture but Emelianenko avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marcello is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Emelianenko off and has taken his back!
Emelianenko covering up well under a barage of strikes.

Marcello looking for the choke from the back.
Emelianenko trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Marcello has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Emelianenko! Can he survive? No! He's out! Marcello gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Damien Marcello!