PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fiodor Jemelianko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tristan Mkhalele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mkhalele comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Noir Désir - Un jour en France kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Jemelianko
vs
Mkhalele

185 cm
25
212 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

180 cm
29
224 lbs
10 - 11 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Granite chin

Punishment Nutrition - All 159Q products now $75
Bloodsport Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Fiodor Jemelianko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Tristan Mkhalele!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jemelianko shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Jemelianko trying to control the action but Mkhalele is working from the bottom.
Mkhalele trying to control here.
Mkhalele is staying active underneath Jemelianko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Jemelianko is looking for a kimura but Mkhalele is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Jemelianko to get the leverage.
Jemelianko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mkhalele is staying active underneath Jemelianko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Jemelianko is working for a kimura but Mkhalele is defending it quite comfortably.
Jemelianko has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mkhalele is trying to stand back up but Jemelianko is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jemelianko wants to pass the guard but Mkhalele is defending well.
Mkhalele keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Jemelianko is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mkhalele has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mkhalele manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Jemelianko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jemelianko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Mkhalele has control of Jemelianko's left arm, preventing Jemelianko from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Mkhalele working for a triangle but Jemelianko defends it easily.
Mkhalele wants to get back to his feet but Jemelianko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jemelianko is looking to work some ground and pound but Mkhalele has wrist control.
Jemelianko wants to stand but Mkhalele has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Mkhalele throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mkhalele keeping full guard, as Jemelianko tries to pass.
Mkhalele keeping moving, preventing Jemelianko from controlling successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jemelianko postures up in Mkhalele's guard and throws a big left but Mkhalele blocks it.

Jemelianko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Jemelianko works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jemelianko is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mkhalele defends it well.

Mkhalele makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Mkhalele has closed the distance and engaged Jemelianko in a clinch.
The referee calls for Mkhalele to work.
Jemelianko blocks an elbow strike.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mkhalele.
Mkhalele creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mkhalele lands an elbow that stopped Jemelianko in his tracks for a moment.
Mkhalele lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mkhalele throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Jemelianko goes for a takedown attempt but Mkhalele pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mkhalele wants to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mkhalele tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jemelianko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mkhalele wants to clinch.
Tristan Mkhalele seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jemelianko tries for a takedown but Mkhalele sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tristan Mkhalele will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jemelianko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Jemelianko dives in and scores a takedown into Mkhalele's guard.

Jemelianko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jemelianko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Jemelianko slips nicely into half guard.
Mkhalele is looking to escape.
Mkhalele is controlling Jemelianko's trapped leg to prevent Jemelianko from advancing to side control.

Jemelianko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mkhalele doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jemelianko.

Jemelianko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mkhalele wants to control but Jemelianko is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jemelianko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mkhalele moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Jemelianko drops back looking for a leg! Mkhalele is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mkhalele manages to kick Jemelianko off! Jemelianko jumps back into Mkhalele's guard.
Fiodor Jemelianko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mkhalele has Jemelianko pulled in close to control his posture.
Jemelianko trying to control the position from guard on top but Mkhalele is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jemelianko drops back looking for a leg! Mkhalele is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mkhalele manages to kick Jemelianko off! Jemelianko jumps back into Mkhalele's guard.
Jemelianko is fighting to break Mkhalele's control of his arms but Mkhalele is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jemelianko looking to pass the guard.
Mkhalele controls Jemelianko momentarily but Jemelianko frees himself.

Jemelianko drops back looking for a leg! Mkhalele is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mkhalele manages to kick Jemelianko off! Jemelianko jumps back into Mkhalele's guard.

Jemelianko postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mkhalele is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Jemelianko, into his guard.
Jemelianko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mkhalele wants to control from the top but Jemelianko keeps moving.
Mkhalele chips away with some ground and pound.
Mkhalele preventing the sweep.
Jemelianko is working hard here to advance position.
Jemelianko keeping moving, preventing Mkhalele from controlling successfully.

Mkhalele got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jemelianko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mkhalele has managed to get both his arms back between Jemelianko's legs - danger averted.
Mkhalele sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Jemelianko's guard.
Jemelianko slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Mkhalele avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mkhalele trying to control the position from guard on top but Jemelianko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mkhalele landing with the ground and pound.
Jemelianko can't keep his opponent in guard - Mkhalele advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mkhalele is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jemelianko has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jemelianko moves into full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Jemelianko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mkhalele looking to sit in guard and control but Jemelianko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Fiodor Jemelianko will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Mkhalele is looking to clinch.
Mkhalele tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jemelianko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mkhalele tries to close the distance and clinch but Jemelianko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mkhalele swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Mkhalele closes the distance and clinches.
Mkhalele connects with a knee to the head.
Jemelianko dodges an elbow strike from Mkhalele.
Mkhalele stalling in the clinch.
Jemelianko blocks an elbow strike from Mkhalele.
Jemelianko avoids a wild elbow strike from Mkhalele.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mkhalele lands an elbow that stopped Jemelianko in his tracks for a moment.
The referee calls for Mkhalele to work.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mkhalele.
Mkhalele looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Mkhalele tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Jemelianko avoids it.
Mkhalele has Jemelianko pressed against the cage.
Jemelianko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mkhalele prevents it.
Mkhalele stalling in the clinch.
Jemelianko wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mkhalele trying to land knees to the body.
Mkhalele putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Jemelianko in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jemelianko has Mkhalele pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mkhalele manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fiodor Jemelianko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jemelianko jumps guard but Mkhalele turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Jemelianko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mkhalele after a bit of a struggle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mkhalele lands a nice knee to the body.
Tristan Mkhalele seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Mkhalele lands an elbow that stopped Jemelianko in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Fiodor Jemelianko has been cut.
Mkhalele comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mkhalele lands an elbow inside that Jemelianko shrugs off.
Mkhalele working Jemelianko over with knees to the body.
Mkhalele connects with a knee to the head.
Mkhalele using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Mkhalele lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Mkhalele has Jemelianko pressed against the cage.
Mkhalele lands an elbow inside that Jemelianko shrugs off.
Mkhalele slowing the pace effectively.
Mkhalele putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Jemelianko in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mkhalele creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Jemelianko's defenses.
Mkhalele landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mkhalele lands a nice elbow.
Mkhalele lands a nice elbow.
Jemelianko being controlled against the cage.
Mkhalele lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice elbow from Mkhalele.
Mkhalele using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Mkhalele.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tristan Mkhalele comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mkhalele 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 26:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tristan Mkhalele!
A victorious Tristan Mkhalele thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.