PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Turo Vatanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gattsu Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vatanen comes to the cage accompanied by Justice. Emelianenko is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Eagle Lands. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Vatanen
vs
Emelianenko

198 cm
32
277 lbs
21 - 11 - 0

191 cm
26
258 lbs
16 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Canadian Fighter Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Turo Vatanen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gattsu Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vatanen instigates a clinch.
Vatanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vatanen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A nice right hand lands inside from Vatanen.
Vatanen tries to work over Emelianenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vatanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Vatanen misses with a body punch.
Emelianenko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Vatanen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Emelianenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko lands with a cross.
Emelianenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Vatanen takes the fight into the clinch.
Vatanen pushes Emelianenko back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Vatanen tries to stall but Emelianenko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Vatanen misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko prevents a body shot from Vatanen.
A short left from Vatanen.
Emelianenko can't break the clinch.
Emelianenko is trying to drag Vatanen to the mat but Vatanen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Vatanen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Vatanen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Emelianenko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Emelianenko manages to break the clinch.
Gattsu Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Turo Vatanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gattsu Emelianenko.
Vatanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A head kick misses from Vatanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen scores with a hook.
Good work by Emelianenko as he checks the leg kick.
Emelianenko cracks Vatanen with a good jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vatanen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Emelianenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Vatanen tries to sprawl out of it but Emelianenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vatanen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Emelianenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vatanen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Emelianenko takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vatanen dives in and grabs Emelianenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Emelianenko pushes down on Vatanen's head and hops out.
Emelianenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Emelianenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Vatanen enables Emelianenko to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Vatanen manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Vatanen 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.
Emelianenko trying to control but Vatanen is working from the bottom.
Emelianenko throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vatanen is pulling down on Emelianenko's head. It's preventing any offense from Emelianenko, at least for the moment.
Vatanen wants to sweep here but Emelianenko controlling him for the moment.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Vatanen keeps moving.
Vatanen is controlling Emelianenko's posture.

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.

Vatanen shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Vatanen prevents Emelianenko from improving his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Emelianenko controlling the position well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Emelianenko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vatanen.
Nice strikes from Vatanen there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Turo Vatanen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Emelianenko looks to land a combination but Vatanen avoids it well.
Emelianenko misses with a double jab.
Gattsu Emelianenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vatanen tries a low kick but Emelianenko avoids it.
Vatanen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Vatanen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Vatanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Emelianenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vatanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Emelianenko.
Vatanen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Emelianenko moves out of range of the leg kick from Vatanen.
Vatanen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Emelianenko has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Vatanen.
Emelianenko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vatanen.
Emelianenko lands with an uppercut that bounces Vatanen off the cage and back into range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A big right from Vatanen misses.
Gattsu Emelianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko misses with a looping right.
Emelianenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Vatanen is just out of range.
Emelianenko throws a series of punches but Vatanen moves out of range.
Vatanen tries to land a front kick but Emelianenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Emelianenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Emelianenko walks forward, straight into a front kick from Vatanen.
Emelianenko throws a series of punches but Vatanen avoids them all with ease.
Vatanen thows a body shot but no joy.
Emelianenko blocks a head kick by Vatanen.
Vatanen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Emelianenko's head backwards.
Emelianenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Emelianenko checks a leg kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko jabs Vatanen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A cross from Emelianenko lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Vatanen - that will leave a mark!
Vatanen lands a leg kick that knocks Emelianenko off balance momentarily.
Vatanen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Emelianenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vatanen.
Vatanen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Emelianenko misses with an uppercut.
Vatanen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Emelianenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vatanen is looking to land body kicks.
Emelianenko with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko takes a swing at Vatanen's ribcage but misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Emelianenko!
Vatanen misses with a low kick.

Vatanen drives through with a takedown into Emelianenko's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position but Vatanen postures up.
Emelianenko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vatanen throwing strikes from guard but Emelianenko blocks nicely.
Vatanen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Emelianenko has control of Vatanen's left arm, preventing Vatanen from doing any damage.
Vatanen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vatanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen postures up in Emelianenko's guard and throws a big left but Emelianenko blocks it.
Emelianenko has his hands on Vatanen's head, controlling the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Vatanen wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Gattsu Emelianenko wasn't active enough on the ground.
Emelianenko throws a series of punches but Vatanen avoids them all with ease.
Vatanen throws the kick towards the body but Emelianenko avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Emelianenko with a jab.
A big left from Vatanen misses.
Vatanen throws the kick towards the body but Emelianenko avoids it.
Vatanen slips a jab and a cross from Emelianenko.
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 Turo Vatanen will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Emelianenko checks a leg kick.

Vatanen darts in and clinches Emelianenko up against the cage.
Vatanen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko is trying to push Vatanen away but Vatanen has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vatanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vatanen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A knee to the head by Vatanen.

It looks like Gattsu Emelianenko has been cut.
Nice body punch from Vatanen - that landed with a thud.
Vatanen has a couple of punches blocked by Emelianenko.
Vatanen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vatanen misses with a body punch.
Vatanen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Emelianenko wants to break free but Vatanen has control.
Vatanen taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Emelianenko backwards.
Vatanen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vatanen wants a takedown but no success here.
Vatanen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vatanen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vatanen can't find room to land a body shot as Emelianenko controls the action.
Vatanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Emelianenko.
Vatanen tries a body shot but Emelianenko blocks it.
Vatanen prevents a takedown attempt there.
Vatanen struggles to land a body shot inside as Emelianenko controls his hands.
Vatanen tries to work over Emelianenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen tries to throw a body punch but Emelianenko avoids it by throwing Vatanen back against the cage.
Vatanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Emelianenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Emelianenko tries to break free but Vatanen pushes him back against the cage.
Emelianenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Vatanen.

Emelianenko breaks from the clinch.
Vatanen throws a leg kick but Emelianenko sees it coming and moves out of range.
Vatanen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Emelianenko.
A jab from Vatanen misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Emelianenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Vatanen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Emelianenko's sensitive parts.
Emelianenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Emelianenko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Emelianenko takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Vatanen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Vatanen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Emelianenko's calf.

Vatanen closes the distance and pushes Emelianenko back into the cage.
Vatanen lands with a light punch inside.
Vatanen is stalling here.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Vatanen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Emelianenko's elbow.
Vatanen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Vatanen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Vatanen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hand to the body from Vatanen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vatanen misses with the head strike.
Vatanen taking a breather.
Emelianenko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Vatanen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Emelianenko tries a body shot but Vatanen blocks it.
Emelianenko wants to get back to striking at distance but Vatanen won't allow it.
Vatanen struggles to land a body shot inside as Emelianenko controls his hands.
Vatanen struggles to land a body shot inside as Emelianenko controls his hands.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Vatanen.
Turo Vatanen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vatanen lands an elbow inside that Emelianenko shrugs off.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vatanen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Vatanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Emelianenko avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Turo Vatanen clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Gattsu 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.

Emelianenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Vatanen counters with a solid body kick.
Vatanen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Vatanen missing with a left hand there. Emelianenko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Emelianenko misses with an uppercut.
Emelianenko cracks Vatanen with a good jab.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Emelianenko crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Vatanen - the referee stops the clock and Emelianenko gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Vatanen. Emelianenko manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Vatanen thows a body shot but no joy.
Emelianenko misses the shot to the body.
Emelianenko closes the distance and clinches up with Vatanen, looking for a takedown. Emelianenko pushes Vatanen against the cage but Vatanen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Emelianenko takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vatanen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vatanen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Emelianenko is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Vatanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Emelianenko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Good leg kick by Vatanen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Vatanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Vatanen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Emelianenko was covering up waiting for the punch and Vatanen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Emelianenko keeping full guard, as Vatanen tries to pass.
Emelianenko controls Vatanen momentarily but Vatanen frees himself.
Vatanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Emelianenko can do to turn this around?
Emelianenko wants to sweep here but Vatanen controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vatanen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Emelianenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vatanen throws a big elbow that misses.
Vatanen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Emelianenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vatanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Emelianenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vatanen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Emelianenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vatanen throwing strikes but missing.
Emelianenko looking to control.
Vatanen throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vatanen wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.
Emelianenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vatanen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vatanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vatanen is looking to work some ground and pound but Emelianenko has wrist control.
Vatanen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Emelianenko turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Vatanen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Turo Vatanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Emelianenko is not content to let Vatanen control the position.
Emelianenko is trying to improve his position.
Emelianenko is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Vatanen off and has taken his back!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Emelianenko avoiding Vatanen 's attempts to control his hands.
Vatanen is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Turo Vatanen had his way with Gattsu Emelianenko in that round.
The cut man is working on Gattsu Emelianenko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Vatanen is looking to slow Emelianenko down with leg kicks.
Emelianenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Emelianenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Emelianenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Emelianenko shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Vatanen manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Vatanen is looking for a triangle but Emelianenko pushes his legs off easily.

Emelianenko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Emelianenko trying to control but Vatanen is working from the bottom.
Vatanen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Emelianenko controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen 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.
Emelianenko postures up in Vatanen's guard and throws a big left but Vatanen blocks it.
Emelianenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Emelianenko is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Gattsu Emelianenko.
Vatanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Vatanen throws a low kick but Emelianenko moves out of range easily.
Emelianenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Vatanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Emelianenko.
Vatanen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vatanen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Emelianenko moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Vatanen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Emelianenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Emelianenko moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emelianenko digs a good body shot into Vatanen's ribs.
Emelianenko needs to keep his hands up - Vatanen had a free shot at his head there.
Vatanen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Emelianenko ducks under a wild hook from Vatanen.
Emelianenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen fails with the takedown.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Emelianenko lands a head shot.
Emelianenko lands with an overhand left.
Emelianenko connects with a crisp jab.
Emelianenko avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Emelianenko shoots for a takedown but Vatanen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Emelianenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Emelianenko looks to land a combination but Vatanen avoids it well.
Vatanen slips a jab from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Emelianenko is defended easily by Vatanen.
Vatanen tries to land a front kick but Emelianenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vatanen slaps away a takedown attempt from Emelianenko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gattsu Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Turo Vatanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Turo Vatanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gattsu Emelianenko.
A right-left combo lands from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Vatanen counters with a body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vatanen. Emelianenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Vatanen.
Vatanen staying out of range there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gattsu Emelianenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vatanen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Turo Vatanen!
Turo Vatanen retains his heavyweight title!
Turo Vatanen bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.