PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh McRoberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josh McRoberts has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Emelianenko
vs
McRoberts

185 cm
26
240 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

190 cm
29
265 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh McRoberts!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko looks to land a combination but McRoberts avoids it well.
Emelianenko slips a jab and a cross from McRoberts.
Emelianenko blocks a head kick by McRoberts.
McRoberts stuffs the takedown attempt from Emelianenko. Emelianenko gets slowly back to his feet.
McRoberts avoids the body shot from Emelianenko.
McRoberts is trying hard to land a takedown here. Emelianenko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Emelianenko lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A head kick misses from McRoberts.
McRoberts thows a body shot but no joy.
Emelianenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Emelianenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McRoberts shoots in for a double leg but Emelianenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Emelianenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

McRoberts gets a double leg takedown into Emelianenko's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
McRoberts trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but McRoberts is one step ahead there.
Emelianenko is working hard here to advance position.

McRoberts 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.

McRoberts drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Emelianenko dives on top into guard.
McRoberts trying to control the position.

McRoberts throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Emelianenko escapes and throws McRoberts's legs to the side, diving into side control!
McRoberts takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Emelianenko trying to control the action but McRoberts is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
McRoberts manages to work his way to half guard, despite Emelianenko's best efforts.
Emelianenko tries to pass the half guard into mount. McRoberts knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Emelianenko looks to land a strike but McRoberts avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Emelianenko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McRoberts manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Emelianenko is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is trying desperately to improve position.
McRoberts raining down hammerfists from mount.
McRoberts trying to control but Emelianenko is having none of it.
McRoberts prevents Emelianenko from getting the reversal.
McRoberts tries to control but Emelianenko wriggling away.

McRoberts working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Emelianenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McRoberts looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McRoberts looking to finish with strikes here!

McRoberts jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Emelianenko is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Emelianenko and McRoberts has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Emelianenko tries to bench press McRoberts off him but McRoberts keeps the position.
McRoberts wants to lay and pray for a moment but Emelianenko keeps working.
Emelianenko is looking for a sweep.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

McRoberts wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Emelianenko, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Josh McRoberts will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McRoberts connects with a right hand. Emelianenko shakes it off.
The fighters circling - McRoberts throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McRoberts throws a push kick but Emelianenko slaps the foot to one side.
A swing and a miss from Emelianenko.
McRoberts throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko fails to land with a series of punches.
Emelianenko bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McRoberts's head backwards.
Emelianenko shoots for a takedown but McRoberts saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McRoberts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McRoberts connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Emelianenko lands with a nice body punch.
McRoberts uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Emelianenko.
McRoberts throws a series of punches but Emelianenko avoids them all with ease.
Emelianenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McRoberts misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McRoberts but McRoberts pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McRoberts is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
McRoberts thuds his shin into the meat of Emelianenko's side.
Emelianenko looks for a takedown but McRoberts sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McRoberts throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Emelianenko's head.
McRoberts throws a leg kick but Emelianenko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
McRoberts avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McRoberts, right into the meat.
McRoberts misses with a double jab.
McRoberts throws a right hand that Emelianenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Emelianenko also avoids with ease.
McRoberts throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
McRoberts throws out a powerful jab.
McRoberts moves into range and connects with a jab.
McRoberts swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Emelianenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
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!
McRoberts ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McRoberts but McRoberts pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McRoberts takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
McRoberts shoots in for a double leg but Emelianenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Good standup being displayed there by Emelianenko as he connects with a hook.

Emelianenko looking to score a takedown here. McRoberts is defending well but Emelianenko drives through and ends up in McRoberts's guard.

McRoberts has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Emelianenko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

McRoberts working for a triangle but Emelianenko defends it easily.
McRoberts is breathing heavily.
Emelianenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McRoberts works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emelianenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Emelianenko controlling from the top position.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but McRoberts keeps moving.
Emelianenko preventing the sweep.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but McRoberts keeps moving.

McRoberts looking for subs off his back but Emelianenko has passed one foot through into half guard.
McRoberts is not content to let Emelianenko control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko lands strikes from half guard.
Emelianenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Emelianenko has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McRoberts takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Fedor Emelianenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McRoberts tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Emelianenko putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
BOOM! Emelianenko connects with a massive shot to the dome!
McRoberts is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Emelianenko has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of McRoberts's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor Emelianenko dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sloppy strikes from McRoberts. Those never looked like landing.

It looks like Josh McRoberts has been cut.
McRoberts scores with a nice body kick.
Emelianenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Emelianenko shoots for a double leg takedown but McRoberts sprawls well. He's pushed Emelianenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McRoberts throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McRoberts lunges at Emelianenko with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Emelianenko's hand.
Emelianenko throws the left hand but McRoberts avoids the punch easily.
McRoberts throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McRoberts displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Emelianenko swings widly with a right hand
and McRoberts finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Emelianenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McRoberts throws a right hand that Emelianenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Emelianenko also avoids with ease.
Crunch! McRoberts slams his shin into Emelianenko's torso.
McRoberts throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Emelianenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McRoberts.
Emelianenko dodges the punch combination from McRoberts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McRoberts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McRoberts takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Emelianenko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McRoberts tries to avoid it but Emelianenko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McRoberts to the ground. McRoberts escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McRoberts stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emelianenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Emelianenko dodges the punch combination from McRoberts.
McRoberts cracks Emelianenko with a good jab.
Emelianenko lands a nice hook to McRoberts's body. McRoberts takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A solid body kick from McRoberts.
McRoberts lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Emelianenko throws a series of punches but McRoberts avoids them all with ease.
Emelianenko misses the shot to the body.

Emelianenko drives through with a takedown into McRoberts's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

McRoberts throws his legs up looking for a submission but Emelianenko uses it to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McRoberts is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
McRoberts is trying to improve his position.
Emelianenko scores with punches from side control.
Emelianenko lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
You can see the frustration on McRoberts's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McRoberts sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Emelianenko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ground and pound from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

McRoberts is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Emelianenko pulls his head out easily.
McRoberts is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McRoberts defends it well.
McRoberts is looking to control Emelianenko's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McRoberts avoid being mounted?
Emelianenko working over McRoberts with some ground and pound. McRoberts looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Emelianenko content to control rather than advance.
Emelianenko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McRoberts defending well though.
McRoberts has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Emelianenko is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McRoberts looking for submissions off his back.
Emelianenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Emelianenko wants to free his trapped foot but McRoberts is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McRoberts pushes Emelianenko off looking to stand but Emelianenko dives back in and keeps control.
Emelianenko trying to pass the guard but McRoberts defending well.

McRoberts looking for subs from the bottom but Emelianenko mounts him!
Emelianenko raining down hammerfists from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee warns McRoberts that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Emelianenko controlling the position easily from mount.
Emelianenko looking to finish McRoberts with some ground and pound. This is bad for McRoberts!

And that's the end of the fight!
Fedor 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28

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