PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksander Emelyanenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neo TT (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Neo TT will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Emelyanenko
vs
TT

198 cm
18
289 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

225 cm
18
297 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

xXx - Voodoo Labs - 159++ Energy - $50

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksander Emelyanenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Neo TT!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelyanenko falls off balance throwing a combination
and TT counters with a two punch combo.
Emelyanenko throws a series of punches but TT moves out of range.
Emelyanenko closes the distance and clinches up with TT, looking for a takedown. Emelyanenko pushes TT against the cage but TT circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Emelyanenko is breathing heavily.
TT circles away from the clinch attempt
and TT counters with a one-two to the body.
TT misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Aleksander Emelyanenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown by Emelyanenko or perhaps it was just good defense by TT which made him look bad.
TT throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from TT is defended easily by Emelyanenko.
Emelyanenko displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from TT.
Emelyanenko shoots in looking for a takedown but TT manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Emelyanenko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksander Emelyanenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
TT throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
TT throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Emelyanenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but TT swivels and escapes.
TT lands a nice looking kick to the body. Emelyanenko takes a step back to recover.
TT has a takedown stuffed.
Emelyanenko throws a right hand that TT ducks under and follows up with a left that TT also avoids with ease.
TT lands with a nice body punch.
TT tries to score a power double leg takedown but Emelyanenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten TT somewhat.
Horrible takedown by Emelyanenko or perhaps it was just good defense by TT which made him look bad.

Emelyanenko gets tackled into the cage by TT. TT maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

TT pulls guard effortlessly.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Emelyanenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
TT preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Emelyanenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Emelyanenko 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.
TT is adopting a defensive guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emelyanenko is looking to work some ground and pound but TT has wrist control.
TT utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Emelyanenko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Emelyanenko throwing strikes from guard but TT blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TT keeping moving, preventing Emelyanenko from controlling successfully.
Emelyanenko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Emelyanenko lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Emelyanenko wants to pass the guard but TT is keeping the position.
Emelyanenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Emelyanenko wants to control from the top but TT keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

TT working for a triangle but Emelyanenko defends it easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emelyanenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Emelyanenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Emelyanenko got a little sloppy there for a moment and TT has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Emelyanenko has managed to get both his arms back between TT's legs - danger averted.
Emelyanenko throwing strikes but missing.
Emelyanenko could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelyanenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Emelyanenko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as TT sprawls well. TT wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Emelyanenko gets slowly back to his feet.
TT shoots in but Emelyanenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.

TT fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emelyanenko, pushing him back against the cage.
TT has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
TT stalls.
TT looking to throw knees to the head but Emelyanenko is blocking nicely.
TT drops down looking for an ankle pick but Emelyanenko pulls his leg out and moves away.
Emelyanenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but TT moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

TT fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emelyanenko, pushing him back against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Emelyanenko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
TT changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Emelyanenko fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Aleksander Emelyanenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Neo TT.
Emelyanenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Emelyanenko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Emelyanenko falls off balance throwing a combination
and TT counters with a nice uppercut.

TT has managed to clinch.
Emelyanenko trying to land knees to the body.
TT lands an elbow inside that Emelyanenko shrugs off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

TT escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Emelyanenko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Emelyanenko wants it to stay on the feet.
TT looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Emelyanenko with a lazy takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Emelyanenko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has TT pinned against the cage. TT gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

TT moves into the clinch successfully.
TT dodges an elbow strike from Emelyanenko.

Emelyanenko has dropped down and is working for a takedown. TT is trying to keep an underhook but Emelyanenko manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
TT gets back to full guard.

TT is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
TT wants to get back to his feet but Emelyanenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Emelyanenko throws a big elbow that misses.
Emelyanenko trying to control the position from guard on top but TT is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelyanenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
TT working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Emelyanenko.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emelyanenko throwing strikes from guard but TT blocks nicely.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
TT tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Emelyanenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Emelyanenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Emelyanenko connects with a couple of short punches.

TT has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Emelyanenko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
TT keeping full guard, as Emelyanenko tries to pass.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Emelyanenko trying to control the position from guard on top but TT is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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 Aleksander Emelyanenko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

TT lands a body shot.
Emelyanenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but TT moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice body punch from TT.
TT misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Emelyanenko blocks a head kick by TT.
Emelyanenko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? TT is fending him off so far but Emelyanenko persists. Nope, TT circles away and we're back to standing.

TT instigates a clinch.
Emelyanenko looking for a takedown.
Emelyanenko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by TT after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksander Emelyanenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emelyanenko letting TT take a breather here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emelyanenko goes for a takedown attempt but TT pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
TT is looking to chop away at Emelyanenko's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelyanenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and TT counters with a right hand to the body.
Emelyanenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
No luck for Emelyanenko with that takedown attempt.

TT gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Emelyanenko is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. TT can't fight it off and eventually Emelyanenko manages to take the fight to the floor. TT looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Emelyanenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Aleksander Emelyanenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Emelyanenko is fighting to break TT's control of his arms but TT is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanenko throwing strikes from guard but TT blocks nicely.
Emelyanenko throwing strikes from guard but TT blocks nicely.
TT lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Emelyanenko!
TT trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanenko wants to control but TT is having none of it.
Emelyanenko working to try and regain half guard.
TT controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanenko tries to lock up and control but TT gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
TT throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Emelyanenko because TT loaded up on that one.
TT controlling the position easily from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Neo TT comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think TT 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Neo TT!