PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Emanianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mahmed Salidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Emanianenko might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to i against i. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Mahmed Salidov enters the cage!

Emanianenko
vs
Salidov

185 cm
25
235 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

198 cm
20
221 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emanianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mahmed Salidov!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Emanianenko.
Emanianenko throws a series of punches but Salidov avoids them all with ease.
Emanianenko lands with a thumping leg kick.
Emanianenko stuffs the takedown attempt from Salidov. Salidov gets slowly back to his feet.
Emanianenko could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Emanianenko cracks Salidov with an open hand slap.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emanianenko buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Salidov looks gassed!
Emanianenko connects with a leg kick. Salidov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Emanianenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Emanianenko throws a nice looking combination but Salidov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Emanianenko fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Salidov.
Emanianenko throws a nice looking combination but Salidov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Salidov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Emanianenko lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Salidov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Emanianenko.
Emanianenko throws a right and a left that Salidov avoids nicely.
Emanianenko misses with a wild combination.
Emanianenko moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Oooooh!!! Emanianenko has knocked Salidov down with a huge combo! Emanianenko steps away and waves a wobbly Salidov back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Salidov is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Emanianenko misses.
Salidov is still on wobbly legs! Can Emanianenko finish him?
Salidov blocks the body kick.
Salidov seems to have recovered his senses.
Emanianenko misses with the combination.
Emanianenko misses with a wild combination.
Salidov shoots in but Emanianenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fedor Emanianenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Emanianenko scores with a jab. Salidov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fedor Emanianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That kick from Emanianenko tenderised Salidov's leg. Salidov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Emanianenko throws a right and a left that both miss.

Salidov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Emanianenko is looking to escape.
Salidov trying to pass the guard but Emanianenko defending well.

Salidov is looking for a kimura but Emanianenko is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Salidov to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salidov prevents Emanianenko from standing back up.

Emanianenko manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice sprawl there from Emanianenko as Salidov shoots in.
Fedor Emanianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mahmed Salidov.
Emanianenko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Emanianenko throws a low kick but it's checked well by Salidov.
Salidov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Salidov shoots in looking for a takedown. Emanianenko tries to sprawl out of it but Salidov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Emanianenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Emanianenko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Salidov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Salidov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Emanianenko!
Emanianenko is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emanianenko knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Salidov on the ground.

Salidov is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Emanianenko is surviving well by controlling Salidov's body position as best he can.
Emanianenko tries to buck Salidov off but he can't manage it.
Salidov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salidov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Emanianenko wants to get back to his feet.
Salidov tries to control but Emanianenko wriggling away.
Emanianenko trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salidov mounts Emanianenko! Really nice guard pass there!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salidov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Emanianenko?
Emanianenko is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Salidov looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Salidov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Emanianenko tries to buck Salidov off but he can't manage it.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Salidov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor Emanianenko dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Salidov has a takedown stuffed.
Salidov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Emanianenko defends it nicely.
A bone on bone clash there as Salidov blocks the leg kick.
Fedor Emanianenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Emanianenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Salidov circles away quickly and effectively.

Salidov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Emanianenko is trying to defend but Salidov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Mahmed Salidov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Salidov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Salidov stops Emanianenko from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salidov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Emanianenko sees it coming and defends easily.
Emanianenko tries to kick Salidov off but Salidov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Salidov is trying to control the action in half guard but Emanianenko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Salidov stops Emanianenko from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Salidov moves into full mount! Emanianenko won't be happy about that!
Salidov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Salidov looking to secure an arm triangle but Emanianenko defends it well.
Salidov with the ground and pound from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emanianenko bucks up and throws Salidov to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emanianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Horrible takedown by Salidov or perhaps it was just good defense by Emanianenko which made him look bad.
Fedor Emanianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mahmed Salidov.
Salidov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Emanianenko as he connects with a hook.
Emanianenko tries to bum rush Salidov with a series of wild strikes but Salidov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Salidov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Emanianenko's waist but Emanianenko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Salidov off to one side.
Salidov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Emanianenko defends it nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Emanianenko. No joy for Salidov on that attempt.
Emanianenko chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Emanianenko throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emanianenko tries to work over Salidov's front leg with a kick but Salidov checks it.
Emanianenko is looking to chop away at Salidov's legs.
Salidov dives in and grabs Emanianenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Emanianenko pushes down on Salidov's head and hops out.
Salidov dodges the punch combination from Emanianenko.
Emanianenko lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Emanianenko slaps away a takedown attempt from Salidov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Good leg kick by Emanianenko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Emanianenko stuffs the takedown attempt from Salidov. Salidov gets slowly back to his feet.
Salidov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Fedor Emanianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Emanianenko throws a big shot that misses.
Salidov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Emanianenko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Salidov shoots in but Emanianenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Salidov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Emanianenko swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emanianenko connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Emanianenko stuffs the takedown.
Emanianenko looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Salidov misses with a takedown attempt - Emanianenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A combination from Emanianenko does no damage.
Salidov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Emanianenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Salidov somewhat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Salidov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Emanianenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salidov dodges the punch combination from Emanianenko.
Sloppy strikes from Emanianenko. Those never looked like landing.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Emanianenko slaps away a takedown attempt from Salidov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
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 Fedor Emanianenko will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Salidov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Emanianenko misses with a few strikes there.
Salidov shoots for a double leg takedown but Emanianenko sprawls well. He's pushed Salidov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Emanianenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Emanianenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Salidov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Salidov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Emanianenko.
Emanianenko stuffs the takedown.
Fedor Emanianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mahmed Salidov.
Emanianenko throws out a leg kick but Salidov moves out of range and Emanianenko only half commits.
Salidov fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emanianenko tries to bum rush Salidov with a series of wild strikes but Salidov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Emanianenko misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Salidov.
Salidov blocks a low kick nicely.
Salidov shoots in for a double leg but Emanianenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Emanianenko, right into the meat.
Salidov shoots for a double leg takedown but Emanianenko sprawls well. He's pushed Salidov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Emanianenko misses with a double jab.
Salidov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Emanianenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Salidov somewhat.

Emanianenko clinches.
Emanianenko wants to break free but Salidov has control.

Emanianenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice takedown defense from Emanianenko. No joy for Salidov on that attempt.
Emanianenko misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Emanianenko.
No joy there for Emanianenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Salidov fails to land the takedown.
Salidov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Emanianenko tried to score with a low kick but Salidov checks it.

Salidov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Emanianenko quickly recovers to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emanianenko wants to get back to his feet.

Salidov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Salidov is working for a submission of some sort.
Emanianenko is staying active underneath Salidov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Salidov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Salidov is trying to work for a kimura but Emanianenko is defending well.

Emanianenko has one foot on Salidov's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Emanianenko has managed to clinch.
Salidov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Emanianenko smiles and moves away.
Emanianenko misses with a double jab.
Emanianenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Salidov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Emanianenko misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salidov shoots in looking for a takedown but Emanianenko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Salidov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A nice combination there by Emanianenko.
Emanianenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Salidov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Salidov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Emanianenko's waist but Emanianenko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Salidov off to one side.
Emanianenko misses with the combination.
Emanianenko looks for the body kick but Salidov saw that one coming.

Salidov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Emanianenko to the ground. Salidov is now in Emanianenko's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salidov prevents Emanianenko from getting back to his feet.
Salidov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salidov stops Emanianenko from standing up.
Mahmed Salidov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fedor Emanianenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Salidov throwing strikes from guard but Emanianenko blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fedor Emanianenko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Emanianenko, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fedor Emanianenko!
A relieved looking Fedor Emanianenko thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.