PBP Commentary

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

Surman
vs
Emelyanenko

210 cm
24
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
19
289 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Taylor Surman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksander Emelyanenko!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelyanenko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Surman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Surman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Surman decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Emelyanenko is staying active underneath Surman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Surman prevents Emelyanenko from improving his position.
Emelyanenko is refusing to be controlled, as Surman sits in half guard.
Surman throwing shots but Emelyanenko is blocking nicely.
Surman thows a huge punch but Emelyanenko dodges it nicely.
Surman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Emelyanenko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Surman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Surman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Emelyanenko keeps working.
Surman is pressing down on Emelyanenko's thigh, looking to free his foot. Emelyanenko is holding on for now.
Emelyanenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Surman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Emelyanenko trying to control from the bottom.

Surman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Surman thows a huge punch but Emelyanenko dodges it nicely.
Surman wants to pass to mount but Emelyanenko is defending the position.
Surman trying to control from half guard but Emelyanenko is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Surman seems to be looking for submissions.
Emelyanenko should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Surman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Surman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Emelyanenko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Surman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Emelyanenko keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Surman is working for a kimura but Emelyanenko is defending it quite comfortably.
Emelyanenko is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Surman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Surman wants to advance to full mount but Emelyanenko doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Surman preventing the sweep.
Surman throwing strikes from guard but Emelyanenko blocks nicely.
Surman 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.
Surman postures up in Emelyanenko's guard and throws a big left but Emelyanenko blocks it.
Surman will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Surman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Emelyanenko keeping full guard, as Surman tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Surman is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Emelyanenko is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Emelyanenko has escaped and now he's on top!
Emelyanenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Surman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelyanenko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Surman trying to control the position.

Surman working for a triangle but Emelyanenko defends it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Surman looking for a guillotine here but Emelyanenko defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Surman leaves Emelyanenko with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Surman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Emelyanenko to the mat! Emelyanenko manages to get full guard.
Surman throwing strikes from guard but Emelyanenko blocks nicely.
Surman wants to pass the guard but Emelyanenko is keeping the position.
Surman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Surman throws a big right hand that misses.
Surman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Surman drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Emelyanenko manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Surman has Emelyanenko in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelyanenko preventing the sweep.
Emelyanenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Surman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emelyanenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Emelyanenko trying to control but Surman is working from the bottom.
Surman is trying to control the position but Emelyanenko postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice sprawl there from Surman as Emelyanenko shoots in.
Surman defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Emelyanenko.
Taylor Surman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Emelyanenko.
Nice takedown defense from Surman. No joy for Emelyanenko on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Surman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Emelyanenko is breathing heavily.
Surman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Surman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Emelyanenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Emelyanenko keeping moving, preventing Surman from controlling successfully.
Emelyanenko is trying to keep Surman in close.
Surman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Emelyanenko working a defensive guard here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Surman with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Surman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Surman looking for a guillotine here but Emelyanenko defends easily.

Surman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Emelyanenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Emelyanenko scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanenko looking to pass the guard.
Emelyanenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Emelyanenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Surman controls Emelyanenko momentarily but Emelyanenko frees himself.

Surman has his foot on Emelyanenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Emelyanenko works his way back into a safe position though.
Surman keeping moving, preventing Emelyanenko from controlling successfully.
Emelyanenko throws a big elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Surman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Emelyanenko defends it easily.
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!
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.

Taylor Surman dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Emelyanenko tries for a takedown but Surman sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Emelyanenko closes the distance and clinches up with Surman, looking for a takedown. Emelyanenko pushes Surman against the cage but Surman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Emelyanenko shoots for a takedown but Surman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Taylor Surman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Emelyanenko.
Emelyanenko fails with the takedown.

Surman scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Surman trying to control the position but Emelyanenko is working away.

Surman goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Emelyanenko has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Surman but great work by Emelyanenko.
Emelyanenko in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Surman tries to buck Emelyanenko off but Emelyanenko is having none of it.
Surman struggling a bit here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Surman manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Surman avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Emelyanenko.
Surman looks like he's trying to stand up.
Emelyanenko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Emelyanenko looks to land a strike but Surman avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Surman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Emelyanenko defends it easily.

Surman looking for a guillotine here but Emelyanenko defends easily.
Emelyanenko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanenko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Taylor Surman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Emelyanenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Surman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Emelyanenko preventing the sweep.
Surman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Emelyanenko trying to control but Surman is working from the bottom.
Emelyanenko is in close to Surman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Surman keeping moving, preventing Emelyanenko from controlling successfully.
Emelyanenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Surman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Emelyanenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Emelyanenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Surman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Surman trying to keep a closed guard but Emelyanenko is proving a slippery customer.
Emelyanenko postures up and lands a big shot to Surman's brow.
Emelyanenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Surman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Surman pushes Emelyanenko off and gets back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Surman. No joy for Emelyanenko on that attempt.
Emelyanenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelyanenko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Surman, pushing him back against the cage.

Emelyanenko breaks from the clinch.

Emelyanenko clinches up with Surman and pushes him back against the cage.
Surman has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Emelyanenko after a bit of a struggle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelyanenko tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Taylor Surman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Surman gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Surman is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Emelyanenko is just riding it out for now. Surman eventually gives up the hold.

Surman is working for a submission of some sort.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aleksander Emelyanenko.
I think Surman 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taylor Surman!