PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tatenda Ihejirika (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tatenda Ihejirika has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ihejirika
vs
Emelianenko

165 cm
20
261 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

198 cm
21
245 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tatenda Ihejirika!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Patrick Alders and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ihejirika gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Emelianenko tries to throw a body punch but Ihejirika avoids it by throwing Emelianenko back against the cage.

Emelianenko ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Emelianenko no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ihejirika wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.
Ihejirika lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ihejirika stands up over Emelianenko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ihejirika trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Emelianenko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ihejirika scoring with some ground and pound.
Ihejirika trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ihejirika wants to pass the guard but Emelianenko is keeping the position.
Ihejirika postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Emelianenko looking for a guillotine here but Ihejirika defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko pulls Ihejirika in close to prevent any damage.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Ihejirika from controlling successfully.

Emelianenko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ihejirika defends well.
Ihejirika throwing strikes from guard but Emelianenko blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ihejirika accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ihejirika loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Emelianenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Emelianenko, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ihejirika might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Emelianenko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ihejirika doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ihejirika manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Emelianenko wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ihejirika not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ihejirika is in close to Emelianenko's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ihejirika postures up.
Ihejirika 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.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ihejirika sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Emelianenko's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emelianenko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ihejirika.

Ihejirika 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko has his hands clasped together around Ihejirika's back. He's all about the action.

Emelianenko is defending against the submission attempts here by Ihejirika.

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

Ihejirika is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Emelianenko sees it coming and defends easily.
Emelianenko won't allow Ihejirika to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ihejirika is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ihejirika is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Emelianenko!
Ihejirika thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Ihejirika moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Emelianenko has worked his arm free - good work by Emelianenko!
Emelianenko is not content to let Ihejirika control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko is looking for a sweep.
Ihejirika cracks Emelianenko with an elbow. That is naaassty.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatenda Ihejirika dominated that round.
That's time! Ihejirika's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ihejirika thows a body shot but no joy.
Emelianenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ihejirika misses with a body kick.
Tatenda Ihejirika is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ihejirika throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Emelianenko.
Ihejirika throws a lazy right hand but Emelianenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ihejirika misses with a two punch combination.
Emelianenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ihejirika tries to clinch but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Ihejirika connects with a solid leg kick.
Emelianenko comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Emelianenko throws a body punch but Ihejirika moves out of range.
Ihejirika shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Emelianenko as he jumps to the side.
Ihejirika looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A combination from Ihejirika does no damage.
Emelianenko lands with an overhand left.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ihejirika swings away with a body shot that misses
and Emelianenko counters with a series of strikes. Ihejirika will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko thuds a left hand into Ihejirika's body.
Ihejirika buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Emelianenko dodges the punch combination from Ihejirika.
Ihejirika looks to land a combination but Emelianenko avoids it well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Emelianenko slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

It looks like Tatenda Ihejirika has been cut.
Ihejirika tries to bum rush Emelianenko with a series of wild strikes but Emelianenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Emelianenko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Emelianenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ihejirika closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Emelianenko thuds a left hand into Ihejirika's body.
Emelianenko throws a series of punches but Ihejirika moves out of range.
Emelianenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Emelianenko fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Emelianenko lands with a big left! Ihejirika is wobbled badly! Emelianenko comes in with a flurry of punches and drops Ihejirika to the floor. The ref jumps in to save him from unneccessary punishment.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Alexander Emelianenko!
After winning the bout, Alexander Emelianenko thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.