PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Baird
vs
Emelianenko

163 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joseph Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baird tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Emelianenko swivels and escapes.
Emelianenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Emelianenko stuffs the takedown.

Emelianenko clinches up with Baird and pushes him back against the cage.
Baird could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Emelianenko just leaning against Baird, taking a breather.

Emelianenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Emelianenko looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Emelianenko wants to control but Baird is keeping him busy.
Emelianenko wants to pass the guard but Baird is defending well.
Baird trying to hold on to Emelianenko's head to control him but Emelianenko postures up.
Baird might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird is staying active underneath Emelianenko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Emelianenko wants to free his trapped foot but Baird is holding on for dear life with his legs.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Fedor Emelianenko hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Emelianenko scores with a takedown into Baird's guard.
Emelianenko is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Baird pushes a forearm under Emelianenko's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Emelianenko is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joseph Baird!