PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mr Anywhere (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Alexander Emelianenko was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Anywhere
vs
Emelianenko

190 cm
17
275 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
215 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mr Anywhere!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Damien Edna and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Anywhere.

Emelianenko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Anywhere wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Emelianenko wants to pass to mount but Anywhere is defending the position.

Emelianenko wants to work for an arm triangle but Anywhere is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Emelianenko is looking for a kimura here.
Anywhere is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko 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.

Emelianenko wants to work for an arm triangle but Anywhere is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Emelianenko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Anywhere doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Emelianenko.
Anywhere is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Anywhere works his way to full guard. Good work.

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

Emelianenko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Anywhere is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Anywhere escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Emelianenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Emelianenko drops back looking for a leg! Anywhere is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Anywhere manages to kick Emelianenko off! Emelianenko jumps back into Anywhere's guard.
Anywhere is trying to keep Emelianenko in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko has gone for a leg lock! Anywhere slips out almost immediately though and dives into Emelianenko's guard.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Anywhere passes into side control.
Emelianenko is trying to improve his position.

Anywhere wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Emelianenko, who protects the arm well.
Anywhere knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Emelianenko on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anywhere wants to stand but Emelianenko has his arm trapped.

Anywhere is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Emelianenko is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Emelianenko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Anywhere manages to get to full guard.
Anywhere has momentary wrist control but Emelianenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Anywhere had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Emelianenko defends it easily.
Anywhere seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Anywhere is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Emelianenko is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Anywhere tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Emelianenko is able to avoid easily.

Emelianenko drives through with a takedown into Anywhere's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Emelianenko looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Emelianenko works over Anywhere with some ground and pound from guard.
Emelianenko preventing the sweep.

Anywhere looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Emelianenko cracks Anywhere with a solid left hand.
Emelianenko looking to sit in guard and control but Anywhere gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anywhere pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Emelianenko is keeping the position for now.

Emelianenko is looking for a triangle but Anywhere pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anywhere stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Emelianenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Emelianenko has his foot on Anywhere's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Anywhere works his way back into a safe position though.

Emelianenko working for a triangle but Anywhere defends it easily.
Emelianenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Emelianenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Anywhere defends it easily.
Anywhere pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Emelianenko is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko is looking for a triangle but Anywhere pushes his legs off easily.

Emelianenko is looking for a triangle but Anywhere pushes his legs off easily.
Anywhere looking to pass the guard.
Emelianenko doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Anywhere would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position but Anywhere postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anywhere has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Emelianenko is proving hard to escape from.
Anywhere trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Anywhere is looking to stand up but Emelianenko won't let him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Emelianenko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Anywhere to the mat! Anywhere manages to get full guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Emelianenko. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Emelianenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Anywhere is retaining full guard.
Emelianenko working some strikes from top position.
Anywhere has momentary wrist control but Emelianenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Emelianenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Emelianenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Emelianenko passes into half guard.
Alexander Emelianenko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Emelianenko is keen to just control but Anywhere is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko is trying to work for a kimura but Anywhere is defending well.

Emelianenko is looking for a kimura here.
Anywhere tries to get to full guard but Emelianenko has control of the leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Emelianenko is working for a kimura but Anywhere is defending it quite comfortably.
Anywhere wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Emelianenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Emelianenko closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Anywhere's guard.
Anywhere working a defensive guard but Emelianenko manages to pass into side control anyway.
Emelianenko tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Emelianenko has hold of Anywhere's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Anywhere tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Emelianenko cranks the arm and Anywhere screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Anywhere, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Alexander Emelianenko!
An out of breath Alexander Emelianenko thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.