PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Strategos Themistokles (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 Strategos Themistokles was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Emelianenko
vs
Themistokles

185 cm
23
215 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

187 cm
21
218 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Emelianenko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Strategos Themistokles!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Elvis Blanc and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Themistokles wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Emelianenko.
Themistokles connects with a solid leg kick.
We've been hearing reports that Emelianenko has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Themistokles.
Themistokles looks to land a combination. Emelianenko sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Emelianenko shoots in looking for a takedown but Themistokles manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Emelianenko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Emelianenko shoots in for a double leg but Themistokles sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice jab there from Themistokles.
Themistokles punishes Emelianenko's body with a nice straight punch.
Themistokles scores with a crisp jab that stopped Emelianenko in his tracks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Themistokles doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Themistokles turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Themistokles throws a series of punches but Emelianenko avoids them all with ease.

Emelianenko drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Themistokles wants to sweep here but Emelianenko controlling him for the moment.
Emelianenko looking to sit in guard and control but Themistokles gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko is looking for a triangle but Themistokles pushes his legs off easily.
Themistokles tries to free his leg and advance position but Emelianenko is retaining full guard.

Themistokles avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Themistokles advances to half guard.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Themistokles controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Themistokles prevents Emelianenko from improving his position.
Themistokles controlling the action here.
Themistokles wants to take a breather but Emelianenko is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emelianenko trying to control here.
Emelianenko is looking for a sweep. Themistokles is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Themistokles lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Emelianenko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Emelianenko regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Themistokles postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Themistokles controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Themistokles trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.

Emelianenko throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Themistokles escapes and throws Emelianenko's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Themistokles working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Themistokles lands a decent elbow from side control.
Themistokles working the ground and pound.
Themistokles controls the position from side control.
Themistokles lands a decent elbow from side control.
Themistokles landing a few strikes.
Emelianenko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Emelianenko is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Themistokles is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Emelianenko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Emelianenko's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A chopping leg kick lands by Themistokles.
Themistokles works Emelianenko's body with a nice hook.

Emelianenko shoots in and bounces Themistokles off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Emelianenko stopping the sweep attempt from Themistokles.
Themistokles preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Themistokles trying to keep a closed guard but Emelianenko is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Themistokles lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Themistokles has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Themistokles is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Themistokles looking to pass the guard.
Themistokles looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Themistokles postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Themistokles pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Emelianenko is keeping the position for now.
Themistokles trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Themistokles accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Themistokles preventing the sweep.
Themistokles controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Emelianenko looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Themistokles stays in close to Emelianenko's body and controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Emelianenko tries for a takedown but Themistokles circles away easily

and Themistokles counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Themistokles.
Themistokles is working Emelianenko over against the cage.
Themistokles gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Emelianenko.
Themistokles stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Themistokles lands a left hand.
Themistokles misses with a punch to the body.
Themistokles throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Emelianenkos head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Themistokles.
A short right from Themistokles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Themistokles - that landed with a thud.
Emelianenko blocks a body shot from Themistokles.
Nice body punch from Themistokles.
Themistokles lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Themistokles is working Emelianenko over against the cage.
Themistokles lands a right hand.
Themistokles is working Emelianenko over against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short uppercut from Themistokles.
Themistokles lands a left hand.
Themistokles softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Themistokles lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Themistokles pushes Emelianenko back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Themistokles lands a hook that snaps the head of Emelianenko backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Themistokles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Strategos Themistokles showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Themistokles scores with a jab to the body.
Themistokles connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Emelianenko takes one to the chin there.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown
and Themistokles counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Emelianenko is rocked!
and Themistokles counters with a massive uppercut that badly hurts Emelianenko! He's just covering up as Themistokles starts to tee off till the referee steps in and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Strategos Themistokles! Strategos Themistokles retains his light heavyweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Strategos Themistokles thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.