PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blake Halder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Halder
vs
Emelianenko

192 cm
34
263 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

183 cm
30
255 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
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 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Blake Halder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fedor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halder tries to land a front kick but Emelianenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Halder misses with an uppercut.
Halder walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Emelianenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Halder.
Emelianenko ducks under a wild hook from Halder.
Halder lands a lovely overhand right.
Emelianenko looks to land a body kick but Halder moved away.
A left and a right from Halder both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Fedor Emelianenko has been cut.
Halder misses with a body shot.
Emelianenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Halder.
Emelianenko scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Halder moves out of range of the body kick from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko needs to keep his hands up - Halder had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Halder throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Emelianenko slips under a jab.
Emelianenko looks to land a body kick but Halder moved away.
Halder looks to score with a jab to the body but Emelianenko is just out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Halder.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Emelianenko. Beautiful body shot.
Halder lands a leg kick that knocks Emelianenko off balance momentarily.
Emelianenko misses the jab.
Emelianenko defending well as Halder loads up on a big left hand.

Halder shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Emelianenko napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Emelianenko throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Emelianenko misses with a wild combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Decent striking displayed by Emelianenko there.
Emelianenko takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Emelianenko throws a head kick that misses.
Fedor Emelianenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Halder has taken the fight to the clinch.
Emelianenko lands a nice elbow.
Halder misses with a short punch on the inside.

Halder turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Halder throws a strike aimed at the side of Emelianenko's head but Emelianenko avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Halder wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Emelianenko gets back to half guard.
Emelianenko keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Halder scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Emelianenko wants to get back to full guard.

Halder wants to work for an arm triangle but Emelianenko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emelianenko won't allow Halder to pass to mount.
Halder landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Emelianenko trying to control but Halder postures up.
Emelianenko is concentrating on defense, preventing Halder from advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halder is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Halder throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Emelianenko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Halder.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Halder thows a huge punch but Emelianenko dodges it nicely.

Halder is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Emelianenko has managed to free his arm - good work.
Halder is trying to control. Emelianenko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Emelianenko controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Nice strikes from Halder there.
Halder throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halder is looking to take a break and control but Emelianenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Halder lands strikes from half guard.

Emelianenko is rocked!

That has opened up Fedor Emelianenko's cut even more.
Halder lands a big elbow - Emelianenko is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Halder!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Blake Halder!
Our winner, Blake Halder, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.