PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Helmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emelyanenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Helmer
vs
Emelyanenko

201 cm
25
213 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Helmer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Fedor Emelyanenko!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelyanenko has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
No joy there for Emelyanenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Helmer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Emelyanenko.
Helmer lands a two punch combo.
Helmer tries to bum rush Emelyanenko with a series of wild strikes but Emelyanenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Helmer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Emelyanenko.
Sloppy strikes from Emelyanenko. Those never looked like landing.

Emelyanenko clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelyanenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Helmer misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right hand to the body from Helmer.

Emelyanenko manages to break the clinch.
Helmer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Emelyanenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Helmer throws a quick counter kick to the body but Emelyanenko avoids it.
John Helmer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelyanenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelyanenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Helmer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Emelyanenko goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Emelyanenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Helmer closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Helmer scores with a body shot.
Helmer stuffs the takedown attempt from Emelyanenko. Emelyanenko gets slowly back to his feet.
John Helmer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Emelyanenko takes a jab right on the kisser.
Emelyanenko takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Emelyanenko drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Helmer throws Emelyanenko to one side and escapes!
Emelyanenko looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nice takedown defense from Helmer. No joy for Emelyanenko on that attempt.
Helmer is looking to counter punch.
Helmer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Helmer tried to score with a low kick but Emelyanenko checks it.
Emelyanenko steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Helmer.
Helmer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Emelyanenko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Helmer moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Fedor Emelyanenko has been cut.
A combination from Helmer does no damage.
Helmer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Helmer scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
No joy there for Helmer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Emelyanenko blocks the body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanenko shoots in but no luck this time.
It looked like Helmer was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Emelyanenko.
Helmer looks to land a combination. Emelyanenko sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Emelyanenko tries to clinch but Helmer is having none of it.
Helmer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Emelyanenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Helmer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Emelyanenko somewhat.
Helmer lands a nice looking body shot.
Helmer stuns Emelyanenko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Helmer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Emelyanenko wants to counter the offense by Helmer and move into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanenko changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Helmer lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Emelyanenko backs up against the cage.
Helmer throws a combination. Emelyanenko tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelyanenko doesn't manage to clinch there - Helmer circles away.
A quick step to the side and Helmer tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Helmer lands with a good body shot.
Helmer lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Helmer throws a right hand that Emelyanenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Emelyanenko also avoids with ease.

Emelyanenko drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Helmer is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Helmer dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fedor Emelyanenko's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Emelyanenko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Helmer walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Emelyanenko moves in looking to clinch but Helmer pushes him off.
Helmer stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Helmer wants it to stay on the feet.
A jab from Helmer does it's job there.
Emelyanenko tries to move into range but Helmer moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Helmer throws a series of punches but Emelyanenko avoids them all with ease.
John Helmer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Emelyanenko throws a one two combo.
Helmer misses with a body shot.
Emelyanenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Helmer appears to be looking for a big counter.
Helmer scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Helmer throws a one two combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helmer throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Emelyanenko on the side of the head.

Emelyanenko is rocked!
Helmer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Emelyanenko is still on wobbly legs! Can Helmer finish him?
Emelyanenko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Emelyanenko seems to have recovered his senses.
Emelyanenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Helmer swivels and escapes.
John Helmer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelyanenko.
Emelyanenko is breathing heavily.
Helmer dips to his left and cracks Emelyanenko with an uppercut!
Helmer is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Helmer lands a two punch combo.
Helmer has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Helmer misses with a wild body shot.
Emelyanenko avoids the body shot from Helmer.
Helmer lands with a nice combination. Emelyanenko backs away looking to recover.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Helmer throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Emelyanenko counters with a three punch combo that has Helmer backing up. Helmer nods at Emelyanenko to acknowledge the strikes.
Nice shot by Helmer.
Helmer connects with a nice looking jab.
John Helmer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helmer lands with a shot to the body.

Emelyanenko moves into the clinch.
Emelyanenko is trying to pull guard but Helmer has him pressed against the cage.

Emelyanenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Helmer misses with a double jab.
Helmer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Emelyanenko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Emelyanenko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Helmer is looking to counter punch.
Helmer rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Emelyanenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Emelyanenko throws a counter combo.
Emelyanenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Helmer.
Emelyanenko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Helmer tries to avoid it but Emelyanenko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Helmer to the ground. Helmer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Helmer listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helmer throws a right and a left that Emelyanenko avoids nicely.
Emelyanenko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Helmer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Helmer lands a slapping body shot.
Helmer feints a jab promting Emelyanenko to slip. Helmer then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Emelyanenko slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Helmer is looking to wear down Emelyanenko with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Helmer throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Emelyanenko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Helmer was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Helmer lands a jab to Emelyanenko's midsection.
Emelyanenko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Helmer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Helmer is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Emelyanenko with that takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Helmer scores with a body shot.
Emelyanenko tries for a takedown but Helmer circles away easily
and Helmer counters with a nice uppercut.
Helmer throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Emelyanenko closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Helmer moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Helmer looks to land a combination but Emelyanenko avoids it well.
Emelyanenko takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Helmer throws a right hand that Emelyanenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Emelyanenko also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Helmer dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Fedor Emelyanenko's cut.
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!

Emelyanenko rushes Helmer and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Helmer tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Emelyanenko's elbow.
Helmer is trying to break the clinch but Emelyanenko is controlling him.
Helmer misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Emelyanenko.
Helmer tries to throw a body punch but Emelyanenko avoids it by throwing Helmer back against the cage.
Helmer wants to break free but Emelyanenko has control.

Emelyanenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Emelyanenko dives in and grabs Helmer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Helmer pushes down on Emelyanenko's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helmer lands a really nice looking cross but Emelyanenko seems unphased.

Emelyanenko closes the distance and pushes Helmer back into the cage.

Emelyanenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Helmer lands with a shot to the body.
Emelyanenko walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helmer swinging wildly here.
Helmer is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Emelyanenko or perhaps it was just good defense by Helmer, which made it look bad.
Emelyanenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Emelyanenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Helmer tries to sprawl out of it but Emelyanenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Helmer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
John Helmer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelyanenko.
Emelyanenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Emelyanenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Helmer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Helmer moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A lazy left from Helmer finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Helmer.
Helmer stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Helmer wants it to stay on the feet.
Helmer goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Emelyanenko swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
No joy there for Helmer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Helmer lands a lovely overhand right.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Emelyanenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Helmer swivels and escapes.
Helmer scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Good shot there by Helmer.
Helmer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Emelyanenko feints the counter takedown.
Helmer lands a slapping body shot.
John Helmer is winning the standup battle so far.
Helmer lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Emelyanenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Emelyanenko with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Helmer to score with a decent uppercut.
Helmer throws a body punch but Emelyanenko moves out of range.
Helmer is working the combinations to good effect here.
Helmer throws a nice looking combination but Emelyanenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Helmer stuffs the takedown.
Helmer lands the left hand.
Emelyanenko walks into a straight right hand from Helmer.
Emelyanenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Helmer manages to avoid it.
Helmer misses with a kick to the body.
Emelyanenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Helmer but Helmer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Helmer seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Helmer scores with a four punch combination!
Emelyanenko slips a jab and a cross from Helmer.
Helmer scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Emelyanenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Helmer tries to sprawl out of it but Emelyanenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Helmer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Helmer scores with a one two! Emelyanenko had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Helmer showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Helmer, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Helmer!