PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robin Emerson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdullah Del Rio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Emerson
vs
Del Rio

180 cm
19
278 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 Helsinki, Robin Emerson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abdullah Del Rio!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Del Rio swats away the attempt to clinch by Emerson.
Del Rio shoots in for a double leg but Emerson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Emerson throws a big counter combination but Del Rio scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Emerson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Emerson moves forwards but Del Rio connects with a nice, crisp jab.

It looks like Robin Emerson has been cut.

Del Rio gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Del Rio has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Emerson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Del Rio breaks from the clinch.
Del Rio lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Emerson backs up against the cage.

Del Rio gets a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emerson misses with the head strike.
Del Rio has Emerson pressed against the cage, preventing Emerson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Del Rio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Del Rio moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emerson is pressed up against the cage. Del Rio has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Emerson down to the mat. Emerson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Robin Emerson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdullah Del Rio.
Del Rio tries for a takedown but Emerson circles away easily
and Emerson counters with a series of strikes. Del Rio will be more careful next time no doubt.
Emerson tries to clinch up.
Emerson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Del Rio manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Del Rio clinches up against the cage.
Emerson is trying to drag Del Rio to the mat but Del Rio just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch but Del Rio keeps him there for the moment.
Del Rio just leaning against Emerson, taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emerson tries to circle away but Del Rio has him pinned against the cage.
Emerson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Emerson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Emerson slowing the pace effectively.

Del Rio breaks from the clinch.
Del Rio falls off balance throwing a combination
and Emerson counters with a three punch combo that has Del Rio backing up. Del Rio nods at Emerson to acknowledge the strikes.
No luck for Del Rio with that takedown attempt.

Del Rio forces Emerson back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Del Rio drags the fight down to the ground.
Del Rio avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Emerson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Emerson wants to control from the top but Del Rio keeps moving.
Emerson is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Del Rio is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Del Rio tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Emerson throwing strikes from guard but Del Rio blocks nicely.
Emerson won't allow Del Rio to get back to his feet.

Del Rio is working an open guard so Emerson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Rio connects with the punch.
Del Rio shoots in but Emerson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Emerson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Del Rio fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emerson, pushing him back against the cage.

Del Rio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Del Rio has taken the fight to the clinch.
Del Rio works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Del Rio is trying to pull guard but Emerson has him pressed against the cage.
Del Rio lands a knee to the head.
Del Rio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdullah Del Rio dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Robin Emerson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Del Rio closes the distance and clinches.

Emerson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Emerson tries to keep at a distance but Del Rio has taken the fight into the clinch.
Del Rio tries for a takedown but Emerson manages to get underhooks.
Del Rio has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Del Rio successfully pulls guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emerson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Del Rio keeping moving, preventing Emerson from controlling successfully.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Del Rio. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emerson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Del Rio working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Emerson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Emerson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Emerson trying to control the position from guard on top but Del Rio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emerson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Del Rio on the ground.
Del Rio wants to stand up but Emerson is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Emerson throws a right and a left that Del Rio avoids nicely.
Del Rio will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A little feinted left hand from Emerson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Abdullah Del Rio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Del Rio misses with a series of wild punches.
Emerson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Emerson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Robin Emerson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdullah Del Rio.

Emerson drives through and clinches with Del Rio against the cage.
Emerson is trying to force a seperation but Del Rio has the dominant position.
Emerson throws a head punch that misses.

Del Rio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Del Rio has managed to clinch.

Del Rio breaks from the clinch.

Emerson clinches up with Del Rio and pushes him back against the cage.

Del Rio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Del Rio has Emerson up against the cage in a clinch.

Del Rio breaks the clinch.
Robin Emerson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Emerson tries to clinch up.
Del Rio tries to counter by closing the distance.
Del Rio throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Some wild striking there from Emerson.
Del Rio is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Abdullah Del Rio seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Rio shoots and misses
and Emerson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Del Rio fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emerson, pushing him back against the cage.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Del Rio gets underhooks to prevent Emerson's takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Del Rio ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Del Rio no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Emerson trying to control but Del Rio is working from the bottom.
Del Rio wants to stand but Emerson is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdullah Del Rio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Robin Emerson'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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Emerson is looking to land body kicks.

Del Rio rushes Emerson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Del Rio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Del Rio is trying to pull guard but Emerson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Del Rio fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Robin Emerson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdullah Del Rio.
A frustrated look appears on Emerson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Emerson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Del Rio is defending well.

Del Rio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Del Rio drives through and clinches with Emerson against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Del Rio.
Del Rio scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Del Rio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Del Rio gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Emerson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Del Rio blocks an elbow strike from Emerson.
Emerson tries to break the clinch but Del Rio is controlling the position.

Del Rio manages to break the clinch.
Emerson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A punch combination from Emerson misses.
Del Rio throws a counter combo.

Del Rio drops Emerson with a left right combo! Del Rio follows him down to the ground into side control.

Robin Emerson's cut is getting worse.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Emerson struggling a bit here.

Del Rio decides to stand up, so the ref orders Emerson to his feet.
Del Rio shoots in but Emerson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Emerson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Emerson scores with a nice strike.
A cross from Emerson lands.
A head kick misses from Del Rio.
A jab from Del Rio does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Del Rio.
Emerson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Emerson throws a jab but it's blocked by Del Rio.

Del Rio moves into range and clinches up with Emerson.
Emerson can't break the clinch.

Emerson manages to break the clinch.

Del Rio moves into the clinch successfully.
Del Rio is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Emerson is defending well.
Del Rio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Emerson tries to break the clinch but Del Rio is controlling the position.
Del Rio tries to pull guard but Emerson won't allow it.

Del Rio breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emerson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Emerson wants it to stay on the feet.
Del Rio dodges the punch combination from Emerson.
It seemed like Del Rio was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Del Rio shoots in for a takedown but Emerson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Del Rio has taken the fight to the clinch.
Emerson can't get the takedown.

Del Rio breaks the clinch.

Del Rio rushes Emerson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Emerson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Robin Emerson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abdullah Del Rio is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Del Rio manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdullah Del Rio comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Del Rio has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdullah Del Rio!