PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Huan Tai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Emelianenko
vs
Tai

195 cm
26
265 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

194 cm
26
230 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Good knees
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Sully's Bar & Grill
Leviathan Clothing

Sully's Bar & Grill

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Aleksandr Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Huan Tai!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tai.
Emelianenko shoots for a takedown but Tai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tai tries a quick counter leg kick but Emelianenko is wise to it.
Emelianenko blocks a head kick by Tai.
Emelianenko fails with the takedown.
Tai thinks about the counter body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandr Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tai scores with a head kick. Emelianenko tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A low kick from Tai is predictable there

and Emelianenko counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Emelianenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko drops back looking for a leg! Tai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tai manages to kick Emelianenko off! Emelianenko jumps back into Tai's guard.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Tai keeps moving.
Tai is trying to keep Emelianenko in close.
Tai controlling Emelianenko's posture.

Emelianenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Emelianenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Emelianenko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Emelianenko is stalling in the full guard.
Tai keeping moving, preventing Emelianenko from controlling successfully.
Emelianenko sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Emelianenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Emelianenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Emelianenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Emelianenko trying to control but Tai is working from the bottom.

Emelianenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Emelianenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Tai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Emelianenko drops back, looking for a kneebar! Tai looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Tai looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Tai!

Emelianenko is trying to get back to half guard.
Emelianenko has one of Tai's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Emelianenko is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tai off and has taken his back!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Emelianenko looking to break Tai's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Tai remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Emelianenko will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Emelianenko dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tai stuffs the takedown.
Tai plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Emelianenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tai avoids it really well and circles away.
Tai lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianenko wants to clinch
and Tai counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Emelianenko is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Huan Tai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Emelianenko.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandr Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tai throws a body kick that misses.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tai.
Aleksandr Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko tries for a takedown but Tai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tai appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Emelianenko fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tai misses with a body kick.
Emelianenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tai sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Emelianenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tai sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Emelianenko shoots in but Tai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tai scores with a push kick.
Emelianenko dives in for a single leg takedown but Tai sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tai lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Emelianenko shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tai counters with a nice leg kick.
Tai lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Huan Tai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tai, right into the meat.
Emelianenko shoots for a takedown but Tai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tai pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown but Tai shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown attempt - Tai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Emelianenko misses with a leg kick
and Tai counters with a body kick that stops Emelianenko in his tracks momentarily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tai misses with a head kick.
Emelianenko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A good leg kick by Tai.
Tai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tai tries to land a leg kick but Emelianenko saw it coming and moves away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emelianenko shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tai counters with a slapping leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Huan Tai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Emelianenko avoids a kick to the body.
Emelianenko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Emelianenko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tai defends it nicely.
Tai steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown attempt
and Tai counters with a head kick that crumples his opponent - he's in a world of trouble! Tai looks at the referee who does nothing so Tai lands a crushing right that sends Emelianenko to the floor! This time the ref steps in to end the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Huan Tai!
In defeat, Aleksandr Emelianenko stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'm lose... But I sleep with his wife. '.