PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thabo Dlamini (ranked 5131 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Emelyanov (ranked 3767 p4p, 0 weight class). Thabo Dlamini has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Dlamini
vs
Emelyanov

190 cm
25
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
239 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thabo Dlamini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Vladimir Emelyanov!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dlamini pushes Emelyanov up against the cage in a clinch.
Emelyanov blocks an uppercut.
Emelyanov is looking for a takedown.
Emelyanov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Dlamini breaks the clinch.

Emelyanov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Emelyanov trying to control but Dlamini is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dlamini is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Emelyanov can do anything to dispel that myth.

Dlamini seems to be working for a kimura but Emelyanov defends the submission attempt.
Dlamini tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Dlamini there.

Dlamini wants to work for an arm triangle but Emelyanov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dlamini working over Emelyanov with some ground and pound. Emelyanov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dlamini in particular looking to stall.
Dlamini is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Dlamini has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Dlamini trying to control but Emelyanov is having none of it.
Emelyanov is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dlamini lands a couple of good shots and Emelyanov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Dlamini is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Dlamini.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Dlamini working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Emelyanov is doing well to defend. Dlamini seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Emelyanov is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Thabo Dlamini!