PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Devira (ranked 7883 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladamir Emelianenko (ranked 4773 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Devira
vs
Emelianenko

182 cm
19
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

189 cm
21
212 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Johnny Devira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladamir Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Devira with a poor takedown

and Emelianenko counters with a takedown into side control.
Devira is not content to let Emelianenko control the position.
Emelianenko working away.
Devira is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianenko wants to control but Devira is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Devira is not content to let Emelianenko control the position.
Emelianenko gets to mount! Devira was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Emelianenko takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Devira really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Emelianenko wants to control the pace but Devira is squirming around nicely.
Devira keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Emelianenko content just to control the position here.
Devira wants to control but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Emelianenko content just to control the position here.
Emelianenko raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Devira wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Emelianenko controlling well, preventing Devira from escaping the position.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Emelianenko controlling the positon.
Emelianenko trying to control momentarily.

Devira fending off the submission attempt from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko is riding his opponent, not letting Devira buck him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Devira is trying to break free.
Emelianenko trying to control momentarily.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Emelianenko trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Devira is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Emelianenko.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Devira can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladamir Emelianenko dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Devira gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Emelianenko to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Emelianenko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Devira keeps moving.
Emelianenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Devira is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Devira keeps moving.
Emelianenko controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Devira not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Devira dodges the punch combination from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Emelianenko misses with the combination.
Emelianenko lands an overhand right.
Emelianenko's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Emelianenko duly obliges.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Emelianenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Devira stuffs the takedown.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
Devira avoids a punch combination nicely.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Devira fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Devira takes a jab right on the kisser.

Devira gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Devira taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Emelianenko can't get the takedown.
Johnny Devira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladamir Emelianenko.

Devira drags the fight down to the ground.

Devira has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Emelianenko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko forces his way into half guard.

Devira looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Emelianenko not doing much here.
Emelianenko trying to control from half guard but Devira is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Emelianenko keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Devira wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Emelianenko is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Devira!

Emelianenko is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Devira to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Devira shrugs it off.
Emelianenko prevents Devira from getting the reversal.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Devira is squirming around, avoiding Emelianenko's attempts to control the action.
Emelianenko moves to the back position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladamir Emelianenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Devira throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice uppercut lands for Emelianenko. That snapped Devira's head back.
Devira drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Emelianenko shoots in looking for a takedown but Devira manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Emelianenko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A clash of legs there as Emelianenko blocks the low kick.
Vladamir Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Emelianenko is defended easily by Devira.
A looping hook to the body misses from Devira. Emelianenko does a little dance to reset his feet.

Devira clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Devira pulls guard effortlessly.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Devira is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Devira is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Emelianenko is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Devira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Devira wants to sweep here but Emelianenko controlling him for the moment.
Emelianenko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Emelianenko advances nicely into full mount.
Emelianenko controlling from the full mount.
Emelianenko is continuing to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Emelianenko has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Emelianenko looking to control but Devira is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Emelianenko controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko trying to control but Devira is having none of it.
Emelianenko putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Devira is squirming around, avoiding Emelianenko's attempts to control the action.
Emelianenko is trying to control here but Devira has managed to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Devira is staying active underneath Emelianenko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Devira kicks Emelianenko off and gets back to his feet.
Vladamir Emelianenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown

and Devira counters by clinching up.
Johnny Devira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladamir Emelianenko.
A short uppercut from Devira.
Devira jumps guard but Emelianenko stands there with Devira around his waist. Devira gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emelianenko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Johnny Devira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Emelianenko.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Johnny Devira.
I think Emelianenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladamir Emelianenko!
During a confident post fight interview, Vladamir Emelianenko thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.