PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vladamir Emelianenko (ranked 2732 p4p, 339 weight class) and Fil Bojtojovskiy (ranked 4628 p4p, 481 weight class). Fil Bojtojovskiy told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Emelianenko
vs
Bojtojovskiy

189 cm
22
212 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

200 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Solid 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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladamir Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Fil Bojtojovskiy!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bojtojovskiy clinches with his opponent.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Bojtojovskiy just leaning against Emelianenko, taking a breather.
A bit of stalling here from Bojtojovskiy.
Bojtojovskiy continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Emelianenko goes for a takedown attempt but Bojtojovskiy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Emelianenko is defended easily by Bojtojovskiy.
Bojtojovskiy lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bojtojovskiy.
Emelianenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Emelianenko moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Bojtojovskiy rushes Emelianenko and presses him up against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy misses with a punch to the body.
Bojtojovskiy stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Bojtojovskiy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left hand lands to the body for Bojtojovskiy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bojtojovskiy stalling against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Emelianenko is trying to drag Bojtojovskiy to the mat but Bojtojovskiy just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladamir Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bojtojovskiy stalling against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy stalling the fight.
Bojtojovskiy receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Bojtojovskiy stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Fil Bojtojovskiy.

Bojtojovskiy pushes Emelianenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Bojtojovskiy controlling the action here for a moment.
Bojtojovskiy pushes Emelianenko back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Bojtojovskiy is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bojtojovskiy presses Emelianenko against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Bojtojovskiy is working Emelianenko over against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bojtojovskiy is working Emelianenko over against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Bojtojovskiy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bojtojovskiy leaning against his opponent.
Emelianenko tries for a takedown but Bojtojovskiy manages to get underhooks.
A body shot lands from Bojtojovskiy.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
Emelianenko letting Bojtojovskiy take a breather here.
Bojtojovskiy is stalling here.
Emelianenko looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bojtojovskiy stalling in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Fil Bojtojovskiy.

Bojtojovskiy clinches with his opponent.
Bojtojovskiy struggles to land a body shot inside as Emelianenko controls his hands.
Bojtojovskiy slowing the pace effectively.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bojtojovskiy.
Bojtojovskiy works on Emelianenko's body with a couple of short punches.
Bojtojovskiy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A left hand lands to the body for Bojtojovskiy.
Emelianenko wants to take the fight to the mat but Bojtojovskiy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Bojtojovskiy will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Emelianenko up against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bojtojovskiy working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Bojtojovskiy.
Bojtojovskiy pressing his opponent against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Fil Bojtojovskiy.
A nice combination there by Emelianenko.

Bojtojovskiy clinches up with Emelianenko and pushes him back against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Emelianenko's defenses.
Bojtojovskiy lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short right from Bojtojovskiy on the inside.
Bojtojovskiy works on Emelianenko's body with a couple of short punches.
Emelianenko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bojtojovskiy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Bojtojovskiy displaying some good clinch control by pressing Emelianenko up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fil Bojtojovskiy dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bojtojovskiy ducks right into an uppercut from Emelianenko.

Emelianenko gets tackled into the cage by Bojtojovskiy. Bojtojovskiy maintains the clinch.
Bojtojovskiy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bojtojovskiy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A bit of stalling here from Bojtojovskiy.
Come on Bojtojovskiy - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Bojtojovskiy stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Emelianenko being controlled against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Fil Bojtojovskiy.
Emelianenko throws a combination. Bojtojovskiy tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bojtojovskiy throws a right and a left that Emelianenko avoids nicely.
A right-left combo lands from Emelianenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bojtojovskiy clinches.
Bojtojovskiy tries a body shot but Emelianenko blocks it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bojtojovskiy.
Emelianenko prevents a body shot from Bojtojovskiy.
Bojtojovskiy scores with a hook to the body.
Emelianenko is working for takedown but Bojtojovskiy is calmly controlling the position for now.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Bojtojovskiy takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Bojtojovskiy digs a right hand into Emelianenko's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Emelianenko's gas tank.
Bojtojovskiy gets underhooks to prevent Emelianenko's takedown attempt.
Bojtojovskiy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fil Bojtojovskiy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bojtojovskiy presses Emelianenko against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Bojtojovskiy stalling in the clinch.
Bojtojovskiy cracks Emelianenko with a nice body shot.
Bojtojovskiy lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Emelianenko.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko blocks an elbow strike from Bojtojovskiy.
Stalling in the clinch from Bojtojovskiy.
Bojtojovskiy slows down the pace here.
Bojtojovskiy dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Emelianenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bojtojovskiy prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladamir Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bojtojovskiy has Emelianenko pushed against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Emelianenko.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bojtojovskiy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bojtojovskiy displaying some good clinch control by pressing Emelianenko up against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are getting on Bojtojovskiy's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Fil Bojtojovskiy.

Bojtojovskiy has managed to clinch.
Bojtojovskiy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Emelianenko is trying to pull guard but Bojtojovskiy has him pressed against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy is pressed up against the cage. Emelianenko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bojtojovskiy down to the mat. Bojtojovskiy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Bojtojovskiy closes the distance and clinches.
Bojtojovskiy displaying some good clinch control by pressing Emelianenko up against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy is struggling to control the position.
Emelianenko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bojtojovskiy after a bit of a struggle.
Emelianenko being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bojtojovskiy lands an elbow just above Emelianenko 's eye.
Bojtojovskiy stalling.
Emelianenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bojtojovskiy pulls his leg out and moves away.

Bojtojovskiy clinches up against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Emelianenko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bojtojovskiy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bojtojovskiy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emelianenko, pushing him back against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy lands a body punch.
Bojtojovskiy leaning his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fil Bojtojovskiy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Emelianenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bojtojovskiy lands a jab-cross combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bojtojovskiy pushes Emelianenko back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Emelianenko avoids the elbow strike from Bojtojovskiy, against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy works on Emelianenko's body with a couple of short punches.
Bojtojovskiy throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bojtojovskiy is pressed up against the cage. Emelianenko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bojtojovskiy down to the mat. Bojtojovskiy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bojtojovskiy looks to land a combination but Emelianenko avoids it well.
A right-left combo lands from Bojtojovskiy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emelianenko's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Emelianenko duly obliges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bojtojovskiy fails to land with a series of punches.

Bojtojovskiy closes the distance and pushes Emelianenko back into the cage.
Bojtojovskiy is struggling to control the position.
Bojtojovskiy lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko blocks the elbow strike.
Emelianenko being controlled against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy works on Emelianenko's body with a couple of short punches.
Bojtojovskiy lands a shot to the body.
Bojtojovskiy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Emelianenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bojtojovskiy pulls his leg out and moves away.

Bojtojovskiy forces Emelianenko back against the cage and clinches.
Emelianenko tries to score a body lock takedown but Bojtojovskiy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladamir Emelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bojtojovskiy effectively controlling the action here.
Bojtojovskiy stalling.
Emelianenko can't get the takedown.
Bojtojovskiy slowing the pace effectively.
Bojtojovskiy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Fil Bojtojovskiy.
Emelianenko wants to slow Bojtojovskiy down by chopping away at his legs.
Bojtojovskiy unleashes a big counter combination but Emelianenko bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Bojtojovskiy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy displaying some good clinch control by pressing Emelianenko up against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy works on Emelianenko's body with a couple of short punches.
Emelianenko can't break the clinch.
Bojtojovskiy slows down the pace here.
Bojtojovskiy lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bojtojovskiy tries to throw a body punch but Emelianenko avoids it by throwing Bojtojovskiy back against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy tries to work over Emelianenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short body shot lands from Bojtojovskiy as the two fighters clinch.
Bojtojovskiy effectively controlling the action here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Bojtojovskiy takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Bojtojovskiy holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Emelianenko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bojtojovskiy tries to throw a body punch but Emelianenko avoids it by throwing Bojtojovskiy back against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bojtojovskiy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Bojtojovskiy tries to work over Emelianenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hook to the body lands for Bojtojovskiy.
Emelianenko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bojtojovskiy pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Vladamir Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bojtojovskiy leaning his opponent against the cage.
Bojtojovskiy slows down the pace here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Fil Bojtojovskiy.
Bojtojovskiy misses with a few strikes there.
Emelianenko scores with a sloppy right hand. Bojtojovskiy should have avoided that one.
Fil Bojtojovskiy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Bojtojovskiy has taken the fight to the clinch.
Emelianenko misses with some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fil Bojtojovskiy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bojtojovskiy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fil Bojtojovskiy!