PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stanley Emelianenko (ranked 3585 p4p, 3503 weight class) and Shavkat Velikan (ranked 432 p4p, 420 weight class). Shavkat Velikan will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Emelianenko
vs
Velikan

180 cm
20
175
3 - 3 - 0

194 cm
21
182
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

HELL'S BALLS NUTRITION
BANZAI NUTRITION

BANZAI NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stanley Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shavkat Velikan!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Sano and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko scores with a shot to the body.
Velikan defending well as Emelianenko loads up on a big left hand.
Emelianenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Velikan cracks Emelianenko with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Velikan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Emelianenko.
Velikan takes one on the button.
Emelianenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Emelianenko moves away from the strike by Velikan.
Nice defenses there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throwing a counter right hand but Velikan manages to avoid it.
Velikan misses with an uppercut
and Emelianenko counters with a stiff right hand.
Velikan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko takes a swing at Velikan's ribcage but misses.
Velikan throws an overhand right that lands on Emelianenko's shoulder, as Emelianenko tries to avoid the shot.
Velikan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Emelianenko moves away.
Emelianenko tries to clinch there but Velikan circles away.
Emelianenko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Velikan swings for the body but Emelianenko moves out of range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Emelianenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Emelianenko cracks a nice hook into Velikan's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Emelianenko - just one landing.
Velikan shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Emelianenko moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Velikan fails to land.
Velikan misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Emelianenko.

Velikan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko swings for the body but Velikan moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Velikan. Emelianenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Velikan misses with a body shot.
Emelianenko seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Velikan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A big right from Emelianenko misses.
Emelianenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Emelianenko tries to counter by clinching up but Velikan breaks away and moves out of range.
Velikan misses with a hook. Emelianenko ducked under it nicely.

Velikan rushes Emelianenko and presses him up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Velikan tries to throw a body punch but Emelianenko avoids it by throwing Velikan back against the cage.
Velikan lands a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Velikan.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Emelianenko.
Velikan lands a left hand.
Velikan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

It looks like Stanley Emelianenko has been cut.
Emelianenko misses with a punch on the inside.
Emelianenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Velikan is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Velikan breaks from the clinch.
Velikan swinging wildly here.
Emelianenko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Velikan swings widly with a right hand
and Emelianenko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Velikan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Velikan misses with an uppercut.
Emelianenko feints a jab promting Velikan to slip. Emelianenko then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Velikan slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Emelianenko fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Velikan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velikan looks to land a left hand but Emelianenko moved out of range nicely.
Velikan swats away the attempt to clinch by Emelianenko.
Velikan throws a looping overhand right but Emelianenko ducks down to avoid it.
A punch lands to the side of Velikan 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Emelianenko throws a shot from downtown. Velikan moves away and avoids it.
Shavkat Velikan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Velikan scores with a hook.
Velikan jabs at Emelianenko's body.
Velikan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Emelianenko closes the distance and pushes Velikan back into the cage.
Velikan scores with a shoulder strike.
Velikan misses with a punch on the inside.
Velikan works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Velikan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Velikan avoiding damage.
Velikan wants to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velikan prevents a body shot from Emelianenko.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Velikan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Velikan throws a punch but it's blocked by Emelianenko.
A nice left hand lands by Emelianenko.
Velikan struggles to land a body shot inside as Emelianenko controls his hands.
Emelianenko tries a body shot but Velikan blocks it.
We've been informed that Velikan has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Emelianenko tries a body shot but Velikan blocks it.
Emelianenko misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Velikan.
Velikan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Emelianenko tries to throw a body punch but Velikan avoids it by throwing Emelianenko back against the cage.
Velikan can't find room to land a body shot as Emelianenko controls the action.
Velikan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Velikan blocking some punches.
Emelianenko tries a body shot but Velikan blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shavkat Velikan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Stanley Emelianenko's cut.
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.

Emelianenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Velikan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Velikan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Emelianenko slips under a jab from Velikan.
Velikan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Velikan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Velikan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Emelianenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Emelianenko scores with a nice right hand.
Emelianenko connects with a good right hand that stumbles Velikan. Velikan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Emelianenko connects with a single shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Velikan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Velikan blocks a jab.
A little jabbing left from Velikan on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Emelianenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Velikan was well out of range. Poor timing from Emelianenko.
Nice defenses there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko lands a body shot.
Velikan misses with a hook. Emelianenko ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko avoids the body shot from Velikan.
Velikan throws a predictable looking body shot
and Emelianenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Emelianenko swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Velikan.
Emelianenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Emelianenko lands a lovely overhand right.
Velikan wants to clinch.
Emelianenko tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Velikan manages to circle out of the way.
A slow jab from Emelianenko misses its intended target.
Stanley Emelianenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Emelianenko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Velikan.
Emelianenko ducks under a wild hook from Velikan.
Velikan misses with a hook. Emelianenko ducked under it nicely.
Velikan stuns Emelianenko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Velikan misses with a straight left.
Velikan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Emelianenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Velikan doesn't seem bothered though.
Emelianenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Velikan swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Emelianenko holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Velikan lands with a left to the head.
Velikan lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Emelianenko blocks an uppercut.
Emelianenko blocking some punches.
Velikan throws a head punch that misses.
Velikan tries to work over Emelianenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Emelianenko fails to land.
Emelianenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Emelianenko pushes Velikan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Emelianenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Emelianenko prevents Velikan from breaking the clinch.
Velikan swings wildly with an uppercut but Emelianenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Emelianenko throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko lands a right hand.
Emelianenko can't find room to land a body shot as Velikan controls the action.
Emelianenko lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Emelianenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Velikans head.
Emelianenko tries a body shot but Velikan blocks it.
Velikan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Velikan working aggressively here.
Velikan blocks a body shot from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Velikan scores with a shot to the side of Emelianenko's head.
A short right from Velikan.
Velikan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Velikan digs a right hand underneath Emelianenko's ribcage. Emelianenko let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Emelianenko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Velikan.
Velikan working aggressively here.
Velikan scores with a nice hook to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Emelianenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Velikan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Velikan misses with a body punch.
Emelianenko prevents a body shot from Velikan.
Emelianenko blocks an uppercut.
Emelianenko throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Velikan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Velikan working aggressively here.
Velikan tries to work over Emelianenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Emelianenko misses with a body punch.
Velikan blocks an uppercut.
Emelianenko works on Velikan's body with a couple of short punches.
Velikan throws a head punch that misses.
Emelianenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Emelianenko pushes Velikan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Velikan looking to slow down the pace here.
Emelianenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Stanley Emelianenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Stanley Emelianenko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Emelianenko throws a shot from downtown. Velikan moves away and avoids it.
Emelianenko moves out of range as Velikan strikes.
Velikan misses with a straight right.
Velikan loads up on a big right hand but Emelianenko slips the punch.
A swing and a miss from Velikan.
Velikan missing with a left hand there. Emelianenko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Emelianenko looks to clinch
and Velikan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Emelianenko slips a jab from Velikan.
Emelianenko throwing a counter right hand but Velikan manages to avoid it.
Velikan is looking to clinch but Emelianenko is avoiding it.
Velikan looks to land a right hand but Emelianenko moved out of range.
Velikan looks to land a right hand but Emelianenko moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Velikan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Emelianenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Emelianenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Velikan throws a hook but Emelianenko blocks it.
Velikan misses with a hook. Emelianenko ducked under it nicely.
Emelianenko throwing a counter right hand but Velikan manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Emelianenko.
Emelianenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Velikan moves out of range of the strikes.
Velikan walks into a straight right hand from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Velikan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Emelianenko thuds his right hand into Velikan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Velikan throws a lazy right hand but Emelianenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Velikan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Velikan misses with a straight right.
Velikan throws a lazy right hand but Emelianenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Emelianenko moves out of range as Velikan strikes.
A counter left hand to the body from Emelianenko misses its target.
Some wild striking there from Velikan.
Velikan jabs Emelianenko right on the nose. Emelianenko blinks but takes it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Velikan has taken the fight to the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko blocks an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Velikan.
Velikan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Velikan misses with a body punch.
Emelianenko makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Velikan is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Velikan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Velikan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Emelianenko's elbow.
Emelianenko lands an uppercut.
Velikan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Emelianenko's elbow.
A right hook to the body lands for Emelianenko.
Emelianenko stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Velikan misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko lands a body punch.
Emelianenko blocks an uppercut.
Emelianenko scores with a shot to the side of Velikan's head.
Velikan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Emelianenko misses with a punch to the body.
Emelianenko misses with the head strike.
Emelianenko blocks an uppercut.
Velikan lands a body shot.
A hook to the body from Velikan.
Emelianenko swings wildly with an uppercut but Velikan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Velikan misses with a body punch.
Velikan lands with a left to the head.
Emelianenko lands with a right to the head.
Velikan misses with some punches.
Velikan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Velikan struggles to land a body shot inside as Emelianenko controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velikan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Emelianenko scores with a shot to the side of Velikan's head.
Emelianenko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Velikan or not.
Velikan misses with the head strike.
Emelianenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Emelianenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Velikan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Velikan struggles to land a body shot inside as Emelianenko controls his hands.
Emelianenko lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Velikan controlling the action here for a moment.
Velikan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Emelianenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Velikan lands a shoulder strike.
Velikan has a couple of punches blocked by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shavkat Velikan.
I think Velikan 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Stanley Emelianenko!
A relieved looking Stanley Emelianenko thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.