PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Damien Dark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dark
vs
Emelianenko

195 cm
21
193 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

179 cm
24
185 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

O'Brannigan's Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Damien Dark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mirko Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko avoids the head kick by Dark.
Dark throws a nice inside leg kick.
Emelianenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dark throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dark tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Emelianenko counters by moving into the clinch.
Emelianenko taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Emelianenko avoiding damage as Dark throws knees to the body.
Dark misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dark blocks it with crossed arms.
Emelianenko avoiding damage as Dark throws knees to the body.
Dark stalls.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Emelianenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko avoids the head kick by Dark.

Emelianenko has taken the fight to the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Emelianenko.
Come on Emelianenko - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Emelianenko.

It looks like Damien Dark has been cut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Emelianenko.
Emelianenko avoiding damage as Dark throws knees to the body.
Dark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Emelianenko looking to slow down the pace here.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but Emelianenko blocks with his arms.
Emelianenko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Dark lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Emelianenko makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Emelianenko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Emelianenko looking to stall.
Emelianenko throws a punch but it's blocked by Dark.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Emelianenko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Emelianenko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dark has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dark trying to land knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Emelianenko.
Dark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Emelianenko blocks it with crossed arms.
Emelianenko slowing the pace effectively.

Emelianenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dark ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Dark throws a nice outside leg kick.

Emelianenko pushes Dark up against the cage in a clinch.
Emelianenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Emelianenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Darks head.
Dark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Emelianenko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Emelianenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Emelianenko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dark up against the cage.
Emelianenko lands a body punch.
Emelianenko controlling the action here for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dark tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dark 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.
Emelianenko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dark.
Dark looking to throw knees to the head but Emelianenko is blocking nicely.
Emelianenko digs a right hand into Dark's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dark's gas tank.
Emelianenko lands a right hand that snaps the head of Dark backwards.
Emelianenko is working Dark over against the cage.
Emelianenko lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Dark tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dark letting Emelianenko take a breather here.
Emelianenko lands with a light punch inside.
Dark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Emelianenko lands with a light punch inside.
Emelianenko scores a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Emelianenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Emelianenko on the inside.
Emelianenko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dark.
Emelianenko softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Emelianenko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Emelianenko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Emelianenko stalling in the clinch.
Dark putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Emelianenko in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Emelianenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dark blocks it with crossed arms.
Nice body punch from Emelianenko.
A bit of stalling here from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Emelianenko lands a right hand that snaps the head of Dark backwards.
Emelianenko taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Dark missing with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Emelianenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Damien Dark's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dark tries to clinch but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Emelianenko tries to clinch
and Dark counters with a thumping low kick.
Mirko Emelianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Emelianenko clinches up against the cage.
Dark tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Emelianenko stalling in the clinch but Dark improves position.
Emelianenko lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dark backwards.
Dark tries a knee to the head but Emelianenko blocks it.
Emelianenko managing to block the knees to the body from Dark.
Emelianenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Emelianenko lands with a left to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Dark is looking to control Emelianenko's arms but Emelianenko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Dark has his back to the cage.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dark is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Emelianenko is defending well for now.
Emelianenko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Dark or not.
Emelianenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Dark lands a good knee to the midsection. Emelianenko won't want to take too many of those.
Emelianenko misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Emelianenko.
Dark on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Emelianenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Emelianenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Emelianenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Emelianenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dark's elbow.
Dark misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko lands a right hand.
Emelianenko throws a head punch that misses.

Emelianenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mirko Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dark slips a jab and a cross from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko tries to clinch up
and Dark counters with a head kick.
Emelianenko looks to land a combination but Dark avoids it well.
Emelianenko tries to clinch up
and Dark makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dark circles away from the clinch attempt
and Dark counters with a head kick.
Dark is looking to land body kicks.
Emelianenko darts in trying to clinch
and Dark counters with a head kick.

Dark moves into the clinch successfully.
Dark working Emelianenko over with knees to the body.
Dark blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Emelianenko slowing the pace effectively.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dark stalls.
A nice right hand lands inside from Emelianenko.
Mirko Emelianenko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Emelianenko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Emelianenko breaks the clinch.
Dark throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Emelianenko moves out of range of the leg kick from Dark.
Emelianenko clinches but Dark breaks the clinch
and Dark counters with a body kick.
Emelianenko works the jab nicely.
Emelianenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A head kick from Dark lands but Emelianenko takes it in his stride.
Emelianenko tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Dark holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Knees in the clinch landing for Emelianenko.
Emelianenko tries to circle away but Dark has him pinned against the cage.
Dark looking to throw knees to the head but Emelianenko is blocking nicely.
Dark lands a knee to the body.
Emelianenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Emelianenko cracks Dark with a nice body shot.
Dark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Emelianenko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Emelianenko scores with a shot to the side of Dark's head.
Emelianenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Emelianenko works on Dark's body with a couple of short punches.
Emelianenko using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Emelianenko is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Emelianenko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dark tries a knee to the head but Emelianenko blocks it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Emelianenko stalls.
Emelianenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dark looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Emelianenko throws a right hand that Dark ducks under and follows up with a left that Dark also avoids with ease.
Emelianenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dark moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Emelianenko throws a nice looking combination but Dark bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Emelianenko tries to clinch
and Dark counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Emelianenko tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Dark counters by clinching up.
Emelianenko wants to stall.
Dark avoiding damage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but Emelianenko blocks with his arms.
Dark slows down the pace here.
Dark is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko avoiding damage.
Emelianenko working hard to break the clinch.
Emelianenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Emelianenko looking to throw knees to the head but Dark is blocking nicely.
The referee is keeping an eye on Dark - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Emelianenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Dark misses with a knee to the head.
Dark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Emelianenko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Emelianenko is trying to stall.
Dark scores with a knee to the head.
Emelianenko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Emelianenko throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Emelianenko throws a punch but it's blocked by Dark.
Dark missing with knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Emelianenko.
Dark is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Emelianenko lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Emelianenko makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Emelianenko.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Dark blocks a body shot from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Emelianenko is trying to maintain a safe position but Dark gets an underhook and turns Emelianenko into the cage.
Dark looking to throw knees to the head but Emelianenko is blocking nicely.
Dark is trying to stall.
Emelianenko lands a body shot in the clinch.
Dark misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Emelianenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko closes the distance but Dark moves to the side

and Dark moves into the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Emelianenko.
Dark utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Emelianenko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Emelianenko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dark up against the cage.
Emelianenko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Dark on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Emelianenko lands a knee to the head.
Emelianenko digs a right hand into Dark's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dark's gas tank.
Dark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Emelianenko taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Emelianenko.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Emelianenko.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Emelianenko looking to slow down the pace here.
Emelianenko is working Dark over against the cage.
Emelianenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Dark is defending well for now.
Dark is looking to control Emelianenko's arms but Emelianenko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Dark has his back to the cage.
Emelianenko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Emelianenko lands a knee to the head.
Emelianenko connects with a knee to the head.

Damien Dark's cut is getting worse.
Emelianenko working aggressively here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice right hand lands inside from Emelianenko.
Dark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Emelianenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dark wants to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirko Emelianenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirko Emelianenko!