PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cowboy Henry (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.

Henry
vs
Emelianenko

185 cm
24
185 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

179 cm
29
185 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI
SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

O'Brannigan's Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cowboy Henry!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mirko Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko on the wrong end of a nice jab.

It looks like Mirko Emelianenko has been cut.
Henry avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A big right from Henry misses.
Henry fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No luck for Henry with that takedown attempt.
Henry has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cowboy Henry. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henry with a poor takedown
and Emelianenko counters with a nice leg kick.
Emelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Henry swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Emelianenko has closed the distance and engaged Henry in a clinch.
Emelianenko lands a nice uppercut.
Emelianenko tries to work over Henry's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Emelianenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Emelianenko misses with a body punch.
Emelianenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Henry avoids it.
A right handed body shot lands from Emelianenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko misses with a knee to the head.
Emelianenko crunches a lovely knee into Henry's ribcage.
Emelianenko taking a breather.
Emelianenko prevents Henry from breaking the clinch.
Emelianenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Emelianenko tries to throw a body punch but Henry avoids it by throwing Emelianenko back against the cage.
Henry stalling in the clinch.

Henry manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Henry keeps moving.
Emelianenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Emelianenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Henry. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Mirko Emelianenko has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Emelianenko wants to clinch but Henry slips to the side
and Henry connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Emelianenko rushes Henry and presses him up against the cage.
Henry is trying to push Emelianenko away but Emelianenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Henry takes a knee to the side of the body.
Emelianenko utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Emelianenko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Emelianenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Henry.
Henry wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Emelianenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Emelianenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Henry avoids it.
Emelianenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Henry blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Henry.
Emelianenko lands with a short shot to the head.
Emelianenko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Henry's efforts to push away.

Emelianenko breaks from the clinch.
Emelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Henry swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Emelianenko missing with a left hand there. Henry was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Emelianenko tries to clinch but Henry is having none of it.
Henry fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Henry closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Emelianenko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Henry pushes Emelianenko off looking to stand but Emelianenko dives back in and keeps control.
Emelianenko is keen to just control but Henry is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko controlling the action here.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mirko Emelianenko was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Henry lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Henry is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Henry as he connects with a hook.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Henry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mirko Emelianenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mirko Emelianenko's cut.
That's time! Henry's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Henry slips a jab and a cross from Emelianenko.
Henry shoots in but no luck this time.
Emelianenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Emelianenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Emelianenko closes the distance but Henry moves to the side

and Henry counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Henry with the ground and pound but Emelianenko uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Henry with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Emelianenko can do anything to dispel that myth.
Emelianenko wants to sweep here but Henry controlling him for the moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henry throwing strikes from guard but Emelianenko blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry throws a strike but Emelianenko rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Henry wants to hit a switch here but Emelianenko passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Henry there!
Henry is in all sorts of trouble here.
Henry wants to try and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko controlling the pace for now.
Henry is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Henry is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Henry is working to get back to half guard.
Emelianenko trying to control but Henry is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry can't escape the position.
Henry throwing hammer fists to the chest of Emelianenko. What's that going to do exactly?
Emelianenko looking to control but Henry is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Henry regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Henry regains full guard. Nicely done.
Emelianenko wants to stand but Henry is controlling his posture from full guard.
Henry manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Emelianenko suckers Henry into throwing a sloppy strike and uses the momentum to reverse the position beautifully! Emelianenko is now in Henry's guard!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cowboy Henry dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mirko Emelianenko's cut.
That's time! Henry's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Henry misses with a straight right.
Henry closes the distance and clinches up with Emelianenko, looking for a takedown. Henry pushes Emelianenko against the cage but Emelianenko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Emelianenko wants to clinch up but Henry keeps it at a distance.
Henry shoots in looking for a takedown. Emelianenko tries to sprawl out of it but Henry keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Emelianenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Emelianenko moves into the clinch.
Emelianenko tries a body shot but Henry blocks it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Henry blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Emelianenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The referee is keeping an eye on Emelianenko - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Emelianenko misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Emelianenko.
Emelianenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Emelianenko looking to throw knees to the head but Henry is blocking nicely.
Henry blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Henry has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Emelianenko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Emelianenko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Henry.
Emelianenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Henry avoiding damage as Emelianenko throws knees to the body.
Emelianenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Henry goes for a takedown in the clinch but Emelianenko prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cowboy Henry. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Henry breaks from the clinch.
Emelianenko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko stuffs the takedown.
Emelianenko throws a series of strikes that have Henry backpedaling.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emelianenko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Henry lands with a straight right. Emelianenko didn't see that one coming.
Emelianenko darts in trying to clinch
and Henry counters with a stiff right hand.
Emelianenko throws a head kick that misses.
Emelianenko moves in looking to clinch but Henry pushes him off.

Henry manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Emelianenko on his heels. He'll look to pass Emelianenko's guard now, I'm sure.
Emelianenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Henry throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Emelianenko keeping full guard, as Henry tries to pass.
Emelianenko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Emelianenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Henry throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Henry throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Emelianenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Henry throws a strike but Emelianenko rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Henry wants to stand and escape but Emelianenko is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry wants to sweep here but Emelianenko controlling him for the moment.
Emelianenko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Henry bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Emelianenko's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henry is in close to Emelianenko's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cowboy Henry clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Mirko Emelianenko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Henry connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Emelianenko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Henry shoots in looking for a takedown. Emelianenko tries to sprawl out of it but Henry keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Emelianenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Emelianenko lands with a shot to the body.
Emelianenko feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Henry's calf.
Henry swats away the attempt to clinch by Emelianenko.
Henry throws a hook to the side of Emelianenko's head but Emelianenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Henry is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Emelianenko doesn't manage to clinch there - Henry circles away.
Emelianenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Henry misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Emelianenko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Emelianenko closes the distance and clinches.

Henry ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Henry no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Henry looking for a sweep. Not yet Henry, not yet.
Henry is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Emelianenko gets back to full guard.
Henry tries to free his leg and advance position but Emelianenko is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Henry 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.
Henry throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Emelianenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Henry with a flurry of punches that miss.
Henry stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Emelianenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Emelianenko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Emelianenko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Henry.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Henry in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Henry.
Henry with a flurry of punches that miss.
Henry postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Emelianenko lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Henry!
Henry working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko controlling from the full mount.
Henry sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Henry is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Cowboy Henry will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mirko Emelianenko's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Emelianenko scores with a jab to the body.

Emelianenko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Emelianenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Henry on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Emelianenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Henry.
Henry managing to block the knees to the body from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko misses with a knee strike.
Henry has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Emelianenko after a bit of a struggle.
Emelianenko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Henry lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Emelianenko misses with a punch to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Emelianenko lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Emelianenko has Henry pushed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Emelianenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Emelianenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Henry tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Henry tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Emelianenko landing knees to the head.
Emelianenko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Henry has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Henry blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Emelianenko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Henry lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Emelianenko prevents Henry from breaking the clinch.
Emelianenko tries to throw a body punch but Henry avoids it by throwing Emelianenko back against the cage.
Emelianenko landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko slows down the pace here.
Henry tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cowboy Henry. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Henry tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Emelianenko smiles and moves away.
Cowboy Henry is winning the standup battle so far.
Emelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Henry paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Henry is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Cowboy Henry is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Henry slips a jab and a cross from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Emelianenko wants it to stay on the feet.
Mirko Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Henry.

Emelianenko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Henry blocks a body shot from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko misses with a punch to the body.
Emelianenko lands with a light punch inside.
Emelianenko misses with a knee to the head.
Emelianenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Henry is trying to push Emelianenko away but Emelianenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Emelianenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Henry blocks it with crossed arms.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Henry's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mirko Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko drives through and clinches with Henry against the cage.
Emelianenko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Henry tries to break the clinch but Emelianenko is controlling the position.
Henry is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Emelianenko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nice body punch from Emelianenko - that landed with a thud.
Emelianenko gets underhooks to prevent Henry's takedown attempt.
Emelianenko scores with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelianenko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko can't find room to land a body shot as Henry controls the action.
Henry managing to block the knees to the body from Emelianenko.
Henry takes a knee right on the jaw!
Emelianenko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Henry has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirko Emelianenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Henry has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 48:47
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cowboy Henry!
Cowboy Henry retains his middleweight title!