PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dick van Greeven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emelianenko comes to the cage accompanied by Казаки - Ой Да . van Greeven is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Tom Waits - Telephone call from Istanbul. 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.

Emelianenko
vs
van Greeven

183 cm
25
229 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

205 cm
33
284 lbs
25 - 21 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fedor Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dick van Greeven!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko looks to land a combination but van Greeven avoids it well.
van Greeven slips under a jab.
van Greeven takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

van Greeven throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Emelianenko was covering up waiting for the punch and van Greeven finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
van Greeven throwing strikes but missing.
van Greeven throws a big elbow that misses.
van Greeven trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
van Greeven is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Emelianenko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
van Greeven trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dick van Greeven.
Emelianenko shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. van Greeven eats them both and turns towards Emelianenko to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
van Greeven tries to score a power double leg takedown but Emelianenko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten van Greeven somewhat.

van Greeven closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Emelianenko's guard.
van Greeven tries to free his leg and advance position but Emelianenko is retaining full guard.
van Greeven passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
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!
van Greeven trying to control the position but Emelianenko is working away.
van Greeven staying calm.
van Greeven is putting a hurting on Emelianenko here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
van Greeven controlling the position from side mount.
van Greeven creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Emelianenko sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
van Greeven trying to control the position but Emelianenko is working away.
Emelianenko avoids any damage from the ground and pound of van Greeven.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
van Greeven postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
van Greeven tries to move to mount but Emelianenko blocks the move with his legs.
van Greeven postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
van Greeven wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping him busy.
van Greeven tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
van Greeven postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick van Greeven dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Emelianenko misses with a looping left.
van Greeven shoots in and drives through. Emelianenko sprawls well.
Emelianenko lands with an overhand left.
Emelianenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
van Greeven jabbing away but nothing is landing.
van Greeven misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
van Greeven shoots and misses
and Emelianenko counters with a straight right hand.
Fedor Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dick van Greeven.
van Greeven lands a nice looking body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
van Greeven looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Emelianenko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Emelianenko missing with a left hand there. van Greeven was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
van Greeven slips a straight right by Emelianenko.
van Greeven bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
van Greeven looks to score with a jab to the body but Emelianenko is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko leaves van Greeven with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Emelianenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. van Greeven sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Emelianenko gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Emelianenko controlling van Greeven's posture.
van Greeven passes Emelianenko's left leg - he's now in half guard.
van Greeven content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is staying active underneath van Greeven, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
van Greeven is looking to stall here but Emelianenko recovers full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dick van Greeven.
Emelianenko paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Emelianenko loads up on a big right hand but van Greeven slips the punch.
Nice defenses there by van Greeven.
van Greeven closes this distance looking for a takedown but Emelianenko circles away.
Emelianenko swings for the body but van Greeven moves out of range.
van Greeven avoids a punch combination nicely.
van Greeven ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
van Greeven takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
van Greeven misses with a body punch
letting Emelianenko counter with a right hand.
Fedor Emelianenko is winning the standup battle so far.
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!

van Greeven scores a takedown into full mount!
van Greeven unloads with some shots from mount but Emelianenko bucks and avoids them well.
van Greeven wants to control the pace but Emelianenko is squirming around nicely.
van Greeven lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Emelianenko hang on?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
van Greeven misses with a head shot.
van Greeven trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dick van Greeven will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

van Greeven lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Emelianenko circles away quickly and effectively.
van Greeven shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Emelianenko as he avoids it easily.
van Greeven shoots in but Emelianenko avoids the takedown attempt easily.
van Greeven ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that van Greeven avoids nicely.
van Greeven thows a left - swing and a miss!
Emelianenko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Fedor Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dick van Greeven.
Emelianenko scores with a jab to the jaw.
van Greeven will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
van Greeven shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Emelianenko but Emelianenko pushes him off and we're back to square one.

van Greeven shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Emelianenko manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
van Greeven takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
van Greeven looking to sit in guard and control but Emelianenko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

van Greeven isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Emelianenko stacks van Greeven on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Emelianenko!

Emelianenko stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko gets caught flat footed, as van Greeven shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
van Greeven looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Dick van Greeven is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
van Greeven stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Emelianenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
van Greeven avoids a punch combination nicely.
Emelianenko misses with a looping right.
van Greeven takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
van Greeven throws a jab but it's blocked by Emelianenko.
van Greeven shoots in and drives through. Emelianenko sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from van Greeven.
van Greeven drops his hands momentarily and Emelianenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
van Greeven slips under a jab.
A jab lands there for Emelianenko.

van Greeven looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
van Greeven trying to control from Emelianenko's half guard. Emelianenko has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
van Greeven looking to sit in guard and control but Emelianenko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Fedor Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko postures up.

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 Fedor Emelianenko.
I think van Greeven 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Dick van Greeven!
Our winner, Dick van Greeven, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.