PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drago comes to the cage accompanied by Lateralus. This should be fireworks!

Drago
vs
Emelianenko

200 cm
18
260 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

190 cm
19
255 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Robert Drago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Drago moves into the clinch successfully.
Drago can't break the clinch.
Drago 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 controlling the action here for a moment.
Drago wants to break free but Emelianenko has control.
Drago can't break the clinch.

Emelianenko has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Drago regains guard immediately.
Emelianenko is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Thor Emelianenko has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Drago takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Drago breaks the clinch.
Robert Drago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Drago fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emelianenko, pushing him back against the cage.

Drago manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Drago can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Emelianenko controls the pace.
Drago wants to stand and escape but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Emelianenko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Emelianenko sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Drago's guard.
Emelianenko controlling the action here.
Drago tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Emelianenko manages to move to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko controlling from the full mount.
Drago is trying to escape the mount.
Drago slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Emelianenko with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Drago tries to kick Emelianenko off but Emelianenko keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko not doing much here.
Drago is trying to stand back up but Emelianenko is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emelianenko works his way into side control.
Emelianenko is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Drago will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Drago is trying to work for a sweep but Emelianenko has mounted him!
Emelianenko controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Thor Emelianenko was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Drago tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thor Emelianenko dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Drago looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Drago wants to stand but Emelianenko has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Emelianenko seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Drago throwing strikes from guard but Emelianenko blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Drago pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nice takedown defense from Drago. No joy for Emelianenko on that attempt.
Drago connects with a high kick.
Drago looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Drago tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Drago has closed the distance and engaged Emelianenko in a clinch.
Emelianenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Drago blocks it with crossed arms.
Emelianenko lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Drago jumps guard and drags Emelianenko to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Emelianenko looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Drago bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Emelianenko's guard.
Drago wants to stand but Emelianenko is controlling his posture from full guard.

Emelianenko pushes Drago off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko tries to keep at a distance but Drago has taken the fight into the clinch.
Emelianenko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Drago's efforts to push away.
Drago is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Emelianenko goes for a takedown attempt but Drago pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Robert Drago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thor Emelianenko.
Drago throws a head kick but Emelianenko moves out of range.

Emelianenko instigates a clinch.
Drago tries to circle away but Emelianenko has him pinned against the cage.
Emelianenko dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Emelianenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko decides to pull guard.
Drago would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Drago throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Emelianenko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Emelianenko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Drago is looking to work some ground and pound but Emelianenko has wrist control.
Drago loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko is adopting a defensive guard.
Drago throws a strike but Emelianenko rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Drago dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Drago throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Drago rushes Emelianenko and presses him up against the cage.

Drago gets control of Emelianenko's arms and successfully pulls guard. Drago will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Drago is looking to stand up but Emelianenko isn't so interested in that idea.
Drago is wriggling around but Emelianenko manages to pass to half guard.
Drago scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Emelianenko manages to mount him!
Emelianenko controlling his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago trying desperately to get to his feet.
Emelianenko controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thor Emelianenko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Drago is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Emelianenko controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Drago trying desperately to get to his feet.
Emelianenko sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Thor Emelianenko hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Drago as he avoids it easily.
Emelianenko tries for a takedown but Drago sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko drives through with a takedown into guard.
Emelianenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Drago is keeping the position for now.
Emelianenko won't allow Drago to get back to his feet.
Emelianenko slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Drago is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Emelianenko controls from within his opponent's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Thor Emelianenko wasn't active enough on the ground.
Emelianenko blocks a head kick by Drago.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thor 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29

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