PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Avreli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fernando Emerlong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Avreli
vs
Emerlong

187 cm
22
275 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

203 cm
29
252 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

DJs Locker

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mark Avreli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fernando Emerlong!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Avreli looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Emerlong is fending him off so far but Avreli persists. Nope, Emerlong circles away and we're back to standing.
Emerlong feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Avrelis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

It looks like Mark Avreli has been cut.
Emerlong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Emerlong cracks Avreli with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Avreli uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Emerlong.
A lazy left from Emerlong finds it's target.
Avreli keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Emerlong.
Emerlong with a jab.

Mark Avreli's cut is getting worse.
Emerlong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Avreli.
Fernando Emerlong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Avreli scores with a shot to the body.
Emerlong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Emerlong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Emerlong connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Avreli looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Mark Avreli's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

Avreli gets a takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Emerlong is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emerlong is controlling Avreli's trapped leg to prevent Avreli from advancing to side control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Emerlong manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Emerlong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Avreli working some strikes from top position.
Avreli is in close to Emerlong's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Avreli scoring with punches to the head and body.
Avreli 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.
Avreli with a flurry of punches that miss.
Avreli postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emerlong wants to sweep but no luck.
Avreli trying to control the position from guard on top but Emerlong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Avreli working some strikes from top position.
Avreli postures up and lands a big shot to Emerlong's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Avreli slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Emerlong is trying to keep Avreli in close.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Emerlong keeping moving, preventing Avreli from controlling successfully.
Emerlong 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.
Avreli is looking to work some ground and pound but Emerlong has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Avreli accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Avreli loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Avreli trying to control but Emerlong is working from the bottom.
Avreli trying to stand up but can't free himself from Emerlong's guard.
Emerlong bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Avreli's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avreli looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Avreli is trying to control the position but Emerlong postures up.
Avreli trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Avreli is trying to control the position but Emerlong postures up.

Avreli isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Emerlong stacks Avreli 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 Emerlong!
Emerlong trying to control the action but Avreli is working from the bottom.
Avreli is trying to get back to half guard.
Emerlong is looking to take a break and control but Avreli is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emerlong wants to stand but Avreli is controlling his arm.
Avreli tries to bench press Emerlong off him but Emerlong keeps the position.
Emerlong looking to control but instead Avreli has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Avreli gets full guard.
Emerlong wanted to stand there but Avreli had control of the position.
Avreli 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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Emerlong passes Avreli's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fernando Emerlong dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mark Avreli's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Avreli tries to bum rush Emerlong with a series of wild strikes but Emerlong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Emerlong fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Avreli looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Emerlong missing with a left hand there. Avreli was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Emerlong. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Emerlong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Emerlong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Emerlong throws an overhand right that lands on Avreli's shoulder, as Avreli tries to avoid the shot.
Avreli keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Emerlong might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Emerlong swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Avreli.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Emerlong tries to sprawl but Avreli drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Avreli thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Emerlong's head.
Emerlong wants to get back to full guard.
Avreli missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Avreli thows a huge punch but Emerlong dodges it nicely.
Mark Avreli overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emerlong moves into full guard.
Avreli landing with the ground and pound.
Avreli loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Avreli looking to pass the guard.
Emerlong wants to stand and escape but Avreli is having none of it.
Emerlong preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Avreli is stalling in the full guard.
Emerlong is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Avreli scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emerlong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Avreli makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Avreli wants to control from the top but Emerlong keeps moving.
Avreli prevents Emerlong from getting back to his feet.
Avreli preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Avreli postures up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Emerlong keeping moving, preventing Avreli from controlling successfully.

Fernando Emerlong has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Emerlong takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Avreli throws a lazy right hand but Emerlong sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Emerlong ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Avreli avoids the head kick by Emerlong.
Avreli shoots for a takedown but Emerlong saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avreli shoots for a takedown but Emerlong saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Avreli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emerlong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Emerlong misses with a double jab.
Emerlong leaves Avreli with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Emerlong throws a looping overhand right but Avreli ducks down to avoid it.
Emerlong lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Avreli circles away quickly and effectively.
Emerlong slaps away a takedown attempt from Avreli, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Avreli connects with a right hand. Emerlong shakes it off.
Emerlong rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Avreli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big right from Emerlong misses.
Avreli misses with a takedown attempt - Emerlong sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Emerlong tests Avreli's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Avreli throws a combination. Emerlong tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Avreli takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Jeez, Mark Avreli's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Avreli misses with a body shot.
Emerlong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Emerlong defending well as Avreli loads up on a big left hand.
Avreli cracks Emerlong with an open hand slap.
Emerlong slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Emerlong gets caught napping as Avreli dives in and scores a takedown. Emerlong manages to retain guard.
Emerlong trying to keep a closed guard but Avreli is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Avreli postures up and lands a big shot to Emerlong's brow.
Avreli is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Avreli working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
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 Mark Avreli will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mark Avreli'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. This is the final round!

Emerlong connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Avreli momentarily.

Avreli drives through with a takedown into Emerlong's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Avreli with a flurry of punches that miss.
Emerlong is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Avreli postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Avreli wants to control from the top but Emerlong keeps moving.
Emerlong is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Avreli wants to control but Emerlong is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Avreli is pressing down on Emerlong's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Avreli controls Emerlong momentarily but Emerlong frees himself.
Avreli wants to improve his position but instead Emerlong has moved into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avreli wants to get back to full guard.
Emerlong wants to take a breather but Avreli is having none of it.
Emerlong is thwarting Avreli's attempts to control the position.
Avreli controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Avreli tries to roll over but Emerlong keeps him under control.

Mark Avreli has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Avreli shoots for a double leg takedown but Emerlong sprawls well. He's pushed Avreli's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emerlong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Avreli needs to keep his hands up - Emerlong had a free shot at his head there.
Avreli looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Emerlong throws out a powerful jab.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Mark Avreli's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Fernando Emerlong!
Fernando Emerlong very nearly forgot to thank DJs Locker amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.