PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Krusk Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shenji Tanikai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Emelianenko
vs
Tanikai

206 cm
22
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Krusk Emelianenko !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shenji Tanikai!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Felipe Paraventi and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tanikai misses with a double jab.
Tanikai doesn't manage to clinch there - Emelianenko circles away.
Emelianenko paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tanikai misses with a straight right.
Danga de danga de dang - Emelianenko scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Shenji Tanikai has been cut.
Tanikai wants to clinch up but Emelianenko keeps it at a distance.
Tanikai misses with a double jab
and Emelianenko counters with a two punch combo.
Tanikai tries to clinch there but Emelianenko circles away.
Tanikai fails to land with a series of punches.
Tanikai misses with a series of wild punches.
Emelianenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tanikai keeps the fight on the outside.
Tanikai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tanikai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Emelianenko counters with a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tanikai misses with a straight left.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krusk Emelianenko . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Emelianenko rushes Tanikai and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Emelianenko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tanikai has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Emelianenko fails to land.
Emelianenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tanikai prevents it.

Emelianenko drags the fight down to the ground.
Emelianenko being controlled here, momentarily.
Tanikai really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Emelianenko . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Emelianenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Tanikai controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tanikai thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tanikai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tanikai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Tanikai decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Emelianenko , up you get!
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
No luck for Emelianenko with that takedown attempt.
Tanikai misses with a combination

and Emelianenko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Emelianenko has a couple of punches blocked by Tanikai.
Emelianenko wants to break free but Tanikai has control.
Tanikai can't break the clinch.
Tanikai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tanikai wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tanikai wants to get back to striking at distance but Emelianenko won't allow it.
Tanikai has had enough of the clinch but Emelianenko keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanikai blocking some punches.
Emelianenko lands a nice elbow.
Tanikai wants to get back to striking at distance but Emelianenko won't allow it.
Tanikai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Emelianenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Emelianenko is working for takedown but Tanikai is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tanikai gets underhooks to prevent Emelianenko 's takedown attempt.
Emelianenko tries to score a body lock takedown but Tanikai shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tanikai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Emelianenko jumps guard but Tanikai stands there with Emelianenko around his waist. Emelianenko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tanikai has had enough of the clinch but Emelianenko keeps him there for the moment.
Tanikai is trying to break free.

That's four 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.
Tanikai gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Emelianenko .
Emelianenko keeps control of Tanikai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tanikai can't break the clinch.
Emelianenko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Emelianenko swings wildly with an uppercut but Tanikai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Emelianenko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tanikai gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Emelianenko prevents Tanikai from breaking the clinch.
Tanikai is looking to break free of the clinch but Emelianenko has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Krusk Emelianenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shenji Tanikai's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Emelianenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tanikai thuds his right hand into Emelianenko 's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Emelianenko tries to clinch up.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Emelianenko here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Tanikai throws a left and a right that both miss

and Emelianenko counters by clinching up.
Emelianenko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tanikai gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Emelianenko is trying to break the clinch but Tanikai has him pressed against the cage.
Tanikai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Emelianenko wants to break free but Tanikai has control.
Tanikai tries to break the clinch but Emelianenko is controlling the position.
Emelianenko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tanikai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tanikai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Emelianenko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tanikai has him pressed against the cage.
Tanikai has had enough of the clinch but Emelianenko keeps him there for the moment.
Emelianenko is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Emelianenko is looking to control Tanikai's arms but Tanikai gets an underhook and turns him. Now Emelianenko has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanikai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tanikai prevents Emelianenko from breaking the clinch.
Emelianenko creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Emelianenko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tanikai has him pressed against the cage.
Tanikai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Emelianenko tries to work over Tanikai's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tanikai wants to break free but Emelianenko has control.
Emelianenko tries to pull guard but Tanikai won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krusk Emelianenko . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Emelianenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tanikai tries to clinch up.
Emelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tanikai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tanikai misses with a jab, cross combination.
Emelianenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tanikai throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nice straight punches there by Emelianenko . You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Emelianenko .
Emelianenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Emelianenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tanikai misses with a straight left.
A left and a right from Tanikai both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Krusk Emelianenko has been cut.
A punch combination from Tanikai misses.
Tanikai misses with a double jab
and Emelianenko counters with a straight right hand.
Tanikai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Emelianenko counters with a nice uppercut.
Shenji Tanikai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A combination from Tanikai does no damage.
Emelianenko shoots in but Tanikai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Emelianenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tanikai.
Tanikai swinging wilding here.
Emelianenko defending well as Tanikai loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko fails in his attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Emelianenko .
Tanikai misses with a double jab
and Emelianenko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tanikai wants to clinch.
Tanikai swinging wilding here.
Krusk Emelianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tanikai wants to clinch up but Emelianenko keeps it at a distance.
Tanikai misses with a double jab
and Emelianenko counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tanikai thinking.
Emelianenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tanikai swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Tanikai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tanikai tries to close the distance and clinch but Emelianenko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Tanikai instigates a clinch.
Emelianenko is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Emelianenko tries a body shot but Tanikai blocks it.
Emelianenko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tanikai pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tanikai is looking to break free of the clinch but Emelianenko has double underhooks.
Tanikai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Emelianenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tanikai.
Emelianenko tries to break the clinch but Tanikai is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emelianenko wants to break free but Tanikai has control.
Tanikai tries to break the clinch but Emelianenko is controlling the position.
Tanikai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shenji Tanikai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Emelianenko shoots in and drives through. Tanikai sprawls well.
Tanikai looks to clinch
and Emelianenko counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tanikai misses with a body shot
and Emelianenko counters with a nice uppercut.
Emelianenko scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Tanikai misses with a combination
and Emelianenko counters with a nice body shot.
Tanikai swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Emelianenko counter with a right hand.
Tanikai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tanikai lands a jab to the nose.
Emelianenko takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Tanikai misses with a combination
and Emelianenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A right-left combo lands from Emelianenko .
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Emelianenko rushes Tanikai and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Emelianenko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tanikai gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tanikai is looking to break free of the clinch but Emelianenko has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krusk Emelianenko . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emelianenko keeps control of Tanikai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tanikai tries to break the clinch but Emelianenko is controlling the position.
Emelianenko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tanikai avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tanikai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tanikai tries to break the clinch but Emelianenko is controlling the position.
Emelianenko prevents Tanikai from breaking the clinch.
Tanikai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tanikai tries to break the clinch but Emelianenko is controlling the position.

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.
Emelianenko tries to score a body lock takedown but Tanikai shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tanikai wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Emelianenko goes for a takedown attempt but Tanikai pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tanikai tries to clinch but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Tanikai throws a combination that misses
and Emelianenko counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tanikai throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tanikai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Emelianenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Emelianenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tanikai.
Tanikai jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tanikai misses with a few strikes there.
Emelianenko lands a jab-cross combination.
Tanikai is looking to clinch but Emelianenko is avoiding it.
Emelianenko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tanikai circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is looking to clinch but Tanikai is avoiding it.
Emelianenko swinging wilding here.
Tanikai moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Shenji Tanikai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tanikai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tanikai tries to clinch there but Emelianenko circles away.
Nice jab there from Emelianenko .
Tanikai tries to clinch but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Emelianenko slips under a jab from Tanikai.
Emelianenko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tanikai pinned against the cage. Tanikai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A big right from Tanikai misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tanikai slips a jab and a cross from Emelianenko .
Tanikai stuffs the takedown attempt from Emelianenko . Emelianenko gets slowly back to his feet.
Tanikai throws a right and a left that Emelianenko avoids nicely.
Tanikai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tanikai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Emelianenko is looking to clinch but Tanikai is avoiding it.
Emelianenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Tanikai sprawls well. He's pushed Emelianenko 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Emelianenko dodges the punch combination from Tanikai.
Tanikai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Emelianenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tanikai scores with a one two! Emelianenko had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Emelianenko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tanikai throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown attempt - Tanikai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shenji Tanikai.
I think Tanikai 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Shenji Tanikai!