PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gattsu Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Gruzdev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander Gruzdev acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Emelianenko
vs
Gruzdev

196 cm
20
247 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
250 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gattsu Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Gruzdev!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Winston Howard and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gruzdev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
As Gruzdev looks to move away, Emelianenko throws a big counter combo but Gruzdev just gets out of the way.

Gruzdev gets a clinch.
Gruzdev lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Emelianenko or not.
Gruzdev misses with a hook from the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Gruzdev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Emelianenko wants to break free but Gruzdev has control.
A head punch on the inside from Gruzdev fails to land.
Emelianenko blocking some punches.

Gruzdev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A slow jab from Emelianenko misses its intended target.
Gruzdev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Emelianenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gruzdev throws a body shot but no joy.
Gruzdev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Emelianenko on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzdev throws a lazy right hand but Emelianenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Emelianenko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Emelianenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gruzdev moves away.
Gruzdev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
An attempted straight right counter from Emelianenko misses the target.
Emelianenko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Gruzdev throws a hook to the side of Emelianenko's head but Emelianenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gruzdev scores with a jab to the head.

Gruzdev rushes Emelianenko and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Gruzdev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gruzdev throws a leg kick but Emelianenko moved away.
Emelianenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gruzdev moves away.
Gruzdev misses with a low kick.

Gruzdev has Emelianenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Emelianenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gruzdev struggles to land a body shot inside as Emelianenko controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev lands an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Emelianenko breaks the clinch.

Gruzdev rushes Emelianenko and presses him up against the cage.
Gruzdev tries to work over Emelianenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Emelianenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gruzdev fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Emelianenko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Gruzdev darts in and clinches Emelianenko up against the cage.
Emelianenko has had enough of the clinch but Gruzdev keeps him there for the moment.
A short body shot lands from Gruzdev as the two fighters clinch.

Emelianenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gruzdev dips to his left and cracks Emelianenko with an uppercut!
Gruzdev digs a good body shot into Emelianenko's ribs.
Gruzdev wants to clinch
and Emelianenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko works over Gruzdev's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Alexander Gruzdev has been cut.
Emelianenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gruzdev.
Emelianenko throwing a counter right hand but Gruzdev manages to avoid it.
Gruzdev lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A cross from Gruzdev lands.
Emelianenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Gruzdev connects with a solid leg kick.
Gruzdev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko checks a leg kick.
Gruzdev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gruzdev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Emelianenko.
Gruzdev lands with a nice combination. Emelianenko backs away looking to recover.
Gruzdev throws a looping overhand right but Emelianenko ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Emelianenko.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice uppercut lands for Gruzdev. That snapped Emelianenko's head back.
Gruzdev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gruzdev moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gruzdev slips a jab from Emelianenko.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut.
Alexander Gruzdev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko staying out of range there.
An attempted straight right counter from Emelianenko misses the target.
Gruzdev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gruzdev takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gruzdev digs a good body shot into Emelianenko's ribs.
Gruzdev lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A looping hook to the body misses from Emelianenko. Gruzdev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Emelianenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gruzdev throws out the jab.
It looked like Emelianenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Gruzdev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Gruzdev'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.

Emelianenko just misses with a punch to the body.

Gruzdev pushes Emelianenko up against the cage in a clinch.

Gruzdev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gruzdev works the jab nicely.
Emelianenko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gruzdev at a distance.
Gruzdev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Emelianenko counters with a nice uppercut.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut.
Gruzdev misses with a hook to the body
letting Emelianenko counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gruzdev swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Gruzdev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzdev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gruzdev tries to land a front kick but Emelianenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice cross by Emelianenko.
Gruzdev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gruzdev looks to land a left hand but Emelianenko moved out of range nicely.
Gruzdev throws a big shot that misses.
Gruzdev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Emelianenko makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gruzdev misses with a hook
and Emelianenko makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gruzdev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Emelianenko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gruzdev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Emelianenko.
Emelianenko chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gruzdev can pounce on him.
Emelianenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gruzdev.
Emelianenko walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gruzdev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev doesn't manage to clinch there - Emelianenko circles away.
Gruzdev misses with a hook
and Emelianenko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gruzdev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Emelianenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gruzdev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gruzdev throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Gruzdev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Emelianenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gruzdev connects with the punch.
Gruzdev connects with a crisp jab.
Gruzdev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Emelianenko counters with a nice body shot.
Emelianenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gruzdev.
Gruzdev misses with a hook. Emelianenko ducked under it nicely.
Alexander Gruzdev seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko misses the shot to the body.
Gruzdev is trying to counter with his kicks.
Emelianenko punishes Gruzdev's body with a nice straight punch.
Emelianenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gruzdev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gruzdev misses with a lunging right hand
and Emelianenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gruzdev looks to land a body kick but Emelianenko moved away.
Gruzdev scores with a jab to the head.
Gruzdev takes a swing at Emelianenko's ribcage but misses.
Gruzdev throws an overhand right that lands on Emelianenko's shoulder, as Emelianenko tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Emelianenko. Gruzdev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut. Emelianenko saw that one coming.

Gruzdev moves into the clinch.
Gruzdev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gruzdev has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Emelianenko seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Gruzdev can turn it around.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gruzdev.
Gruzdev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Emelianenko's efforts to push away.

Gruzdev breaks the clinch.
Gruzdev misses with a body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Emelianenko misses the target.
A jab from Gruzdev finds it's way through Emelianenko's defenses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emelianenko moves away from the strike by Gruzdev.
Gruzdev wants to clinch up but Emelianenko keeps it at a distance.
Gruzdev scores with a hook to the body. Emelianenko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gruzdev ducks under a wild hook from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko sizes up Gruzdev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gruzdev dodges the punch combination from Emelianenko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Gruzdev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alexander Gruzdev's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gruzdev throws a leg kick that is checked
and Emelianenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gruzdev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Emelianenko is looking for a counter combo.
No joy there for Emelianenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Emelianenko. Gruzdev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gruzdev misses with a right hand
and Emelianenko counters with a nice uppercut.
Emelianenko is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Gruzdev takes the fight into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Gruzdev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzdev throws a punch but it's blocked by Emelianenko.

Emelianenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gruzdev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gruzdev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice body punch from Gruzdev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Gruzdev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Emelianenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gruzdev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gruzdev cracks Emelianenko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Emelianenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gruzdev fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Emelianenko is out of range.
It looked like Emelianenko was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Gruzdev throws a low kick, looking for Emelianenko's leg but Emelianenko calmly moves out of range.
Gruzdev throws a shot from downtown. Emelianenko moves away and avoids it.
Gruzdev throws a solid leg kick but Emelianenko takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gruzdev.
Emelianenko lands with a cross.
Emelianenko misses with a left hand
and Gruzdev counters with a one-two to the body.
Gruzdev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko keeps the fight on the outside.
A right-left combo lands from Gruzdev.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gruzdev misses with a double jab.
Emelianenko keeps the fight on the outside.
Emelianenko misses with a hook. Gruzdev ducked under it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Gruzdev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gruzdev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gruzdev is looking to clinch but Emelianenko is avoiding it.
Gruzdev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gruzdev clobbers Emelianenko with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Emelianenko scores with a nice head shot.
Emelianenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gruzdev throws out the jab.
Gruzdev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Emelianenko takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko tries to move into range but Gruzdev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gruzdev tries to clinch up
and Emelianenko counters with a nice uppercut.
Alexander Gruzdev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gruzdev closes the distance but Emelianenko moves to the side
enabling Emelianenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Gruzdev misses with a combination
and Emelianenko counters with a stiff right hand.
Gruzdev tries to land a leg kick but Emelianenko saw it coming and moves away.
Emelianenko throwing a counter right hand but Gruzdev manages to avoid it.
Gruzdev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko misses with a right hand
and Gruzdev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gruzdev throws a wild body kick that Emelianenko sees coming a mile off.
It looked like Emelianenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gruzdev drops his hands momentarily and Emelianenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Emelianenko's head backwards.
Gruzdev cracks a nice hook into Emelianenko's ribs.
Gruzdev looks to clinch
and Emelianenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Emelianenko takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Emelianenko walks into a jab.
Emelianenko avoids the body shot from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev staying out of range there.
Gattsu Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gruzdev throws an overhand right that lands on Emelianenko's shoulder, as Emelianenko tries to avoid the shot.
Gruzdev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut.
Emelianenko takes a swing at Gruzdev's ribcage but misses.
Gruzdev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Emelianenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
It looked like Emelianenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alexander Gruzdev.
Well Gruzdev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Topper Green scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Gruzdev!
A relieved looking Alexander Gruzdev thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.