PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gerald Timms (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Emelianenko (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.

Timms
vs
Emelianenko

195 cm
22
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 St Petersburg, Gerald Timms!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruslan Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko throws a big shot that misses.
Emelianenko shoots in and drives through. Timms sprawls well.

Timms looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Timms scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Timms missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Emelianenko is staying active underneath Timms, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Timms seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Emelianenko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Timms working Emelianenko over with strikes.

Emelianenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Timms knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Emelianenko on the ground.
Timms is trying to control the action in half guard but Emelianenko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Emelianenko actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emelianenko is staying active underneath Timms, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Timms lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Timms scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Emelianenko is not content to let Timms control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Timms lands strikes from half guard.
Emelianenko misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Emelianenko pushes Timms off looking to stand but Timms dives back in and keeps control.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Timms lands a nice short elbow.
Timms content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Emelianenko on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Emelianenko is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Timms pulls his head out easily.
Emelianenko looks gassed!
Timms is pressing down on Emelianenko's thigh, looking to free his foot. Emelianenko is holding on for now.
Emelianenko is staying active underneath Timms, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Timms not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Timms missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

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.
Timms scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Timms trying to control the action but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Timms scores with a takedown into Emelianenko's guard.
Timms slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emelianenko wants to get back to his feet but Timms drags him back down.
Timms is putting a hurting on Emelianenko here, landing some big shots from side control.
You can see the frustration on Emelianenko's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Timms grinds an elbow into Emelianenko's temple.
Timms trying to control the action but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Timms lands some shots froms side control.
Emelianenko is not content to let Timms control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Timms in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Timms trying to control the action but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Emelianenko is working to avoid the ground and pound but Timms connects with a decent elbow.
A lull in the action here as Timms stalls from top position.
Timms prevents Emelianenko from escaping the position.
Emelianenko is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Timms landing strikes.
Emelianenko tries to escape but Timms is in control.
Timms connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Emelianenko some visible discomfort.

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.
Timms scores with punches from side control.
Timms lands a nice forearm strike.
Timms is chipping away with strikes.
Timms is working Emelianenko over with some ground and pound from side control.
Timms scores with punches from side control.
Emelianenko seems a little lost for a moment, as Timms dominates the positioning.
Emelianenko is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Timms is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Emelianenko takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Emelianenko takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Timms is looking to take a break and control but Emelianenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Emelianenko is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Timms's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Timms dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Timms shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Timms showed some decent athleticism there.
Timms lands with a punch from half guard.
Emelianenko wants to control but Timms is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Timms throwing shots but Emelianenko is blocking nicely.
Timms drops an elbow to the side of Emelianenko's head.
Emelianenko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Emelianenko.
Timms has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Timms not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Timms works over Emelianenko with some ground and pound from guard.
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.
Emelianenko wants to stand but Timms is controlling the position.
Timms with a nice head shot there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Timms chips away with some ground and pound.
Timms works over Emelianenko with some ground and pound from guard.

Emelianenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Timms connects with a couple of short punches.
Timms trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Timms keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Emelianenko's head.
Timms scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Timms lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Timms trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Timms closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Timms uses his free foot to push down on Emelianenko's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Emelianenko.
Emelianenko is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Timms lands with some strikes.
Gerald Timms overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Timms pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Emelianenko tries to reverse the position but Timms maintains control.
A nice elbow there by Timms.
Emelianenko can't escape the position.
Timms fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Emelianenko bucks Timms off and manages to get back to his feet!

Timms drives through with a takedown into guard.
Timms works over Emelianenko with some ground and pound from guard.
Timms throws a strike but Emelianenko rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Timms looking to control.
Emelianenko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Timms wants to sweep but no luck.

Emelianenko decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Timms, up you get!
Ruslan Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko cracks Timms with an open hand slap.
Timms takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Timms gets a takedown into half guard.
Emelianenko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Timms's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Timms's back!

Emelianenko looking for the RNC.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko looking to break Timms's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Timms remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Emelianenko will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Emelianenko working for a choke but Timms is defending well.
Timms just trying to survive but Emelianenko is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Timms tries to roll but Emelianenko sticks to his back.
Timms manages to reverse the position and now he's in Emelianenko's guard. Nice work there by Timms.

Emelianenko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Timms content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Emelianenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Timms gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Timms dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Timms shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Emelianenko is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Timms looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Timms with good strikes from the mount here!
Timms pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Emelianenko is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Emelianenko bucks up and throws Timms to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

Timms scores a takedown into full mount!
Timms lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Emelianenko is working to get back to half guard.
Timms lands with some strikes.
Timms content just to control the position here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Timms lands a nice shot to the head.
Emelianenko wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Timms lands with some strikes.
Timms avoids the attempt from Emelianenko to control.
Emelianenko's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Timms lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Timms controlling the position easily from mount.
Emelianenko working to try and regain half guard.
Timms pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Timms scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Emelianenko is looking to improve his position but Timms isn't that keen on the idea.
Emelianenko is bucking up trying to escape but Timms cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Timms scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Timms scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Emelianenko?
Timms with good strikes from the mount here!
Emelianenko is in all sorts of trouble here.
Emelianenko is in a horrible position here. Timms smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Emelianenko is trying desperately to improve position.
Timms in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Emelianenko keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Timms working Emelianenko over with strikes here.
Emelianenko is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Emelianenko is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Emelianenko is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Timms with the ground and pound from mount.
Timms breaks from Emelianenko's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Timms with a couple of short strikes.
Emelianenko regains half guard.
Emelianenko holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Gerald Timms is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Timms trying to control from half guard but Emelianenko is working away.

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.
Timms working Emelianenko over with strikes.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Timms in particular looking to stall.
Timms seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Emelianenko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Emelianenko kicks Timms off and gets back to his feet.
Timms moves out of range as Emelianenko strikes.

Timms fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Emelianenko sprawls well initially but Timms persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Emelianenko wants to improve his position but Timms is controlling well.
Timms is controlling the pace.
Ruslan Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Emelianenko is not content to let Timms control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerald Timms showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Timms has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gerald Timms!