PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Anatpong (ranked 3329 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Emelyanov (ranked 4755 p4p, 0 weight class). Marcus Anatpong has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Anatpong
vs
Emelyanov

173 cm
26
156 lbs
2 - 9 - 0

182 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcus Anatpong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Emelyanov!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Reed Andrews and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Anatpong.
Emelyanov misses with a double jab
and Emelyanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Anatpong moves in looking to clinch but Emelyanov pushes him off.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Emelyanov breaks the clinch.
Emelyanov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Emelyanov wants it to stay on the feet.
Anatpong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Emelyanov.
Emelyanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Anatpong shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelyanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Anatpong moves away.
Anatpong slips under a jab.
Anatpong displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Emelyanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelyanov shoots in but no luck this time.
Marcus Anatpong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Emelyanov.

Emelyanov darts in and clinches Anatpong up against the cage.
Anatpong letting Emelyanov take a breather here.
Anatpong jumps guard but Emelyanov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Anatpong tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Emelyanov tries for a takedown but Anatpong manages to get underhooks.
Anatpong is trying to drag Emelyanov to the mat but Emelyanov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Anatpong blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Emelyanov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Anatpong uses from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anatpong advances to half guard.
Emelyanov is looking to improve his position.
Emelyanov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Anatpong. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Emelyanov is looking to control Anatpong's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Emelyanov avoid being mounted?
Anatpong tries to pass to full mount but Emelyanov defends it.
Anatpong trying to control from half guard but Emelyanov is working away.
Emelyanov is trying to stand up here but Anatpong is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anatpong is thwarting Emelyanov's attempts to control the position.

Anatpong is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Anatpong performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Emelyanov is looking to improve his position.

Emelyanov manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anatpong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anatpong keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Emelyanov goes for a double leg but Anatpong avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Anatpong continues to drive forward.
Emelyanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Anatpong.
Anatpong shoots for a takedown but Emelyanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Anatpong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emelyanov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Anatpong circles away.
Emelyanov looks winded!
Emelyanov shoots and misses
and Anatpong counters with a series of strikes. Emelyanov will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vladimir Emelyanov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Emelyanov shoots in looking for a takedown. Anatpong tries to sprawl out of it but Emelyanov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Anatpong manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Anatpong will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Emelyanov shoots in for a takedown but Anatpong shows good takedown defense.

Emelyanov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Anatpong has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Emelyanov after a bit of a struggle.
Emelyanov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelyanov lands a good knee to the midsection. Anatpong won't want to take too many of those.
Anatpong is trying to drag Emelyanov to the mat but Emelyanov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Anatpong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emelyanov avoiding damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelyanov slowing the pace effectively.
Emelyanov continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Emelyanov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Anatpong changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Emelyanov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Emelyanov throws a body shot but no joy.
Anatpong throws a head kick that Emelyanov semi-blocks.
Emelyanov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Anatpong but Anatpong pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Emelyanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Emelyanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Anatpong sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Anatpong changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Emelyanov tries to avoid it but Anatpong manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Emelyanov to the ground. Emelyanov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anatpong fails in his attempt to clinch.

Emelyanov moves into the clinch successfully.

Emelyanov gets control of Anatpong's arms and successfully pulls guard. Emelyanov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Anatpong throwing strikes but missing.

Anatpong drops back looking for a leg! Emelyanov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Emelyanov manages to kick Anatpong off! Anatpong jumps back into Emelyanov's guard.
Anatpong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Anatpong gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Emelyanov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Emelyanov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Anatpong with a body shot.

Emelyanov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Emelyanov prevents Anatpong from breaking the clinch.
Emelyanov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Emelyanov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Anatpong prevents it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Anatpong gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Emelyanov.
Anatpong is trying to force a seperation but Emelyanov has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Emelyanov is looking for a takedown.
Emelyanov is struggling to control the position.
Anatpong drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Emelyanov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Emelyanov stops a takedown attempt from Anatpong.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Anatpong drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Anatpong is trying to pull guard but Emelyanov has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Emelyanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Anatpong. No joy for Emelyanov on that attempt.
Emelyanov shoots for a double leg takedown but Anatpong sprawls well. He's pushed Emelyanov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Anatpong or perhaps it was just good defense by Emelyanov, which made it look bad.
Anatpong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Emelyanov tries to counter with a clinch but Anatpong shakes him off and moves away.
Emelyanov shoots in but no luck this time.
Anatpong appears to be looking for a big counter.
Marcus Anatpong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Emelyanov.
Emelyanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Emelyanov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Anatpong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Emelyanov with that takedown attempt.
Anatpong went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Anatpong is looking to clinch.
Emelyanov unleashes a big counter combination but Anatpong bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Anatpong wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anatpong wants to clinch.
Emelyanov tries to counter with a clinch but Anatpong shakes him off and moves away.
Anatpong stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Anatpong wants it to stay on the feet.
Anatpong tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Emelyanov manages to circle out of the way.
Emelyanov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Anatpong is fending him off so far but Emelyanov persists. Nope, Anatpong circles away and we're back to standing.
Emelyanov darts in looking for a takedown but Anatpong gets double underhooks and turns Emelyanov into the cage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Anatpong is defended easily by Emelyanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Anatpong fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Anatpong tries to clinch but Emelyanov is having none of it.
Emelyanov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Anatpong.
Anatpong shoots in but no luck this time.
Marcus Anatpong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Emelyanov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Anatpong defends well and Emelyanov ends up having to push Anatpong into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Emelyanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Emelyanov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Emelyanov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Anatpong.
A right-left combo lands from Anatpong.
Anatpong fails in his attempt to clinch.
Anatpong feints a jab promting Emelyanov to slip. Anatpong then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Emelyanov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Anatpong avoids it really well and circles away.
Anatpong shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Emelyanov sprawls well. Emelyanov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Anatpong gets slowly back to his feet.
Anatpong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Emelyanov.
Emelyanov keeps the fight on the outside.
Anatpong tries to clinch but Emelyanov moves out of range.
Emelyanov stuffs the takedown.
Anatpong lands a head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anatpong stuffs the takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Anatpong.

Emelyanov moves into range and clinches up with Anatpong.
Emelyanov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Anatpong is defending well.
Anatpong tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Emelyanov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Anatpong gets underhooks to prevent Emelyanov's takedown attempt.
Vladimir Emelyanov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Anatpong is looking to break free of the clinch but Emelyanov has double underhooks.
Marcus Anatpong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vladimir Emelyanov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Anatpong has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Emelyanov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Anatpong showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Emelyanov 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Emelyanov!