PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evgeni Klitchkev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evgeni Klitchkev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Klitchkev
vs
Emelianenko

202 cm
20
270 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
233 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeni Klitchkev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klitchkev closes the distance and clinches up with Emelianenko, looking for a takedown. Klitchkev pushes Emelianenko against the cage but Emelianenko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Emelianenko doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Klitchkev counters with a nice double leg into side control. Emelianenko won't be happy with that.
Klitchkev working away.
Emelianenko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Klitchkev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Klitchkev is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Emelianenko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Emelianenko should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Emelianenko is looking for a sweep.

Klitchkev swings around for an armbar but Emelianenko sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Klitchkev's guard.
Klitchkev lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Emelianenko!

Klitchkev looking to secure an arm triangle but Emelianenko defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klitchkev with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Emelianenko is wriggling around trying to escape.
Klitchkev can't control as he wanted to and Emelianenko manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Klitchkev trying to mount his opponent but Emelianenko defends it.
Emelianenko is trying to maintain the position but Klitchkev is very close to passing his half guard.

Klitchkev is looking for a kimura here.
Emelianenko trying to control but Klitchkev postures up.

That's two 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Emelianenko with a poor takedown

and Klitchkev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Emelianenko tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Klitchkev smiles and moves away.
Evgeni Klitchkev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.
Emelianenko fails with the takedown

and Klitchkev counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Klitchkev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Emelianenko doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Klitchkev.
Emelianenko trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Klitchkev is looking for a kimura here.

Klitchkev stands up from half guard.
Emelianenko fails with the takedown

and Klitchkev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Emelianenko looks gassed!
Klitchkev is looking to stall here but Emelianenko recovers full guard.
Klitchkev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Emelianenko keeping full guard, as Klitchkev tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klitchkev works over Emelianenko with some ground and pound from guard.
Emelianenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Klitchkev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Klitchkev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Klitchkev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Emelianenko manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Klitchkev has Emelianenko in his guard.

Klitchkev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Emelianenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Emelianenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Klitchkev throws his legs up looking for a submission but Emelianenko uses it to pass to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Klitchkev dominated that round.
That's time! Klitchkev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Good shot there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Klitchkev counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Emelianenko!
Klitchkev wants to control the pace but Emelianenko is squirming around nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Klitchkev is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Klitchkev shoots and misses

and Emelianenko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Klitchkev's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Klitchkev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Klitchkev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Emelianenko regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Klitchkev.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klitchkev stands and throws Emelianenko's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Klitchkev working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Emelianenko tries to buck Klitchkev off but Klitchkev is having none of it.
Emelianenko is pushing Klitchkev's head away, looking to escape. Klitchkev manages to hold on to the position though.
Klitchkev working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Klitchkev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Klitchkev tries to advance to mount but Emelianenko denies him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Klitchkev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Emelianenko has escaped the position, nice work there.
Klitchkev working the strikes but Emelianenko uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Emelianenko is trying to get back to full guard.
Emelianenko is staying active underneath Klitchkev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Klitchkev prevents Emelianenko from improving his position.
Emelianenko trying to hold on to Klitchkev's head to control him but Klitchkev postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Emelianenko drives through and clinches with Klitchkev against the cage.
Emelianenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Klitchkev just stands there and leans against the cage.
Emelianenko gets underhooks to prevent Klitchkev's takedown attempt.

Klitchkev has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Emelianenko uses from the top position.
Klitchkev is trying to keep Emelianenko in close.

Klitchkev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Emelianenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Emelianenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Emelianenko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Klitchkev has a closed guard, preventing Emelianenko from standing up.

Klitchkev looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Emelianenko passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Emelianenko lands a nice short elbow.

Klitchkev makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Fedor Emelianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Klitchkev circles away from the clinch attempt
and Klitchkev counters with a low kick, right behind Emelianenko 's knee.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown

and Klitchkev counters with a takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Klitchkev dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Klitchkev doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Emelianenko counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko looking to slow down the pace here.
Emelianenko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Klitchkev just stands there and leans against the cage.
Emelianenko digs a right hand into Klitchkev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Klitchkev's gas tank.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Emelianenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianenko tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Klitchkev smiles and moves away.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Emelianenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klitchkev misses with a takedown attempt
and Emelianenko counters with a series of strikes. Klitchkev will be more careful next time no doubt.
Emelianenko throws a wild body kick that Klitchkev sees coming a mile off.
Emelianenko shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Klitchkev counters with a single leg into guard. Emelianenko didn't expect that.
Evgeni Klitchkev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.
Klitchkev postures up in Emelianenko's guard and throws a big left but Emelianenko blocks it.
Klitchkev trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Klitchkev landing some decent shots from guard.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Klitchkev from controlling successfully.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position but Klitchkev postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Klitchkev from controlling successfully.

Klitchkev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Klitchkev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Klitchkev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Evgeni Klitchkev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Emelianenko trying to keep a closed guard but Klitchkev is proving a slippery customer.

Klitchkev stands up and waves to Emelianenko to follow him.
Klitchkev avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws out a leg kick but Klitchkev moves out of range and Emelianenko only half commits.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown

and Klitchkev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Klitchkev seems to be looking for submissions.
Klitchkev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Klitchkev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Emelianenko is just riding it out for now. Klitchkev eventually gives up the hold.

Klitchkev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko tries to get to full guard but Klitchkev has control of the leg.
Klitchkev moves nicely into side control.

Klitchkev is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Emelianenko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Klitchkev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Emelianenko, who protects the arm well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evgeni Klitchkev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Klitchkev, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evgeni Klitchkev!