PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Feder Emeleanenkis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emeleanenkis's entrance music is Moskau - Rammstein. A fine choice. Thompson has chosen Kreator - Extreme Aggressions as his entrance music. Nick Thompson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Emeleanenkis
vs
Thompson

200 cm
22
200 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
192 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Feder Emeleanenkis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson misses with a series of wild punches.
Thompson throws a right and a left that Emeleanenkis avoids nicely.
Thompson throws a series of punches but Emeleanenkis moves out of range.
Thompson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Emeleanenkis moves away.
Thompson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Emeleanenkis.
Thompson throws a series of punches but Emeleanenkis avoids them all with ease.

Emeleanenkis shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Emeleanenkis was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Emeleanenkis looking to ground and pound but Thompson is blocking nicely.
Thompson tries to lock up and control but Emeleanenkis gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Thompson is squirming around, avoiding Emeleanenkis's attempts to control the action.

Emeleanenkis stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thompson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thompson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nick Thompson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson throws a right and a left that Emeleanenkis avoids nicely.
Emeleanenkis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thompson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Emeleanenkis needs to keep his hands up - Thompson had a free shot at his head there.
Thompson looks to land a combination but Emeleanenkis avoids it well.
Emeleanenkis tries to clinch but Thompson is having none of it.
Thompson clinches but Emeleanenkis breaks the clinch

and Emeleanenkis counters by clinching up.
Thompson cracks Emeleanenkis with a nice body shot.
Emeleanenkis tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thompson smiles and moves away.
Thompson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thompson closes the distance looking to clinch
and Thompson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thompson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thompson closes the distance looking to clinch

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Thompson tries to get to full guard but Emeleanenkis has control of the leg.
Emeleanenkis has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Thompson looks gassed!
Thompson gets back to full guard.
Thompson trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Emeleanenkis from controlling successfully.
Emeleanenkis controls from within his opponent's guard.
Emeleanenkis looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emeleanenkis is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Emeleanenkis trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thompson working a defensive guard but Emeleanenkis passes into half guard.
Thompson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Emeleanenkis is working away from the top position though.

Emeleanenkis is trying to work for a kimura but Thompson is defending well.

Emeleanenkis seems to be working for a kimura but Thompson defends the submission attempt.

That's four 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.
Thompson wants to improve his position but Emeleanenkis is controlling well.

Emeleanenkis is trying to work for a kimura but Thompson is defending well.
Thompson is trying to get back to full guard.
Emeleanenkis will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Emeleanenkis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Feder Emeleanenkis. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Thompson rushes Emeleanenkis and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thompson is looking to break free of the clinch but Emeleanenkis has double underhooks.
Thompson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Thompson 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.

Feder Emeleanenkis dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Emeleanenkis doesn't manage to clinch there - Thompson circles away.
Thompson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Emeleanenkis counters with a shoot takedown. Thompson fights it but they end up in guard.
Thompson wants to sweep but no luck.
Emeleanenkis postures up in Thompson's guard and throws a big left but Thompson blocks it.
Emeleanenkis landing some decent shots from guard.
Emeleanenkis throws a big right hand that misses.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet but Emeleanenkis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Emeleanenkis with a nice head shot there.
Thompson is breathing heavily.
Thompson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Emeleanenkis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thompson is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Thompson throws a head kick that misses.
Emeleanenkis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Emeleanenkis avoids a punch combination nicely.

Emeleanenkis fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thompson, pushing him back against the cage.
Thompson lands an elbow that stopped Emeleanenkis in his tracks for a moment.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thompson.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch but Emeleanenkis keeps him there for the moment.
Emeleanenkis goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thompson prevents it.
Emeleanenkis tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Feder Emeleanenkis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Emeleanenkis is trying to drag Thompson to the mat but Thompson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Thompson managing to block the knees to the body from Emeleanenkis.
Thompson working hard to break the clinch.
Thompson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

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.
Thompson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Thompson is looking to break free of the clinch but Emeleanenkis has double underhooks.
Thompson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Emeleanenkis's face.
Emeleanenkis blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Emeleanenkis tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thompson smiles and moves away.
Thompson tries to clinch

and Emeleanenkis counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Emeleanenkis.

Thompson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Emeleanenkis is aware though and is defending well.
Emeleanenkis slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Emeleanenkis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emeleanenkis's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Emeleanenkis trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thompson looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to stand up but Emeleanenkis is controlling him.
Emeleanenkisis looking to pass into half guard but Thompson pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Thompson is in guard.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Emeleanenkis keeps moving.
Emeleanenkis pulls Thompson in close to prevent any damage.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Emeleanenkis keeps moving.
Emeleanenkis is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Thompson postures up.
Emeleanenkis wants to get back to his feet but Thompson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Emeleanenkis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Thompson stands up and waves to Emeleanenkis to follow him.
Thompson misses with the combination.
Thompson misses with a double jab

and Emeleanenkis counters by moving into the clinch.
Emeleanenkis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Emeleanenkis manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Feder Emeleanenkis dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Thompson wants to clinch but Emeleanenkis slips to the side
and Emeleanenkis makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Thompson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Emeleanenkis tries a head kick but it misses.
Thompson lands a nice hook to Emeleanenkis's body. Emeleanenkis takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thompson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Emeleanenkis dives in and grabs Thompson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thompson pushes down on Emeleanenkis's head and hops out.
Thompson misses with a wild combination.
The fighters circle momentarily. Thompson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Emeleanenkis tries to clinch up but Thompson circles away and keeps his distance.

Emeleanenkis changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Thompson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Emeleanenkis tries to advance to mount but can't.
Thompson regains half guard.
Feder Emeleanenkis overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thompson is trying is best to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emeleanenkis sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Emeleanenkis has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Thompson works to full guard.

Thompson has his feet on Emeleanenkis's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Emeleanenkis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thompson wants to clinch

so Emeleanenkis counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Thompson is looking to sweep but instead, Emeleanenkis has passed into half guard.
Emeleanenkis takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emeleanenkis thows a huge punch but Thompson dodges it nicely.
Thompson moves into full guard.
Thompson wants to stand up but Emeleanenkis is controlling him.
Thompson trying to control the position.

Thompson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Emeleanenkis gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Emeleanenkis from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emeleanenkis postures up in Thompson's guard and throws a big left but Thompson blocks it.
Emeleanenkis trying to move into half guard but instead Thompson has managed to sweep!
Emeleanenkis tries to land a sweep but no joy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A right-left combo lands from Thompson.
Nick Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thompson throws a right and a left that Emeleanenkis avoids nicely.
Emeleanenkis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thompson tries to avoid it but Emeleanenkis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thompson to the ground. Thompson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Feder Emeleanenkis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson is looking to clinch but Emeleanenkis is avoiding it.

Emeleanenkis moves into the clinch successfully.
Thompson lands with a left to the head.
Thompson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Emeleanenkis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emeleanenkis tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thompson scores with a shoulder strike.
Emeleanenkis goes for a takedown attempt but Thompson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Thompson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thompson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thompson looks to clinch

and Emeleanenkis decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thompson's guard.
Emeleanenkis working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Thompson's head.
Nick Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thompson wants to get back to his feet but Emeleanenkis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Thompson holds on and takes a little breather.
Feder Emeleanenkis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Emeleanenkis wants to control from the top but Thompson keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Feder Emeleanenkis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Emeleanenkis, 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Feder Emeleanenkis!
Feder Emeleanenkis is the new light heavyweight champion!