PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juilius Caesar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fedor Emelianenko will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Caesar
vs
Emelianenko

203 cm
22
235 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
233 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juilius Caesar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fedor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Emelianenko fails with the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Caesar as Emelianenko shoots in.

Caesar has managed to clinch.

Caesar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Caesar.

Caesar bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Emelianenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Caesar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Emelianenko keeps working.
Caesar creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Caesar will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Caesar scoring with punches and elbows.
Caesar in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Caesar lands some shots froms side control.
Emelianenko takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Caesar working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Emelianenko throws an elbow that doesn't really do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caesar landing strikes.
Caesar is putting a hurting on Emelianenko here, landing some big shots from side control.
Caesar lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Emelianenko can't do much from the bottom here.
Caesar scoring with punches from side control.
Caesar working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Caesar lands a nice forearm strike.
Emelianenko tries to bench press Caesar off him but Caesar keeps the position.
Caesar scoring with punches and elbows.
Emelianenko looks gassed!
Emelianenko tries to buck Caesar off but Caesar is having none of it.
Caesar cracks Emelianenko with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Caesar scores with punches from side control.
Caesar lands a nice forearm strike.
Emelianenko regains half guard.
Caesar seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Emelianenko punching from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Emelianenko trying to control here.
Caesar working over Emelianenko with some ground and pound. Emelianenko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Caesar wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping him busy.
Caesar working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Caesar tries to pass the half guard into mount. Emelianenko knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Emelianenko is looking to control Caesar's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Emelianenko avoid being mounted?

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Emelianenko closes the distance but Caesar moves to the side

and Caesar counters with a nice double leg into side control. Emelianenko won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Caesar is working Emelianenko over with some ground and pound from side control.
Caesar scoring with punches and elbows.
Emelianenko tries to buck Caesar off but Caesar is having none of it.
Caesar working the body and head with strikes.
Caesar connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Emelianenko some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko taking punishment in the form of punches.
Emelianenko tries to bench press Caesar off him but Caesar keeps the position.
Caesar is working Emelianenko over with some ground and pound from side control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Caesar shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Caesar showed some decent athleticism there.
Emelianenko is trying to get back to full guard.
Emelianenko misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Emelianenko punching from the bottom.
Caesar seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Caesar connects with a nice short shot to Emelianenko's temple.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Caesar slips a nice elbow through Emelianenko's hands, connecting with Emelianenko's forehead.
Emelianenko tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Caesar drops an elbow to the side of Emelianenko's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Emelianenko throws a one two combo.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown

and Caesar counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Juilius Caesar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fedor Emelianenko.
Caesar has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Emelianenko is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Emelianenko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Caesar pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Emelianenko misses with a double jab

and Caesar counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Emelianenko missing with punches from the bottom.
Emelianenko wants to improve his position but Caesar is controlling well.
Caesar blocks the strikes from Emelianenko.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Emelianenko looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Caesar working Emelianenko over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juilius Caesar dominated that 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.

Emelianenko fails to land with a series of punches.

Caesar closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Emelianenko to the mat! Emelianenko manages to get full guard.

Emelianenko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Caesar can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Caesar chips away with some ground and pound.
Emelianenko can't keep his opponent in guard - Caesar advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Caesar working over Emelianenko with some ground and pound. Emelianenko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Juilius Caesar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Emelianenko punching from the bottom.
Caesar working the head and body with strikes.
Caesar is thwarting Emelianenko's attempts to control the position.
Caesar looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Caesar landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Caesar working over Emelianenko with some ground and pound. Emelianenko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko trying to hold on to Caesar's head to control him but Caesar postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Emelianenko moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Caesar cracks a nice hook into Emelianenko's ribs.
Emelianenko misses with a takedown attempt

and Caesar counters by moving into the clinch.
Caesar lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Caesar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Emelianenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Caesar holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Caesar breaks the clinch.
Emelianenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Emelianenko lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Emelianenko swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Caesar decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko trying to control the position.

Emelianenko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Emelianenko throws a couple of heel strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko has momentary wrist control but Caesar slips an elbow through the middle.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Emelianenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Caesar working some strikes from top position.

Emelianenko has his foot on Caesar's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Caesar works his way back into a safe position though.
Emelianenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Caesar is working Emelianenko over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Emelianenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Caesar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Caesar distracts Emelianenko with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Emelianenko trying to keep a closed guard but Caesar is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko tries to strike from the bottom.
Emelianenko lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Emelianenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Caesar is one step ahead there.
Caesar postures up.
Caesar working some strikes from top position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Emelianenko looks to clinch

and Caesar counters with a takedown into side control.
Emelianenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Emelianenko takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Caesar landing strikes.
Emelianenko is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Caesar wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Caesar cracks Emelianenko with a big right hand but Emelianenko just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Emelianenko taking punishment in the form of punches.
Caesar in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Emelianenko misses with a combination

and Caesar counters by clinching up.

Caesar has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Emelianenko regains guard immediately.
Caesar working some strikes from top position.
Caesar cracks Emelianenko with a solid left hand.
Emelianenko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Caesar's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Emelianenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Caesar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juilius Caesar dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Emelianenko misses with a leg kick

and Caesar counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Caesar scoring with some ground and pound.
Emelianenko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Caesar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Emelianenko lands an upkick as Caesar stands over him.
Emelianenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Caesar landing some decent shots from guard.
Caesar chips away with some ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Emelianenko clinches but Caesar breaks the clinch

and Caesar counters by moving into the clinch.

Caesar has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Emelianenko clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Caesar lands a shot to the body.
Caesar throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Emelianenko!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko manages to reverse the position and now he's in Caesar's guard. Nice work there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko trying to control but Caesar is working from the bottom.
Emelianenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Emelianenko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Emelianenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Caesar has wrist control.

Caesar is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A telegraphed right hand from Emelianenko misses the target.
Emelianenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Caesar gets in close and instigates a clinch.

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.

Caesar tightens his grip and picks Emelianenko up, before dumping him to the ground. Emelianenko manages to land in guard.
Emelianenko will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Emelianenko trying to control the position.
Emelianenko throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Emelianenko trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Caesar postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Emelianenko trying to control the position.
Caesar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Emelianenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Caesar postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Emelianenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fedor Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko throws a combination that misses
and Caesar counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Emelianenko is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Emelianenko throws a leg kick that is checked

and Caesar counters with a single leg into guard. Emelianenko didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Caesar manages to get himself to full guard.
Caesar keeping moving, preventing Emelianenko from controlling successfully.
Emelianenko advances to half guard.
Caesar is not content to let Emelianenko control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Emelianenko lands a nice short elbow.
Emelianenko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Caesar keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Emelianenko is nestled in close to Caesar, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Caesar manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Caesar shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Emelianenko is trying to defend but Caesar finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Emelianenko is trying to stand back up but Caesar is controlling him
Emelianenko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Caesar scores with a couple of nice shots.

Emelianenko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Caesar pulls his head out easily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Caesar lands a nice short elbow.
Emelianenko flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Juilius Caesar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Caesar slips a nice elbow through Emelianenko's hands, connecting with Emelianenko's forehead.
Emelianenko wants to improve his position but Caesar is controlling well.
Fedor Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Caesar blocks the strikes from Emelianenko.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juilius Caesar showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Caesar 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juilius Caesar!