PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Muhammad Alquier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Muhammad Alquier will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Emelianenko
vs
Alquier

160 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

182 cm
23
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Mundo Green - World Verde

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fedor Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Muhammad Alquier!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alquier forces Emelianenko back against the cage and clinches.
Emelianenko lands a shoulder strike.
Alquier is trying to maintain a safe position but Emelianenko gets an underhook and turns Alquier into the cage.
Alquier drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Emelianenko working aggressively here.
Alquier blocks an uppercut.
Alquier wants to get back to striking at distance but Emelianenko won't allow it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alquier.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Emelianenko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Emelianenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Alquier blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Alquier decides to pull guard.
Emelianenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alquier works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Emelianenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alquier works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Alquier had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Emelianenko is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Alquier Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Emelianenko's back instead.
Emelianenko turns into Alquier and is now in his guard.
Alquier really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Emelianenko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Emelianenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Alquier has wrist control.
Emelianenko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Alquier 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alquier is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that Alquier avoids nicely.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that Alquier avoids nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Alquier.
Alquier tries a head kick but it misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Emelianenko!
Fedor Emelianenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Some wild striking there from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko misses with a few strikes there.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
Alquier shoots in for a takedown but Emelianenko shows good takedown defense.
Fedor Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muhammad Alquier.
Alquier slips a jab and a cross from Emelianenko.

Alquier gets a clinch.
Emelianenko throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko working aggressively here.
Alquier can't break the clinch.
A short left from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko scores with a shoulder strike.
Emelianenko misses with some punches.
Emelianenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Alquier tries to circle away but Emelianenko has him pinned against the cage.
Alquier is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Emelianenko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Alquier has Emelianenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Emelianenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Emelianenko gets underhooks to prevent Alquier's takedown attempt.
Alquier misses with an elbow strike.
Emelianenko working aggressively here.
Emelianenko prevents a takedown attempt there.
Alquier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Alquier tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Emelianenko just stands there and leans against the cage.
Emelianenko has a couple of punches blocked by Alquier.
Emelianenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alquier is trying to break the clinch but Emelianenko has him pressed against the cage.
Emelianenko stops a takedown attempt from Alquier.
Alquier looking to stall.
Emelianenko scores with a shot to the side of Alquier's head.
Emelianenko has a couple of punches blocked by Alquier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko misses with some punches.
Alquier tries for a takedown but Emelianenko manages to get underhooks.
Alquier wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Alquier wants to get back to striking at distance but Emelianenko won't allow it.
Emelianenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws a head punch that misses.
Alquier can't break the clinch.
Alquier tries for a takedown but Emelianenko manages to get underhooks.
Emelianenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Alquier's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Alquier goes for a takedown in the clinch but Emelianenko prevents it.

Alquier jumps guard.
Alquier wants to sweep but no luck.
Emelianenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Alquier is trying to control the position but Emelianenko postures up.
Alquier wants to stand and escape but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Alquier trying to control the position here.

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.
Emelianenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Alquier has wrist control.
Emelianenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Emelianenko with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Emelianenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Alquier gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Emelianenko prevents a takedown attempt there.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alquier.
Alquier tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Emelianenko smiles and moves away.
Alquier fails with a takedown attempt.
Alquier thuds his shin into the meat of Emelianenko's side.
Alquier slips a jab and a cross from Emelianenko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor Emelianenko dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Alquier moves in looking to clinch but Emelianenko pushes him off.
Alquier shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Emelianenko as he avoids it easily.
Emelianenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Alquier.
Alquier shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Emelianenko pinned against the cage. Emelianenko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Emelianenko misses with a two punch combination.
Emelianenko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Alquier.
Alquier fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fedor Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muhammad Alquier.
Alquier misses with a head kick.
Alquier tries for a takedown but Emelianenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alquier closes this distance looking for a takedown but Emelianenko circles away.
Alquier dodges the punch combination from Emelianenko.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Emelianenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Emelianenko swats away the attempt to clinch by Alquier.
Emelianenko misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Alquier gets a clinch.

Alquier jumps into guard, dragging Emelianenko to the mat.
Alquier looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Emelianenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alquier wants to get back to his feet but Emelianenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Emelianenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Emelianenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Alquier is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Emelianenko throws a big right hand that misses.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Alquier tries to clinch but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Alquier has a takedown stuffed.

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.
Alquier avoids a punch combination nicely.
Emelianenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fedor Emelianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Alquier closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Alquier lands in his opponent's guard.
Emelianenko trying to strike off his back.
Emelianenko throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Alquier controls from within his opponent's guard.
Emelianenko thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Emelianenko striking off his back but it's not causing Alquier any problems.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Alquier stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Emelianenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Alquier not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Emelianenko gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Alquier.
Emelianenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Alquier shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Emelianenko as he avoids it easily.
Alquier jabs at Emelianenko's body.
Emelianenko leaves Alquier with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Emelianenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Emelianenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Alquier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Alquier closes the distance and clinches.

Alquier ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Alquier no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Emelianenko stopping the sweep attempt from Alquier.
Emelianenko 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alquier is pulling down on Emelianenko's head. It's preventing any offense from Emelianenko, at least for the moment.
Emelianenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Emelianenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Alquier is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Emelianenko defends well.
Alquier avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Alquier can do anything to dispel that myth.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emelianenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Alquier works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Emelianenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhammad Alquier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Emelianenko tries to bum rush Alquier with a series of wild strikes but Alquier uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Alquier closes this distance looking for a takedown but Emelianenko circles away.
Some wild striking there from Emelianenko.
Alquier throws a head kick but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Alquier closes this distance looking for a takedown but Emelianenko circles away.
Alquier tries to clinch there but Emelianenko circles away.
Alquier shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Emelianenko as he jumps to the side.
Fedor Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Muhammad Alquier.
Emelianenko throws a series of punches but Alquier avoids them all with ease.
Alquier doesn't manage to clinch there - Emelianenko circles away.
Alquier dives in and grabs Emelianenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Emelianenko pushes down on Alquier's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianenko looks to land a combination but Alquier avoids it well.
Alquier scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Alquier.
Emelianenko misses with a strike from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko is not content to let Alquier control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emelianenko takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Alquier wants to stand but Emelianenko is controlling his arm.
Emelianenko tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Emelianenko tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Emelianenko is looking for a sweep.
Emelianenko misses with an elbow from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Alquier fails with a takedown attempt.
Emelianenko throws a combination that misses
and Alquier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fedor Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko misses with a double jab

and Alquier counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
It looks like Alquier is going to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alquier blocks the strikes from Emelianenko.
Still in half guard, Alquier seems content to control.
Emelianenko tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Alquier blocks the strikes from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Alquier drops an elbow to the side of Emelianenko's head.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Emelianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Alquier cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Emelianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Alquier counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Emelianenko!
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!
Emelianenko throwing hammer fists to the chest of Alquier. What's that going to do exactly?
Emelianenko throwing hammer fists to the chest of Alquier. What's that going to do exactly?
Alquier putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Emelianenko is desperately trying to improve his position but Alquier has a good base and remains in mount.
Emelianenko flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Emelianenko keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Alquier with a couple of short strikes.
Alquier controlling the pace for now.
Emelianenko working to try and regain half guard.
Alquier controlling his opponent.

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.
Emelianenko working to try and regain half guard.
Emelianenko throwing hammer fists to the chest of Alquier. What's that going to do exactly?
Emelianenko flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
The referee warns Emelianenko that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Alquier controlling from mount.
Emelianenko is wriggling around trying to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Muhammad Alquier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Alquier 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Muhammad Alquier!