PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roman Emelianov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Vovkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Emelianov
vs
Vovkov

184 cm
24
167 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
177 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roman Emelianov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlad Vovkov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Vovkov.
Emelianov wants to get back to his feet but Vovkov drags him back down.

Vovkov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Vovkov swings around for an armbar but Emelianov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Vovkov's guard.
Emelianov trying to control but Vovkov is working from the bottom.
Emelianov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vovkov is proving hard to escape from.
Vovkov trying to keep a closed guard but Emelianov is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianov being controlled here momentarily.

Vovkov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Emelianov is aware though and is defending well.
Vovkov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Emelianov gets to his feet - Vovkov follows without any prompting.

Emelianov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Vovkov, pushing him back against the cage.

Emelianov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vovkov has his takedown stuffed

and Emelianov counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vovkov fails to pull guard.
Emelianov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vovkov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Emelianov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Emelianov looking to pass the guard.
Emelianov is looking to stand up but Vovkov won't let him.
Vovkov keeping moving, preventing Emelianov from controlling successfully.
Vovkov has his hands on Emelianov's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vovkov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emelianov trying to control but Vovkov is working from the bottom.
Vovkov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Emelianov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vovkov is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

We're going to have a standup here because Roman Emelianov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Vovkov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Emelianov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Vovkov is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Roman Emelianov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vlad Vovkov.

Emelianov gets a clinch.
Vovkov letting Emelianov take a breather here.
Vovkov fails to pull guard.

Vovkov pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vovkov has a closed guard, preventing Emelianov from standing up.
Vovkov has Emelianov pulled in close to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Roman Emelianov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Emelianov tries a head kick but it misses.
Emelianov is looking to clinch.

Emelianov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Emelianov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vovkov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Vovkov gets control of Emelianov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Vovkov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Vovkov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vovkov pulls Emelianov in close to prevent any damage.
Emelianov postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelianov wants to control from the top but Vovkov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Roman Emelianov.
Vovkov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Emelianov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Vovkov won't be happy with that.
Emelianov tries to stand but Vovkov controls the position and pulls Emelianov into his guard.
Emelianov trying to control but Vovkov is working from the bottom.
Emelianov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Vovkov's guard.
Vovkov trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianov trying to control but Vovkov is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Vovkov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Emelianov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vovkov is proving hard to escape from.
Vovkov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianov wanted to stand there but Vovkov had control of the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Roman Emelianov.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Emelianov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vovkov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Emelianov just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Come on Emelianov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Emelianov trying to land knees to the body.
Emelianov avoiding damage.

Emelianov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Vovkov feints and as Emelianov raises his hands in defense, Vovkov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Emelianov wants to get back to his feet but Vovkov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Vovkov drops back looking for a leg! Emelianov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Emelianov manages to kick Vovkov off! Vovkov jumps back into Emelianov's guard.
Vovkov prevents Emelianov from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Emelianov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Vovkov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Emelianov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Vovkov is trying to get an arm triangle but Emelianov is defending well.

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

Vovkov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Emelianov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Vovkov's guard! Nice work there by Emelianov!
Emelianov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vovkov on the ground.
Emelianov is looking to stand up but Vovkov won't let him.
Emelianov chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Vovkov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vovkov has a closed guard, preventing Emelianov from standing up.
Emelianov tries to free his leg and advance position but Vovkov is retaining full guard.
Emelianov wants to stand but Vovkov is controlling his posture from full guard.

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.
Vovkov pulls Emelianov in close to his closed guard and prevents Emelianov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Vlad Vovkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Emelianov wants to stand but Vovkov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Vovkov keeping moving, preventing Emelianov from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Roman Emelianov just wasn't active enough.
Vovkov misses with a takedown

and Emelianov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vovkov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Vovkov regains guard immediately.
Emelianov trying to control the position from guard on top but Vovkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vovkov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Vovkov keeping moving, preventing Emelianov from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Emelianov tries to stand but Vovkov is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Roman Emelianov just wasn't active enough.
Emelianov misses with a double jab

and Vovkov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Emelianov's guard.
Roman Emelianov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vovkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Emelianov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vovkov wants to pass the guard but Emelianov is keeping the position.
Emelianov looking for a sweep. Not yet Emelianov, not yet.

Vovkov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Emelianov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Emelianov has escaped and now he's on top!
Emelianov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vovkov is proving hard to escape from.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vlad Vovkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Emelianov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Roman Emelianov!