PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Runkle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Emelianenko
vs
Runkle

185 cm
22
215 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

190 cm
21
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lyoto Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Charlie Runkle!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Emelianenko tries to clinch but Runkle moves out of range.
Lyoto Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Runkle shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Runkle showed some decent athleticism there.
Runkle passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Emelianenko!
Runkle working the ground and pound effectively.
Runkle takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Runkle throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Runkle is landing with some decent strikes but Emelianenko is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Runkle lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Runkle with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Runkle tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Runkle goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Emelianenko turns into him and now he's in Runkle's guard.
Runkle is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Emelianenko is controlling him.
Runkle keeping moving, preventing Emelianenko from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko content to stall in guard here.
Runkle trying to keep a closed guard but Emelianenko is proving a slippery customer.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Runkle is on top in guard.

Runkle decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Emelianenko, up you get!
Emelianenko throws a lazy right hand but Runkle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Runkle gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Emelianenko to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Runkle keeping moving, preventing Emelianenko from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runkle is trying to keep Emelianenko in close.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Runkle keeps moving.
Runkle manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Emelianenko manages to get himself to full guard.
Emelianenko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Runkle is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Runkle from controlling successfully.
Runkle won't allow Emelianenko to get back to his feet.
Emelianenko knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Runkle on the ground.

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

Runkle drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Emelianenko on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Emelianenko is trying to buck Runkle off.
Runkle tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice body punch from Runkle.
Runkle shoots in for a takedown but Emelianenko shows good takedown defense.

Runkle shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Emelianenko napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Runkle decides to stand back up. Runkle steps back and let's Emelianenko get back to his feet.

Runkle closes the distance and pushes Emelianenko back into the ropes.

Runkle manages to pull guard.

Runkle looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Runkle keeping moving, preventing Emelianenko from controlling successfully.
Emelianenko slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Runkle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Runkle trying to hold on to Emelianenko's head to control him but Emelianenko postures up.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runkle is trying is best to control the position here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Charlie Runkle wasn't active enough on the ground.
Runkle lands with a slapping head kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Emelianenko.
Runkle wants to control but Emelianenko postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko trying to control the position but Runkle is working away.
Emelianenko working away.
Runkle manages to work his way to half guard, despite Emelianenko's best efforts.

Runkle kicks off Emelianenko and gets to his feet.
Emelianenko tries to clinch there but Runkle circles away.
Emelianenko is looking to clinch.

Runkle feints and as Emelianenko raises his hands in defense, Runkle changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Runkle thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Runkle gets to his feet - Emelianenko follows without any prompting.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick misses from Runkle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Runkle bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Runkle is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Emelianenko has escaped the position, nice work there.
Emelianenko is trying to buck Runkle off.
Emelianenko trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Runkle is looking to take a break and control but Emelianenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Runkle tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko pushes Runkle away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Runkle gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Runkle tries to score with some ground and pound. Emelianenko controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
A lull in the action here.
Charlie Runkle has got the better of the ground game so far.

Runkle stands up and we're back to a striking position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Runkle tries to clinch but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Emelianenko fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Runkle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Runkle looking to score a takedown here. Emelianenko is defending well but Runkle drives through and ends up in Emelianenko's guard.
Runkle wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.
Runkle is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Runkle gets to his feet - Emelianenko follows without any prompting.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Runkle.
Emelianenko slaps away a takedown attempt from Runkle, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Emelianenko tries to clinch up but Runkle circles away and keeps his distance.
Runkle doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Emelianenko counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Lyoto Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charlie Runkle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko passes to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Runkle has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Runkle is working to get back to half guard.
Runkle is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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.
Runkle tries to lock up and control but Emelianenko gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Runkle regains half guard.
Runkle is looking for a sweep. Emelianenko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Runkle wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping busy.
Emelianenko is looking to take a break and control but Runkle is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Runkle wants to control but Emelianenko is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko is just content to waste time from the top position. Runkle takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Emelianenko wants to stand but Runkle is controlling his posture from full guard.
Runkle tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Runkle looking to control.
Emelianenko stopping the sweep attempt from Runkle.
Runkle manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Emelianenko manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Emelianenko is working an open guard so Runkle takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Emelianenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Runkle.
Runkle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Runkle drives through and clinches with Emelianenko against the ropes.

Runkle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Emelianenko scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Runkle tries to roll over but Emelianenko keeps him under control.
Emelianenko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Runkle keeps working.
Lyoto Emelianenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Charlie Runkle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Emelianenko is looking for a kimura here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lyoto Emelianenko.
Well Runkle has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie Runkle!