PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatjaana Rakopaljaana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakopaljaana has chosen Karri Koira - Amerikankotka Liitää feat.Ruudolf as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Emelianenko
vs
Rakopaljaana

184 cm
24
169 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

171 cm
30
167 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Fedor Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tatjaana Rakopaljaana!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Josh West and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko looks to land a right hand but Rakopaljaana moved out of range.

Rakopaljaana dives in and scores a takedown into Emelianenko's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rakopaljaana is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Emelianenko is on top in guard.

Rakopaljaana working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Emelianenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Emelianenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rakopaljaana has his hands on Emelianenko's head, controlling the position.
Emelianenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Rakopaljaana is retaining full guard.
Emelianenko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rakopaljaana is trying to get back to half guard.
Rakopaljaana is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Emelianenko manages to get to full guard.

Emelianenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rakopaljaana defends it easily.
Rakopaljaana is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Emelianenko trying to control the position.

Emelianenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rakopaljaana is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.
Emelianenko will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rakopaljaana pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Emelianenko is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rakopaljaana tries to stand but Emelianenko is controlling from the bottom.

Emelianenko working for a triangle but Rakopaljaana defends it easily.
Emelianenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Rakopaljaana gets to his feet. Emelianenko looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rakopaljaana takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rakopaljaana tries to clinch but Emelianenko moves away
and Emelianenko makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that Rakopaljaana avoids nicely.

Rakopaljaana clinches up against the cage.

Rakopaljaana pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rakopaljaana misses with a takedown attempt - Emelianenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Emelianenko swings for the body but Rakopaljaana moves out of range.

Rakopaljaana closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rakopaljaana lands in his opponent's guard.

Emelianenko has his foot on Rakopaljaana's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rakopaljaana works his way back into a safe position though.
Rakopaljaana controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Emelianenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rakopaljaana is aware though and is defending well.

Emelianenko has his foot on Rakopaljaana's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rakopaljaana works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko throws his legs up looking for a submission but Rakopaljaana uses it to pass to side control.

Rakopaljaana decides to stand back up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelianenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Emelianenko tries to bum rush Rakopaljaana with a series of wild strikes but Rakopaljaana uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Rakopaljaana pushes Emelianenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Rakopaljaana has Emelianenko pressed against the cage.
Rakopaljaana misses with a knee strike.

Rakopaljaana decides to pull guard.

Rakopaljaana looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Emelianenko trying to control but Rakopaljaana is working from the bottom.
Emelianenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rakopaljaana is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatjaana Rakopaljaana 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.

Rakopaljaana has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rakopaljaana manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rakopaljaana 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.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Rakopaljaana keeps moving.
Rakopaljaana seems keen to control Emelianenko's posture.
Rakopaljaana wants to sweep here but Emelianenko controlling him for the moment.
Emelianenko trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Rakopaljaana manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Emelianenko manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Rakopaljaana regains half guard.

Emelianenko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rakopaljaana moves into full guard.
Rakopaljaana controls Emelianenko momentarily but Emelianenko frees himself.
Rakopaljaana has control of Emelianenko's left arm, preventing Emelianenko from doing any damage.
Rakopaljaana keeping moving, preventing Emelianenko from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rakopaljaana manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Emelianenko has Rakopaljaana in his guard.

Emelianenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rakopaljaana content to stall in guard here.
Rakopaljaana preventing the sweep.

Emelianenko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rakopaljaana doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rakopaljaana manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Rakopaljaana working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Emelianenko tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Rakopaljaana presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Rakopaljaana lands a big shot there that rocks Emelianenko but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rakopaljaana connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Rakopaljaana scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Emelianenko?
Rakopaljaana takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emelianenko is desperately trying to improve his position but Rakopaljaana has a good base and remains in mount.

Rakopaljaana has hold of Emelianenko's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Emelianenko manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Rakopaljaana looking to control and managing it successfully.
Rakopaljaana prevents Emelianenko from getting the reversal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rakopaljaana is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Emelianenko can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatjaana Rakopaljaana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rakopaljaana tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Emelianenko swivels and escapes.
Fedor Emelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko misses with an uppercut

and Rakopaljaana counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Emelianenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rakopaljaana is aware though and is defending well.
Emelianenko has momentary wrist control but Rakopaljaana slips an elbow through the middle.
Rakopaljaana is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Emelianenko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rakopaljaana is looking to stand up but Emelianenko won't let him.
Rakopaljaana wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emelianenko can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rakopaljaana controls the pace.
Rakopaljaana preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tatjaana Rakopaljaana has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that Rakopaljaana avoids nicely.
Rakopaljaana shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Emelianenko sprawls well. Emelianenko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rakopaljaana gets slowly back to his feet.
Rakopaljaana looks to land a combination but Emelianenko avoids it well.
Emelianenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rakopaljaana tries to clinch but Emelianenko moves out of range.

Rakopaljaana forces Emelianenko back against the cage and clinches.
Emelianenko tries to pull guard but Rakopaljaana forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Emelianenko misses with a short punch on the inside.

Rakopaljaana breaks the clinch.
Rakopaljaana tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fedor Emelianenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Emelianenko cracks Rakopaljaana with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Emelianenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Emelianenko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Emelianenko throws a hook but Rakopaljaana blocks it.
Emelianenko scores with a one two! Rakopaljaana had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Emelianenko throws a right and a left that Rakopaljaana avoids nicely.
Rakopaljaana shoots in but no luck this time.
Fedor Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatjaana Rakopaljaana.

Rakopaljaana scores a takedown into full mount!
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 can't escape the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Emelianenko is working hard here to advance position.

Rakopaljaana goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Emelianenko is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko looking to sit in guard and control but Rakopaljaana gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rakopaljaana wants to control from the top but Emelianenko keeps moving.

Rakopaljaana is sitting in close to Emelianenko's body. Emelianenko has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Rakopaljaana is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Rakopaljaana is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Emelianenko.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Fedor Emelianenko!
Fedor Emelianenko looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'My Career had a rocky start but this is the turning point, I am Focused on improving and proving to myself that I am Worthy to be Fedor'.