PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Mabola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Emelianenko
vs
Mabola

195 cm
20
256 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Andrei 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, Ricardo Mabola!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Seu Braga and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mabola misses with a wild combination.

Emelianenko feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Mabola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emelianenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Emelianenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Emelianenko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Mabola is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mabola wants to stand but Emelianenko is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mabola is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mabola has escaped and now he's on top!
Mabola wants to stand but Emelianenko is controlling his posture from full guard.
Emelianenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mabola wants to stand but Emelianenko is controlling his posture from full guard.

Emelianenko had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Mabola is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Emelianenko Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Mabola's back instead.
Emelianenko is breathing heavily.
Mabola has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Mabola should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mabola has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Emelianenko.
Mabola controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Emelianenko softening up his opponent with strikes here.

That's four 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.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Emelianenko. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Emelianenko is trying to control but Mabola is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Emelianenko working Mabola over with strikes here.
Mabola is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Emelianenko controlling his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emelianenko won't let Mabola get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Emelianenko dominated that round.
That's time! Emelianenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Emelianenko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A head kick misses from Mabola.
Mabola looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Emelianenko scores a takedown into full mount!
Mabola in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Emelianenko lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Emelianenko scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Mabola?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mabola tries to buck Emelianenko off but he can't manage it.
Emelianenko content just to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Emelianenko working the ground and pound effectively.
Mabola is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Emelianenko controlling from the full mount.
Mabola is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Emelianenko landing strikes from the mount and Mabola is in trouble!
Emelianenko landing strikes from the mount.
Emelianenko landing strikes, looking to finish!
Emelianenko looking to finish Mabola with some ground and pound. This is bad for Mabola!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko unloading with bombs!
A nice elbow there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko landing strikes, looking to finish!
Emelianenko looking to control and managing it successfully.
Emelianenko landing strikes from the mount and Mabola is in trouble!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Emelianenko lands with some strikes.
A nice elbow there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws some wild stikes that Mabola manages to avoid easily.
Emelianenko wants to control but Mabola has made it back to half guard. Nice work.

Emelianenko is working for a kimura but Mabola is defending it quite comfortably.
Emelianenko controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Emelianenko dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Mabola misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mabola looks to land a combination but Emelianenko avoids it well.
Mabola tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mabola throws a right and a left that Emelianenko avoids nicely.

Emelianenko gets the takedown into side control.
Emelianenko scores with a couple of short elbows.
Mabola tries to escape but Emelianenko is in control.
Mabola takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Emelianenko is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Mabola is trying to escape and Emelianenko transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Mabola is forced to tap! Nice work there by Emelianenko! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Andrei Emelianenko!