PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emelianenko kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Enea Vollare Mezzo. Drago has chosen Soviet Anthem as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Emelianenko
vs
Drago

183 cm
23
233 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

197 cm
22
261 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Drago!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Drago looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Emelianenko rushes Drago and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Emelianenko digs a right hand into Drago's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Drago's gas tank.
Drago stops a takedown attempt from Emelianenko.
Drago tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Drago tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Drago wants to break the clinch but can't.
Drago fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fedor Emelianenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Drago.
Emelianenko's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Emelianenko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Emelianenko gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Emelianenko stands up and waves to Drago to follow him.

Drago clinches up with Emelianenko and pushes him back against the cage.

Emelianenko gets control of Drago's arms and successfully pulls guard. Emelianenko will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emelianenko is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Drago shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Emelianenko circles away from the clinch attempt

and Emelianenko counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Emelianenko manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Drago from controlling successfully.

Emelianenko has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Drago off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Drago looks gassed!
Drago walks into a left hand.
Drago throws a head kick that misses.
Drago looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Emelianenko misses.
Drago tries to clinch up

and Emelianenko counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Drago's guard now.
Emelianenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Drago can do anything to dispel that myth.
Emelianenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Drago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko distracts Drago with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Emelianenko trying to control but Drago is working from the bottom.
Emelianenko distracts Drago with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Emelianenko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emelianenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Emelianenko forces his way into half guard.
Emelianenko drops an elbow to the side of Drago's head.
Emelianenko seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emelianenko working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Emelianenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko lands strikes from half guard.
Emelianenko works his way into full mount!
Emelianenko lands a nice shot to the head.

Drago is rocked!
Oooooh, big shot lands for Emelianenko! Drago is hurt baaadly! Emelianenko is firing away with more strikes - Drago is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Fedor Emelianenko!