PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Harper (ranked 2634 p4p, 317 weight class) and Vladamir Emelianenko (ranked 3443 p4p, 388 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Vladamir Emelianenko was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Harper
vs
Emelianenko

190 cm
20
210 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

189 cm
22
212 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Robert Harper!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladamir Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelianenko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Harper fails to land the takedown.
Emelianenko wants to counter with a clinch but Harper pushes him away.
Harper throws the left hand but Emelianenko avoids the punch easily.
Emelianenko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Harper.
Emelianenko flicks out a counter leg kick but Harper steps away.
Emelianenko takes one on the button.
Emelianenko throws a combination. Harper tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Emelianenko clobbers Harper with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Good shot there by Harper.
Emelianenko takes a body punch but 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 lands a jab to the head.
Nice defenses there by Emelianenko.
Emelianenko moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Harper connects with a nice looking jab.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown but Harper shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Harper half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Harper cracks Emelianenko with an uppercut from hell and Emelianenko crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Harper's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!

Emelianenko is rocked!

It looks like Vladamir Emelianenko has been cut.

Harper drops back looking for a leg! Emelianenko is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Emelianenko manages to kick Harper off! Harper jumps back into Emelianenko's guard.
Emelianenko is still in real trouble! Can Harper finish him?
Harper works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Harper is trying to work for a kimura but Emelianenko is defending well.
Emelianenko seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harper is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Emelianenko works his way to full guard. Good work.

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

Harper drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Harper seems to have locked his on tight now - Emelianenko screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Harper, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Robert Harper!
Robert Harper is the new light heavyweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Robert Harper thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.