PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chitavake Cheetah (ranked 4021 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Emelyanov (ranked 3027 p4p, 0 weight class). Chitavake Cheetah has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Cheetah
vs
Emelyanov

167 cm
26
157 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

182 cm
25
156 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chitavake Cheetah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Emelyanov!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Reed Andrews and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Emelyanov throws a head kick but Cheetah moves out of range.
Cheetah misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Emelyanov throws a sloppy head kick and Cheetah moves out of range easily.
Emelyanov throws a sloppy head kick and Cheetah moves out of range easily.
Emelyanov with a poor takedown

and Cheetah counters by clinching up.
Cheetah tries for a takedown. No joy.
Emelyanov is trying to drag Cheetah to the mat but Cheetah just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cheetah stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cheetah creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cheetah fails to pull guard.

Cheetah breaks from the clinch.
Emelyanov just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cheetah is looking to clinch but Emelyanov is avoiding it.

Cheetah fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emelyanov, pushing him back against the cage.
Emelyanov dodges an elbow strike from Cheetah.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Emelyanov is trying to push Cheetah away but Cheetah has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Emelyanov wants a takedown but no success here.
Chitavake Cheetah has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Emelyanov.
Cheetah drops down looking for an ankle pick but Emelyanov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Some wild striking there from Emelyanov.
Emelyanov leaves Cheetah with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Emelyanov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Cheetah dips to his left and cracks Emelyanov with an uppercut!
Emelyanov shoots for a takedown but Cheetah saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cheetah fails to land the takedown.

Cheetah gets a clinch.

Cheetah breaks the clinch.

Cheetah moves into the clinch.
Emelyanov just leaning against Cheetah, taking a breather.

Cheetah has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Emelyanov clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Emelyanov is trying to shake Cheetah off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! Cheetah won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Cheetah closes the distance and pushes Emelyanov back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanov is trying to push Cheetah away but Cheetah has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cheetah tries to pull guard but Emelyanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Cheetah drops back down to his feet.
Cheetah stalling the fight.
Cheetah blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Emelyanov is looking for a takedown.
Cheetah leaning against his opponent.

Cheetah escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Emelyanov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Emelyanov shoots in but Cheetah avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Emelyanov looks winded!
Cheetah throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Emelyanov with that takedown attempt.
Emelyanov closes the distance but Cheetah moves to the side
and Cheetah counters with a leg kick.
Emelyanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Cheetah manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Emelyanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cheetah shoots in and drives through. Emelyanov sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Emelyanov as Cheetah shoots in.

Cheetah rushes Emelyanov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Emelyanov working hard to break the clinch.

Emelyanov pulls guard effortlessly.
Cheetah trying to control but Emelyanov is working from the bottom.
Emelyanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chitavake Cheetah dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cheetah shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Emelyanov as he avoids it easily.
Emelyanov throws a big shot that misses.
Emelyanov scores with a leg kick.
Cheetah blocks the body kick.
Cheetah looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cheetah shoots in looking for a takedown. Emelyanov tries to sprawl out of it but Cheetah keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Emelyanov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chitavake Cheetah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emelyanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Emelyanov throws a body shot but no joy.
Cheetah shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Emelyanov or perhaps it was just good defense by Cheetah, which made it look bad.
Cheetah appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelyanov with a poor takedown
and Cheetah counters with a right hand to the body.
Emelyanov is breathing heavily.
Cheetah tries to clinch up.
Emelyanov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Cheetah moves into range and clinches up with Emelyanov.
Cheetah drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cheetah tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Emelyanov smiles and moves away.
No luck for Cheetah with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanov goes for a double leg but Cheetah avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cheetah continues to drive forward.
Emelyanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Emelyanov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cheetah fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Emelyanov avoids it really well and circles away.
Emelyanov throws a counter combo.

Cheetah fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Emelyanov, pushing him back against the cage.
Emelyanov is pressed up against the cage. Cheetah has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Emelyanov down to the mat. Emelyanov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cheetah leaves Emelyanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Emelyanov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Cheetah staying out of range there.
Emelyanov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cheetah.
Vladimir Emelyanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Emelyanov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice takedown defense from Cheetah. No joy for Emelyanov on that attempt.
Emelyanov just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromCheetah.
Chitavake Cheetah is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cheetah moves into range and clinches up with Emelyanov.
Cheetah blocks an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheetah lands a nice shot to the body.
Cheetah lands a nice elbow.
Emelyanov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cheetah jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Emelyanov walks away with a smile on his face. Cheetah gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Cheetah scores with a leg kick.
Cheetah has a takedown stuffed.
Emelyanov tries to counter with a clinch but Cheetah shakes him off and moves away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emelyanov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cheetah pinned against the cage. Cheetah gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Chitavake Cheetah will probably get the nod.
That's time! Cheetah's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cheetah clinches.
Cheetah tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Emelyanov smiles and moves away.

Cheetah has Emelyanov up against the cage in a clinch.

Cheetah's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cheetah shoots for a double leg takedown but Emelyanov sprawls well. He's pushed Cheetah's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A punch combination from Emelyanov misses.

Emelyanov tries to keep at a distance but Cheetah has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cheetah has Emelyanov pushed against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cheetah jumps guard but Emelyanov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chitavake Cheetah. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Emelyanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cheetah shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice sprawl there from Cheetah as Emelyanov shoots in.
Cheetah tries to counter with a takedown but Emelyanov is quick to defend against it.
Emelyanov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cheetah stuffs the takedown.
Cheetah lands a body shot.
Emelyanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cheetah's waist but Cheetah gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Emelyanov off to one side.
Emelyanov with a poor takedown
and Cheetah counters with a head kick. That will keep Emelyanov thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cheetah!
Emelyanov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Cheetah shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Emelyanov as he jumps to the side.
Cheetah fakes the leg kick and cracks Emelyanov in the body.
Cheetah will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Cheetah clinches with his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Cheetah breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cheetah fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelyanov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cheetah as he avoids it easily.
Emelyanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cheetah scores with a body shot.

Cheetah closes the distance and clinches.

Cheetah drags the fight down to the ground.
Cheetah wants to sweep here but Emelyanov controlling him for the moment.
Emelyanov is stalling in the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Emelyanov trying to control but Cheetah is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emelyanov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Emelyanov throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emelyanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cheetah misses with a two punch combination.
Vladimir Emelyanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chitavake Cheetah is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Emelyanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cheetah.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chitavake Cheetah showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cheetah, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chitavake Cheetah!