PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Turo Vatanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gattsu Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vatanen comes to the cage accompanied by Hold Me Now. Emelianenko is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Eagle Lands. This should be a great matchup!

Vatanen
vs
Emelianenko

198 cm
33
277 lbs
22 - 13 - 0

191 cm
27
258 lbs
17 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags & 95% Laundry
Canadian Fighter Clothing

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 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Turo Vatanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gattsu Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vatanen tries to clinch but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Vatanen throws a shot from downtown. Emelianenko moves away and avoids it.
Emelianenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Emelianenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Emelianenko changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Vatanen moves away from the strike by Emelianenko.

Emelianenko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Vatanen is trying to defend but Emelianenko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Vatanen trying to control here.
Emelianenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vatanen's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vatanen is not content to let Emelianenko control the position.
Vatanen taking some punishment here, with Emelianenko in his half guard.
Emelianenko is thwarting Vatanen's attempts to control the position.
Vatanen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko working over Vatanen with some ground and pound. Vatanen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Vatanen tries to get to full guard but Emelianenko has control of the leg.
Vatanen is not content to let Emelianenko control the position.
Emelianenko prevents Vatanen from improving his position.
Emelianenko has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Vatanen tries to reverse the position but Emelianenko maintains control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vatanen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Emelianenko wants to control but Vatanen is keeping him busy.
Emelianenko prevents Vatanen from improving his position.
Vatanen is trying to maintain the position but Emelianenko is very close to passing his half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vatanen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Vatanen tries to get to full guard but Emelianenko has control of the leg.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vatanen is trying to control but Emelianenko passes into side control!
Vatanen can't do much from the bottom here.
Vatanen is working to avoid the ground and pound but Emelianenko connects with a decent elbow.
Emelianenko is putting a hurting on Vatanen here, landing some big shots from side control.
Vatanen tries to buck Emelianenko off but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Vatanen struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Emelianenko is keen to just control but Vatanen is a slippery customer.
Emelianenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Vatanen is trying to get back to full guard.
Vatanen is not content to let Emelianenko control the position.
Emelianenko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Vatanen is staying active underneath Emelianenko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Vatanen is looking to improve his position.
Emelianenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vatanen manages to get to full guard.
Vatanen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Vatanen trying to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vatanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Vatanen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Emelianenko is aware though and is defending well.
Emelianenko is working Vatanen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Vatanen working a defensive guard here.
Emelianenko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Vatanen keeps moving.
Vatanen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Vatanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Emelianenko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vatanen keeping moving, preventing Emelianenko from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gattsu Emelianenko 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.

Emelianenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Emelianenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vatanen.
The crowd cheers as Emelianenko lands an impressive looking overhand right. Vatanen doesn't seem phased though.
Emelianenko scores with a nice strike.
Vatanen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Vatanen throws a body punch but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Vatanen misses with a body shot.
Vatanen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Emelianenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jab by Emelianenko.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emelianenko missing with a left hand there. Vatanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vatanen is looking to clinch.
Emelianenko dips to his left and cracks Vatanen with an uppercut!
A punch combination from Emelianenko misses.
Emelianenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vatanen sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emelianenko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Vatanen is trying to defend but Emelianenko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Emelianenko slows the pace down in half guard.
Emelianenko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vatanen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Vatanen wants to improve his position but Emelianenko is controlling well.
Emelianenko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vatanen keeps working.
Vatanen trying to control but Emelianenko postures up.

Vatanen actively working from the bottom here.
Emelianenko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vatanen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Emelianenko.
Emelianenko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Emelianenko controlling the pace.
Emelianenko winds up and cracks Vatanen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emelianenko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Vatanen tries to roll over but Emelianenko keeps him under control.

Vatanen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Vatanen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko lands with a punch from half guard.
Vatanen is refusing to be controlled, as Emelianenko sits in half guard.

Vatanen looking for submissions off his back.
Emelianenko working over Vatanen with some ground and pound. Vatanen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Emelianenko tries to pass to full mount but Vatanen defends it.

Vatanen looking for submissions off his back.
Vatanen wants to get back to full guard.
Emelianenko perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Vatanen is defending against the submission attempts here by Emelianenko.
Gattsu Emelianenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Emelianenko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vatanen keeps working.
Vatanen wants to get back to full guard.
Vatanen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko trying to control from half guard but Vatanen is working away.
Vatanen gets full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vatanen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Emelianenko advances to half guard.
Emelianenko performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gattsu Emelianenko 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Emelianenko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Vatanen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Vatanen gets a clinch.

Vatanen pulls Emelianenko into guard.
Emelianenko is in close to Vatanen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Emelianenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Emelianenko is working Vatanen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Vatanen has his foot on Emelianenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Emelianenko works his way back into a safe position though.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Emelianenko. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Emelianenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vatanen is keeping the position for now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emelianenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Vatanen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Emelianenko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Vatanen keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vatanen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Emelianenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Emelianenko throws a big right hand that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vatanen is on top in guard.
Vatanen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Emelianenko wants to sweep here but Vatanen controlling him for the moment.
Vatanen trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Emelianenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko keeping full guard, as Vatanen tries to pass.
Vatanen preventing the sweep.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vatanen is looking to slow Emelianenko down with leg kicks.
Vatanen punishes Emelianenko's body with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emelianenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vatanen.
Emelianenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vatanen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Emelianenko cracks Vatanen with an open hand slap.
Vatanen throws a series of punches but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Vatanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Emelianenko throws out the jab.
Emelianenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vatanen throws out the jab.
Turo Vatanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Emelianenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen connects with a jab.
Emelianenko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vatanen avoids the body shot from Emelianenko.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vatanen as he jumps to the side.
Emelianenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vatanen moves out of range as Emelianenko strikes.
Emelianenko shoots in but Vatanen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Turo Vatanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gattsu Emelianenko.
Emelianenko's jab looks to have found its range, popping Vatanen under the eye.
Vatanen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Emelianenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Emelianenko displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vatanen.
Vatanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Emelianenko manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Vatanen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Vatanen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Vatanen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Vatanen cracks Emelianenko with a solid left hand.
Vatanen stopping the sweep attempt from Emelianenko.
Vatanen works over Emelianenko with some ground and pound from guard.
Vatanen connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vatanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vatanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Emelianenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vatanen throws a big elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Turo Vatanen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Emelianenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gattsu Emelianenko!
After winning the bout, Gattsu Emelianenko thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.