PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikel Pierce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yevgeni Emilianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikel Pierce has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Pierce
vs
Emilianenko

216 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

194 cm
21
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikel Pierce!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yevgeni Emilianenko!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pierce gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Emilianenko to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Pierce throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Emilianenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pierce will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Pierce is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Pierce working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Emilianenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Emilianenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emilianenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pierce's head.

It looks like Mikel Pierce has been cut.
Emilianenko wants to control from the top but Pierce keeps moving.
Emilianenko is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emilianenko is in close to Pierce's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Emilianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Pierce is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emilianenko is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Pierce is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Emilianenko wants to stand but Pierce has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Emilianenko postures up and lands a big shot to Pierce's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Pierce looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Emilianenko wants to control from the top but Pierce keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Emilianenko drives through and clinches with Pierce against the cage.
Pierce wants to take the fight to the mat but Emilianenko manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Emilianenko is trying to trip Pierce. He has hold of a leg but Pierce is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Emilianenko persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Emilianenko gets to his feet - Pierce follows without any prompting.

Pierce drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pierce is breathing heavily.

Emilianenko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pierce doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pierce manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emilianenko is trying to control the position but Pierce postures up.
Pierce controlling from the top position.
Emilianenko is trying to keep Pierce in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Emilianenko trying to control the position here.
Emilianenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Emilianenko pushes Pierce off and scrambles back to his feet.
Pierce scores with a shot to the body.
Yevgeni Emilianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Emilianenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Emilianenko has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yevgeni Emilianenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mikel Pierce's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A chopping leg kick lands by Pierce.

Emilianenko has closed the distance and engaged Pierce in a clinch.
Pierce is working for takedown but Emilianenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pierce misses with a knee strike.
Emilianenko will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Pierce up against the cage.

Emilianenko jumps guard and drags Pierce to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Emilianenko keeping moving, preventing Pierce from controlling successfully.
Emilianenko wants to get back to his feet but Pierce is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emilianenko is trying to keep Pierce in close.
Emilianenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Emilianenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pierce is aware though and is defending well.
Emilianenko looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Emilianenko isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Pierce stacks Emilianenko on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Pierce!
Pierce controlling the position from side mount.
Emilianenko is not content to let Pierce control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pierce scores with a couple of short elbows.
Emilianenko is looking to reverse the position.
Emilianenko can't do much from the bottom here.
Pierce creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Emilianenko sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Pierce working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Emilianenko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Emilianenko is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Emilianenko wants to take a breather but Pierce is having none of it.

Pierce looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pierce is staying active underneath Emilianenko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Emilianenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Yevgeni Emilianenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

Pierce looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pierce won't allow Emilianenko to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pierce wants to improve his position but Emilianenko is controlling well.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pierce swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As Pierce backs off Emilianenko throws a huge counter combo but Pierce manages to avoid it all.

Pierce gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Pierce is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Emilianenko defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pierce working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Emilianenko.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Emilianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Pierce is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Emilianenko gets to his feet. Pierce looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yevgeni Emilianenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mikel Pierce's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Emilianenko avoids the head kick by Pierce.
Emilianenko tries to land a front kick but Pierce steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pierce dives in for a single leg takedown but Emilianenko sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Emilianenko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pierce looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Emilianenko in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Emilianenko trying to control the action but Pierce is working from the bottom.
Emilianenko connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Pierce some visible discomfort.

Pierce is rocked!
Pierce seems a little lost for a moment, as Emilianenko dominates the positioning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Emilianenko wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pierce, who protects the arm well.
Pierce is working to avoid the ground and pound but Emilianenko connects with a decent elbow.
Oh Pierce is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pierce looks to move to half guard but instead Emilianenko has passed into mount! Damn!
Emilianenko connects with a bit shot that sees Pierce covering up! More strikes from Emilianenko and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Emilianenko is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yevgeni Emilianenko!