PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alistair Odenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anatoli Volinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Volinov has chosen Soviet March as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Odenson
vs
Volinov

215 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alistair Odenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Anatoli Volinov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volinov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Odenson as he jumps to the side.
The fight stays on the outside here - Odenson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Odenson misses with a takedown attempt

and Volinov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Odenson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Odenson wants to get back to his feet.

Volinov wants to work for an arm triangle but Odenson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Odenson trying to control here.
Volinov trying to control the pace.
Odenson tries to roll over but Volinov keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Odenson trying to hold on to Volinov's head to control him but Volinov postures up.
Volinov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Odenson is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volinov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
It looks like Volinov is going to stand back up.
Odenson looks like he's trying to stand up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Volinov throws an overhand right that lands on Odenson's shoulder, as Odenson tries to avoid the shot.

Volinov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Volinov wants a takedown.

Volinov jumps guard and drags Odenson to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Odenson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Volinov is keeping the position for now.
Volinov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Odenson is trying to maintain the position but Volinov is very close to passing his half guard.
Volinov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Volinov trying to control from half guard but Odenson is working away.
Volinov throwing shots but Odenson is blocking nicely.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Odenson is trying to control but Volinov manages to pass to mount!

Volinov stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Odenson has his takedown stuffed

and Volinov counters with a shoot takedown. Odenson fights it but they end up in guard.
Odenson is breathing heavily.
Volinov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Volinov passes Odenson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Volinov thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Odenson to regain full guard.
Odenson wants to get back to his feet but Volinov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoli Volinov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Volinov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Odenson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Odenson tries for a takedown but Volinov circles away easily
and Volinov counters with an outside leg kick.

Volinov rushes Odenson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Volinov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Odenson successfully pulls guard.
Odenson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Volinov wants to control from the top but Odenson keeps moving.
Volinov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Odenson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two 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.

Despite being in the dominant position, Anatoli Volinov just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Volinov throws a head kick that misses.
Volinov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Odenson finds it's way round the side to connect with Volinov's head.
Odenson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Volinov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Volinov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Odenson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Volinov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volinov content to control rather than advance.

Volinov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Anatoli Volinov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Odenson wants to control but Volinov is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Odenson is not content to let Volinov control the position.
Still in half guard, Volinov seems content to control.
Volinov prevents Odenson from improving his position.
Volinov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Odenson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Volinov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoli Volinov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Odenson connects with a jab.
Alistair Odenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Odenson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Volinov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Volinov.
Volinov with a nice head shot there.
Volinov landing with the ground and pound.
Volinov stands and throws Odenson's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Odenson throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Odenson misses with a takedown attempt

and Volinov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Volinov controlling from the top position.
Odenson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volinov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Odenson's guard.
Volinov moves into full mount! Odenson won't be happy about that!
Volinov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Volinov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Odenson hang on?
Volinov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Volinov landing shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volinov controlling his opponent.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Volinov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Volinov controlling from mount.
Volinov scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Volinov controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Anatoli Volinov just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jab from Volinov.

Volinov scores with a takedown into Odenson's guard.
Volinov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Volinov is putting a hurting on Odenson here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Volinov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Volinov cracks the inside of Odenson's front leg.

Volinov gets a takedown into half guard.
Volinov trying to control the pace.
Anatoli Volinov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anatoli Volinov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Volinov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anatoli Volinov!