PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Karelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladmir Volchenkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karelin's entrance music is Be Warned. A fine choice. Vladmir Volchenkov acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Karelin
vs
Volchenkov

194 cm
27
279 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

196 cm
22
280 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Karelin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladmir Volchenkov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volchenkov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Volchenkov throws a body kick that misses.
Karelin shoots in for a double leg but Volchenkov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Karelin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Volchenkov avoids it really well and circles away.
Volchenkov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Volchenkov is looking to land body kicks.
Karelin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Volchenkov as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Karelin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karelin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Karelin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Volchenkov.
Karelin shoots in and drives through. Volchenkov sprawls well.
Karelin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Volchenkov.
Karelin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Volchenkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Alexander Karelin has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Volchenkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Volchenkov shoots in for a double leg but Karelin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Volchenkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Karelin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Volchenkov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Karelin is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karelin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Volchenkov trying to control but Karelin is working from the bottom.
Volchenkov connects with a couple of short punches.
Volchenkov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Volchenkov wants to control but Karelin is keeping him busy.
Volchenkov blocks the strikes from Karelin.
Karelin is trying to improve his position.
Karelin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Volchenkov off and has taken his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Volchenkov is in bad spot here.
Karelin trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Karelin lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Karelin wants to control but Volchenkov is keeping busy.
Karelin gets his hands free as Volchenkov looks to control.
You can see the frustration on Volchenkov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Volchenkov avoids the strikes from Karelin.
Volchenkov tries to escape the position.
Karelin misses with punches from the back.
Karelin softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Volchenkov is really stuck here.
Karelin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Volchenkov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Karelin avoids the attempt from Volchenkov to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karelin lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Karelin unloading with bombs!
Karelin is landing with some decent strikes but Volchenkov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Karelin landing strikes, looking to finish!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volchenkov taking shots to the head.
Volchenkov taking shots to the head.
Volchenkov is trying to escape the mount.
Karelin with a couple of short strikes.
Volchenkov is working to get back to half guard.
Karelin lands a nice shot to the head.
Volchenkov tries to hold on but Karelin postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volchenkov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Karelin working Volchenkov over with strikes here.
Volchenkov is bucking up trying to escape but Karelin cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Volchenkov wants to hold on but Karelin pushes him away.
Volchenkov is trying to escape the mount.
Karelin breaks from Volchenkov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Karelin lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Karelin lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Karelin avoids the attempt from Volchenkov to control.
Karelin lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vladmir Volchenkov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Karelin's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Karelin tries for a takedown but Volchenkov circles away easily
and Volchenkov counters with a three punch combo that has Karelin backing up. Karelin nods at Volchenkov to acknowledge the strikes.
Karelin misses with a body kick.
Alexander Karelin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Karelin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alexander Karelin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volchenkov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Volchenkov throws a body kick that misses.
Volchenkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volchenkov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Karelin.
Volchenkov looks to land a body kick but Karelin moved away.

Volchenkov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Karelin manages to work his way to half guard, despite Volchenkov's best efforts.
Karelin is looking for a sweep. Volchenkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Karelin wants to sweep but Volchenkov has passed to side control!
Volchenkov wants to control but Karelin is keeping him busy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volchenkov scoring with punches from side control.
Karelin taking a bit of punishment here - Volchenkov scoring with strikes.
Volchenkov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Volchenkov is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Karelin will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Karelin takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Volchenkov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Karelin some visible discomfort.
Volchenkov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Karelin wants to control but Volchenkov postures up.
Volchenkov cracks Karelin with a big right hand but Karelin just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karelin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Karelin is pressing down on Volchenkov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Volchenkov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Volchenkov wants to control from the top but Karelin keeps moving.
Volchenkov passes Karelin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Karelin is staying active underneath Volchenkov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Karelin is trying to maintain the position but Volchenkov is very close to passing his half guard.
Karelin is looking for a sweep. Volchenkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Volchenkov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Volchenkov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Karelin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volchenkov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Volchenkov wants to pass the guard but Karelin is defending well.
Karelin tries to get to full guard but Volchenkov has control of the leg.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
No joy there for Volchenkov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Volchenkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volchenkov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Volchenkov throws a leg kick that misses.
Karelin has his takedown stuffed

and Volchenkov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Karelin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karelin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Volchenkov is one step ahead there.
Volchenkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karelin is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volchenkov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Volchenkov lands a couple of digs.
Volchenkov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Volchenkov is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Karelin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Volchenkov.
Karelin throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Karelin seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Karelin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Volchenkov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Karelin looking for a sweep. Not yet Karelin, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladmir Volchenkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexander Karelin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Karelin fails to land the takedown.
Karelin tries for a takedown but Volchenkov circles away easily
and Volchenkov counters with a two punch combo.
Volchenkov throws a right and a left that Karelin avoids nicely.
Volchenkov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Volchenkov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Volchenkov throws a head kick but Karelin moves out of range.
Karelin blocks a head kick by Volchenkov.
A cross from Volchenkov lands.
Karelin shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Karelin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karelin checks a low kick from Volchenkov.
Volchenkov swings for the body but Karelin moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Karelin has his takedown stuffed
and Volchenkov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Volchenkov lands a nice shot that snaps Karelin's head back.
Karelin tries for a takedown but Volchenkov circles away easily

and Volchenkov counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volchenkov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Karelin's head.
Volchenkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Karelin looking for a sweep. Not yet Karelin, not yet.
Karelin has a closed guard, preventing Volchenkov from standing up.
Karelin wants to sweep here but Volchenkov controlling him for the moment.
Karelin on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Karelin tries to get out of the position.
Volchenkov wants to get up but he can't break Karelin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Volchenkov wants to control from the top but Karelin keeps moving.
Karelin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Volchenkov misses with a head kick.

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.
Volchenkov looks for the body kick but Karelin saw that one coming.
Karelin misses with a takedown attempt
and Volchenkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A left and a right from Volchenkov both land. Nice combination.
Volchenkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Karelin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Karelin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Volchenkov.
Karelin scores with a hook.

Karelin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Volchenkov!
Volchenkov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Karelin thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Volchenkov to regain full guard.
Karelin trying to control the position from guard on top but Volchenkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karelin postures up.
Volchenkov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volchenkov trying to control the position.
Karelin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Karelin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Volchenkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Volchenkov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Karelin with a lazy takedown attempt
and Volchenkov counters with a series of strikes. Karelin will be more careful next time no doubt.

Karelin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Karelin showed some decent athleticism there.
Karelin is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Volchenkov is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Karelin.
Volchenkov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Karelin is keen to just control but Volchenkov is a slippery customer.
Karelin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Volchenkov defending well though.
Karelin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Karelin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Volchenkov keeps working.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Karelin avoids the head kick by Volchenkov.
Vladmir Volchenkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Volchenkov misses with a body kick.

Karelin looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Volchenkov is not content to let Karelin control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladmir Volchenkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Volchenkov 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladmir Volchenkov!