PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vladmir Volchenkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonard STAM (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). STAM has chosen Tony Iommi - Grace as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Volchenkov
vs
STAM

196 cm
23
280 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

195 cm
23
270 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

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

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
STAM slips a jab and a cross from Volchenkov.
STAM shoots in but Volchenkov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
STAM shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Volchenkov defends it nicely.
Volchenkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
STAM tries to clinch there but Volchenkov circles away.
STAM takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Volchenkov stalks STAM and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into STAM's face. STAM staggers backwards, shaken.
Volchenkov misses with a few strikes there.
STAM wants to clinch up but Volchenkov keeps it at a distance.
Volchenkov tries a head kick but it misses.
STAM shoots in for a takedown but Volchenkov shows good takedown defense.
Vladmir Volchenkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leonard STAM.
Volchenkov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Volchenkov wants it to stay on the feet.

Volchenkov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming STAM to the mat! STAM manages to get full guard.
STAM looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

STAM is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Volchenkov defends well.
STAM looking for a sweep. Not yet STAM, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volchenkov trying to control the position from guard on top but STAM is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

STAM looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Volchenkov trying to control but STAM is working from the bottom.
STAM striking off his back but it's not causing Volchenkov any problems.

STAM is looking for a triangle but Volchenkov pushes his legs off easily.
Volchenkov wants to control from the top but STAM keeps moving.
STAM looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volchenkov wants to control from the top but STAM keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Volchenkov looking to pass the guard.
STAM is trying to keep Volchenkov in close.

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.
STAM keeping moving, preventing Volchenkov from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vladmir Volchenkov wasn't doing enough on the ground.

STAM closes the distance and clinches.

STAM pulls guard.
STAM keeping moving, preventing Volchenkov from controlling successfully.
Volchenkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. STAM swivels though and keeps the full guard.
STAM keeping moving, preventing Volchenkov from controlling successfully.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Volchenkov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Vladmir Volchenkov.
STAM fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
STAM moves in looking to clinch but Volchenkov pushes him off.

STAM is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Volchenkov's half guard.
Volchenkov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

STAM is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Volchenkov has managed to free his arm - good work.

STAM looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Volchenkov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for STAM on the ground.

STAM is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Volchenkov is just riding it out for now. STAM eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

STAM has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Volchenkov defend it? STAM steps over the head and cranks it - Volchenkov is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for STAM!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:16 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Leonard STAM!