PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Bernie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bernie
vs
Volkov

180 cm
24
224 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

176 cm
25
174 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Revolution Fatigues

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bryan Bernie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nikolai Volkov!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Robert Douchet and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good work by Volkov as he checks the leg kick.

Bernie fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Volkov sprawls well initially but Bernie persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bernie throwing shots but Volkov is blocking nicely.
Volkov is staying active underneath Bernie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bernie throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bernie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Volkov is refusing to be controlled, as Bernie sits in half guard.
Volkov moves into full guard.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Bernie from controlling successfully.
Bernie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Volkov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Volkov wants to sweep here but Bernie controlling him for the moment.
Bernie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bernie wants to control from the top but Volkov keeps moving.
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.
Bernie scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bernie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bernie trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Bernie distracts Volkov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Volkov wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bernie manages to get himself to full guard.

Bernie has his foot on Volkov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Volkov works his way back into a safe position though.
Volkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Bernie is retaining full guard.
Volkov trying to control but Bernie is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bernie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Volkov is aware though and is defending well.
Bernie looking for a sweep. Not yet Bernie, not yet.
Bernie is working hard here to advance position.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bernie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Volkov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bernie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Volkov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Bernie is looking to improve his position.
Volkov wants to take a breather but Bernie is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bernie is trying to get back to full guard.
Volkov trying to pass the guard but Bernie defending well.
Volkov wants to take a breather but Bernie is having none of it.

Bernie actively working from the bottom here.
Volkov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Volkov in particular looking to stall.
Bernie manages to get to full guard.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Bernie keeps moving.
Volkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bernie is keeping the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bernie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Volkov defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Bernie dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bernie thows a leg kick but Volkov checks it
and Volkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Volkov checks a low kick from Bernie.

Bernie closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Bernie misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Bernie throws a strike aimed at the side of Volkov's head but Volkov avoids it well.
Bernie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Volkov keeps working.
The ground and pound from Bernie seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Volkov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Volkov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Volkov tries to get to full guard but Bernie has control of the leg.
Bernie is thwarting Volkov's attempts to control the position.
Bernie trying to pass the guard but Volkov defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bernie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bernie prevents Volkov from improving his position.
Bryan Bernie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bernie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Volkov keeps working.

Volkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bernie pulls his head out easily.
Bernie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Volkov defending well though.
Volkov is looking for a sweep. Bernie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bernie scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Volkov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bernie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernie thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Volkov's head.
Bernie working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Volkov's thigh. Volkov counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Bernie looking to pass the guard.
Volkov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bernie won't allow Volkov to sweep him here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bernie looking to pass the guard.
Volkov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bernie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bernie!
Volkov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Bernie can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Bernie is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Volkov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Volkov with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bernie is trying desperately to improve position.
Volkov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Bernie hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernie is desperately trying to improve his position but Volkov has a good base and remains in mount.
Volkov lands with some strikes.
Volkov working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Volkov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Bernie looks a forlorn figure.
Bernie keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Volkov landing punches.
Volkov landing punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bernie tries to reverse the position but Volkov maintains control.
Volkov controlling the position easily from mount.
Volkov is landing with some decent strikes but Bernie is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Volkov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Bernie counters with a single leg into guard. Volkov didn't expect that.
Bernie looking to sit in guard and control but Volkov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Volkov 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.
Bernie wants to sweep here but Volkov controlling him for the moment.
Volkov lands a couple of elbows.
Bernie 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.
Volkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov won't allow Bernie to sweep him here.

Bernie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Volkov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bernie's guard.
Bernie wants to get back to full guard.
Bernie is staying active underneath Volkov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Bernie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bernie gets full guard.
Volkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Bernie is retaining full guard.
Volkov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bernie manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Bernie from controlling successfully.
Bernie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bernie preventing the sweep.
Bernie wants to control from the top but Volkov keeps moving.
Volkov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bernie!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Volkov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bernie is looking to escape.
Bernie regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bernie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Volkov pulls his head out easily.
Volkov is keen to just control but Bernie is a slippery customer.

Bernie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Volkov wants to control but Bernie is keeping him busy.
Volkov not doing much here.
Bernie tries to roll over but Volkov keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Bernie takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Bernie working to try and regain half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Volkov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Volkov with good strikes from the mount here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Nikolai Volkov just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Volkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bernie as he avoids it easily.

Volkov tries to sprawl but Bernie drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Bernie is looking to advance position but Volkov won't allow it.
Volkov trying to control here.
Volkov is looking for a sweep. Bernie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Volkov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bernie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bernie wants to pass the guard but Volkov is keeping the position.

Volkov is looking for a triangle here but Bernie uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov is not content to let Bernie control the position.
Bernie working away.
Bernie trying to control the position but Volkov is working away.
Volkov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Volkov is looking for a sweep. Bernie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Volkov looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Bernie pushes past his half guard into mount!
Volkov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bernie lands a big shot there that rocks Volkov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernie wants to control the pace but Volkov is squirming around nicely.
Volkov is in a horrible position here. Bernie smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Volkov is bucking up trying to escape but Bernie cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Bernie lands with some strikes.
Bernie with good strikes from the mount here!
Volkov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Bernie with a couple of short strikes.
Bernie with the ground and pound from mount.
Bernie in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Volkov is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bernie cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bernie lands a heavy elbow.

Volkov is rocked!
Volkov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Volkov is still in real trouble! Can Bernie finish him?
Volkov is looking to improve his position but Bernie isn't that keen on the idea.
Volkov seems to have recovered his senses.
Bernie postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Volkov looks a forlorn figure.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bernie landing strikes from the mount and Volkov is in trouble!
Volkov is bucking up trying to escape but Bernie cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Volkov is trying to escape the mount.
Bernie tries to control but Volkov wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bernie trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Volkov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Bernie breaks from Volkov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Volkov is looking to get to half guard.
Bernie unloading with bombs!
A nice elbow there by Bernie.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bernie controlling the pace for now.
Bernie postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Volkov looks a forlorn figure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Bernie had his way with Nikolai Volkov in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Volkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bernie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Volkov.
Bernie throws a wild body kick that Volkov sees coming a mile off.
Volkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bernie moves away.

Volkov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Bernie is not content to let Volkov control the position.
Volkov wants to take a breather but Bernie manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Volkov.
Bernie keeping moving, preventing Volkov from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bernie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Volkov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Volkov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bernie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bernie wants to sweep but no luck.
Bernie wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Volkov advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bernie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Volkov.
Bernie trying to hold on to Volkov's head to control him but Volkov postures up.
Bernie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Bernie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Volkov is working away from the top position though.

Bernie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Volkov pulls his head out easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bernie tries to get to full guard but Volkov has control of the leg.
Bernie is looking to control Volkov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bernie avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Bernie reverses the position - he's now on top in Volkov's guard.
Volkov keeping full guard, as Bernie tries to pass.
Volkov wants to sweep but no luck.
Bernie throws a strike but Volkov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Volkov works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bernie is pressing down on Volkov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Volkov 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.
Volkov postures up.
Volkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bernie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Volkov looking to sit in guard and control but Bernie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bernie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Volkov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bernie passes Volkov's left leg - he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nikolai Volkov.
I think Volkov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 47:48
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Nikolai Volkov! Nikolai Volkov retains his super heavyweight title!
Nikolai Volkov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.