PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nik Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Moreno Cuenca's entrance music is Yo, el vaquilla. A fine choice. Nik Volkov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Jose Moreno Cuenca
vs
Volkov

165 cm
23
134 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

176 cm
25
140 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nik Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Moreno Cuenca checks a leg kick.
Volkov lands the left hand.

Moreno Cuenca closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Moreno Cuenca lands a knee to the body.
Volkov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Volkov tries to break the clinch but Moreno Cuenca is controlling the position.
Moreno Cuenca lands a right hand that snaps the head of Volkov backwards.
Volkov tries to break free but Moreno Cuenca pushes him back against the cage.
Volkov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Moreno Cuenca lands a body punch in the clinch.
Moreno Cuenca lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Volkov blocking some punches.
Volkov takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Nik Volkov has been cut.
Moreno Cuenca lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Volkov blocks an elbow strike from Moreno Cuenca.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land knees in the clinch but Volkov avoids the damage to the body.
Moreno Cuenca misses with a hook to the ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Moreno Cuenca is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Volkov is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Moreno Cuenca obliges.
Moreno Cuenca landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Moreno Cuenca lands a knee to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Moreno Cuenca.
Moreno Cuenca lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Volkov wants to break free but Moreno Cuenca has control.
Moreno Cuenca avoiding damage.
Volkov is trying to force a seperation but Moreno Cuenca has the dominant position.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Volkov avoids it.
Moreno Cuenca trying to land knees to the body.
Moreno Cuenca is stalling here.
Moreno Cuenca unloads a knee to the mid-section. Volkov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Moreno Cuenca lands a knee to the head.
Moreno Cuenca misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov letting Moreno Cuenca take a breather here.
A right hook to the body lands for Moreno Cuenca.
Moreno Cuenca can't find room to land a body shot as Volkov controls the action.
Moreno Cuenca landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Moreno Cuenca misses with an elbow over the top.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Volkov avoids it.
Moreno Cuenca lands an uppercut.
Moreno Cuenca looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Moreno Cuenca pushes Volkov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Volkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Moreno Cuenca creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Volkov's defenses.
Moreno Cuenca unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Moreno Cuenca lands a nice elbow.
Moreno Cuenca scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is trying to break the clinch but Moreno Cuenca has him pressed against the cage.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land knees in the clinch but Volkov avoids the damage to the body.
Moreno Cuenca is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Volkov is defending well for now.
A head punch on the inside from Moreno Cuenca fails to land.
Volkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Moreno Cuenca keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Volkov's efforts to push away.
Moreno Cuenca has Volkov pressed against the cage, preventing Volkov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Moreno Cuenca misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Moreno Cuenca utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Moreno Cuenca stalling.
Moreno Cuenca has Volkov pressed against the cage, preventing Volkov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Volkov wants to break free but Moreno Cuenca has control.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Moreno Cuenca creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moreno Cuenca trying to land knees to the body.
Moreno Cuenca pressing his opponent against the cage.
Volkov managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno Cuenca.
Moreno Cuenca displaying some good clinch control by pressing Volkov up against the cage.
Volkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Moreno Cuenca keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Volkov's efforts to push away.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Moreno Cuenca.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
With the fighters up against the cage, Moreno Cuenca throws an elbow but misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Moreno Cuenca.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left hand lands to the body for Moreno Cuenca.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nik Volkov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Moreno Cuenca pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Moreno Cuenca throws a chopping leg kick but Volkov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Volkov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Moreno Cuenca has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Moreno Cuenca and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Moreno Cuenca takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Volkov misses with a kick to the body.
Moreno Cuenca tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good standup being displayed there by Moreno Cuenca as he connects with a hook.
Moreno Cuenca thuds his right hand into Volkov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Moreno Cuenca throws a leg kick which misses Volkov's front leg but catches the back leg as Volkov tries to avoid it.
Volkov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Moreno Cuenca throws a chopping leg kick but Volkov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Volkov lands a two punch combo.
Volkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Moreno Cuenca moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Moreno Cuenca lands with an overhand left.
Moreno Cuenca is looking to clinch but Volkov is avoiding it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Volkov!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreno Cuenca fails with an attempt to clinch.
Volkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Moreno Cuenca is looking to clinch.

Moreno Cuenca closes the distance and clinches.

Volkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Moreno Cuenca fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Volkov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Moreno Cuenca.
Volkov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Good work by Volkov as he checks the leg kick.
Volkov throws a series of strikes that have Moreno Cuenca backpedaling.
Moreno Cuenca slips a jab and a cross from Volkov.
Volkov misses with a wild combination.
Volkov is breathing heavily.
A head kick misses from Moreno Cuenca.

Moreno Cuenca has closed the distance and engaged Volkov in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moreno Cuenca scores with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Moreno Cuenca with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Moreno Cuenca.
Volkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Moreno Cuenca throws an elbow that misses.
Moreno Cuenca landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Moreno Cuenca.
Volkov is looking to break free of the clinch but Moreno Cuenca has double underhooks.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Volkov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Moreno Cuenca throws a knee to the head but misses.
Moreno Cuenca putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Volkov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreno Cuenca lands a damaging elbow.
Volkov managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno Cuenca.
Moreno Cuenca lands a shoulder strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Volkov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Moreno Cuenca lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Moreno Cuenca misses with an elbow strike.
Volkov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Moreno Cuenca lands an elbow inside.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land knees in the clinch but Volkov avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov takes an elbow to the forehead.
Moreno Cuenca gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Volkov avoids a wild elbow strike from Moreno Cuenca.
Moreno Cuenca creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Volkov's defenses.
Moreno Cuenca lands a right hand.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Volkov avoids it.
Moreno Cuenca lands an elbow just above Volkov 's eye.
Moreno Cuenca creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Volkov's defenses.
Moreno Cuenca misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Volkov managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno Cuenca.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Volkov avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice elbow from Moreno Cuenca.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Volkov blocking some punches.
Volkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nik Volkov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Moreno Cuenca explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Moreno Cuenca on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Moreno Cuenca throws a right and a left that both miss.
Volkov throws a lazy head kick
and Moreno Cuenca counters with an inside leg kick.
Moreno Cuenca scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Moreno Cuenca takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Moreno Cuenca shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Volkov misses with a body kick.
Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca is winning the standup battle so far.

Moreno Cuenca forces Volkov back against the cage and clinches.
Volkov blocks an elbow strike.
Volkov wants to get back to striking at distance but Moreno Cuenca won't allow it.
Moreno Cuenca lands a body punch in the clinch.
Volkov is trying to break the clinch but Moreno Cuenca has him pressed against the cage.
Moreno Cuenca misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Volkov.
Moreno Cuenca is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Volkov can do to turn this around?
Moreno Cuenca is stalling here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreno Cuenca lands a knee to the head.
Volkov blocks the elbow strike.
Moreno Cuenca throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Moreno Cuenca prevents Volkov from breaking the clinch.
Moreno Cuenca lands an elbow inside.
Moreno Cuenca creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Volkov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Volkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Moreno Cuenca scores a nice knee to the body.
Moreno Cuenca using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Volkov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Volkov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Moreno Cuenca has him pressed against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Moreno Cuenca.
Moreno Cuenca misses with an elbow over the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moreno Cuenca misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Volkov.
Volkov avoids the elbow strike from Moreno Cuenca, against the cage.
Volkov tries to break the clinch but Moreno Cuenca is controlling the position.
Volkov tries to circle away but Moreno Cuenca has him pinned against the cage.
Moreno Cuenca tries a body shot but Volkov blocks it.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land knees in the clinch but Volkov avoids the damage to the body.
Moreno Cuenca lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Volkov blocks an elbow strike.
Volkov tries to circle away but Moreno Cuenca has him pinned against the cage.
Volkov wants to break free but Moreno Cuenca has control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Volkov blocks an uppercut.
Volkov wants to break free but Moreno Cuenca has control.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Moreno Cuenca.
Moreno Cuenca keeps control of Volkov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreno Cuenca lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Volkov is rocked!
Volkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Volkov is still on wobbly legs! Can Moreno Cuenca finish him?
Moreno Cuenca scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Volkov is trying to push Moreno Cuenca away but Moreno Cuenca has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Volkov managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno Cuenca.
Volkov seems to have recovered his senses.
Moreno Cuenca comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Volkov is trying to push Moreno Cuenca away but Moreno Cuenca has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Moreno Cuenca leaning against his opponent.
With the fighters up against the cage, Moreno Cuenca throws an elbow but misses.
Volkov has had enough of the clinch but Moreno Cuenca keeps him there for the moment.
Moreno Cuenca creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Volkov managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno Cuenca.
Volkov avoiding damage as Moreno Cuenca throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moreno Cuenca pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Volkov blocks an elbow strike.
Volkov tries to break the clinch but Moreno Cuenca is controlling the position.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land knees in the clinch but Volkov avoids the damage to the body.
Volkov avoiding damage as Moreno Cuenca throws knees to the body.
Volkov wants to get back to striking at distance but Moreno Cuenca won't allow it.
Moreno Cuenca lands a nice elbow.
Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Moreno Cuenca tries to land a knee to the head but Volkov blocks with his arms.
Moreno Cuenca makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Moreno Cuenca prevents Volkov from breaking the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moreno Cuenca creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Volkov's defenses.
Moreno Cuenca lands an elbow just above Volkov 's eye.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Moreno Cuenca displaying some good clinch control by pressing Volkov up against the cage.
Nik Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Volkov throws an elbow but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Moreno Cuenca has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Jose Moreno Cuenca!