PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gus Stein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Volkov has chosen Hindabuilding 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.

Stein
vs
Volkov

179 cm
18
278 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
265 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Likes musicals

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Gus Stein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Volkov!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danga de danga de dang - Volkov scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Gus Stein has been cut.
Volkov stuffs the takedown.
Stein really is a fat lump.
Sloppy strikes from Volkov. Those never looked like landing.
Volkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Alexander Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stein moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Stein instigates a clinch.
Stein just leaning against Volkov, taking a breather.
Stein looking to throw knees to the head but Volkov is blocking nicely.
Volkov wants a takedown but no success here.
Volkov is trying to push Stein away but Stein has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Volkov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Volkov is trying to break the clinch but Stein has him pressed against the cage.
Volkov tries to land knees in the clinch but Stein avoids the damage to the body.
Volkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gus Stein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Volkov.

Stein manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Volkov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Stein is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Volkov, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov is trying to control the position but Stein postures up.

Volkov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Stein has passed into half guard!
Stein looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Volkov is trying to get back to full guard.
Stein lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Volkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stein pulls his head out easily.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stein connects with a nice short shot to Volkov's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stein keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Volkov has hold of Stein's hands but Stein slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stein wants to lay and pray for a moment but Volkov keeps working.
Volkov wants to improve his position but Stein is controlling well.

Volkov looking for submissions off his back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stein sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Volkov manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stein tries to free his leg and advance position but Volkov is retaining full guard.

Volkov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Stein passes into half guard.
Volkov trying to get back to full guard but Stein takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Stein avoids the attempt from Volkov to control.
Stein lands a big shot there that rocks Volkov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Volkov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Stein.
Stein trying to control but Volkov is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stein lands a couple of good shots and Volkov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Stein is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Volkov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Stein connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Volkov to escape the position.
Volkov breaks Stein's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
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!
Stein not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stein wants to sweep but no luck.
Stein might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Stein is breathing heavily.
Volkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Stein is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gus Stein dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gus Stein's cut.
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.

Good exchange - Volkov coming out on top.
Volkov with a nice cross.
Volkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stein's waist but Stein gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Volkov off to one side.
Volkov scores with a one two! Stein had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Volkov darts in looking for a takedown but Stein gets double underhooks and turns Volkov into the cage.
Stein has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Volkov after a bit of a struggle.
Stein is trying to pull guard but Volkov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Volkov working hard to break the clinch.
Volkov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stein misses with a knee to the head.

Stein pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Volkov with that takedown attempt.
Gus Stein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Volkov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice sprawl there from Stein as Volkov shoots in.
Stein takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Volkov tries to bum rush Stein with a series of wild strikes but Stein uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Volkov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stein is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Volkov.

Stein gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Volkov wants to break free but Stein has control.
Stein can't get the takedown.
Stein working Volkov over with knees to the body.

Stein jumps guard and drags Volkov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Volkov drops back looking for a leg! Stein is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stein manages to kick Volkov off! Volkov jumps back into Stein's guard.
Stein lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Volkov!
Volkov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stein can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Volkov is looking to escape.
Volkov working to try and regain half guard.
Stein blocks Volkov's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Volkov tries to improve his position but instead Stein has taken his back!
Stein tries to keep control of the position but Volkov is staying busy.
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 tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Volkov is looking to get to half guard.
Volkov is still trying to improve position.
Gus Stein overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is just holding on here. Stein manages to take his back.
Volkov turns into Stein and is now in his guard.
Stein not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Stein is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stein looking to control.
Volkov trying to control but Stein is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Volkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stein pulls Volkov in close to his closed guard and prevents Volkov from doing any damage or advancing position.

We're going to have a standup here because Gus Stein wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Stein shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Volkov as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stein gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Volkov tries a body shot but Stein blocks it.
Stein tries to stall but Volkov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Volkov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Volkov tries to score a body lock takedown but Stein shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Stein escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Volkov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stein swinging wildly here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Volkov fails with the takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Volkov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Volkov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Stein eats them both and turns towards Volkov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Gus Stein's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Volkov looks to land a combination. Stein sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Stein misses with a body shot.
Stein fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stein tries to score a power double leg takedown but Volkov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stein somewhat.
Stein looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Volkov is fending him off so far but Stein persists. Nope, Volkov circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gus Stein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Volkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Volkov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Volkov. No joy for Stein on that attempt.
Alexander Volkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Volkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Stein gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stein manages to break the clinch.
Stein slaps away a takedown attempt from Volkov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Volkov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Volkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Stein doesn't manage to clinch there - Volkov circles away.
Volkov throws a series of punches but Stein moves out of range.
Volkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stein pinned against the cage. Stein gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stein shoots in looking for a takedown. Volkov tries to sprawl out of it but Stein keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Volkov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Volkov tries a low kick but Stein avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov throws a combination. Stein tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Stein fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stein moves in looking to clinch but Volkov pushes him off.
Stein on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Volkov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Volkov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Volkov throws a head punch that misses.
Volkov is trying to force a seperation but Stein has the dominant position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Volkov tries to break the clinch but Stein is controlling the position.
Volkov is looking for a takedown.
Volkov is trying to break free.
Stein gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Stein.
Volkov wants a takedown but no success here.

Stein breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stein fails to land the takedown.
Volkov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stein backs up against the cage.
Stein takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Volkov throws a series of punches but Stein avoids them all with ease.
Stein shoots in looking for a takedown but Volkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stein's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stein fails with a takedown attempt.
Volkov wants to slow Stein down by chopping away at his legs.
Volkov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stein moves into the clinch.

Stein breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Stein dives in for a single leg takedown but Volkov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Stein jumps guard but Volkov stands there with Stein around his waist. Stein gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stein keeps control of Volkov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Volkov wants to take the fight to the mat but Stein manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Volkov has had enough of the clinch but Stein keeps him there for the moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stein has Volkov pressed against the cage, preventing Volkov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stein scores with a shot to the side of Volkov's head.
Stein stalling in the clinch.

Stein gets control of Volkov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Stein will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Stein keeping full guard, as Volkov tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Volkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Volkov!
A very excited looking Alexander Volkov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.