PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Sexton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roman Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Roman Volkov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sexton
vs
Volkov

171 cm
22
279 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

188 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Christopher Sexton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roman Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Volkov is defended easily by Sexton.
A head kick misses from Volkov.
Sexton moves in looking to clinch but Volkov pushes him off.
Volkov misses with a low kick.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Volkov as he avoids it easily.
Sexton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Volkov circles away.
Volkov fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sexton is defended easily by Volkov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christopher Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov moves out of range as Sexton throws a body kick.
Volkov avoids the head kick by Sexton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sexton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Volkov misses with a wild combination.
Sexton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Volkov pinned against the cage. Volkov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Volkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A right-left combo lands from Sexton.

It looks like Roman Volkov has been cut.

Volkov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sexton napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Volkov is trying to get an arm triangle but Sexton is defending well.
Sexton defending against the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Volkov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sexton has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Volkov but great work by Sexton.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Volkov is looking to reverse the position.

Sexton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Volkov, who protects the arm well.
Volkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Volkov is trying to escape the position but Sexton is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Sexton's best efforts.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sexton in particular looking to stall.
Volkov wants to control but Sexton is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sexton could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Sexton stands up and beckons Volkov to join him on the feet.
Volkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sexton sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Volkov somewhat.
Volkov looks winded!
Volkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sexton is fending him off so far but Volkov persists. Nope, Sexton circles away and we're back to standing.

Sexton closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sexton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Volkov manages to pull guard.

Volkov has an active guard here but Sexton has managed to pass into half guard.

Sexton seems to be looking for submissions.
Sexton looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Volkov tries to kick Sexton off but Sexton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Christopher Sexton will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roman Volkov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Volkov.
Sexton tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Volkov defends well and Sexton ends up having to push Volkov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Volkov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Volkov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Christopher Sexton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Volkov.
Sexton slows down the pace here.
A frustrated look appears on Volkov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Volkov breaks from the clinch.

Sexton instigates a clinch.
Sexton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Volkov smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Volkov as he jumps to the side.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sexton looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Sexton lands a nice hook to Volkov's body. Volkov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sexton leaves Volkov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Volkov is breathing heavily.
Volkov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sexton defends well and Volkov ends up having to push Sexton into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Volkov jumps guard but Sexton stands there with Volkov around his waist. Volkov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sexton tries to break free but Volkov pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov wants a takedown but no success here.
Sexton wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Volkov has him pressed against the cage.
Volkov misses with a knee strike.

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

Sexton working for a triangle but Volkov defends it easily.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Sexton keeps moving.
Sexton looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sexton is keeping the position for now.
Volkov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sexton is proving hard to escape from.
Volkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sexton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Volkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sexton looking to control.
Volkov postures up in Sexton's guard and throws a big left but Sexton blocks it.
Volkov trying to control but Sexton is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Volkov but Volkov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sexton slips under a jab.
Sexton fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Sexton.

Sexton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Volkov, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Volkov is trying to drag Sexton to the mat but Sexton just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Volkov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Christopher Sexton will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roman Volkov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Sexton slaps away a takedown attempt from Volkov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Volkov tries to clinch
and Sexton counters with a stiff right hand.
Sexton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Volkov misses with a body kick.
A head kick misses from Volkov.
Volkov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sexton shoots in and drives through. Volkov sprawls well.
Sexton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Volkov is fending him off so far but Sexton persists. Nope, Volkov circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christopher Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Volkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sexton's waist but Sexton gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Volkov off to one side.
Volkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sexton sizes up Volkov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sexton shoots in looking for a takedown but Volkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sexton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Volkov throws a sloppy head kick and Sexton moves out of range easily.
Sexton doesn't manage to clinch there - Volkov circles away.
Volkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sexton sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Volkov somewhat.
Sexton digs a good hook to Volkov's body.
Volkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Volkov avoids the head kick by Sexton.
Sexton fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton shoots in but Volkov avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Sexton closes the distance and clinches.

Sexton has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Volkov uses from the top position.

Sexton has his feet on Volkov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Volkov clinches.
Volkov looking for a takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sexton has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Volkov stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is trying to pull guard but Sexton turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Volkov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sexton is trying to break free.
Sexton has Volkov pressed against the cage.

Volkov manages to break the clinch.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown but Sexton shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Horrible takedown by Sexton or perhaps it was just good defense by Volkov which made him look bad.

Sexton gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Volkov tries to pull guard but Sexton holds him up against the cage and eventually Volkov drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sexton just stands there and leans against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Sexton.
Sexton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Volkov smiles and moves away.
Sexton shoots in but no luck this time.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Volkov as he avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Volkov drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Sexton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Roman Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Christopher Sexton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Volkov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sexton looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sexton looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sexton!

And that's the end of the fight!
Christopher Sexton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sexton, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christopher Sexton!