PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Madridge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Volkov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Carl Madridge's chin.

Volkov
vs
Madridge

176 cm
19
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, John Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Carl Madridge!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Winston Alpacca and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov looks for a takedown but Madridge sprawls well.
Volkov darts in looking for a takedown but Madridge gets double underhooks and turns Volkov into the cage.
Volkov lands a body punch in the clinch.

Madridge jumps into guard, dragging Volkov to the mat.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Madridge working a defensive guard here.
Volkov won't allow Madridge to sweep him here.
Madridge is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Volkov is controlling him.
Volkov trying to control but Madridge is working from the bottom.
Volkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Madridge works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Volkov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Volkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Madridge is retaining full guard.
Madridge tries to strike from the bottom.
Madridge is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Madridge is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Madridge pushes Volkov off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Volkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Madridge shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Volkov's guard.
Madridge looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Volkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Madridge is one step ahead there.
Madridge pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Volkov is keeping the position for now.

Volkov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Volkov has his foot on Madridge's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Madridge works his way back into a safe position though.
Madridge controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Madridge from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Madridge controls the pace.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Madridge stopping the sweep attempt from Volkov.
Madridge is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Madridge trying to control the position from guard on top but Volkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Carl Madridge has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Volkov scores with a jab to the body.
Volkov seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

Madridge shoots in and gets a takedown into Volkov's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Volkov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Madridge gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Volkov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Madridge.
Madridge must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Volkov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Madridge from controlling successfully.

Volkov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Madridge wants to control from the top but Volkov keeps moving.
Volkov wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Carl Madridge will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Madridge.
Volkov is looking for a sweep.
Volkov is working hard here to advance position.
Madridge in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volkov tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Volkov prevents Madridge from moving into mount.
Volkov is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madridge controls the position from side control.
Volkov is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Madridge is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Madridge landing punches.
Madridge with the ground and pound from mount.
Volkov taking shots to the head.
Volkov working to try and regain half guard.
Carl Madridge has got the better of the ground game so far.
Madridge scoring with strikes but Volkov is staying in there.
Volkov is looking to get to half guard.
Madridge controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Madridge trying to control the pace.
Volkov is looking for a sweep. Madridge is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Madridge is keen to just control but Volkov is a slippery customer.
Volkov trying to control but Madridge postures up.
Volkov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Volkov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov looking to control but Madridge is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Madridge wants to hold on but Volkov pushes him away.
Madridge sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Madridge trying to control from the bottom.
Volkov wants to free his trapped foot but Madridge is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Madridge is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov wants to take a breather but Madridge is having none of it.
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. Volkov connects with a nice short shot to Madridge's temple.

Volkov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Madridge has managed to free his arm - good work.
Madridge trying to hold on to Volkov's head to control him but Volkov postures up.

Madridge looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Volkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Madridge's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Carl Madridge will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Madridge gets the takedown into side control.
Madridge controls the position.
Madridge working away.
Madridge wants to control but Volkov is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Volkov's face as Madridge controls the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Volkov is trying to get back to half guard.
Madridge takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Madridge tries to move to full mount but Volkov actually manages to regain half guard.

Madridge wants to work for an arm triangle but Volkov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
John Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madridge throwing shots but Volkov is blocking nicely.
Volkov is trying to control but can't.
Volkov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Madridge.
Madridge is thwarting Volkov's attempts to control the position.
Madridge slows the pace down in half guard.
Volkov wants to control but Madridge is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Volkov gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Volkov working for a triangle but Madridge defends it easily.

Volkov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Volkov being controlled here, momentarily.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Madridge from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov striking off his back.
Volkov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Volkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Volkov, not yet.
Madridge is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Carl Madridge hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Madridge looks to land a body kick but Volkov moved away.

Madridge feints and as Volkov raises his hands in defense, Madridge changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Volkov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Madridge controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Madridge throws a big right hand that misses.
Madridge stopping the sweep attempt from Volkov.
Madridge showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Volkov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Madridge wants to control from the top but Volkov keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carl Madridge comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Madridge winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 28:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carl Madridge!