PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Danny Barns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Volkov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by From Russia with Love. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Barns
vs
Volkov

177 cm
21
176 lbs
13 - 4 - 1

182 cm
28
181 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Powerful

GREEN!160

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Danny Barns!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ivan Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov closes the distance and clinches up with Barns, looking for a takedown. Volkov pushes Barns against the cage but Barns circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Barns. No joy for Volkov on that attempt.
Barns swings for the body but Volkov moves out of range.
Volkov misses with a takedown attempt

and Barns counters with a nice double leg into side control. Volkov won't be happy with that.
Danny Barns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Volkov.
Volkov is looking for a sweep.
Volkov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Barns.
Volkov manages to get back to half guard.
Barns sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Volkov defending well though.
Barns trying to pass the guard but Volkov defending well.
Barns thows a huge punch but Volkov dodges it nicely.

Volkov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Volkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barns pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volkov wants to improve his position but Barns is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Barns is looking for a kimura but Volkov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Barns to get the leverage.
Barns not doing much here.
Barns is nestled in close to Volkov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Barns working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Volkov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Volkov actively working from the bottom here.
Barns looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barns moves into full mount! Volkov won't be happy about that!
Barns can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Volkov is looking to escape.
Volkov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Barns takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Volkov wants to control but Barns is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barns tries to control but Volkov wriggling away.
Barns prevents Volkov from getting the reversal.
Barns raining down hammerfists from mount.
Volkov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Volkov trying to control here.
Volkov is staying active underneath Barns, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ground and pound from Barns.
Volkov is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Barns jumps into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Volkov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Barns sees it coming and defends easily.

Volkov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barns is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Volkov seems to be working for a kimura but Barns defends the submission attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Volkov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Barns is just riding it out for now. Volkov eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Barns dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Volkov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Barns looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Volkov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Barns, who protects the arm well.
Barns struggling a bit here.

Volkov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Barns has escaped the position, nice work there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barns can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Barns has escaped the position, nice work there.
Barns is looking to regain half guard here but Volkov keeps moving and retains side control.
Volkov looking to control but instead Barns has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Volkov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Barns does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Barns is defending against the submission attempts here by Volkov.
Barns trying to hold on to Volkov's head to control him but Volkov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Barns controlling the position well.
Barns is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Volkov is trying to work for a kimura but Barns is defending well.
My spies in Silverback MMA Academy (Elite + Sauna & 160VM) inform me that Volkov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Barns trying to control here.
Volkov is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barns not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barns is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Barns keeping full guard, as Volkov tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Barns looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Volkov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Barns decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Volkov's guard.
Danny Barns overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barns trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Barns's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Volkov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Barns's guard.

Barns pulls Volkov in close to his closed guard and prevents Volkov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Volkov wants to pass the guard but Barns is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barns looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Volkov looking to pass the guard.
Barns keeping moving, preventing Volkov from controlling successfully.
Volkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Barns is retaining full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barns is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Volkov passes Barns's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Volkov dives in for a single leg takedown but Barns sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Barns lands a left hand that snaps the head of Volkov backwards.

It looks like Ivan Volkov has been cut.
Volkov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Volkov has Barns pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Barns manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Danny Barns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Volkov.
Volkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Barns prevents it.
Volkov fails to pull guard.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Barns gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Volkov regains guard.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Barns from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Volkov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Barns keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Volkov's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barns is aware though and is defending well.

Volkov looking for a guillotine here but Barns defends easily.
Volkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barns trying to control the position from guard on top but Volkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Volkov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Volkov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barns is aware though and is defending well.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Barns from controlling successfully.
Barns is really struggling to control Volkov but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Volkov looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Barns has picked Volkov up and slammed him! Volkov can't keep hold of the triangle and Barns manages to pass to side control!
Volkov prevents Barns from moving into mount.
Barns landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Barns cracks Volkov with a big right hand but Volkov just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Barns content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Barns works to advance to full mount. Volkov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Barns connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Barns is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Volkov is surviving well by controlling Barns's body position as best he can.
Barns scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Barns is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Volkov can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to hold on but Barns postures up.
Barns can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Volkov is looking to escape.

Barns is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Volkov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Barns with good strikes from the mount here!
Barns lands a big shot there that rocks Volkov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Volkov is squirming around, avoiding Barns's attempts to control the action.
Volkov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barns lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Volkov is looking to improve his position but Barns isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Volkov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Barns.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Barns clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Volkov'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.

Volkov with a lazy takedown attempt

so Barns counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Volkov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Barns controls the pace.
Barns sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Volkov's guard.
Barns lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Volkov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Volkov tries to roll over but Barns keeps him under control.
Volkov moves into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Volkov working for submissions but it's allowed Barns to get to half guard.
Barns working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barns winds up and cracks Volkov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Barns trying to control from half guard but Volkov is working away.

Barns seems to be looking for submissions.
Barns landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Volkov wants to improve his position but Barns is controlling well.
Barns scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Volkov looking for submissions off his back.
Volkov wants to get back to full guard.
Barns is nestled in close to Volkov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Barns lands with a punch from half guard.

Barns is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Volkov is just riding it out for now. Barns eventually gives up the hold.
Barns lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is looking to improve his position.

Barns is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Volkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barns pulls his head out easily.

Volkov looking for submissions off his back.

Barns is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Volkov defends it well.

Volkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barns pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Barns wants to work for an arm triangle but Volkov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Volkov is trying to get back to full guard.

Volkov actively working from the bottom here.
Volkov has hold of Barns's hands but Barns slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Volkov is defending against the submission attempts here by Barns.
Volkov is looking for a sweep. Barns is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Barns had his way with Ivan Volkov in that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Volkov'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. This is the final round!

Barns misses with a wild body shot.
Barns stuffs the takedown.
Volkov fails to land the takedown.
Barns scores with a hook to the body. Volkov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Volkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Barns pinned against the cage. Barns gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Danny Barns has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Volkov.
Barns loads up on a big right hand but Volkov slips the punch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Volkov.
Volkov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Barns finds it's way round the side to connect with Volkov's head.

Barns throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Volkov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Barns is in Volkov's guard.
Volkov wants to sweep here but Barns controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Volkov is on top in guard.

Volkov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Barns looking for a sweep. Not yet Barns, not yet.
Volkov looking to pass the guard.
Volkov pushing down on Barns's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Volkov is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Barns as he works his way to full guard.

Barns is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Volkov is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Barns is retaining full guard.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Barns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barns working a defensive guard here.

Volkov drops back looking for a leg! Barns is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Barns manages to kick Volkov off! Volkov jumps back into Barns's guard.
Volkov passes Barns's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barns is looking to control Volkov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Barns avoid being mounted?

Volkov seems to be working for a kimura but Barns defends the submission attempt.

Volkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Volkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Barns moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Volkov is looking to pass into half guard but Barns pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Barns is in guard.

Barns working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Volkov's head.
Volkov wants to sweep but no luck.
Barns 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 is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barns distracts Volkov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ivan Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Volkov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Barns passes into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Danny Barns showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Barns 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 49:46
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 49:46
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Danny Barns!
Danny Barns is the new welterweight champion!
Danny Barns bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.