PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pernell Whitaker Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Mstislav Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Whitaker Jr
vs
Mstislav Volkov

177 cm
27
167 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

171 cm
26
157 lbs
13 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pernell Whitaker Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ruslan Mstislav Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Andrew Berry and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whitaker Jr misses with a low kick.
Volkov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Good shot there by Volkov.
Whitaker Jr ducks under a wild hook from Volkov.
Whitaker Jr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Volkov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Whitaker Jr bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Volkov checks a leg kick.
Volkov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Volkov throws a body kick that misses.
Whitaker Jr lands with an overhand left.
Whitaker Jr does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Pernell Whitaker Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Whitaker Jr ducks under a wild hook from Volkov.
A shot to the liver by Volkov. Beautiful body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Whitaker Jr takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Volkov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Whitaker Jr in his tracks.
Volkov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Volkov throws a hook to the side of Whitaker Jr's head but Whitaker Jr sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr lands a head shot.
Volkov throws a leg kick but Whitaker Jr sees it coming and moves out of range.
Volkov misses with a body kick.
Whitaker Jr connects with a crisp jab.
Volkov takes a swing at Whitaker Jr's ribcage but misses.
A head kick misses from Whitaker Jr.
Good work by Volkov as he checks the leg kick.
Volkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Whitaker Jr.
A good leg kick by Volkov.
Volkov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Whitaker Jr throwing a counter right hand but Volkov manages to avoid it.
Volkov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Whitaker Jr can pounce on him.
Volkov misses with a few strikes there.
Volkov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Whitaker Jr throws a looping overhand right but Volkov ducks down to avoid it.
Whitaker Jr throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Volkov's waist but Volkov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Whitaker Jr off to one side.
A slapping leg kick lands for Whitaker Jr.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Volkov throws an overhand right that lands on Whitaker Jr's shoulder, as Whitaker Jr tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr checks the leg kick nicely there.

Whitaker Jr 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. Whitaker Jr is in Volkov's guard.

Volkov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Whitaker Jr has passed into half guard!
Volkov is trying to control but can't.
Volkov tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Whitaker Jr has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Whitaker Jr has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Volkov's face.
Volkov manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Volkov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Whitaker Jr's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Whitaker Jr's back!

Volkov is looking for a rear naked choke here but Whitaker Jr reverses the position brilliantly into Volkov's guard!
Whitaker Jr's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Whitaker Jr scoring with punches to the head and body.
Volkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Whitaker Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Volkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Volkov.
Volkov trying to control the position.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Whitaker Jr from controlling successfully.

Volkov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Whitaker Jr defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov controls Whitaker Jr momentarily but Whitaker Jr frees himself.

Volkov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Whitaker Jr has passed into half guard!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pernell Whitaker Jr dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Volkov ducks under a wild hook from Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Volkov throws out the jab.
Ruslan Mstislav Volkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Whitaker Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Volkov misses with an uppercut.
Good work by Whitaker Jr as he checks the leg kick.
It looked like Whitaker Jr wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Whitaker Jr avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Whitaker Jr fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Whitaker Jr throws a sloppy head kick and Volkov moves out of range easily.
Whitaker Jr looks to land a right hand but Volkov moved out of range.
A little jabbing left from Volkov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A jab from Volkov misses.
Both fighters circling a little - Whitaker Jr finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Whitaker Jr takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses.
Volkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Volkov throws a leg kick
and Whitaker Jr connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A solid leg kick lands there for Whitaker Jr.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Whitaker Jr throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov takes one to the side of the head.
Volkov scoring well with a low kick there.
Volkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Whitaker Jr misses with a hook
letting Volkov counter with a right hand.
Whitaker Jr looks for the body kick but Volkov saw that one coming.
Volkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Whitaker Jr moves away.
Volkov tests Whitaker Jr's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Volkov throws a sloppy head kick and Whitaker Jr moves out of range easily.
Volkov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Whitaker Jr connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Volkov scrambles back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Volkov.
Volkov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Whitaker Jr throws a nice inside leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Volkov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Whitaker Jr - the referee stops the clock and Volkov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Whitaker Jr. Volkov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Whitaker Jr throws a hook to the side of Volkov's head but Volkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Volkov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Some wild striking there from Volkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Volkov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Whitaker Jr has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Whitaker Jr throws a head kick but Volkov moves out of range.
Volkov jabs Whitaker Jr right on the nose. Whitaker Jr blinks but takes it well.
A bone on bone clash there as Whitaker Jr blocks the leg kick.
Volkov misses with a left hand
and Whitaker Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Whitaker Jr throws a low kick, looking for Volkov's leg but Volkov calmly moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Volkov.
Nice defenses there by Volkov.
Volkov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Volkov takes one to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Volkov. Whitaker Jr does a little dance to reset his feet.
Volkov misses with a looping right.
Volkov misses with a body shot.
Volkov blocks a low kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr looks to land a right hand but Volkov moved out of range.
Volkov shapes to counter with a head kick.
Volkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Whitaker Jr is just out of range.
Volkov misses with a looping left.
Whitaker Jr missing with a left hand there. Volkov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A good leg kick by Whitaker Jr.
A looping hook to the body misses from Volkov. Whitaker Jr does a little dance to reset his feet.
Whitaker Jr avoids the head kick by Volkov.
No joy there for Whitaker Jr, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Volkov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Whitaker Jr.
Whitaker Jr thows a left - swing and a miss!
Good leg kick by Whitaker Jr there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Volkov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Volkov throws a sloppy head kick and Whitaker Jr moves out of range easily.
A slow jab from Whitaker Jr misses its intended target.
Volkov unleashes a big counter combination but Whitaker Jr bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Volkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Whitaker Jr.
Volkov throws a half hearted mid kick.
As Volkov backs away, Whitaker Jr returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Whitaker Jr lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Whitaker Jr misses with a body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Volkov tries to score with a low kick but Whitaker Jr moves his leg out of the way.
Whitaker Jr steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Volkov.
Volkov tries to work over Whitaker Jr's front leg with a kick but Whitaker Jr checks it.
Whitaker Jr misses with a hook.
Ruslan Mstislav Volkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Volkov throws a head kick but Whitaker Jr moves out of range.
A low kick from Volkov is predictable there
and Whitaker Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Volkov misses with a body kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Whitaker Jr.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Whitaker Jr jabs Volkov right on the nose. Volkov blinks but takes it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Whitaker Jr scores with a decent looking hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pernell Whitaker Jr dominated that second round.
That's time! Whitaker Jr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Whitaker Jr darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Volkov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Volkov is rocked!
Whitaker Jr on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Volkov is still on wobbly legs! Can Whitaker Jr finish him?
Volkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Whitaker Jr.
Volkov seems to have recovered his senses.
A slow jab from Whitaker Jr misses its intended target.
Whitaker Jr throws a shot from downtown. Volkov moves away and avoids it.
Whitaker Jr lands with a good body shot.
Volkov lands a nice shot that snaps Whitaker Jr's head back.
Whitaker Jr stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Volkov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Whitaker Jr misses with a hook.
Volkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Whitaker Jr was well out of range. Poor timing from Volkov.
Whitaker Jr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Whitaker Jr misses the jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Whitaker Jr checks a leg kick nicely.
Whitaker Jr lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Whitaker Jr.
Volkov connects with a body shot that sends Whitaker Jr's belly button to the back.
Volkov misses with an uppercut

and Whitaker Jr counters with a nice double leg into side control. Volkov won't be happy with that.
Volkov tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Whitaker Jr presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Whitaker Jr prevents Volkov from getting the reversal.

Whitaker Jr wants to finish this one by submission but Volkov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Whitaker Jr.
Volkov tries to lock up and control but Whitaker Jr gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Volkov can't escape the position.
Ruslan Mstislav Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Whitaker Jr in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkov is looking to get to half guard.
Whitaker Jr has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Volkov's face.
Volkov taking shots to the head.
Whitaker Jr fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Whitaker Jr pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Whitaker Jr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Volkov can do to turn this around?
Whitaker Jr trying to control but Volkov is having none of it.
Volkov taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Volkov is still trying to improve position.
Whitaker Jr punishing his opponent with strikes.
Volkov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Whitaker Jr with the ground and pound from mount.
Whitaker Jr loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have Volkov scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Whitaker Jr land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Whitaker Jr stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Pernell Whitaker Jr!
A relieved looking Pernell Whitaker Jr thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.