PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Mstislav Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wedge Xiii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruslan Mstislav Volkov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mstislav Volkov
vs
Xiii

171 cm
28
157 lbs
16 - 6 - 1

170 cm
37
158 lbs
34 - 24 - 4

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ruslan Mstislav Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 24 - 4, fighting out of Hilo, Wedge Xiii!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Colin Fray and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Xiii in his tracks.
Volkov throws an overhand right that lands on Xiii's shoulder, as Xiii tries to avoid the shot.
Nice straight punches there by Volkov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Volkov.
Volkov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Xiii sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Volkov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Xiii throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Volkov is looking to counter with a body kick.
Volkov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Xiii throws a sloppy head kick and Volkov moves out of range easily.
Volkov is looking to land body kicks.
Volkov throws an off balance right hand
and Xiii counters with a low kick, right behind Volkov 's knee.
Volkov defending well as Xiii loads up on a big left hand.
Volkov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov throws a lazy right hand but Xiii sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Xiii moves out of range as Volkov strikes.
Xiii steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Volkov misses with a body shot
and Xiii counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Xiii throws out a leg kick but Volkov moves out of range and Xiii only half commits.
Volkov throws a body punch but Xiii moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov tries to score with a low kick but Xiii moves his leg out of the way.
Xiii is trying to counter with his kicks.
Volkov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Xiii on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Xiii throws a push kick but Volkov slaps the foot to one side.
Xiii feints and then cracks Volkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Volkov down.
Nice jab there from Xiii.
Volkov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Xiii ducks under a wild hook from Volkov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Volkov. Xiii does a little dance to reset his feet.
Volkov ducks under a wild hook from Xiii.
Volkov throws the left hand but Xiii avoids the punch easily.
Volkov backing away here, and Xiii unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Volkov throws a right hand that misses
letting Xiii counter with a right hand.
Xiii feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Volkov's calf.
Nice jab there from Volkov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xiii throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xiii tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Xiii stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ruslan Mstislav Volkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Xiii shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Volkov defends it nicely.
Volkov misses with a leg kick
and Xiii counters with a thumping low kick.
Xiii takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Xiii avoids the head kick by Volkov.
Xiii checks the leg kick nicely there.
Volkov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Volkov gets caught flat footed, as Xiii shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Xiii showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiii trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Xiii postures up in Volkov's guard and throws a big left but Volkov blocks it.
Volkov pulls Xiii in to control the position.
Xiii in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Volkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Xiii has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Xiii throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Xiii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Volkov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
An attempted straight right counter from Volkov misses the target.
Xiii lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiii checks the leg kick nicely there.
Volkov slips under a jab from Xiii.
A jab from Volkov misses.
Ruslan Mstislav Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xiii avoids the head kick by Volkov.
Xiii throws a head kick but Volkov moves out of range.
Xiii dodges the punch combination from Volkov.
Xiii throws a poor cross that misses
and Volkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Volkov tries to bum rush Xiii with a series of wild strikes but Xiii uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Xiii throws a nice inside leg kick.
Volkov scores with a nice body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xiii moves away.
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 Ruslan Mstislav Volkov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Xiii blocks the body kick.
Xiii misses with a head kick.
Xiii tries to score with a low kick but Volkov moves his leg out of the way.
Volkov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Volkov throws a head kick but Xiii moves out of range.
Volkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xiii was well out of range. Poor timing from Volkov.
Xiii fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Volkov.

Xiii bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ground and pound from Xiii seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov is trying to control Xiii's posture but Xiii avoids it.
Volkov tries to buck Xiii off but Xiii is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Check out the look on Xiii's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Xiii is working Volkov over with some ground and pound from side control.
Xiii throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Xiii wants to control but Volkov is keeping him busy.
Xiii lands a few punches from side control.
Volkov struggling a bit here.
Volkov is looking for a sweep.
Xiii is looking to take a break and control but Volkov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov struggling a bit here.
Volkov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Xiii wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Volkov is working hard here to advance position.
Xiii throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Volkov dodges the ground and pound from Xiii.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Xiii are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Volkov tries to improve position but can't.
Xiii trying to control the position but Volkov is working away.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Volkov slips a jab from Xiii.
Volkov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Xiii.
Volkov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Volkov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Volkov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Xiii. That did some damage!
Volkov tries to score with a low kick but Xiii moves his leg out of the way.
Xiii misses with a lunging right hand
and Volkov counters with a solid body kick.
Xiii moves out of range of the body kick from Volkov.
Volkov misses the jab.
Xiii throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiii looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Xiii avoids the body shot from Volkov.
Volkov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xiii manages to avoid it.
A slow jab from Volkov misses its intended target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xiii uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Volkov.
Volkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Xiii is just out of range.
Xiii blocks a jab.
Xiii scores with a head kick.
Xiii lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Volkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Volkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xiii moves away.
Volkov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Xiii avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Wedge Xiii will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Volkov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Xiii doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Volkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xiii bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Volkov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Xiii lands a glancing blow to the side of Volkov's head.
Volkov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Xiii's head.
A shot to the liver by Xiii. Beautiful body shot.
Xiii throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov misses with a hook
and Xiii counters with an outside leg kick.
Volkov loads up on a big right hand but Xiii slips the punch.
A nice side step and Xiii releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Xiii throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Volkov throws an overhand right that lands on Xiii's shoulder, as Xiii tries to avoid the shot.
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 looks to throw the jab but Xiii is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiii takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Xiii staying out of range there.
Xiii throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Volkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Volkov drops his hands momentarily and Xiii takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Volkov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Xiii works Volkov's body with a nice hook.
Ruslan Mstislav Volkov is winning the standup battle so far.
Volkov misses with a leg kick.
Volkov misses the shot to the body.
Volkov throws a hook but Xiii blocks it.
And Xiii responds with a good body kick, but Volkov manages to step out the way in time.
Volkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xiii moves away.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses.
Xiii misses with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov throws a low kick but Xiii avoids it.
A little jabbing left from Xiii on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Volkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xiii swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A swing and a miss from Volkov.
Xiii throws the left hand but Volkov avoids the punch easily.
Xiii looks to score with a jab to the body but Volkov is just out of range.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xiii throws a hook to the side of Volkov's head but Volkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Xiii chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Volkov can pounce on him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Xiii moves out of range of the body kick from Volkov.
Xiii moves away from the strike by Volkov.
Xiii throws a big shot that misses.
Xiii avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov throws a hook but Xiii blocks it.
Xiii swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Xiii defending well as Volkov loads up on a big left hand.
Volkov takes a swing at Xiii's ribcage but misses.
Xiii uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Volkov.
Volkov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Xiii darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Volkov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Xiii looking for a sweep. Not yet Xiii, not yet.
Xiii looking to control.
Xiii pulls Volkov in close to his closed guard and prevents Volkov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Xiii keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov preventing the sweep.
Xiii has his hands on Volkov's head, controlling the position.
Xiii looking to hit a scissor sweep but Volkov is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Xiii connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Volkov momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruslan Mstislav Volkov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Volkov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Wedge Xiii!
A victorious Wedge Xiii thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.