PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Volchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kata Telfordio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Volchenko might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Roar of the Lion. Telfordio comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Enter Sandman - Metallica kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Ivan Volchenko has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Volchenko
vs
Telfordio

190 cm
21
240 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

209 cm
26
265 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Volchenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kata Telfordio!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Telfordio shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Volchenko as he avoids it easily.
Telfordio scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Telfordio lands a head kick. Volchenko smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Volchenko moves into the clinch.

Telfordio has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Volchenko uses from the top position.
Volchenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Telfordio is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Volchenko postures up.
Volchenko showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Telfordio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Telfordio working for a triangle but Volchenko defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Telfordio has momentary wrist control but Volchenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Telfordio keeping moving, preventing Volchenko from controlling successfully.

Volchenko gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Telfordio drives through with a takedown into guard.

Volchenko scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've been told by Volchenko's head coaches at Cozad MMA St Petersburg that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Telfordio shoots in and bounces Volchenko off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Telfordio wants to control from the top but Volchenko keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Telfordio scoring with some ground and pound.
Telfordio looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Telfordio showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Volchenko keeping full guard, as Telfordio tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Telfordio shoots in for a takedown but Volchenko shows good takedown defense.

Telfordio fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Volchenko, pushing him back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Volchenko.
Telfordio working hard to break the clinch.
The referee calls for Volchenko to work.
Nice body punch from Volchenko - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Telfordio jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Volchenko walks away with a smile on his face. Telfordio gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ivan Volchenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kata Telfordio.
Telfordio goes for a double leg but Volchenko avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Volchenko continues to drive forward.
Telfordio throws a series of strikes that have Volchenko backpedaling.
Telfordio looks winded!

Volchenko moves into the clinch.
Volchenko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Volchenko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Telfordio tries to circle away but Volchenko has him pinned against the cage.
Volchenko lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Telfordio has Volchenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Volchenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Telfordio jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Volchenko walks away with a smile on his face. Telfordio gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Volchenko bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
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!
Volchenko cracks Telfordio with a big right hand but Telfordio just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Telfordio is not content to let Volchenko control the position.
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 Ivan Volchenko will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Telfordio shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Volchenko but Volchenko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Telfordio lands with a thumping leg kick.
Telfordio tries to close the distance and clinch up but Volchenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Volchenko misses with a looping left.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Volchenko.
Telfordio fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Volchenko avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volchenko takes a kick to the side of the head.

Volchenko moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Telfordio is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Volchenko pressing his opponent against the cage.

Volchenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ivan Volchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Volchenko. No joy for Telfordio on that attempt.
Ivan Volchenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kata Telfordio.

Volchenko moves into the clinch successfully.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Volchenko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Telfordio has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Volchenko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Volchenko leaning against his opponent.
Volchenko gets underhooks to prevent Telfordio's takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Volchenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Telfordio doesn't manage to clinch there - Volchenko circles away.
Volchenko swinging wildly here.
Telfordio dives in and grabs Volchenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Volchenko pushes down on Telfordio's head and hops out.
Volchenko throws an overhand right that lands on Telfordio's shoulder, as Telfordio tries to avoid the shot.
Telfordio throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Volchenko rushes Telfordio and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Volchenko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Telfordio has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Volchenko prevents the takedown attempt.
Telfordio is breathing heavily.
Telfordio fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Telfordio manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Telfordio is trying to keep Volchenko in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volchenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Telfordio is keeping the position for now.
Telfordio is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Volchenko passes Telfordio's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Volchenko slips a nice elbow through Telfordio's hands, connecting with Telfordio's forehead.

Volchenko looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volchenko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Volchenko throwing shots but Telfordio is blocking nicely.
Ivan Volchenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Telfordio regains full guard. Nicely done.
Volchenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Telfordio is retaining full guard.
Volchenko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Volchenko throws a strike but Telfordio rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Volchenko keeping moving, preventing Telfordio from controlling successfully.
Volchenko trying to control the position.
Volchenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Telfordio can do to turn this around?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Telfordio postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Volchenko is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Telfordio, into his guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Telfordio scores with a kick to the body.
A nice combination there by Telfordio.
Volchenko throws a combination that misses
and Telfordio counters with a left to the body.
Kata Telfordio seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Volchenko clinches with his opponent.
Telfordio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Telfordio is trying to push Volchenko away but Volchenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volchenko is struggling to control the position.

Telfordio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Telfordio bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Telfordio shoots for a takedown but Volchenko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Volchenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Telfordio shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Volchenko sprawls well. Volchenko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Telfordio gets slowly back to his feet.
Volchenko misses with a hook. Telfordio ducked under it nicely.
Telfordio doesn't manage to clinch there - Volchenko circles away.
Telfordio lands a high kick!

Volchenko takes the fight into the clinch.
Telfordio has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Telfordio tries to circle away but Volchenko has him pinned against the cage.
Volchenko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Telfordio wants to break the clinch but can't.

Telfordio pulls Volchenko into guard.

Volchenko drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Telfordio manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Volchenko has Telfordio in his guard.

Telfordio trying to control the position from guard on top but Volchenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volchenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Telfordio slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Volchenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Volchenko, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Telfordio looking to pass the guard.
Telfordio wants to control from the top but Volchenko keeps moving.
Telfordio wants to stand and escape but instead Volchenko has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Telfordio is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Volchenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Telfordio's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Telfordio has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Volchenko is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Kata Telfordio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Volchenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Telfordio has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Volchenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kata Telfordio comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Volchenko 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Volchenko!
Ivan Volchenko took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.
Kata Telfordio was interviewed post fight and said 'I lost, but that isn't going to stop me, a big man has a big heart, and mine will just keep getting bigger and bigger, grit determination and I will become back on track'.