PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Mstislav Volkov (ranked 43 p4p, 8 weight class) and Orlando Diggs (ranked 40 p4p, 6 weight class). Volkov comes into the arena with Россия blaring out of the sound system. Diggs has chosen KING of the FALL as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mstislav Volkov
vs
Diggs

183 cm
35
181 lbs
30 - 9 - 1

184 cm
28
174 lbs
23 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
Aspire Nutrition

King of Clothes
Conviction

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 30 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilya Mstislav Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Orlando Diggs!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov misses with a straight right.
Diggs misses with a hook. Volkov ducked under it nicely.
Volkov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Diggs has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Volkov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Diggs lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Orlando Diggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diggs cracks Volkov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Diggs jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Volkov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Diggs.
Volkov moves away from the strike by Diggs.
Diggs scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Volkov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Volkov is looking to clinch but Diggs is avoiding it.
Diggs connects with a solid leg kick.
Volkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Diggs is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diggs lands with a shot to the body.
Diggs cracks Volkov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Diggs swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A slapping body kick lands there for Diggs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diggs lands a nice shot to the body.
Diggs blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov works Diggs's body with a nice hook.
A nice combination there by Diggs.
The crowd cheers as Volkov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Diggs doesn't seem phased though.
Diggs lands a lovely overhand right.
Volkov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Diggs! But no joy.
Diggs takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Volkov.
Volkov looks to land a body kick but Diggs moved away.
Diggs pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A slow jab from Diggs misses its intended target.
Good work by Volkov as he checks the leg kick.
Diggs ducks under a wild hook from Volkov.
Volkov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym Amsterdam in the buildup to the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diggs jabs at Volkov's body.
Volkov misses with a body shot.
Diggs cracks Volkov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Diggs just misses with a punch to the body.
Diggs keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Volkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A low kick from Diggs misses

and Volkov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Volkov misses with the head strike.
A shot in the inside from Diggs.
Volkov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Volkov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Volkov tries to throw a body punch but Diggs avoids it by throwing Volkov back against the cage.
Volkov can't find room to land a body shot as Diggs controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Diggs fails to land.
Diggs struggles to land a body shot inside as Volkov controls his hands.

Volkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Volkov throws a chopping leg kick but Diggs manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Diggs throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Volkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diggs.
Diggs goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A little feinted left hand from Volkov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Diggs swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Diggs misses with a looping left.
It looked like Volkov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Diggs fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Diggs blocks a head kick by Volkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggs throws a body punch but Volkov moves out of range.
Diggs misses the shot to the body.
Volkov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Diggs connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Volkov scrambles back to his feet.
Diggs throws a hook to the side of Volkov's head but Volkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Volkov throws a body shot but no joy.

Volkov moves into range and clinches up with Diggs.
Volkov misses with some punches.
Volkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Volkov can't find room to land a body shot as Diggs controls the action.
Diggs lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Good body shot from Volkov.
Diggs has a couple of punches blocked by Volkov.
Volkov throws a punch but it's blocked by Diggs.
Volkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Volkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Diggs uses good head movement to avoid it.
Diggs throws a punch but it's blocked by Volkov.

Volkov breaks from the clinch.
Volkov cracks Diggs with a right hand to the side of the head.
Volkov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov moves out of range as Diggs strikes.
It looked like Volkov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Diggs.
Volkov blocks a leg kick.
Diggs connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Diggs steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Volkov.
Diggs throws out a loose jab but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Diggs moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Volkov keeps Diggs at a distance using the push kick.
Diggs just misses with a punch to the body.
Diggs takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

It looks like Orlando Diggs has been cut.
Diggs lands with a nice combination. Volkov backs away looking to recover.
Diggs lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Diggs throws a jab but it's blocked by Volkov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diggs is looking to slow Volkov down with leg kicks.
Volkov blocks a jab.
A quick step to the side and Volkov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Volkov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Diggs throws a quick inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orlando Diggs dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Orlando Diggs's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Diggs uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Volkov has time to react.
Diggs misses the jab.
Volkov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Diggs lands with a straight right. Volkov didn't see that one coming.
Diggs fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Volkov manages to avoid it.
Diggs connects with a leg kick. Volkov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Diggs looks for the body kick but Volkov saw that one coming.
A bone on bone clash there as Volkov blocks the leg kick.
Volkov is looking to clinch but Diggs is avoiding it.
Orlando Diggs seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Diggs misses.
Diggs thows a leg kick but Volkov checks it
enabling Volkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Volkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Volkov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diggs. Volkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Volkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Diggs.
Volkov throws a lazy uppercut
and Diggs counters with a one-two to the body.
Jab, jab by Diggs - just one landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Diggs lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Volkov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Volkov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Diggs throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diggs ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Volkov moves away.
A solid body kick from Diggs.
Diggs shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Diggs tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Volkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Volkov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Diggs. Diggs obviously looking to wear him down.
Volkov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diggs slips a straight right by Volkov.
Volkov throws a series of punches but Diggs moves out of range.
Diggs feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Volkovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Diggs misses with a looping left.
Diggs lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Volkov at a distance.
Volkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Diggs.
Diggs throws out a loose jab but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Diggs with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Volkov throws a hook but Diggs avoids it easily.
Volkov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Volkov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Diggs thows a leg kick but Volkov checks it
and Volkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Volkov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Diggs. Diggs obviously looking to wear him down.
Volkov checks a leg kick.
Volkov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Diggs.
Volkov cracks Diggs with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Diggs with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Volkov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Diggs moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Volkov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Diggs throws a lazy uppercut

and Volkov counters by moving into the clinch.
Diggs can't find room to land a body shot as Volkov controls the action.

Volkov breaks the clinch.
Diggs lands a right hook to the body.
Volkov looks to throw the jab but Diggs is out of range.
Volkov lands a head shot.
Diggs throws a hook but Volkov avoids it easily.
Volkov throws a front kick aimed at Diggs's knee but Diggs avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diggs pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Volkov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diggs.
Diggs throws the left hand but Volkov avoids the punch easily.
Volkov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Volkov misses with a hook. Diggs ducked under it nicely.
Volkov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nice defenses there by Volkov.
Diggs swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Diggs misses with a straight left.
Diggs with a hook.
Diggs avoids the head kick by Volkov.
A slow jab from Volkov misses its intended target.
Diggs has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Diggs fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Volkov manages to avoid it.
Diggs misses with a low kick.
Diggs throws a hook to the side of Volkov's head but Volkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Diggs lands with a straight right. Volkov didn't see that one coming.
Volkov slips a straight right by Diggs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diggs fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Volkov checks it well.
Diggs blocks a head kick by Volkov.
Volkov lands a glancing blow to the side of Diggs's head.
Volkov tries a low kick but Diggs avoids it.
Volkov slips under a jab from Diggs.
Volkov misses the jab.
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!
Diggs lands a jab to the nose.
Good work by Diggs as he checks the leg kick.
Volkov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Diggs moves into range and connects with a jab.
A jab from Diggs misses.
Volkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Diggs circles away.
Diggs tries a quick counter leg kick but Volkov is wise to it.
Diggs lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diggs fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Volkov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Jab, jab by Volkov - just one landing.
Volkov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orlando Diggs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Orlando Diggs's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Diggs pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Diggs throws out a leg kick but Volkov moves out of range and Diggs only half commits.
Volkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Diggs.
Volkov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Diggs.
Jab by Diggs.
Diggs throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Volkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Volkov is looking for a counter combo.
A big right from Volkov misses.
Diggs feints and then cracks Volkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Volkov down.
Diggs throws a body punch but Volkov moves out of range.
Volkov throws a low kick, looking for Diggs's leg but Diggs calmly moves out of range.
Volkov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Volkov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little jabbing left from Diggs on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Diggs fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Volkov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Diggs to score with a decent uppercut.
Volkov slips a jab from Diggs.
Diggs buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Diggs misses with a looping right.
Volkov is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov lands a jab to the head.
Diggs misses with a hook.
Volkov tries to counter by clinching up but Diggs breaks away and moves out of range.
Diggs scores with a jab. Volkov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Volkov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A jab from Diggs misses.
Diggs will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Volkov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A good leg kick by Diggs.
Diggs throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Diggs misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Volkov.
A little feinted left hand from Volkov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Volkov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Volkov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Diggs.
Diggs delivers a nice body kick.
Diggs swings for the body but Volkov moves out of range.
Diggs misses with a looping left.
Volkov is looking to counter the offense by Diggs and move into the clinch.
Diggs throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Volkov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Diggs under the eye.
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 wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diggs avoids the body shot from Volkov.
Diggs looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab from Volkov misses.
Volkov thuds his right hand into Diggs's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Volkov connects with a looping right hand.
Diggs throws a body shot but no joy.
Diggs lands a slapping body shot.
Volkov misses with a body shot.
Volkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Diggs.
Diggs throws a shot from downtown. Volkov moves away and avoids it.
Diggs misses with a looping left.
Volkov checks a low kick from Diggs.
Volkov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Diggs throws a low kick but Volkov moves out of range easily.
Diggs throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Volkov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Diggs.
Ilya Mstislav Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov takes a swing at Diggs's ribcage but misses.
Diggs with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Volkov looks for the body kick but Diggs saw that one coming.
Diggs throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Diggs misses with a looping right.
Volkov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Volkov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Volkov lands a jab to the nose.
Volkov moves out of range of the body kick from Diggs.
Diggs throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
It looked like Volkov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Diggs.
Volkov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Diggs throws a nice outside leg kick.
Volkov slips under a jab.
Volkov throws a low kick, looking for Diggs's leg but Diggs calmly moves out of range.
Volkov moves away from the strike by Diggs.
Volkov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Volkov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Diggs lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Volkov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Volkov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Diggs keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A left lands for Volkov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkov jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Volkov moves into the clinch.
Diggs lands a hook to the side of the head.
Volkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Diggs scores with a nice hook to the head.
Volkov has a couple of punches blocked by Diggs.
Volkov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Diggs blocking some punches.
Volkov misses with a punch on the inside.
Volkov tries a body shot but Diggs blocks it.
Diggs works on Volkov's body with a couple of short punches.
Volkov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Volkov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Diggs swings wildly with an uppercut but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Diggs works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Orlando Diggs.
I've got Diggs 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Orlando Diggs!
A relieved looking Orlando Diggs thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
The defeated Ilya Mstislav Volkov had this to say: 'Stepping up to fight a LHW was great challenge for me, i want to say thanks to my opponent, and good job!'.