PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joao De Santo Cristo (ranked 19 p4p, 3 weight class) and Ilya Mstislav Volkov (ranked 73 p4p, 11 weight class). De Santo Cristo comes to the cage accompanied by Que país é esse?. Volkov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Россия kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! This should be a great matchup!

De Santo Cristo
vs
Mstislav Volkov

174 cm
34
175 lbs
25 - 19 - 1

183 cm
36
181 lbs
31 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Aspire Nutrition

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 25 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joao De Santo Cristo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilya Mstislav Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Santo Cristo throws a head kick that misses.
Volkov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from De Santo Cristo.
Volkov misses with a wild body shot.
Volkov has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as De Santo Cristo is landing a low percentage of strikes.
De Santo Cristo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Volkov.
De Santo Cristo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
De Santo Cristo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Volkov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

De Santo Cristo gets a clinch.
Still in the clinch, De Santo Cristo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Volkov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Volkov.
De Santo Cristo misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from De Santo Cristo.
Volkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Volkov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
De Santo Cristo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt De Santo Cristo or not.

Volkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

De Santo Cristo darts in and clinches Volkov up against the cage.
De Santo Cristo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Volkov tries to work over De Santo Cristo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Volkov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Santo Cristo blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Volkov is working De Santo Cristo over against the cage.
De Santo Cristo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
De Santo Cristo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
De Santo Cristo lands a hook that snaps the head of Volkov backwards.
De Santo Cristo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Volkovs head.
De Santo Cristo misses with the head strike.
A short left from De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo tries to throw a body punch but Volkov avoids it by throwing De Santo Cristo back against the cage.
Volkov has a couple of punches blocked by De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo lands a shoulder strike.
De Santo Cristo digs a right hand underneath Volkov's ribcage. Volkov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
De Santo Cristo blocks a body shot from Volkov.
De Santo Cristo blocks an uppercut.
Volkov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Volkov manages to break the clinch.
De Santo Cristo throws out a leg kick but Volkov moves out of range and De Santo Cristo only half commits.
Volkov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from De Santo Cristo.
Volkov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkov moves out of range as De Santo Cristo strikes.
De Santo Cristo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Volkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Volkov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between De Santo Cristo's hands.
De Santo Cristo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Volkov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Volkov wants it to stay on the feet.
Volkov looks to land a body kick but De Santo Cristo moved away.
De Santo Cristo tries to counter by clinching up but Volkov breaks away and moves out of range.
Volkov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Good exchange - De Santo Cristo coming out on top.
Volkov lands with a shot to the body.

Volkov clinches up with De Santo Cristo and pushes him back against the cage.
De Santo Cristo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Volkov or not.
Volkov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Volkov breaks from the clinch.
De Santo Cristo lands with a thumping leg kick.
Volkov cracks the inside of De Santo Cristo's front leg.
De Santo Cristo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Volkov tries to get set, De Santo Cristo tries to push him back and clinch up but Volkov manages to avoid the attempt.
Volkov feints and then cracks De Santo Cristo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow De Santo Cristo down.
De Santo Cristo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by De Santo Cristo.
Volkov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
De Santo Cristo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
De Santo Cristo cracks Volkov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ilya Mstislav Volkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
De Santo Cristo throws out a leg kick but Volkov moves out of range and De Santo Cristo only half commits.
De Santo Cristo takes a jab right on the kisser.
Volkov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
De Santo Cristo fails with a takedown attempt.
De Santo Cristo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
De Santo Cristo misses with a body kick.
De Santo Cristo slips a straight right by Volkov.
De Santo Cristo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Volkov defends well and De Santo Cristo ends up having to push Volkov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao De Santo Cristo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov connects with a good right hand that stumbles De Santo Cristo. De Santo Cristo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
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!
De Santo Cristo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A countering left hand to the body from Volkov misses.
De Santo Cristo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
De Santo Cristo wants to clinch
enabling Volkov to counter with a crisp jab.

De Santo Cristo clinches.
Volkov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
De Santo Cristo struggles to land a body shot inside as Volkov controls his hands.
A quick uppercut on the inside from De Santo Cristo.
Volkov struggles to land a body shot inside as De Santo Cristo controls his hands.
Volkov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
De Santo Cristo throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Volkov lands a shoulder strike.
De Santo Cristo misses with the head strike.
Volkov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
De Santo Cristo tries to throw a body punch but Volkov avoids it by throwing De Santo Cristo back against the cage.
De Santo Cristo blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ilya Mstislav Volkov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

De Santo Cristo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Volkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
De Santo Cristo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
De Santo Cristo goes for a double leg but Volkov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Volkov continues to drive forward.
Volkov throws out a loose jab but De Santo Cristo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Volkov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Joao De Santo Cristo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
De Santo Cristo throws a body punch but Volkov moves out of range.
Volkov misses with a looping left.
It looked like De Santo Cristo was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Volkov.
Nice uppercut there from De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheers as De Santo Cristo lands an impressive looking overhand right. Volkov doesn't seem phased though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov swings for the body but De Santo Cristo moves out of range.
De Santo Cristo dives in and grabs Volkov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Volkov pushes down on De Santo Cristo's head and hops out.
Volkov avoids the body shot from De Santo Cristo.
A leg kick checked by De Santo Cristo.
Nice takedown defense from Volkov. No joy for De Santo Cristo on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao De Santo Cristo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice inside leg kick there by Volkov. That's going to slow De Santo Cristo down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo lands a right hook to the body.
De Santo Cristo throws out a loose jab but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Despite the aggression on Volkov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Volkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by De Santo Cristo.

Volkov pushes De Santo Cristo up against the cage in a clinch.
Volkov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Volkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo can't get the takedown.
Volkov lands with a short shot to the head.

Volkov manages to break the clinch.

De Santo Cristo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Volkov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Volkov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of De Santo Cristo backwards.
Volkov misses with the head strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Volkov.
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!
De Santo Cristo blocking some punches.
Volkov misses with a punch on the inside.
De Santo Cristo lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by De Santo Cristo.
Volkov misses with a short punch on the inside.
De Santo Cristo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Volkov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
De Santo Cristo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Volkov manages to break the clinch.
Volkov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
De Santo Cristo misses with a low kick.
Volkov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
De Santo Cristo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Volkov.

Volkov clinches up against the cage.
Volkov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Volkov misses with the head strike.
Volkov tries to work over De Santo Cristo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
De Santo Cristo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
De Santo Cristo misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Volkov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
De Santo Cristo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
De Santo Cristo misses with some punches.
Volkov tries to work over De Santo Cristo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Volkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
De Santo Cristo blocks a jab.
De Santo Cristo misses with a hook. Volkov ducked under it nicely.
Volkov wants to counter the offense by De Santo Cristo and move into the clinch position.
Volkov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De Santo Cristo.
Volkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as De Santo Cristo throws out the jab.
Volkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Volkov closes the distance and clinches.
Volkov prevents a body shot from De Santo Cristo.

De Santo Cristo has Volkov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. De Santo Cristo pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Volkov tumbling to the mat - De Santo Cristo dives into Volkov's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De Santo Cristo trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
De Santo Cristo stops Volkov from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De Santo Cristo won't allow Volkov to sweep him here.
De Santo Cristo throwing strikes but missing.
Volkov pulls De Santo Cristo in close to prevent any damage.
Volkov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in De Santo Cristo's guard.

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!
De Santo Cristo trying to keep a closed guard but Volkov is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Mstislav Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Volkov connects with a nice looking jab.
De Santo Cristo gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Volkov.
Volkov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
De Santo Cristo fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Santo Cristo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A solid leg kick lands there for De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo checks a leg kick nicely.
De Santo Cristo goes for a double leg but Volkov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Volkov continues to drive forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov just misses with a punch to the body.
De Santo Cristo throws a body punch but Volkov moves out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Volkov - that will leave a mark!
De Santo Cristo throws the kick towards the body but Volkov avoids it.
Volkov ducks under a wild hook from De Santo Cristo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
De Santo Cristo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
De Santo Cristo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Volkov misses the body punch
and De Santo Cristo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
De Santo Cristo tests Volkov's chin there with a solid looking shot.

De Santo Cristo clinches with his opponent.

Volkov breaks from the clinch.
De Santo Cristo throws a leg kick but Volkov moved away.
De Santo Cristo wants to clinch.
Volkov throws a body shot but no joy.
Ilya Mstislav Volkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Volkov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
De Santo Cristo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Volkov can pounce on him.
De Santo Cristo is looking to chop away at Volkov's legs.
Volkov feints a counter leg kick.
Volkov gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo is looking to clinch but Volkov is avoiding it.
De Santo Cristo moves out of range as Volkov throws a body kick.
De Santo Cristo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
De Santo Cristo darts in looking for a takedown but Volkov gets double underhooks and turns De Santo Cristo into the cage.

De Santo Cristo rushes Volkov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Santo Cristo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Volkov or not.
Volkov lands with a short shot to the head.
Volkov throws a head punch that misses.
De Santo Cristo tries to throw a body punch but Volkov avoids it by throwing De Santo Cristo back against the cage.
De Santo Cristo misses with a body punch.
De Santo Cristo gets through Volkov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, De Santo Cristo scores with a nice short uppercut.
De Santo Cristo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Volkov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Volkov lands with a right to the head.
Volkov misses with a punch on the inside.
De Santo Cristo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Volkov.
A short left from Volkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
De Santo Cristo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Volkov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
De Santo Cristo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Volkov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao De Santo Cristo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A hook to the body from Volkov.
De Santo Cristo has Volkov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Volkov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Volkov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
De Santo Cristo struggles to land a body shot inside as Volkov controls his hands.
Volkov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
De Santo Cristo tries to score a body lock takedown but Volkov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Volkov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Volkov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with De Santo Cristo's elbow.
Volkov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Volkov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Volkov fails to land.
Volkov tries to break free but De Santo Cristo pushes him back against the cage.
Volkov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Volkov working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Volkov lands an uppercut.
A short right from Volkov on the inside.
Volkov has a couple of punches blocked by De Santo Cristo.
Volkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
De Santo Cristo looking for a takedown.
Volkov throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Volkov.
De Santo Cristo has a couple of punches blocked by Volkov.
A head punch on the inside from Volkov fails to land.
Ilya Mstislav Volkov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
De Santo Cristo misses with a hook from the clinch.
De Santo Cristo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
De Santo Cristo blocking some punches.
De Santo Cristo lands a nice shot to the body.
De Santo Cristo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
De Santo Cristo throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by De Santo Cristo.
Volkov working aggressively here.
De Santo Cristo misses with a punch to the body.
De Santo Cristo misses with a punch on the inside.
De Santo Cristo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Mstislav Volkov really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

De Santo Cristo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Volkov.
Volkov connects with the punch.
De Santo Cristo connects with an inside leg kick.
De Santo Cristo has a takedown stuffed.
Volkov motions for De Santo Cristo to come forward. Volkov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Santo Cristo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Volkov clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov lands with a right to the head.
De Santo Cristo wants to take the fight to the mat but Volkov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
De Santo Cristo blocks a body shot from Volkov.
A hook to the body from Volkov.
Volkov blocks a body shot from De Santo Cristo.
Volkov digs a right hand underneath De Santo Cristo's ribcage. De Santo Cristo let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Volkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A nice right hand lands inside from Volkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Volkov lands a left hand that snaps the head of De Santo Cristo backwards.
Volkov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
De Santo Cristo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Volkov lands a hook that snaps the head of De Santo Cristo backwards.
Still in the clinch, Volkov scores with a nice short uppercut.
De Santo Cristo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao De Santo Cristo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Volkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Volkov connects with a body shot.
Volkov throws a quick inside leg kick.

Volkov closes the distance and clinches.
Volkov misses with the head strike.
De Santo Cristo misses with a body punch.

Volkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
De Santo Cristo throws a lazy right hand but Volkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
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 land a combination but De Santo Cristo avoids it well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Volkov. De Santo Cristo does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Volkov.
Good shot there by De Santo Cristo.

Volkov moves into the clinch successfully.
Volkov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Volkov working aggressively here.
De Santo Cristo misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Volkov.
A short right from Volkov.
De Santo Cristo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Volkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
De Santo Cristo lands with a left to the head.
Volkov lands with a right to the head.
De Santo Cristo blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from De Santo Cristo.

Volkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A shot to the liver by Volkov. Beautiful body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters circling - De Santo Cristo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
De Santo Cristo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
De Santo Cristo scoring well with a low kick there.
Danga de danga de dang - De Santo Cristo scores with a four punch combination!
Volkov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Volkov throws a leg kick but De Santo Cristo sees it coming and moves out of range.
De Santo Cristo is looking to counter the offense by Volkov and move into the clinch.
De Santo Cristo staying out of range there.
Volkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract De Santo Cristo.
Volkov throws a chopping leg kick but De Santo Cristo manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Volkov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with De Santo Cristo, pushing him back against the cage.
De Santo Cristo blocks an uppercut.
De Santo Cristo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Volkov scores with a shot to the side of De Santo Cristo's head.
De Santo Cristo working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Volkov blocking some punches.
Volkov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Volkov lands a right hand that snaps the head of De Santo Cristo backwards.
Volkov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with De Santo Cristo's elbow.
Volkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nice body punch from De Santo Cristo - that landed with a thud.
De Santo Cristo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Volkov misses with a punch to the body.
Volkov tries to work over De Santo Cristo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
De Santo Cristo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Volkov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Volkov misses with a punch to the body.
De Santo Cristo lands a left hand.
Volkov swings wildly with an uppercut but De Santo Cristo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Volkov tries to circle away but De Santo Cristo has him pinned against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Volkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Mstislav Volkov dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Volkov lands the left hand.
De Santo Cristo throws a lazy right hand but Volkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
De Santo Cristo smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Volkov throws a head kick but De Santo Cristo moves out of range.
De Santo Cristo lands a jab to Volkov's midsection.
De Santo Cristo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
De Santo Cristo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

De Santo Cristo rushes Volkov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
De Santo Cristo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
De Santo Cristo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Volkov.
Volkov misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Santo Cristo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Volkov backwards.
De Santo Cristo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Volkov's elbow.
De Santo Cristo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
De Santo Cristo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Volkov misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
De Santo Cristo has a couple of punches blocked by Volkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov misses with some punches.
A short left from Volkov.
Volkov misses with the head strike.
Volkov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Volkov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Volkov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Volkov takes a shot to the head.
Volkov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Volkov is trying to break the clinch but De Santo Cristo is controlling him.
De Santo Cristo lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Volkov.
De Santo Cristo misses with a body punch.
Volkov blocks a body shot from De Santo Cristo.
Volkov working aggressively here.
De Santo Cristo swings wildly with an uppercut but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
De Santo Cristo is working for takedown but Volkov is calmly controlling the position for now.
De Santo Cristo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Volkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Joao De Santo Cristo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to throw a body punch but De Santo Cristo avoids it by throwing Volkov back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Volkov fails to land.
Volkov gets through De Santo Cristo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Santo Cristo lands a right hand.
De Santo Cristo throws a head punch that misses.
Volkov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Volkov struggles to land a body shot inside as De Santo Cristo controls his hands.
Volkov lands with a left to the head.
Volkov misses with the head strike.
Volkov gets through De Santo Cristo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Volkov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of De Santo Cristo backwards.
De Santo Cristo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Volkov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Volkov scores with a shot to the side of De Santo Cristo's head.
Volkov lands a nice uppercut.

Volkov breaks the clinch.
De Santo Cristo lands a leg kick that knocks Volkov off balance momentarily.
A jab from Volkov misses.
Ilya Mstislav Volkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo motions for Volkov to come forward. De Santo Cristo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Volkov.
De Santo Cristo scores with a shot to the body.
De Santo Cristo throws a right and a left that Volkov avoids nicely.
Volkov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Volkov lands a nice shot to the body.

De Santo Cristo moves into the clinch successfully.
Volkov prevents a body shot from De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo swings wildly with an uppercut but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Volkov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short left from De Santo Cristo.
Volkov throws a punch but it's blocked by De Santo Cristo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Santo Cristo blocks an uppercut.
De Santo Cristo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Volkov is defending well.
De Santo Cristo has a couple of punches blocked by Volkov.
Volkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Volkov blocks a body shot from De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
De Santo Cristo misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from De Santo Cristo.
De Santo Cristo misses with the head strike.
Volkov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
De Santo Cristo throws a punch but it's blocked by Volkov.
De Santo Cristo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Joao De Santo Cristo.
I think Volkov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Mstislav Volkov!
Ilya Mstislav Volkov is the new welterweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Ilya Mstislav Volkov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.