PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Forest Tran (ranked 24833 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Volkov (ranked 5695 p4p, 0 weight class). Vladimir Volkov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Forest Tran's chin.

Tran
vs
Volkov

189 cm
19
161 lbs
2 - 6 - 1

193 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Forest Tran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov wants to land a leg kick but Tran is out of range.
Volkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tran avoids it really well and circles away.
Tran slaps away a takedown attempt from Volkov, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Volkov moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tran tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Volkov is leaning against Tran and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Volkov successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tran postures up in Volkov's guard and throws a big left but Volkov blocks it.
Volkov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tran throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Volkov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Volkov is adopting a defensive guard.
Volkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tran manages to get himself to full guard.

Tran controls Volkov momentarily but Volkov frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Volkov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Tran 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 Tran keeps moving.
Tran really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Volkov trying to move into half guard but instead Tran has managed to sweep!

Volkov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Volkov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Tran.
Tran has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Volkov is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Tran kicks Volkov off and gets back to his feet.

Tran tries to keep at a distance but Volkov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tran crunches a lovely knee into Volkov's ribcage.
Volkov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tran has him pressed against the cage.

Volkov gets control of Tran's arms and successfully pulls guard. Volkov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volkov pulls Tran in close to prevent any damage.
Tran postures up in Volkov's guard and throws a big left but Volkov blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Volkov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Horrible takedown attempt by Volkov or perhaps it was just good defense by Tran, which made it look bad.
Volkov shoots in but no luck this time.

Tran moves into the clinch.
Tran is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Volkov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Volkov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tran gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Forest Tran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Volkov.
Volkov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tran drops down looking for an ankle pick but Volkov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tran stuffs the takedown.
As Volkov tries to get set, Tran tries to push him back and clinch up but Volkov manages to avoid the attempt.
Volkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Tran tries to sprawl out of it but Volkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tran manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tran throws a combination that misses
and Volkov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tran circles away from the clinch attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tran is defended easily by Volkov.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown but Tran shows good takedown defense.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tran as he jumps to the side.
Tran feinted with a counter takedown.
Volkov is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tran's waist but Tran gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Volkov off to one side.
Tran changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Volkov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tran counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tran thows a huge punch but Volkov dodges it nicely.
Volkov tries to get to full guard but Tran has control of the leg.
Tran looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Volkov tries to roll over but Tran keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tran thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Volkov's head.
Tran throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Volkov wants to control but Tran is keeping busy.
Tran thows a huge punch but Volkov dodges it nicely.
Tran lands with a punch from half guard.
Volkov pushes Tran off looking to stand but Tran dives back in and keeps control.

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.
Volkov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Volkov trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Tran unloads with some shots from mount but Volkov bucks and avoids them well.
Tran working the ground and pound effectively.
Volkov is trying desperately to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tran wants to control the pace but Volkov is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forest Tran dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Volkov wants to clinch up but Tran keeps it at a distance.
Tran feinted with a counter takedown.
Volkov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Volkov darts in looking for a takedown but Tran gets double underhooks and turns Volkov into the cage.
Tran attempts a counter takedown but Volkov avoids it well and moves away.

Tran takes the fight into the clinch.
Tran jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Volkov walks away with a smile on his face. Tran gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Volkov has closed the distance and engaged Tran in a clinch.

Tran gets control of Volkov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tran will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Tran avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tran looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Volkov throws a big elbow that misses.
Volkov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Tran trying to keep a closed guard but Volkov is proving a slippery customer.
Volkov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Volkov forces his way into half guard.

That's two 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.
Tran trying to control here.
Volkov thows a huge punch but Tran dodges it nicely.
Volkov with the ground and pound but Tran uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Tran being controlled here, momentarily.
Volkov passes Tran's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Tran holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Volkov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tran sprawls well. Tran wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Volkov gets slowly back to his feet.
Forest Tran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Volkov.

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.
No luck for Volkov with that takedown attempt.
Volkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tran keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Volkov stuffs the takedown.
Volkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Volkov clinches up with Tran and pushes him back against the cage.
Tran goes for a takedown in the clinch but Volkov prevents it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vladimir Volkov.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Vladimir Volkov!