PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Victor McCann (ranked 2506 p4p, 273 weight class) and Maksim Volkov (ranked 5634 p4p, 492 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

McCann
vs
Volkov

178 cm
26
165 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
158 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

UnderGround Supplements

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Victor McCann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maksim Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McCann shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McCann showed some decent athleticism there.
Volkov blocking the ground and pound attempt from McCann.
McCann thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Volkov's head.
McCann not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McCann is thwarting Volkov's attempts to control the position.
Volkov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Volkov is trying to stand back up but McCann is controlling him
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCann missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McCann looks to land a strike but Volkov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
McCann looking to pass the guard.
McCann trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCann is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
McCann postures up.
McCann has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Volkov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McCann gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
McCann throwing strikes but missing.
McCann content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Volkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but McCann is one step ahead there.
Volkov controls McCann momentarily but McCann frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

McCann gets a double leg takedown into Volkov's guard.
McCann throws a big elbow that misses.
Volkov is trying to control the position but McCann postures up.
McCann wants to control from the top but Volkov keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Volkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McCann stands and steps away. Volkov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Volkov moves in looking to clinch but McCann pushes him off.
Volkov moves in looking to clinch but McCann pushes him off.

McCann drives through with a takedown into guard.
McCann working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McCann accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McCann throws a big right hand that misses.
Volkov is trying to control the position but McCann postures up.
McCann is looking to work some ground and pound but Volkov has wrist control.
McCann 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.

Volkov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Volkov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McCann postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McCann wants to stand but Volkov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
McCann trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
McCann stopping the sweep attempt from Volkov.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McCann works a leg free and moves into half guard.
McCann slows the pace down in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor McCann dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Volkov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of McCann's head.
Volkov just misses with a punch to the body.
McCann changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

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

McCann pulls guard effortlessly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov is standing up over McCann. McCann looks to escape but Volkov dives into side control.
McCann wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCann tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
McCann is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCann trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
McCann is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Volkov can do to turn this around?
McCann prevents Volkov from getting a body triangle.
McCann is trying to get back to his feet but Volkov has full control of the position and if anything, McCann has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Volkov working for the choke.

McCann is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Volkov scores with a four punch combination!

McCann moves into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from McCann.

McCann tightens his grip and picks Volkov up, before dumping him to the ground. Volkov manages to land in guard.
Volkov is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and McCann dives 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!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McCann goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Volkov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in McCann's guard! Nice work there by Volkov!

McCann kicks Volkov off and gets to his feet.

McCann moves into range and clinches up with Volkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCann tries to pull guard but Volkov holds him up against the cage and eventually McCann drops back down to his feet.

McCann gets control of Volkov's arms and successfully pulls guard. McCann will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
McCann keeping moving, preventing Volkov from controlling successfully.

McCann scrambles and gets back to his feet.

McCann moves into range and clinches up with Volkov.
McCann gets through Volkov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Volkov fails to pull guard.
Volkov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

McCann pulls guard effortlessly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCann wants to stand but Volkov is controlling the position.
McCann knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Volkov on the ground.
Volkov wants to control from the top but McCann keeps moving.
McCann is looking to stand up but Volkov isn't so interested in that idea.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but McCann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor McCann dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

McCann has taken the fight to the clinch.
Volkov is trying to drag McCann to the mat but McCann just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

McCann pulls Volkov into guard.

McCann pushes Volkov off and scrambles back to his feet.
McCann blocks a head kick by Volkov.
Volkov fails with the takedown

and McCann counters with a nice double leg into side control. Volkov won't be happy with that.
Volkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McCann stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCann misses with a straight right.
As McCann backs off Volkov throws a huge counter combo but McCann manages to avoid it all.

McCann rushes Volkov and presses him up against the cage.
Volkov tries to pull guard but McCann forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Victor McCann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maksim Volkov.

McCann has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Volkov uses from the top position.

McCann is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Volkov presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

McCann pulls guard.
McCann wants to get back to his feet but Volkov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McCann is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Volkov dives into side control.
McCann is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Volkov is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Victor McCann overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McCann is not content to let Volkov control the position.

Volkov decides to take the fight back to the feet.
McCann misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Volkov wants to counter with a clinch but McCann pushes him away.
Maksim Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCann leaves Volkov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McCann attempts a counter takedown but Volkov avoids it well and moves away.

McCann scores with a takedown into Volkov's guard.
Volkov is wriggling around but McCann manages to pass to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McCann takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Volkov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
McCann thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McCann wants to take a breather but Volkov is having none of it.
McCann landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
McCann working the head and body with strikes.

McCann is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCann throwing shots but Volkov is blocking nicely.
McCann thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McCann wants to take a breather but Volkov is having none of it.
McCann misses with a head shot. Volkov uses the momentum to regain guard.

McCann is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Volkov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Volkov has escaped and now he's on top!

McCann manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor McCann showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McCann, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Victor McCann!
Victor McCann bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.