PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vitaly Volkov (ranked 4639 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vance Hardin (ranked 23723 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Vitaly Volkov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Volkov
vs
Hardin

180 cm
21
141 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
21
140 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vitaly Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vance Hardin!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Steve Montenegro and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov tried to score with a low kick but Hardin checks it.
Good exchange - Volkov coming out on top.
Volkov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Volkov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nice defenses there by Hardin.
Volkov moves into range and connects with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Volkov.
Volkov fails to land with a series of punches.
Volkov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov throws a body shot but no joy.
Hardin tries to counter by closing the distance.
Hardin darts in trying to clinch
and Volkov counters with a three punch combo that has Hardin backing up. Hardin nods at Volkov to acknowledge the strikes.
Volkov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Hardin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Volkov can't break the clinch.
Volkov tries to circle away but Hardin has him pinned against the cage.
Hardin has Volkov pressed against the cage.

Hardin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Volkov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hardin circles away quickly and effectively.
Volkov sets himself, and Hardin steps forward looking for the clinch! Volkov avoids it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardin slips a jab and a cross from Volkov.
Volkov throws a body kick that misses.
Hardin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Volkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Volkov throws a series of punches but Hardin moves out of range.
Volkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
A big right from Volkov misses.
Volkov lands with a nice body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hardin at a distance.
Volkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hardin tries to counter by closing the distance.
Volkov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Hardin gets a clinch.
Volkov is trying to break free.

Hardin manages to break the clinch.
No joy there for Volkov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vitaly Volkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hardin tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Hardin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Volkov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov misses with a combination
and Hardin counters with a series of strikes. Volkov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Volkov lands a nice hook to Hardin's body. Hardin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Volkov misses with a few strikes there.
Volkov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Volkov lands a jab to the nose.

Volkov gets tackled into the cage by Hardin. Hardin maintains the clinch.
Volkov is trying to break free.
Volkov avoids a wild elbow strike from Hardin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Volkov looks to land a combination but Hardin avoids it well.
Hardin wants to counter with a clinch but Volkov pushes him away.
A swing and a miss from Volkov.
Hardin tries to counter by closing the distance.
Volkov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hardin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Volkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Volkov sets himself, and Hardin steps forward looking for the clinch! Volkov avoids it this time.

Hardin moves into the clinch.
Volkov avoids the elbow strike from Hardin, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hardin jumps guard.
Volkov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hardin punching from the bottom.

Hardin looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Volkov is defending well. Hardin quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Volkov has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Hardin celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vance Hardin!