PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Simo Ahvenus (ranked 1899 p4p, 216 weight class) and Aleksandr Volkov (ranked 2916 p4p, 307 weight class). Aleksandr Volkov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Simo Ahvenus's chin.

Ahvenus
vs
Volkov

178 cm
22
154 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

177 cm
33
159 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Simo Ahvenus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aleksandr Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ahvenus shoots for a takedown but Volkov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Volkov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Volkov cracks Ahvenus with a right hand to the side of the head.
Volkov misses with a head kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ahvenus.
Volkov is working to avoid the ground and pound but Ahvenus connects with a decent elbow.
Ahvenus misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Volkov taking a bit of punishment here - Ahvenus scoring with strikes.
Ahvenus lands an elbow.
Ahvenus postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ahvenus takes a little break here. Volkov wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Ahvenus throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Volkov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahvenus throwing shots but Volkov is blocking nicely.
Volkov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ahvenus working the head and body with strikes.
Ahvenus thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Volkov's head.
Ahvenus trying to control the action but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Ahvenus thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ahvenus missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ahvenus trying to control the action but Volkov is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ahvenus wants to free his trapped foot but Volkov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ahvenus connects with a nice short shot to Volkov's temple.
Ahvenus looks to land a strike but Volkov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Volkov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ahvenus postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ahvenus is fighting to break Volkov's control of his arms but Volkov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ahvenus trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ahvenus connects with a couple of short punches.
Ahvenus throws an elbow that misses. Volkov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ahvenus's guard. Nice move by Volkov!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Volkov being controlled here momentarily.
Ahvenus's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Volkov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ahvenus trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ahvenus looking to hit a scissor sweep but Volkov is one step ahead there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ahvenus shoots in looking for a takedown but Volkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ahvenus's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Volkov connects with a right hand. Ahvenus shakes it off.
A looping hook to the body misses from Volkov. Ahvenus does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simo Ahvenus dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ahvenus tries for a takedown but Volkov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Volkov wants to clinch up but Ahvenus keeps it at a distance.
Ahvenus changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Volkov tries to avoid it but Ahvenus manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Volkov to the ground. Volkov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Volkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ahvenus attempts a counter takedown but Volkov avoids it well and moves away.
Ahvenus moves out of range as Volkov strikes.
Ahvenus shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Volkov as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simo Ahvenus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ahvenus looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ahvenus takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Simo Ahvenus has been cut.
Ahvenus shoots for a double leg takedown but Volkov sprawls well. He's pushed Ahvenus's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A big left from Ahvenus misses.
Ahvenus moves away from the strike by Volkov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahvenus tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Volkov swivels and escapes.

Ahvenus shoots in and gets a takedown into Volkov's guard.
Simo Ahvenus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ahvenus throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Volkov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ahvenus trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Volkov has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Roosters Coop. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Ahvenus working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Volkov's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov is pulling down on Ahvenus's head. It's preventing any offense from Ahvenus, at least for the moment.
Ahvenus postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ahvenus trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Ahvenus content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ahvenus throwing strikes but missing.
Volkov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Volkov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ahvenus showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ahvenus trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Volkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ahvenus manages to get himself to full guard.

Ahvenus is looking to sweep but instead, Volkov has passed into half guard.
Ahvenus wants to get back to full guard.
Ahvenus is working hard here to advance position.
Ahvenus misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahvenus trying to control from the bottom.
Ahvenus controlling the position for now.
Ahvenus tries to get to full guard but Volkov has control of the leg.
Ahvenus slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ahvenus looking to hit a scissor sweep but Volkov is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ahvenus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Volkov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Volkov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ahvenus fails with a takedown attempt.
Ahvenus on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Volkov. Volkov obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Volkov misses with a low kick.
Ahvenus 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.

Ahvenus gets caught flat footed, as Volkov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Simo Ahvenus's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ahvenus shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ahvenus was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Volkov sneaks back into half guard.

Ahvenus is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Volkov is just riding it out for now. Ahvenus eventually gives up the hold.
Volkov is pressing down on Ahvenus's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahvenus postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Volkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Ahvenus from controlling successfully.
Ahvenus lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahvenus with a nice head shot there.
Ahvenus cracks Volkov with a solid left hand.
Volkov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ahvenus throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Volkov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ahvenus throws a big elbow that misses.

Volkov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ahvenus is aware though and is defending well.
Ahvenus is looking to work some ground and pound but Volkov has wrist control.
Volkov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ahvenus throwing strikes but missing.
Ahvenus in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ahvenus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahvenus stands up over Volkov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Volkov is trying to control the position but Ahvenus postures up.
Ahvenus throwing strikes but missing.
Volkov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ahvenus.
Volkov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ahvenus passes Volkov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ahvenus drops an elbow to the side of Volkov's head.
Ahvenus working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Volkov taking some punishment here, with Ahvenus in his half guard.
Ahvenus lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Volkov wants to improve his position but Ahvenus is controlling well.
Ahvenus working over Volkov with some ground and pound. Volkov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahvenus not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Volkov wants to control but Ahvenus is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ahvenus looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ahvenus stalling away here and it's allowed Volkov to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ahvenus throws a strike but Volkov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ahvenus looking to control.
Ahvenus keeping moving, preventing Volkov from controlling successfully.
Volkov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov preventing the sweep.
Volkov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ahvenus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ahvenus is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Volkov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ahvenus tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Simo Ahvenus showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ahvenus has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simo Ahvenus!
Simo Ahvenus decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.