PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Noriega (ranked 843 p4p, 763 weight class) and Ivan Volkov (ranked 115 p4p, 103 weight class). Noriega comes into the arena with MS-13 Mara Salvatrucha blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Noriega
vs
Volkov

181 cm
36
148
19 - 9 - 1

175 cm
29
154
10 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Sydney Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Noriega!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Noriega misses with a low kick.
Volkov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Volkov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Volkov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Volkov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Volkov taking a break here but Noriega is having none of it and regains half guard.
Noriega 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 is looking for a kimura but Noriega is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Volkov to get the leverage.
Volkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Noriega's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov wants to take a breather but Noriega is having none of it.
Noriega blocking the ground and pound attempt from Volkov.
Volkov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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. Volkov connects with a nice short shot to Noriega's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noriega tries to roll over but Volkov keeps him under control.

Volkov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Noriega has managed to free his arm - good work.
Volkov is looking to advance position but Noriega won't allow it.
Noriega wants to control but Volkov is keeping busy.
Volkov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Volkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Noriega's head.
Noriega blocking the ground and pound attempt from Volkov.

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.
Volkov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Noriega is concentrating on defense, preventing Volkov from advancing position.
Volkov thows a huge punch but Noriega dodges it nicely.
Volkov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Volkov stalling away here and it's allowed Noriega to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Volkov trying to control but Noriega is working from the bottom.
Volkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Volkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Volkov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Volkov is looking to work some ground and pound but Noriega has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov postures up in Noriega's guard and throws a big left but Noriega blocks it.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Volkov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Volkov looking to sit in guard and control but Noriega gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Noriega has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Noriega wants to pass the guard but Volkov is keeping the position.
Noriega seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Volkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Volkov is trying to control the position but Noriega postures up.
Volkov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Volkov trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Volkov digs a good body shot into Noriega's ribs.
Volkov digs a good hook to Noriega's body.
Noriega swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Noriega throws a leg kick but Volkov checks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Volkov! But no joy.
Noriega misses with a body shot.
Noriega wants to slow Volkov down by chopping away at his legs.

Volkov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Noriega is trying to defend but Volkov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Volkov wants to free his trapped foot but Noriega is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Volkov tries to clinch up but Noriega circles away and keeps his distance.
Volkov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Noriega circles away.
Volkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Noriega gets tackled into the cage by Volkov. Volkov maintains the clinch.
Noriega throws a head punch that misses.
Volkov misses with a body punch.
Volkov stalling in the clinch.

Noriega escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Noriega turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Noriega scores with a punch to the head.
Volkov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Noriega paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It looked like Noriega was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Volkov.
Volkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Noriega moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Noriega misses with a body kick.
Noriega connects with a body shot that sends Volkov's belly button to the back.
Noriega fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Volkov.
Volkov throws out a loose jab but Noriega uses good head movement to avoid it.
Noriega misses with a leg kick

and Volkov counters with a shoot takedown. Noriega fights it but they end up in guard.
Noriega wants to get back to his feet but Volkov passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov is just content to waste time from the top position. Noriega takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Volkov throws a big elbow that misses.
Noriega keeping moving, preventing Volkov from controlling successfully.
Noriega working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Volkov.
Volkov is looking to work some ground and pound but Noriega has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Noriega wants to control the position but Volkov says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Volkov seems to be working for a kimura but Noriega defends the submission attempt.
Volkov wants to pass to mount but Noriega is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Volkov trying to work for an americana but Noriega has managed to regain full guard.
Volkov being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov postures up in Noriega's guard and throws a big left but Noriega blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Volkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Noriega 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.
Noriega trying to control the pace.
Volkov tries to get to full guard but Noriega has control of the leg.
Volkov gets back to full guard.
Volkov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ivan Volkov has got the better of the ground game so far.

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.

Volkov working for a triangle but Noriega defends it easily.

Volkov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Noriega passes into side control.
Volkov is looking to regain half guard here but Noriega keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Noriega trying to control the action but Volkov is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pablo Noriega will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Volkov misses with a takedown attempt
and Noriega counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Noriega looks to land a body kick but Volkov moved away.
Noriega feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Volkovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
We've been told by Noriega's head coaches at Punch out that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Volkov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Volkov misses with a hook to the body
letting Noriega counter with a right hand.
Volkov checks a low kick from Noriega.
Volkov slips a jab from Noriega.
Noriega cracks Volkov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Volkov slips under a jab.
Noriega swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Volkov wants to clinch up but Noriega keeps it at a distance.
Pablo Noriega is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes from Noriega. Those never looked like landing.
Volkov takes one to the side of the head.

Volkov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
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!
Noriega throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Volkov blocks it with crossed arms.
Noriega lands with a light punch inside.
A short right from Noriega on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov lands a nice uppercut.
Volkov avoiding damage as Noriega throws knees to the body.
Volkov trying to stall but Noriega improves his position.

Noriega breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Noriega keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A little feinted left hand from Noriega on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Noriega throws a shot to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Volkov.
Pablo Noriega has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Volkov.
Volkov shoots for a takedown but Noriega saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Noriega lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Volkov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Noriega tries to kick Volkov off in order to stand up. Volkov Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Noriega tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to score with some ground and pound. Noriega controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Volkov throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Noriega works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Volkov wants to pass to mount but Noriega is defending the position.
Noriega is trying to get back to full guard.
Volkov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Noriega is not content to let Volkov control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Volkov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Noriega defending well though.
Volkov trying to control the action but Noriega is working from the bottom.
Noriega keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Volkov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Volkov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Volkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Noriega defending well though.
Volkov winds up and cracks Noriega with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Volkov 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 passes to side control.
Volkov cracks Noriega with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The strikes coming from Volkov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Volkov is looking to take a break and control but Noriega is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Noriega defending against the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Noriega showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Noriega 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pablo Noriega!
Pablo Noriega took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'This Victory To All My MS-13 Homies'.