PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gareth Keenan (ranked 794 p4p, 1352 weight class) and Ivan Volkov (ranked 90 p4p, 142 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Keenan
vs
Volkov

179 cm
43
150
45 - 14 - 5

175 cm
31
154
13 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

ZERO Fightwear

Vegan Gains

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 45 - 14 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gareth Keenan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Sam Margolis and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Volkov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Volkov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Keenan tries to avoid it but Volkov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Keenan to the ground. Keenan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Volkov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Keenan tries to avoid it but Volkov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Keenan to the ground. Keenan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Keenan swings widly with a right hand

and Volkov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Keenan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Keenan.
Volkov looking to pass the guard.
Volkov trying to control but Keenan is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keenan trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Keenan keeping moving, preventing Volkov from controlling successfully.
Volkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Keenan is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Volkov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The fighters circling - Volkov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Volkov cracks Keenan with an open hand slap.
Keenan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov misses with a wild body shot.
Keenan looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Volkov lands with a cross.
Volkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Keenan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Volkov somewhat.
Gareth Keenan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Volkov.
Volkov shoots in for a double leg but Keenan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A quick step to the side and Keenan tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Volkov misses with a body shot
and Keenan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Volkov cracks Keenan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice sprawl there from Keenan as Volkov shoots in.
Good work by Volkov as he checks the leg kick.
Keenan throws a predictable looking body shot
and Keenan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Volkov lands with a good body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Keenan as Volkov shoots in.
A slow jab from Keenan misses its intended target.
Keenan sets himself, and Volkov steps forward looking for the clinch! Keenan avoids it this time.
Volkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Keenan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keenan scores with a nice body kick.
Keenan catches Volkov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A big left from Keenan misses.
Volkov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Volkov throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Keenan to counter with a crisp jab.
Keenan swings for the body but Volkov moves out of range.
Gareth Keenan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Keenan catches Volkov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Keenan moves into range and connects with a jab.
Keenan is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Keenan connects with a nice looking jab.
Keenan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ivan Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Keenan lands a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Keenan throws a shot from downtown. Volkov moves away and avoids it.
Volkov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Keenan throws an overhand right that lands on Volkov's shoulder, as Volkov tries to avoid the shot.
A shot to the body from Keenan misses
and Volkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan tries to score with a low kick but Volkov moves his leg out of the way.
Keenan bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Keenan gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Volkov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Volkov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Volkov duly obliges.
Volkov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Keenan scores with a hook to the body. Volkov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Keenan connects with a good right hand that stumbles Volkov. Volkov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A solid leg kick lands there for Keenan.
Keenan takes one on the button.
Keenan finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A jab from Keenan misses.
Keenan misses the shot to the body.
Keenan throws a leg kick that misses.
Volkov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Volkov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gareth Keenan dominated that 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.

Volkov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Keenan looks for the body kick but Volkov saw that one coming.
Keenan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Volkov lands an overhand right.
Keenan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Keenan throws an overhand right that lands on Volkov's shoulder, as Volkov tries to avoid the shot.
No luck for Volkov with that takedown attempt.
Keenan misses with a lunging right hand

so Volkov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Keenan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Keenan controlling Volkov's posture.
Keenan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov drops back looking for a leg! Keenan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Keenan manages to kick Volkov off! Volkov jumps back into Keenan's guard.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Keenan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Volkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Keenan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Keenan keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Volkov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two 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.
Keenan misses with a wild body shot.
Keenan misses with a few strikes there.
Keenan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Volkov tries to counter with a clinch but Keenan shakes him off and moves away.
Volkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Keenan stuffs the takedown attempt from Volkov. Volkov gets slowly back to his feet.
It appears Keenan was looking to counter with a kick there.
Volkov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Keenan throws a body kick that misses.
Volkov misses with a body shot.
Keenan tries to bum rush Volkov with a series of wild strikes but Volkov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Keenan misses with a wild body shot.
Keenan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Keenan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Volkov.
Gareth Keenan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Volkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov misses with the combination.
Volkov cracks Keenan with an open hand slap.
Volkov connects with a looping right hand.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Volkov throws a hook but Keenan avoids it easily.
Volkov fails with the takedown
and Keenan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Keenan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Volkov.
Volkov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Volkov slips under a jab.
Keenan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Keenan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Volkov is out of range and Keenan settles back down.
Volkov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Keenan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keenan thumps Volkov with a low kick.
Volkov scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Keenan fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Keenan throws a good cross that connects.
Volkov blocks a jab.
Volkov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Keenan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Keenan on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Volkov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Volkov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Volkov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ivan Volkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Volkov checks a leg kick.
Volkov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Keenan can pounce on him.
Volkov checks a leg kick nicely.
Volkov shoots for a takedown but Keenan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Keenan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Keenan misses with a body kick.
Volkov tries to counter with a clinch but Keenan shakes him off and moves away.
Volkov takes a swing at Keenan's ribcage but misses.
Keenan tried to counter with a leg kick but Volkov avoided it.
Keenan misses with a kick to the body
letting Volkov counter with a right hand.
Gareth Keenan is winning the standup battle so far.
Keenan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Keenan jabs Volkov right on the nose. Volkov blinks but takes it well.

Volkov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Keenan was covering up waiting for the punch and Volkov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Volkov stands up over Keenan, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Keenan keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Volkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Keenan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Keenan keeps moving.
Volkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Keenan keeps moving.
Keenan pulls Volkov in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Keenan thows a leg kick but Volkov checks it

and Volkov counters with a single leg into guard. Keenan didn't expect that.
Volkov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Volkov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Keenan's guard.
Volkov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Keenan to regain full guard.
Keenan is trying to control the position but Volkov postures up.
Volkov wants to pass the guard but Keenan is keeping the position.
Keenan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Volkov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Keenan is retaining full guard.
Volkov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Keenan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Volkov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Keenan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Volkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Keenan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Volkov throws a big right hand that misses.
Keenan trying to control the position.
Volkov works over Keenan with some ground and pound from guard.
Volkov postures up.

That's four 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.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Keenan keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Volkov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Keenan keeps moving.
Volkov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Keenan is trying to keep Volkov in close.
Keenan keeping moving, preventing Volkov from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Keenan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Volkov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Volkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ivan Volkov!
Ivan Volkov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Gareth Keenan spoke after the fight, saying 'Good fight buddy'.