PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Volkov (ranked 6674 p4p, 4645 weight class) and Bjorn IronSide (ranked 705 p4p, 588 weight class). Volkov comes to the cage accompanied by Kickstart my heart. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Volkov
vs
IronSide

200 cm
27
200
4 - 5 - 0

170 cm
29
190
2 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Viktor Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bjorn IronSide!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, John Kavanagh and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for IronSide with that takedown attempt.
IronSide throws a series of punches but Volkov moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Volkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but IronSide prevents it.
IronSide has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Volkov after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

IronSide breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Volkov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and IronSide counters with a nice double leg into side control. Volkov won't be happy with that.
Volkov struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
IronSide tries to move into full mount but can't pass Volkov's legs.
IronSide working the body and head with strikes.
IronSide working away.
A control attempt from Volkov but he's now mounted!
Volkov wants to hold on but IronSide pushes him away.
Volkov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but IronSide scores with a couple of nice shots.
IronSide is thwarting Volkov's attempts to control the position.
Volkov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
IronSide wants to pass to mount but Volkov is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
IronSide is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Volkov trying to get back to full guard but IronSide takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
IronSide sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Volkov tries to hold on but IronSide postures up.
IronSide controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov wants to hold on but IronSide pushes him away.
Volkov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
IronSide avoids the attempt from Volkov to control.

IronSide looking for a guillotine from mount but Volkov is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to lock up and control but IronSide gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Volkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
IronSide tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
IronSide scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Volkov?
Volkov tries to hold on but IronSide postures up.
IronSide has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Volkov's face.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
IronSide looking to control and managing it successfully.
IronSide avoids the attempt from Volkov to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bjorn IronSide dominated that round.
That's time! Volkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Volkov misses with a takedown
and IronSide counters with a series of strikes. Volkov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Volkov tries for a takedown but IronSide circles away easily
and IronSide counters with an outside leg kick.
IronSide leaves Volkov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viktor Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov has his takedown stuffed
and IronSide counters with a straight right hand.
IronSide dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Volkov. That did some damage!
Volkov misses with a takedown attempt - IronSide sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Volkov shoots and misses

and IronSide counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by IronSide.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

IronSide manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

IronSide clinches.
IronSide avoiding damage.
Volkov drops down looking for an ankle pick but IronSide pulls his leg out and moves away.
Volkov fails in his attempt to clinch.

IronSide moves into range and clinches up with Volkov.
Volkov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
IronSide changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Volkov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
IronSide feints and then cracks Volkov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Volkov down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
IronSide throws a head kick but Volkov moves out of range.

IronSide clinches up against the cage.

IronSide has clasped his hands together around Volkov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Volkov being controlled for a moment.
Volkov struggling a bit here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
IronSide scores with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is trying to improve his position.
Volkov wants to control but IronSide postures up.
Volkov is looking to reverse the position.
Volkov can't do much from the bottom here.
IronSide working the ground and pound.
IronSide working the head and body with strikes.
IronSide takes a little break here. Volkov wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Volkov can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as IronSide stalls from top position.
IronSide in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Volkov is looking for a sweep.
IronSide cracks Volkov with a big elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Volkov can't do much from the bottom here.
Volkov is looking to regain half guard here but IronSide keeps moving and retains side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bjorn IronSide showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

IronSide looking to score a takedown here. Volkov is defending well but IronSide drives through and ends up in Volkov's guard.
Volkov controls IronSide momentarily but IronSide frees himself.
IronSide slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
IronSide advances position into side control!
IronSide has control of an arm but Volkov manages to advance to IronSide's back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
IronSide wants to get back to his feet.
Volkov is hanging on to IronSide's back as he tries to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov working for a choke but IronSide is defending well.
IronSide looking very determined here, making life difficult for Volkov.
IronSide is trying to break free.
Volkov is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
IronSide wants to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Will Volkov go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
IronSide has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
IronSide wants to control his opponent's hands but Volkov gets his hands free.
Volkov wants to control but IronSide is keeping busy.
IronSide looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
IronSide turns into Volkov and is now in his guard.
IronSide looking to pass the guard.
IronSide working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Volkov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov working a defensive guard here.
IronSide is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
IronSide postures up.
Bjorn IronSide is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Volkov controlling IronSide's posture.
IronSide is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bjorn IronSide has got the better of the ground game so far.
IronSide's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
IronSide rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Volkov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Volkov throws a low kick but IronSide avoids it.
Viktor Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Volkov wants a takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volkov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but IronSide is keeping busy.
Volkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bjorn IronSide.
Well IronSide has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 26:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 26:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bjorn IronSide!