PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Trent Bash (ranked 24735 p4p, 4492 weight class) and Bogdan Volkov (ranked 525 p4p, 460 weight class). Bogdan Volkov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Bash
vs
Volkov

150 cm
21
186
3 - 5 - 0

178 cm
21
195
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Trent Bash!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bogdan Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bash takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Bash shoots in and bounces Volkov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bash could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Volkov is adopting a defensive guard.

Bash drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Volkov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Bash has Volkov in his guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bash looking for subs off his back but Volkov has passed one foot through into half guard.
Volkov passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bash is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bash is working hard here to advance position.

Volkov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Volkov trying to control the action but Bash is working from the bottom.

Volkov stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Bash takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Volkov has a takedown stuffed.
Bash half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bash changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Volkov tries to avoid it but Bash 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 for the big counter here.
Danga de danga de dang - Volkov scores with a four punch combination!

Volkov clinches up against the cage.
Bash can't find room to land a body shot as Volkov controls the action.
Volkov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Nice body punch from Volkov - that landed with a thud.
Volkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bash's efforts to push away.
Volkov landing knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Volkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Volkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Volkov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Volkov uses his free foot to push down on Bash's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Bash.
Volkov lands with some strikes.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Volkov looking to control but Bash is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Volkov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bash sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Volkov works his way into side control.
Volkov working the ground and pound but Bash is defending the strikes.
Bash is trying to get back to half guard.
Volkov trying to control the position but Bash is working away.
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!
Bash looks to move to half guard but instead Volkov has passed into mount! Damn!
Volkov wants to control the pace but Bash is squirming around nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bogdan Volkov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Bash ducks right into an uppercut from Volkov.
Volkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Bash circles away.
Volkov dives in and grabs Bash's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bash pushes down on Volkov's head and hops out.
Volkov lands a slapping body shot.
No luck for Volkov with that takedown attempt.
Bash changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Volkov clinches up with Bash and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Volkov.
Bash has Volkov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Volkov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Volkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov drags the fight down to the ground.
Volkov is trying to control the position but Bash postures up.
Volkov wants to stand up but Bash is controlling him.
Volkov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Bash has passed into side control.
Volkov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Bash goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Volkov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Bash's guard! Nice work there by Volkov!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov trying to control but Bash is working from the bottom.

Bash looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Volkov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Volkov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Bash working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Volkov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Volkov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Bash has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Volkov is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Bash.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov wants to control but Bash is keeping him busy.
Volkov has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Bash!
Bash avoids a series of strikes thrown by Volkov.
The referee warns Bash that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Bash is wriggling around trying to escape.
Bash is bucking up trying to escape but Volkov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Bash is wriggling around trying to escape.
Volkov tries to control but Bash wriggling away.
Volkov breaks from Bash's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Volkov landing strikes from the mount.
Volkov trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Bash wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Bash defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Volkov's arms.
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!
Volkov is hanging on to Bash's back as he tries to escape.

Bash showing good submission defense here.
Bash knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Volkov on the ground.
Bash covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Bash might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A lull in the action here.

Volkov looking for the choke but no joy.
A lull in the action here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bogdan Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Volkov moves into the clinch successfully.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Volkov.
Bash is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Volkov is defending well for now.
Bash is trying to stall.
Bash jumps guard but Volkov stands there with Bash around his waist. Bash gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bash is trying to pull guard but Volkov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bash is trying to break free.

Volkov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Volkov looking for a guillotine here but Bash defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov working for a triangle but Bash defends it easily.

Bash is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Volkov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Volkov has escaped and now he's on top!

Bash is looking for a triangle but Volkov pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bash is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bash has an active guard here but Volkov has managed to pass into half guard.
Trent Bash has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Volkov wants to control but Bash is keeping him busy.
Volkov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Bash is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Volkov pulls his head out easily.

Bash actively working from the bottom here.
Volkov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bash does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bash looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Volkov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bash has managed to free his arm - good work.
Volkov is keen to just control but Bash is a slippery customer.

Bash actively working from the bottom here.

Bash looking for submissions off his back.
Volkov wants to take a breather but Bash is having none of it.
Volkov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bash is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Volkov scores with a couple of nice shots.

Bash is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Volkov pulls his head out easily.
Volkov is looking to take a break and control but Bash is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bash on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bash tries to get out of the position.

Bash looking for submissions off his back.
Volkov is trying to control the action in half guard but Bash is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Bash looking for submissions off his back.

Bash actively working from the bottom here.
Bogdan Volkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Volkov stands up out of the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bogdan Volkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Volkov 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bogdan Volkov!