PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vitaly Volkanov (ranked 1391 p4p, 1165 weight class) and Jean Francois LaFleur (ranked 168 p4p, 141 weight class). Vitaly Volkanov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jean Francois LaFleur's chin.

Volkanov
vs
LaFleur

198 cm
21
255
2 - 1 - 0

200 cm
22
266
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vitaly Volkanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jean Francois LaFleur!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Colin Fotheringham and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LaFleur misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Volkanov.
LaFleur walks into a straight right hand from Volkanov.

It looks like Jean Francois LaFleur has been cut.
Volkanov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Volkanov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by LaFleur.
Volkanov loads up on a big right hand but LaFleur slips the punch.

Volkanov clinches up with LaFleur and pushes him back against the cage.
LaFleur swings away with an uppercut that misses.
LaFleur tries to throw a body punch but Volkanov avoids it by throwing LaFleur back against the cage.
Volkanov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Volkanov leaning against his opponent.
LaFleur tries to break free but Volkanov pushes him back against the cage.

LaFleur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Volkanov does it's job there.
Volkanov throws a lazy right hand but LaFleur sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Volkanov punishes LaFleur's body with a nice straight punch.
Volkanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract LaFleur.
LaFleur throws out a counter right but Volkanov avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaFleur scores with the left hand. Volkanov knows he should have avoided that one.
Volkanov takes a swing at LaFleur's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from LaFleur. Volkanov does a little dance to reset his feet.

Volkanov pushes LaFleur up against the cage in a clinch.
Volkanov missing with knees to the body.
Volkanov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Volkanov tries to land knees in the clinch but LaFleur avoids the damage to the body.
LaFleur misses with some punches.
Volkanov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. LaFleur is defending well for now.

LaFleur breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Volkanov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
LaFleur misses with a looping left.
A quick step to the side and Volkanov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body punch from LaFleur.
Volkanov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

It looks like Vitaly Volkanov has been cut.
Volkanov misses the body punch
enabling LaFleur to counter with a crisp jab.
Volkanov throws a leg kick
and LaFleur counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
LaFleur lands with an overhand left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkanov darts in trying to clinch
and LaFleur counters with a nice uppercut.
A solid leg kick lands there for Volkanov.
Volkanov misses with a jab to the body

and LaFleur counters with a nice right hand that sends Volkanov toppling to the canvas! Volkanov scrambles and gets back to his feet - can LaFleur finish him?!

Volkanov cracks LaFleur with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! LaFleur looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Volkanov finish him?
Volkanov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and LaFleur counters with a right hand to the body.
LaFleur bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It seemed like LaFleur was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
LaFleur scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Volkanov is breathing heavily.
Volkanov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and LaFleur counters with a left to the body.
LaFleur has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
LaFleur cracks a nice hook into Volkanov's ribs.
Volkanov walks into a stiff left hand from LaFleur.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanov throws a left and a right that both miss
and LaFleur counters with a nice uppercut.

LaFleur cracks Volkanov with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. LaFleur has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Volkanov to stand back up!

Volkanov is rocked!
Vitaly Volkanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LaFleur jabs at Volkanov's body.
Volkanov misses with a right hand
and LaFleur counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
LaFleur misses the shot to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Volkanov misses the target.
Volkanov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Volkanov connects with a single shot there.
Volkanov swings widly with a right hand

and LaFleur counters with a crisp right hand that drops Volkanov! LaFleur lets Volkanov back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Oh Volkanov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Vitaly Volkanov's cut is getting worse.
Volkanov works the jab nicely.
Volkanov seems to have got his legs back now.
LaFleur throws a hook but Volkanov blocks it.
LaFleur clobbers Volkanov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
LaFleur looks to land a right hand but Volkanov moved out of range.
Volkanov is looking to counter punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanov throws a jab but it's blocked by LaFleur.
Volkanov misses with a left hand
and LaFleur counters with a right hand to the body.

LaFleur lands a big right hand that sends Volkanov crashing to the mat! LaFleur stays standing though and waves Volkanov back to his feet!
Volkanov throws a predictable looking body shot
and LaFleur counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
LaFleur fires a straight punch through the middle that cracks Volkanov square on the jaw! Damn, Volkanov is out cold on his feet and topples face first to the canvas! Wow, I haven't seen a knockout that brutal in a long time!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Jean Francois LaFleur!
Our winner, Jean Francois LaFleur, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.