PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Enrique Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Volkov

172 cm
28
172 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

179 cm
26
177 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Enrique Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Steve Erwin and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith avoids the head kick by Volkov.
Volkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Volkov throws a push kick but Smith slaps the foot to one side.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Enrique Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Volkov.
Volkov looks to land a body kick but Smith moved away.
Nice sprawl there from Volkov as Smith shoots in.
Volkov throws the kick towards the body but Smith avoids it.
Smith looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Volkov is fending him off so far but Smith persists. Nope, Volkov circles away and we're back to standing.
A head kick misses from Volkov.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Enrique Volkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses.
Smith moves out of range as Volkov throws a body kick.
Volkov looks for the body kick but Smith saw that one coming.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Volkov moves out of range of the body kick.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Smith instigates a clinch.
Volkov stops a takedown attempt from Smith.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee is keeping an eye on Smith - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking for a takedown.
Volkov can't break the clinch.
Volkov is pressed up against the cage. Smith has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Volkov down to the mat. Volkov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Volkov.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith avoids the head kick by Volkov.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Volkov enables Smith to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Volkov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Volkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Volkov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith trying to control the action but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Smith controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith moves nicely into side control.
The strikes coming from Smith are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith staying calm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mike Smith will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Volkov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Volkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Volkov misses with a body kick.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith blocks a head kick by Volkov.
Volkov tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith thows a body shot but no joy.
Volkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith moves out of range of the body kick from Volkov.
Volkov throws the kick towards the body but Smith avoids it.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice sprawl there from Volkov as Smith shoots in.
An inside leg kick from Volkov misses.
Volkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Mike Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Volkov is breathing heavily.
Volkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Volkov throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Volkov, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Volkov against the cage but Volkov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.

Smith changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Volkov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Volkov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith landing strikes.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Volkov can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Smith has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith moves out of range of the body kick from Volkov.
Smith blocks the body kick.
Volkov throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Volkov throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smith.
Volkov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith cracks Volkov with a big elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith is staying tight to Volkov's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Smith trying to control the action but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Volkov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Smith.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith throwing shots but missing, from side control.
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 Mike Smith will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith blocks a head kick by Volkov.
Enrique Volkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Volkov connects with a solid leg kick.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Volkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses.
Volkov throws a body kick that misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.
Smith moves out of range of the body kick from Volkov.
Volkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Volkov misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Volkov sprawls well.
Volkov throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Volkov pinned against the cage. Volkov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Smith with that takedown attempt.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Volkov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries a head kick but it misses.

Volkov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smith to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Volkov wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
Smith pushes down on Volkov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Volkov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith decides to return to a standing position.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Volkov.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
Smith has Volkov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Volkov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Volkov working hard to break the clinch.
Volkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Volkov with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is pressed up against the cage. Smith has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Volkov down to the mat. Volkov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Volkov tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Volkov sprawls well.
Volkov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Smith.
Volkov thows a body kick. Smith tries to catch it but that hurt him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Enrique Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Volkov is looking to land body kicks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Enrique Volkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Smith 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Smith!