PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikita Dzhigurda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Dzhigurda
vs
Volkov

205 cm
25
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
20
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikita Dzhigurda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mark Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Sergei Dronov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dzhigurda misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Volkov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Dzhigurda.

It looks like Mark Volkov has been cut.
Volkov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Volkov wants it to stay on the feet.
Volkov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Dzhigurda counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Dzhigurda manages to break the clinch.
Dzhigurda dives in and grabs Volkov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Volkov pushes down on Dzhigurda's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikita Dzhigurda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dzhigurda gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Volkov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkov tries to clinch but Dzhigurda moves away

and Dzhigurda counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dzhigurda.
Dzhigurda keeps control of Volkov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Volkov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Dzhigurda is keeping busy.
Volkov tries to throw a body punch but Dzhigurda avoids it by throwing Volkov back against the cage.

Volkov manages to break the clinch.
Volkov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Dzhigurda fails with a takedown attempt.
Dzhigurda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Volkov as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
A combination from Dzhigurda does no damage.
Dzhigurda bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Volkov with a hook.
Dzhigurda walks into a jab.
Dzhigurda shoots in for a takedown but Volkov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dzhigurda is breathing heavily.
Volkov moves in looking to clinch but Dzhigurda pushes him off.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dzhigurda.

Volkov lands a big uppercut and Dzhigurda crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Dzhigurda looks OK. Volkov waves Dzhigurda back to his feet!

Dzhigurda is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Volkov moves into the clinch.
Oh Dzhigurda is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Dzhigurda being controlled against the cage.

Volkov breaks the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Volkov.
Dzhigurda seems to have got his legs back now.
Volkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dzhigurda swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzhigurda misses with the combination.
Volkov tries to clinch there but Dzhigurda circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dzhigurda is defended easily by Volkov.
Volkov tries to clinch up but Dzhigurda circles away and keeps his distance.
Sloppy strikes from Volkov. Those never looked like landing.
Nice sprawl there from Dzhigurda as Volkov shoots in.
Volkov misses with a double jab

and Dzhigurda decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Volkov's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Dzhigurda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Volkov is keeping the position for now.
Dzhigurda controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov wants to stand and escape but Dzhigurda is having none of it.
Volkov keeping moving, preventing Dzhigurda from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Nikita Dzhigurda.
Nice takedown defense from Volkov. No joy for Dzhigurda on that attempt.
Volkov wants to clinch.
Volkov throws a series of punches but Dzhigurda avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov shoots for a takedown but Dzhigurda saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dzhigurda scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Dzhigurda scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Dzhigurda throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Volkov instigates a clinch.

Dzhigurda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dzhigurda slaps away a takedown attempt from Volkov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dzhigurda misses with a takedown attempt - Volkov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dzhigurda looks to land a combination. Volkov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Volkov tries to clinch but Dzhigurda is having none of it.
Volkov moves in looking to clinch but Dzhigurda pushes him off.
Volkov is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mark Volkov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mark Volkov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Volkov wants to clinch up but Dzhigurda keeps it at a distance.
Volkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Volkov tries to clinch there but Dzhigurda circles away.
Dzhigurda shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Volkov as he avoids it easily.
Volkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Volkov tries to clinch up.
Volkov throws a nice looking combination but Dzhigurda bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Volkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nikita Dzhigurda is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Volkov looks to clinch
and Dzhigurda counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Dzhigurda dives in and grabs Volkov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Volkov pushes down on Dzhigurda's head and hops out.
Volkov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Volkov misses with a takedown attempt - Dzhigurda sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dzhigurda looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikita Dzhigurda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dzhigurda shoots in and drives through. Volkov sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzhigurda fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dzhigurda walks into a stiff left hand from Volkov.
Dzhigurda misses with the combination.
Volkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Volkov looks to land a combination. Dzhigurda sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Danga de danga de dang - Dzhigurda scores with a four punch combination!
Volkov throws a right hand that Dzhigurda ducks under and follows up with a left that Dzhigurda also avoids with ease.

Dzhigurda moves into range and clinches up with Volkov.
Volkov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Volkov stops a takedown attempt from Dzhigurda.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is pressed up against the cage. Dzhigurda 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.
Dzhigurda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Volkov has a takedown stuffed.

Dzhigurda gets a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dzhigurda as Volkov tries to tie him up.
Dzhigurda has Volkov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Volkov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dzhigurda lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Volkov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Volkov tries to circle away but Dzhigurda has him pinned against the cage.
Volkov wants to get back to striking at distance but Dzhigurda won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to break the clinch but Dzhigurda is controlling the position.
Volkov throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Dzhigurda.
Dzhigurda blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Volkov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Volkov tries a body shot but Dzhigurda blocks it.
Dzhigurda is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Volkov to keep the fight standing.
Volkov throws a head punch that misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Dzhigurda tries a knee to the head but Volkov blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Volkov fails to land.

Volkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Dzhigurda closes the distance and clinches.
Volkov trying to stall but Dzhigurda improves his position.
Volkov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Volkov trying to control the position but instead, Dzhigurda has worked for underhooks and has pushed Volkov into the cage.

Dzhigurda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dzhigurda dives in and grabs Volkov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Volkov pushes down on Dzhigurda's head and hops out.
Mark Volkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dzhigurda staying out of range there.
Dzhigurda stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
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 Nikita Dzhigurda will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mark Volkov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Volkov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Volkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dzhigurda swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Volkov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dzhigurda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Volkov tries to clinch up.
Dzhigurda is trying hard to land a takedown here. Volkov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Volkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dzhigurda moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dzhigurda slips a jab and a cross from Volkov.

Dzhigurda gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Volkov misses with the head strike.
Dzhigurda fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Volkov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dzhigurda has him pressed against the cage.
Volkov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dzhigurda avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Volkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzhigurda tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Volkov smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikita Dzhigurda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dzhigurda avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Volkov throws a right and a left that Dzhigurda avoids nicely.
Dzhigurda fails with the takedown.
Dzhigurda shoots in for a double leg but Volkov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Volkov pushes Dzhigurda up against the cage in a clinch.
Dzhigurda jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Volkov walks away with a smile on his face. Dzhigurda gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Volkov tries to clinch but Dzhigurda moves out of range.
Volkov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Volkov is looking to clinch.
Volkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dzhigurda swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dzhigurda closes the distance and clinches.
Dzhigurda lands a shoulder strike.
Volkov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Dzhigurda.
Volkov wants to break free but Dzhigurda has control.

Dzhigurda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Volkov drives through and clinches with Dzhigurda against the cage.
Volkov has a couple of punches blocked by Dzhigurda.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dzhigurda is working for takedown but Volkov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Volkov tries to break free but Dzhigurda pushes him back against the cage.

Dzhigurda breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Dzhigurda with that takedown attempt.
Volkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Volkov clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Volkov.
Volkov lands a shoulder strike.
Dzhigurda is working for takedown but Volkov is calmly controlling the position for now.

Volkov breaks from the clinch.
Volkov lands with a shot to the body.
Volkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Volkov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dzhigurda.
Dzhigurda will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dzhigurda walks into a straight right hand from Volkov.
Volkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dzhigurda fails to land the takedown.

Volkov pushes Dzhigurda up against the cage in a clinch.
Mark Volkov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Volkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Volkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dzhigurda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Volkov throws a right hand that Dzhigurda ducks under and follows up with a left that Dzhigurda also avoids with ease.
Dzhigurda cracks Volkov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dzhigurda avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dzhigurda misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dzhigurda will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:30

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