PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cyril Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Hardy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Volkov comes to the cage accompanied by System of a Down - Deer Dance. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Volkov
vs
Hardy

184 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

191 cm
21
195 lbs
4 - 6 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cyril Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chris Hardy!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hardy clinches.
Volkov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Volkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Volkov keeps the fight on the outside.

Hardy takes the fight into the clinch.
Volkov is trying to pull guard but Hardy has him pressed against the cage.
Hardy misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hardy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Hardy pulls Volkov into guard.
Volkov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hardy is pulling down on Volkov's head to control his posture.
Hardy has a closed guard, preventing Volkov from standing up.
Hardy seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Volkov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Volkov looking to sit in guard and control but Hardy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hardy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Volkov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hardy on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy wants to control from the top but Volkov keeps moving.
Hardy throws a big elbow that misses.
Volkov keeping full guard, as Hardy tries to pass.

Hardy gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Hardy tries to clinch up
and Volkov counters with a stiff right hand.

Hardy clinches.
Volkov lands a good knee to the midsection. Hardy won't want to take too many of those.
Hardy wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hardy lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Volkov misses with a knee to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hardy.
Volkov misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov lands an elbow inside.
Volkov pushes Hardy back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardy has had enough of the clinch but Volkov keeps him there for the moment.
Hardy tries to work over Volkov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Volkov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A shot in the inside from Hardy.
Volkov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hardy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hardy scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nice elbow from Volkov.
Nice elbow from Volkov.
Hardy lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Volkov pushes off an throws an elbow but Hardy leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Volkov stalling in the clinch but Hardy improves position.
Hardy misses with a punch to the body.
Hardy tries to break free but Volkov pushes him back against the cage.
Hardy jumps guard but Volkov stands there with Hardy around his waist. Hardy gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hardy swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Volkov.

It looks like Chris Hardy has been cut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hardy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hardy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Volkov has him pressed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hardy.
Volkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hardy's efforts to push away.
Volkov lands an elbow that stopped Hardy in his tracks for a moment.
Hardy fails to pull guard.
Volkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Hardy uses good head movement to avoid it.

Volkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Volkov tries to clinch but Hardy moves out of range.
Hardy tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Volkov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardy is looking to clinch.

Hardy clinches up against the cage.
Hardy lands a nice uppercut.
Hardy tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Volkov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Cyril Volkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Hardy.
Volkov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Hardy scores with a nice short uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Volkov landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov lands a left hand.

Volkov breaks the clinch.

Volkov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hardy looking to slow down the pace here.
Hardy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Volkovs head.
Volkov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hardy lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Volkov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hardy's defenses.
Hardy taking a breather.
Hardy pushes off an throws an elbow but Volkov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hardy has Volkov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Volkov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hardy looks winded!
Volkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Volkov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hardy smiles and moves away.
Volkov swinging wildly here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Volkov rushes Hardy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hardy lands a left hand.
Hardy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Volkov has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chris Hardy will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chris Hardy's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Volkov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Hardy has managed to clinch.
Volkov crunches a lovely knee into Hardy's ribcage.

Volkov pulls guard effortlessly.
Hardy looking to pass the guard.

Hardy stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Volkov clinches with his opponent.
Volkov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Volkov prevents Hardy from breaking the clinch.
Volkov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardy misses with the head strike.
Volkov lands a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Volkov.

Volkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hardy is breathing heavily.
Volkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hardy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Volkov tries to clinch up.
Hardy is looking to clinch but Volkov is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Volkov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardy looks to clinch

and Volkov counters by clinching up.
Hardy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Volkov lands an elbow inside that Hardy shrugs off.
Volkov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hardy just stands there and leans against the cage.
Volkov lands a nice elbow.
Volkov trying to land knees to the body.

Volkov decides to pull guard.
Volkov is controlling Hardy's posture.
Hardy wants to control from the top but Volkov keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volkov keeping full guard, as Hardy tries to pass.

Hardy has gone for a leg lock! Volkov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hardy's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy working a defensive guard here.
Hardy is pulling down on Volkov's head. It's preventing any offense from Volkov, at least for the moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Chris Hardy hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hardy shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Volkov but Volkov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Volkov drives through and clinches with Hardy against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hardy misses with some punches.
Hardy tries to circle away but Volkov has him pinned against the cage.
Volkov tries to pull guard but Hardy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hardy has a couple of punches blocked by Volkov.
Cyril Volkov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Volkov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hardy is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hardy takes an elbow to the temple.
Volkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hardy after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cyril Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov swings wildly with an uppercut but Hardy uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Volkov is trying to pull guard but Hardy has him pressed against the cage.
Volkov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hardy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Volkov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hardy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Volkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hardy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hardy is looking to clinch but Volkov is avoiding it.

Hardy moves into the clinch successfully.
Hardy lands a right hand.
Volkov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hardy takes an elbow to the forehead.
Volkov has Hardy pressed against the cage, preventing Hardy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Hardy pulls guard successfully.
Hardy pulls Volkov in close to prevent any damage.

Hardy manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Hardy circles away.
Volkov tries to clinch but Hardy is having none of it.

Volkov moves into the clinch successfully.
Hardy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Volkov.

Volkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hardy fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hardy stuffs the takedown.
Cyril Volkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hardy throws a push kick but Volkov slaps the foot to one side.
Volkov stuffs the takedown.

Volkov closes the distance and clinches.
Volkov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hardy swings wildly with an uppercut but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Volkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Volkov is looking to clinch but Hardy is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Volkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cyril Volkov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chris Hardy's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Volkov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Volkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Hardy circles away.
Hardy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Volkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hardy swats away the attempt to clinch by Volkov.
Hardy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hardy is looking to clinch but Volkov is avoiding it.
Chris Hardy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hardy swats away the attempt to clinch by Volkov.
Volkov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hardy tries to clinch up.
Hardy tries to clinch but Volkov is having none of it.
Volkov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Volkov moves in looking to clinch but Hardy pushes him off.
Volkov tries to clinch

and Hardy counters by moving into the clinch.

Hardy pulls guard.
Volkov wants to get up but he can't break Hardy's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hardy lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Volkov!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov is trying desperately to improve position.
Hardy forces the positional change into back control.

Volkov is having to fend off submission attempts from Hardy, who is looking to sink in the choke. Hardy doesn't have the hooks in though and Volkov manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.
Hardy seems keen to control Volkov's posture.
Volkov wants to stand but Hardy is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardy is controlling Volkov's posture.

Hardy kicks Volkov off and gets to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cyril Volkov is winning the standup battle so far.

Hardy tries to keep at a distance but Volkov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hardy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hardy swings wildly with an uppercut but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hardy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Volkov misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardy avoids the elbow strike from Volkov, against the cage.
A knee to the head by Volkov.
Volkov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hardy to keep the fight standing.
Hardy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hardy tries to break the clinch but Volkov is controlling the position.

Volkov breaks the clinch.

Volkov instigates a clinch.

Hardy jumps into guard, dragging Volkov to the mat.
Volkov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hardy's guard.
Hardy is pulling down on Volkov's head to control his posture.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Chris Hardy hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hardy is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is looking to clinch.
Volkov tries to clinch but Hardy moves out of range.
Hardy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Hardy tries to clinch up.
Volkov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hardy tries to avoid it but Volkov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hardy to the ground. Hardy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardy tries to close the distance and clinch but Volkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Volkov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hardy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardy tries to clinch up but Volkov circles away and keeps his distance.
Volkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Hardy circles away.
Volkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Hardy circles away.
Hardy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Hardy closes the distance and clinches.
Hardy scores with a shoulder strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hardy is pressed up against the cage. Volkov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hardy down to the mat. Hardy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cyril Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardy is looking to clinch but Volkov is avoiding it.

Hardy has Volkov up against the cage in a clinch.
Volkov pushes off an throws an elbow but Hardy leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Hardy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hardy 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Hardy!
After the fight, Chris Hardy was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.