PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Koji Murosaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murosaki has chosen Now We Are Free as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Vyacheslav Volkov
vs
Murosaki

175 cm
28
162 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

185 cm
30
165 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Koji Murosaki!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Lou da Vinci and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Murosaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Volkov tries to avoid it but Murosaki 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 misses the shot to the body.
Murosaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Volkov circles away.
Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov throws a hook to the side of Murosaki's head but Murosaki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And Murosaki tries to counter it with a takedown but Volkov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Murosaki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Volkov.
Murosaki throws a head kick that misses
and Volkov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Volkov thuds his shin into the meat of Murosaki's side.
Murosaki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Volkov.
Murosaki drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Volkov defends it well.
Murosaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Volkov circles away.
Volkov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Murosaki steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Volkov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Volkov pushes Murosaki up against the cage in a clinch.
Murosaki is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Volkov to keep the fight standing.
Murosaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Volkov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Koji Murosaki.
Murosaki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov struggles to land a body shot inside as Murosaki controls his hands.
Murosaki tries to pull guard but Volkov won't allow it.
Volkov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Murosaki.

Volkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Murosaki walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Murosaki is defended easily by Volkov.
A big right from Volkov misses.
Volkov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Volkov throws a looping overhand right but Murosaki ducks down to avoid it.
Murosaki throws a counter combo.
Volkov is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Murosaki's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Murosaki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Murosaki checks a leg kick nicely.
Volkov misses with a low kick.
Murosaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Murosaki circles away quickly and effectively.
Volkov throws a lazy right hand but Murosaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Murosaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Volkov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Murosaki somewhat.
Volkov wants to slow Murosaki down by chopping away at his legs.
Murosaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Volkov throws out the jab.

Murosaki gets a double leg takedown into Volkov's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Volkov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Volkov working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volkov pulls Murosaki in to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Murosaki looking to pass the guard.
Volkov trying to keep a closed guard but Murosaki is proving a slippery customer.

Murosaki 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.
Volkov is pulling down on Murosaki's head. It's preventing any offense from Murosaki, at least for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Murosaki shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Murosaki was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Murosaki is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Volkov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Murosaki tries for a kimura but Volkov is defending well.
Volkov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Murosaki working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov dominated that round.
That's time! Volkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Murosaki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Volkov's waist but Volkov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Murosaki off to one side.
Murosaki shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Volkov pinned against the cage. Volkov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Volkov throws a push kick but Murosaki slaps the foot to one side.
Volkov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Murosaki is trying hard to land a takedown here. Volkov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Koji Murosaki.

Volkov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Murosaki, pushing him back against the cage.

Murosaki manages to pull guard.
Volkov postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Murosaki is retaining full guard.
Murosaki wants to sweep here but Volkov controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov forces his way into half guard.
Volkov is thwarting Murosaki's attempts to control the position.

Volkov is trying to work for a kimura but Murosaki is defending well.
Volkov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Volkov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Murosaki wants to get back to full guard.
Volkov is stalling here. Murosaki is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Volkov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Murosaki has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Volkov wants to control but Murosaki postures up.
Volkov tries to improve position but can't.
Volkov can't do much from the bottom here.
Volkov is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov wants to control but Murosaki postures up.
Murosaki trying to control the action but Volkov is working from the bottom.

Murosaki tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Volkov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Murosaki off and has taken his back!
Murosaki trying to get back to his feet but Volkov is in full control for now.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Volkov's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murosaki showing good submission defense here.
Volkov has good solid back control here.
Volkov not allowing Murosaki to control his hands.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Murosaki is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov dominated that second round.
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!

Murosaki on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Murosaki has closed the distance and engaged Volkov in a clinch.
Volkov scores with a hook to the body.
Volkov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Volkov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A shot in the inside from Volkov.
Volkov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Murosaki's elbow.
Volkov gets underhooks to prevent Murosaki's takedown attempt.
Volkov is pushing Murosaki up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Murosaki ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Murosaki no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Volkov wants to pass the guard but Murosaki is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Murosaki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Volkov defends well.
Volkov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Murosaki is proving hard to escape from.
Volkov trying to control but Murosaki is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Volkov misses with a wild body shot.
Volkov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Murosaki walks into a jab.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Volkov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Volkov misses with a looping right.
Murosaki is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov is winning the standup battle so far.
Volkov lands an overhand right.

Murosaki shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Murosaki is thwarting Volkov's attempts to control the position.

Murosaki seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murosaki is trying to control. Volkov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Volkov wants to improve his position but Murosaki is controlling well.
Volkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Murosaki can do to turn this around?
Murosaki controlling the action here.
Murosaki wants to take a breather but Volkov is having none of it.
Volkov is positioning himself well to prevent Murosaki advancing to mount.
Murosaki prevents Volkov from improving his position.
Koji Murosaki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Volkov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Koji Murosaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Murosaki slips nicely into half guard.

Murosaki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Volkov sees it coming and defends easily.
Murosaki looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Volkov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Murosaki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Murosaki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Volkov keeping control of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Volkov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Volkov has one foot on Murosaki's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Volkov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov!
Post fight, Maxim Vyacheslav Volkov took to the microphone: 'I am proud communist.'.