PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Barnett (ranked 8653 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Volkov (ranked 5645 p4p, 434 weight class). Abdul Barnett has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Barnett
vs
Volkov

221 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

192 cm
21
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abdul Barnett!
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, Ivan Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barnett shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Volkov's guard.
Volkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Barnett has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Volkov is pulling down on Barnett's head. It's preventing any offense from Barnett, at least for the moment.
Barnett won't allow Volkov to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett is fighting to break Volkov's control of his arms but Volkov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Barnett fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Volkov sprawls well initially but Barnett persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Volkov is defending against the submission attempts here by Barnett.
Volkov controlling the position well.
Volkov wants to improve his position but Barnett is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Volkov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Volkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Volkov trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov wants to sweep here but Barnett controlling him for the moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Volkov has Barnett pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ivan Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Volkov.

Volkov decides to stand back up.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett working away.
Volkov gets back to half guard.
Volkov wants to get back to full guard.
Volkov is doing well to control the position and prevent Barnett from advancing to side control.
Volkov is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volkov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Barnett throwing strikes from guard but Volkov blocks nicely.
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 Abdul Barnett will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Abdul Barnett's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Barnett doesn't manage to clinch there - Volkov circles away.
Volkov tries to counter with a clinch but Barnett shakes him off and moves away.

Volkov clinches with his opponent.

Volkov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Volkov gets to his feet - Barnett follows without any prompting.

Barnett bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Abdul Barnett overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Volkov is looking for a sweep.
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Volkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Volkov is trying to control Barnett's posture but Barnett avoids it.
Volkov holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Volkov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Volkov wants to improve his position but Barnett is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volkov trying to control from the bottom.
Volkov tries to get to full guard but Barnett has control of the leg.
Volkov wants to control but Barnett is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Volkov is breathing heavily.
Volkov trying to get back to full guard but Barnett takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Volkov holds on, trying desperately to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to hold on but Barnett pushes him away.
Barnett prevents Volkov from getting the reversal.
Barnett can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Volkov is looking to escape.
Volkov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Volkov wants to control but Barnett is having none of it.
Volkov is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Volkov wants to hold on but Barnett pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Barnett prevents Volkov from getting the reversal.
Volkov tries to hold on but Barnett postures up.
Barnett trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volkov is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdul Barnett dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Abdul Barnett'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!

Volkov closes the distance and clinches.
Volkov is trying to force a seperation but Barnett has the dominant position.

Volkov has clasped his hands together around Barnett's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Barnett throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Volkov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Volkov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Barnett clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Barnett manages to escape to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov darts in and clinches Barnett up against the cage.

Barnett breaks the clinch.

Barnett looking to score a takedown here. Volkov is defending well but Barnett drives through and ends up in Volkov's guard.
Volkov controlling the position.
Barnett working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Volkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barnett won't allow Volkov to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Volkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Volkov 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 working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barnett has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Volkov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Volkov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Barnett is trying to defend but Volkov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Barnett manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Volkov keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Volkov has picked Barnett up - he's going for a ride! Volkov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Barnett is looking to improve his position.
Barnett wants to control but Volkov is keeping busy.
Barnett is refusing to be controlled, as Volkov sits in half guard.
Volkov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett is staying active underneath Volkov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Volkov wants to work for an arm triangle but Barnett is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Volkov stops Barnett from getting back to his feet.

Volkov decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Abdul Barnett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Volkov moves in looking to clinch but Barnett pushes him off.
As Volkov looks to move away, Barnett throws a big counter combo but Volkov just gets out of the way.

Volkov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A frustrated look appears on Volkov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ivan Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abdul Barnett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Barnett pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Abdul Barnett.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barnett, 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdul Barnett!