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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Volkov (ranked 615 p4p, 70 weight class) and Hoddy McNeal (ranked 1147 p4p, 135 weight class). Ivan Volkov had a look across the ring there at his opponent. He definitely means business
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| 175 cm
23
154 lbs
3 - 0 - 0 |
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169 cm
23
150 lbs
15 - 3 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Volkov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hoddy McNeal!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Volkov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
McNeal is trying to control but can't.
McNeal manages to get to full guard.
McNeal is looking to stand up but Volkov isn't so interested in that idea.
Volkov advances to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McNeal has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Volkov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McNeal sees it coming and defends easily.
McNeal is trying to stand.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov tries to pass the half guard into mount. McNeal knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Volkov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
McNeal wants to get back to his feet.
Volkov is looking for a kimura but McNeal is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Volkov to get the leverage.
McNeal wants to control but Volkov is keeping busy.
McNeal tries to roll over but Volkov keeps him under control.
McNeal is trying to stand back up but Volkov is controlling him
Volkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McNeal wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Volkov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McNeal did well to prevent Volkov getting side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov trying to control from half guard but McNeal is working away.
Volkov prevents McNeal from standing back up.
Volkov wants to pass to mount but McNeal is defending the position.
Volkov is looking for a kimura here.
McNeal is trying to escape back to his feet but Volkov uses the scramble to pass into side control.
McNeal wants to get back to his feet but Volkov drags him back down.
McNeal tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Volkov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Volkov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
McNeal can't do much from the bottom here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNeal is pushing Volkov's head away, looking to escape. Volkov manages to hold on to the position though.
You can see the frustration on McNeal's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McNeal is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Volkov is looking to take a break and control but McNeal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Volkov works to advance to full mount. McNeal defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Volkov moves to the back.
McNeal is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Volkov off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
McNeal is trying to stand back up.
Volkov controlling well, preventing McNeal from escaping the position.
McNeal trying to get back to his feet but Volkov is in full control for now.
Volkov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. McNeal defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McNeal showing good submission defense here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ivan Volkov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Volkov shoots in and drives through. McNeal sprawls well.
Volkov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Volkov lands a jab to the nose.
Volkov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. McNeal tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Volkov is in McNeal's guard.
McNeal wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Volkov manages to pass to side control.
McNeal is trying to stand back up but Volkov is controlling him
Volkov wants to pass to mount but McNeal is defending the position.
McNeal wants to improve his position but Volkov is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov stops McNeal from getting back to his feet.
Volkov is looking to take a break and control but McNeal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeal wants to control but Volkov is keeping busy.
Volkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Volkov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Volkov works his foot free and advances to mount.
McNeal tries to reverse the position but Volkov maintains control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McNeal's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
McNeal reaches up to try and control the position but Volkov seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! McNeal rolls and tries to escape and now Volkov has his back!
Ivan Volkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McNeal is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Volkov wants to control but McNeal is keeping busy.
Volkov looking to break McNeal's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. McNeal remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Volkov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
McNeal defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Volkov's arms.
McNeal trying to get back to his feet but Volkov is in full control for now.
Volkov is looking for the choke from the back position but McNeal is controlling his hands well.
Volkov has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, McNeal has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Volkov looking for the choke but no joy.
Volkov seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNeal looking very determined here, making life difficult for Volkov.
Volkov has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
McNeal is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Volkov is looking for the choke from the back position but McNeal is controlling his hands well.
McNeal rolls, trying to escape but Volkov keeps control of the position.
Volkov looking for the RNC.
McNeal trying to get back to his feet but Volkov is in full control for now.
McNeal preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Volkov.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov looking for the RNC.
McNeal is trying to get back to his feet but Volkov has full control of the position and if anything, McNeal has just worked his way into a worse spot.
McNeal manages to reverse the position and now he's in Volkov's guard. Nice work there by McNeal.
McNeal is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Volkov working a defensive guard here.
McNeal trying to stand up but can't free himself from Volkov's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Volkov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ivan Volkov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
McNeal keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Volkov.
McNeal looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Volkov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McNeal moves away.
Volkov tests McNeal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Volkov throws a body shot but no joy.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown but McNeal shows good takedown defense.
The fighters circling - McNeal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Volkov throws out a powerful jab.
Volkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McNeal swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov just misses with a punch to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McNeal! But no joy.
Volkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McNeal.
Volkov swings away with a body shot that misses
and McNeal counters with a one-two to the body.
McNeal connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
McNeal throws a combination that misses
and Volkov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
McNeal wants to stand and escape but Volkov is having none of it.
Volkov wants to pass the guard but McNeal is keeping the position.
McNeal wants to get back to his feet but Volkov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McNeal keeping full guard, as Volkov tries to pass.
Volkov won't allow McNeal to get back to his feet.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
McNeal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov dips to his left and cracks McNeal with an uppercut!
Volkov swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling McNeal to counter with a crisp jab.
A punch combination from McNeal misses.
Volkov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. McNeal sprawls well initially but Volkov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
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!
McNeal is looking to improve his position.
Volkov controlling the pace.
McNeal is looking to escape.
McNeal is trying to maintain the position but Volkov is very close to passing his half guard.
McNeal wants to get back to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNeal is not content to let Volkov control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ivan Volkov is winning the standup battle so far.
McNeal looks to land a right hand but Volkov moved out of range.
A big right from McNeal misses.
Volkov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Volkov throws a hook but McNeal avoids it easily.
McNeal is looking for the big counter here.
Volkov jabs at McNeal's body.
Volkov misses with an uppercut.
Volkov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Volkov.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov connects with a single shot there.
Volkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McNeal can do to turn this around?
McNeal needs to keep his hands up - Volkov had a free shot at his head there.
Volkov with a poor takedown
enabling McNeal to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov works the jab nicely.
Volkov scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McNeal throws the left hand but Volkov avoids the punch easily.
McNeal misses with a left hand
and Volkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Volkov swings widly with a right hand
and McNeal counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Volkov thinking.
Volkov misses with a hook
and McNeal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A swing and a miss from McNeal.
McNeal throws a shot from downtown. Volkov moves away and avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ivan Volkov clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Volkov throws a jab when McNeal was well out of range.
Nice sprawl there from McNeal as Volkov shoots in.
McNeal looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice takedown defense from McNeal. No joy for Volkov on that attempt.
McNeal throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McNeal uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Volkov.
McNeal looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Volkov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov darts in looking for a takedown but McNeal gets double underhooks and turns Volkov into the ropes.
Volkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McNeal was well out of range. Poor timing from Volkov.
That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeal throws a lazy right hand but Volkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Volkov is looking to counter punch.
Ivan Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McNeal was well out of range. Poor timing from Volkov.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McNeal! But no joy.
Volkov misses with a right hand
and McNeal counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McNeal connects with a looping right hand.
Volkov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McNeal.
Volkov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Volkov slips under a jab from McNeal.
A looping hook to the body misses from Volkov. McNeal does a little dance to reset his feet.
Volkov catches McNeal with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Volkov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Volkov moves away from the strike by McNeal.
Volkov just misses with a punch to the body.
McNeal now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov throws an off balance right hand
and Volkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McNeal with a hook.
McNeal lands a glancing blow to the side of Volkov's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Volkov has his takedown stuffed
and McNeal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nice defenses there by Volkov.
McNeal tries to sprawl but Volkov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Volkov tries to pass the half guard into mount. McNeal knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
McNeal moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
McNeal wants to get back to his feet but Volkov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
McNeal prevents Volkov from moving into mount.
McNeal struggling a bit here.
McNeal is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Volkov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Volkov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McNeal is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
McNeal is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Volkov is controlling him well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
McNeal tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Volkov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Volkov staying calm.
McNeal is trying to buck Volkov off.
Volkov tries to move into full mount but can't pass McNeal's legs.
Volkov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, McNeal has escaped the position, nice work there.
McNeal is looking for a sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McNeal wants to get back to his feet but Volkov drags him back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Hoddy McNeal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Volkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!
Volkov misses with a looping left.
Hoddy McNeal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McNeal misses with a looping left.
Volkov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. McNeal sprawls well initially but Volkov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
McNeal is looking to escape.
Volkov seems to be looking for submissions.
McNeal wants to get back to his feet.
Volkov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McNeal is just riding it out for now. Volkov eventually gives up the hold.
McNeal is trying to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McNeal is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov wants to control but McNeal is keeping him busy.
Volkov is working for a kimura but McNeal is defending it quite comfortably.
Volkov is working for a submission of some sort.
McNeal slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Volkov stops McNeal from standing up.
Volkov tries to free his leg and advance position but McNeal is retaining full guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
McNeal wants to stand and escape but Volkov is having none of it.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Volkov drives through with a takedown into McNeal's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
McNeal wants to stand but Volkov is controlling the position.
McNeal working a defensive guard but Volkov passes into half guard.
Volkov works his way into side control.
Volkov wants to control but McNeal is keeping him busy.
Ivan Volkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNeal wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Volkov tries to advance to mount but can't.
McNeal is trying to get back to his feet.
Volkov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
McNeal pushes Volkov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Volkov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Volkov is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt McNeal will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Good standup being displayed there by Volkov as he connects with a hook.
McNeal throws an off balance right hand
enabling Volkov to counter with a crisp jab.
Volkov works McNeal's body with a nice hook.
Volkov connects with a good right hand that stumbles McNeal. McNeal circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Volkov moves out of range of the strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McNeal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Volkov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Volkov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McNeal looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A shot to the liver by Volkov. Beautiful body shot.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Volkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Volkov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight for Ivan Volkov!
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Ivan Volkov!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Ivan Volkov!
Ivan Volkov wins by unanimous decision!
Ivan Volkov retains his featherweight title!
Ivan Volkov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
40% |
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