PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aless Volzhka (ranked 4446 p4p, 4313 weight class) and Abi Algiorno (ranked 0 p4p, 454 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.

Volzhka
vs
Algiorno

183 cm
20
145
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aless Volzhka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abi Algiorno!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volzhka tries to clinch up but Algiorno circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Algiorno. That snapped Volzhka's head back.

Algiorno gets a clinch.
Volzhka fails to pull guard.
Algiorno is looking to take this one to the mat.
Volzhka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Algiorno tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Volzhka smiles and moves away.
Volzhka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Algiorno drives through and clinches with Volzhka against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Algiorno manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Algiorno is trying to pull guard but Volzhka has him pressed against the cage.
Aless Volzhka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abi Algiorno.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volzhka breaks from the clinch.
Volzhka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Volzhka tries for a takedown but Algiorno sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Volzhka takes the fight into the clinch.
Algiorno goes for a takedown attempt but Volzhka pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Volzhka has Algiorno up against the cage in a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Volzhka really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Algiorno is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Volzhka gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Algiorno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Algiorno fails with a takedown attempt.
Volzhka moves in looking to clinch but Algiorno pushes him off.
Volzhka tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Algiorno manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Volzhka defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Algiorno.

Volzhka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Algiorno is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Algiorno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Volzhka blocks it with crossed arms.

Algiorno's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Algiorno looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Volzhka is fending him off so far but Algiorno persists. Nope, Volzhka circles away and we're back to standing.
Algiorno looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volzhka shoots for a double leg takedown but Algiorno sprawls well. He's pushed Volzhka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Algiorno tries to keep at a distance but Volzhka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Algiorno is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Volzhka gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Algiorno struggles to land a body shot inside as Volzhka controls his hands.
Volzhka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Algiorno prevents it.
Algiorno is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Volzhka pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Volzhka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Volzhka is trying to drag Algiorno to the mat but Algiorno just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Algiorno breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volzhka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Volzhka is looking to slow Algiorno down with leg kicks.
Algiorno throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice sprawl there from Volzhka as Algiorno shoots in.
Volzhka wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Algiorno lands with a good body shot.
Volzhka closes the distance and clinches up with Algiorno, looking for a takedown. Volzhka pushes Algiorno against the cage but Algiorno circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Volzhka gets a clinch.
Volzhka wants to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Algiorno breaks from the clinch.
Volzhka swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Algiorno counters by clinching up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Abi Algiorno will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Volzhka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Algiorno paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It seemed like Algiorno was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Algiorno tries a head kick but it misses.
Volzhka tries to clinch but Algiorno moves out of range.
Volzhka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Algiorno paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Volzhka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Algiorno swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Algiorno fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Algiorno is trying hard to land a takedown here. Volzhka sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Algiorno.
Aless Volzhka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abi Algiorno.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice jab there from Volzhka.
Algiorno is breathing heavily.
Volzhka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Algiorno swivels and escapes.
Algiorno drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Volzhka defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Algiorno stuffs the takedown attempt from Volzhka. Volzhka gets slowly back to his feet.
Volzhka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Algiorno swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Algiorno lands a jab to Volzhka's midsection.
Volzhka shoots for a double leg takedown but Algiorno sprawls well. He's pushed Volzhka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Algiorno misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It looked like Volzhka was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Volzhka moves into the clinch.
Algiorno tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Volzhka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Volzhka wants a takedown but no success here.

Algiorno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Volzhka scores with a punch to the head.
Algiorno fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volzhka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Algiorno. Algiorno obviously looking to wear him down.
Volzhka throws a right hand that Algiorno ducks under and follows up with a left that Algiorno also avoids with ease.
Volzhka tries to clinch up.

Volzhka gets tackled into the cage by Algiorno. Algiorno maintains the clinch.

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

Algiorno feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Volzhka manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A punch combination from Volzhka misses.
Algiorno doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Algiorno shoots in for a takedown but Volzhka shows good takedown defense.
Volzhka was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Algiorno tries to close the distance and clinch up but Volzhka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Abi Algiorno seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Algiorno looks to land a combination. Volzhka sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Algiorno fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Volzhka manages to avoid it.
Aless Volzhka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Volzhka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Algiorno with the counter takedown but Volzhka avoids it easily.
Volzhka fails with the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Algiorno is defended easily by Volzhka.
Volzhka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Algiorno clinches up with Volzhka and pushes him back against the cage.
Volzhka is trying to pull guard but Algiorno turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Aless Volzhka has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Volzhka changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Algiorno fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volzhka shoots in but Algiorno avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Algiorno clinches.
Volzhka tries to pull guard but Algiorno holds him up against the cage and eventually Volzhka drops back down to his feet.

Algiorno jumps guard and drags Volzhka to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Algiorno is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Volzhka is controlling him.
Volzhka trying to control the position from guard on top but Algiorno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abi Algiorno showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Volzhka fails with a takedown attempt.
Volzhka wants to clinch up but Algiorno keeps it at a distance.
Algiorno throws a body shot but no joy.
Algiorno fails with an attempt to clinch.
Volzhka shoots in but no luck this time.
Volzhka tries to clinch but Algiorno is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Algiorno has closed the distance and engaged Volzhka in a clinch.

Volzhka pulls guard.

Volzhka looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Algiorno passes into half guard.

Algiorno stands up and beckons Volzhka to join him on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volzhka tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Algiorno manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Algiorno has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Algiorno throws a series of punches but Volzhka moves out of range.
Volzhka is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Algiorno.

Algiorno clinches up with Volzhka and pushes him back against the cage.

Algiorno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Volzhka wants to clinch
and Algiorno counters with a left and a right that stings Volzhka.
Algiorno fails with a takedown attempt.
Algiorno fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volzhka throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Volzhka takes the fight into the clinch.

Algiorno decides to pull guard.
Algiorno is trying to keep Volzhka in close.
Volzhka stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Algiorno swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Algiorno is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Volzhka tries to free his leg and advance position but Algiorno is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Algiorno holds on and takes a little breather.

Algiorno has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Volzhka is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Algiorno avoiding damage as Volzhka throws knees to the body.
Volzhka tries to pull guard but Algiorno forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aless Volzhka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volzhka jumps guard but Algiorno stands there with Volzhka around his waist. Volzhka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Algiorno gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Volzhka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volzhka is trying to pull guard but Algiorno turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Algiorno manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Algiorno is on top in guard.

Algiorno stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Algiorno scores with a leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Algiorno throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volzhka changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Algiorno shoots for a takedown but Volzhka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As Algiorno tries to get set, Volzhka tries to push him back and clinch up but Algiorno manages to avoid the attempt.
Aless Volzhka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abi Algiorno is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Volzhka stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Volzhka wants it to stay on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abi Algiorno comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Algiorno has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abi Algiorno!