PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Volkanovski (ranked 2289 p4p, 2931 weight class) and Michael Fraiberg (ranked 307 p4p, 366 weight class). Volkanovski comes into the arena with 2pac - Hail Mary blaring out of the sound system. Fraiberg has chosen Itâ€™s A Shameful Thing, Lobster Head (Too Many Limes) as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Volkanovski
vs
Fraiberg

193 cm
36
217
14 - 18 - 1

193 cm
32
210
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Silverguard Outfitters ðŸ›¡
Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥

Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aleksandar Volkanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Fraiberg!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Fraiberg. Volkanovski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Volkanovski ducks under a wild hook from Fraiberg.

Volkanovski lands a left and a right that send Fraiberg crashing to the mat, dazed. Volkanovski thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

It looks like Michael Fraiberg has been cut.
Volkanovski looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fraiberg takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Fraiberg is rocked!
Fraiberg uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Volkanovski.
Fraiberg swats away the attempt to clinch by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Volkanovski throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Volkanovski tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Fraiberg defends well and Volkanovski ends up having to push Fraiberg into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Volkanovski looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkanovski has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fraiberg swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Volkanovski tries a body shot but Fraiberg blocks it.

Volkanovski has hold of one of Fraiberg's legs. Fraiberg is fighting the takedown attempt but Volkanovski gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Fraiberg wants to get back to his feet but Volkanovski passes into half guard.

Fraiberg is looking to escape.
Well, if Volkanovski is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fraiberg is trying to stand back up but Volkanovski is controlling him

Fraiberg pushes Volkanovski off and gets back to his feet.
Volkanovski throws a predictable looking body shot
and Fraiberg counters with a straight right hand.
Fraiberg throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Volkanovski.
As Volkanovski backs off Fraiberg throws a huge counter combo but Volkanovski manages to avoid it all.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Volkanovski works Fraiberg's body with a nice hook.
Fraiberg takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Volkanovski throws a one two combo.
Fraiberg lunges at Volkanovski with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Volkanovski's hand.
Volkanovski takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Volkanovski throws a right and a left that Fraiberg avoids nicely.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses.
Fraiberg fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Fraiberg tries to keep at a distance but Volkanovski has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fraiberg lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fraiberg lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg lands a hook that snaps the head of Volkanovski backwards.
Good body shot from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Volkanovski manages to break the clinch.

Fraiberg takes the fight into the clinch.
Volkanovski jumps guard but Fraiberg stands there with Volkanovski around his waist. Volkanovski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandar Volkanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fraiberg.
Fraiberg is leaning against Volkanovski and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Volkanovski missing with knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Fraiberg fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski trying to land knees to the body.
Fraiberg misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski tries to pull guard but Fraiberg won't allow it.
Volkanovski's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
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!
Volkanovski is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Volkanovski fails to land.
Volkanovski has Fraiberg pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fraiberg manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A body shot lands from Fraiberg.
Volkanovski prevents a body shot from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Volkanovski breaks the clinch.
Volkanovski throws a hook to the side of Fraiberg's head but Fraiberg sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fraiberg! But no joy.
Aleksandar Volkanovski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkanovski swinging wildly here.
Volkanovski throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Fraiberg looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The fighters circling - Volkanovski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Aleksandar Volkanovski will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Michael Fraiberg's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Volkanovski is looking to land body kicks.
Volkanovski looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Volkanovski misses with a straight left.
Volkanovski fails to land with a series of punches.
Volkanovski lunges at Fraiberg with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Fraiberg's hand.
Fraiberg throws the kick towards the body but Volkanovski avoids it.

Volkanovski has closed the distance and engaged Fraiberg in a clinch.
Fraiberg lands with a right to the head.
Fraiberg's coach down at IMMA Gym of Elite ASS was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Fraiberg's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fraiberg.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fraiberg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fraiberg misses with a body punch.
A short right from Fraiberg on the inside.
Volkanovski is trying to stall.
Volkanovski jumps guard but Fraiberg stands there with Volkanovski around his waist. Volkanovski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Volkanovski fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fraiberg lands with a left to the head.

Volkanovski breaks from the clinch.
Fraiberg throws a big shot that misses.
Volkanovski misses with a double jab
and Fraiberg counters with a solid body kick.
Volkanovski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fraiberg manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fraiberg staying out of range there.
Fraiberg avoids the head kick by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski throws a sloppy head kick and Fraiberg moves out of range easily.
Volkanovski is looking to land body kicks.
Fraiberg dodges the punch combination from Volkanovski.
Fraiberg is trying to counter with his kicks.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses.
Fraiberg swats away the attempt to clinch by Volkanovski.
Fraiberg throws a body shot but no joy.
Volkanovski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fraiberg swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fraiberg pushes Volkanovski away with a front kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fraiberg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Volkanovski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski misses with a wild body shot.
Volkanovski avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fraiberg clobbers Volkanovski with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Volkanovski throws a body shot but no joy.
Volkanovski lands a nice hook to Fraiberg's body. Fraiberg takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fraiberg circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fraiberg now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Volkanovski keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg looks to throw a body kick
and Volkanovski counters with a low kick, right behind Fraiberg 's knee.
Volkanovski fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski throws a series of punches but Fraiberg avoids them all with ease.
Nice uppercut lands for Fraiberg. That snapped Volkanovski's head back.
Some wild striking there from Fraiberg.
An attempted straight right counter from Volkanovski misses the target.
Fraiberg throws a lazy right hand but Volkanovski sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Volkanovski with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fraiberg lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Fraiberg throws a nice looking combination but Volkanovski bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A swing and a miss from Fraiberg.
It looked like Volkanovski was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Volkanovski.
Fraiberg thinks about the counter body kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael Fraiberg will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Michael Fraiberg's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Fraiberg connects with a body shot.
Volkanovski avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Volkanovski misses its target.
Volkanovski takes a swing at Fraiberg's ribcage but misses.
Volkanovski throws a right and a left that Fraiberg avoids nicely.
Volkanovski throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Volkanovski throws a sloppy head kick and Fraiberg moves out of range easily.
Volkanovski tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkanovski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Volkanovski blocks a jab.
As Fraiberg looks to move away, Volkanovski throws a big counter combo but Fraiberg just gets out of the way.
Good shot there by Volkanovski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkanovski tries to close the distance and clinch but Fraiberg swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fraiberg now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Sloppy strikes from Volkanovski. Those never looked like landing.
Volkanovski slips a jab from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg thows a left - swing and a miss!
Volkanovski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Volkanovski tries a head kick but it misses.
Volkanovski throws a series of punches but Fraiberg moves out of range.
Fraiberg lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Volkanovski throws a nice outside leg kick.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses
and Fraiberg finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fraiberg throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Volkanovski throwing a counter right hand but Fraiberg manages to avoid it.
Fraiberg throws a leg kick but Volkanovski sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Fraiberg.
Volkanovski misses with a wild combination.
Fraiberg misses with an uppercut. Volkanovski saw that one coming.
Fraiberg takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Aleksandar Volkanovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fraiberg moves out of range as Volkanovski strikes.
Volkanovski moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromFraiberg.
Volkanovski tries to land a front kick but Fraiberg steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fraiberg lands with a nice body kick.
Volkanovski takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A nice side step and Fraiberg releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Fraiberg takes the fight into the clinch.
Volkanovski is trying to force a seperation but Fraiberg has the dominant position.
Fraiberg misses with a punch to the body.
Volkanovski utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Volkanovski blocks a punch to the side of the head.

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

Volkanovski tries to keep at a distance but Fraiberg has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fraiberg misses with some punches.
Volkanovski tries to break free but Fraiberg pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg swings wildly with an uppercut but Volkanovski uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fraiberg tries a body shot but Volkanovski blocks it.
Fraiberg misses with some punches.
Volkanovski connects with a knee to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski tries to land knees in the clinch but Fraiberg avoids the damage to the body.
Fraiberg lands a body punch in the clinch.
Volkanovski jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fraiberg walks away with a smile on his face. Volkanovski gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fraiberg looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Volkanovski scores with a nice head shot.
Fraiberg is looking to land body kicks.
Fraiberg scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Fraiberg takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Michael Fraiberg.
I think Fraiberg 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Fraiberg!
An out of breath Michael Fraiberg thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.