PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Trent Bash (ranked 24896 p4p, 24323 weight class) and Bogdan Volkov (ranked 547 p4p, 558 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bash
vs
Volkov

150 cm
20
186
3 - 3 - 0

178 cm
21
195
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Trent Bash!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bogdan Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Valeri Chadov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bash circles away.
Volkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bash sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Volkov somewhat.
Volkov is looking to slow Bash down with leg kicks.
Bash fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bash displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Volkov.
Trent Bash has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bogdan Volkov.
Volkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bash pinned against the cage. Bash gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bash appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Volkov.
Bash tries to counter with a takedown but Volkov is quick to defend against it.
Bash shoots in looking for a takedown. Volkov tries to sprawl out of it but Bash keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Volkov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Bash scores with a takedown into Volkov's guard.
Volkov wants to get back to his feet but Bash passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Volkov looks like he's trying to stand up.

Bash is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Volkov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bash.

Volkov actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bash prevents Volkov from improving his position.

Volkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bash pulls his head out easily.
Volkov is trying to get back to full guard.
Volkov gets full guard.
Bash could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Bash postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Volkov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bash, into his guard.

Volkov trying to control but Bash is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bash has his foot on Volkov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Volkov works his way back into a safe position though.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Bash keeps moving.

Bash has an active guard here but Volkov has managed to pass into half guard.
Bash wants to improve his position but Volkov is controlling well.
Bash might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volkov trying to control the action but Bash is working from the bottom.
Volkov wants to get back to his feet.
Volkov is looking to take a break and control but Bash is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bogdan Volkov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Volkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bash is fending him off so far but Volkov persists. Nope, Bash circles away and we're back to standing.
Volkov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Volkov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Volkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bash swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bash.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bash sprawls well. Bash wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Volkov gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Bash as Volkov shoots in.
Trent Bash has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bogdan Volkov.
Volkov shoots for a takedown but Bash saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bash feinted with a counter takedown.
Volkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bash avoids it really well and circles away.
Bash tries to counter with a takedown but Volkov is quick to defend against it.
Volkov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bash appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown but Bash shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bash half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bash is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Volkov.
No luck for Bash with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bash looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bash changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Volkov tries to avoid it but Bash 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 let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bogdan Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Volkov clinches with his opponent.

Volkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Volkov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bash.
Volkov shoots in looking for a takedown but Bash manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Volkov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Volkov lands a high kick!
Trent Bash is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Volkov clinches up against the cage.
Volkov stalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bash is trying to pull guard but Volkov has him pressed against the cage.
Bash letting Volkov take a breather here.

Volkov jumps into guard, dragging Bash to the mat.
Volkov looking to control.

Bash postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Volkov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bash, into his guard.

Bash throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Bash is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov stands and throws Bash's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Bash tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bash gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Volkov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bash with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Bash looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Bash is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Volkov pulls his head out easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bash on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Volkov uses his free foot to push down on Bash's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Bash.
Bash bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bogdan Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Volkov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Volkov clinches up with Bash and pushes him back against the cage.

Volkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Volkov shoots in and drives through. Bash sprawls well.
Volkov shoots for a double leg takedown but Bash sprawls well. He's pushed Volkov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bash changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Trent Bash has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bogdan Volkov.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bash is defended easily by Volkov.
Volkov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Volkov tries to clinch but Bash is having none of it.

Volkov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bash wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Volkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Volkov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bash pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bash fails with the takedown.

Volkov rushes Bash and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Volkov jumps guard.

Bash postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Volkov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bash, into his guard.

Bash has his foot on Volkov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Volkov works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Volkov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Volkov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bash has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Volkov has managed to get both his arms back between Bash's legs - danger averted.
Volkov tries to stand but Bash is controlling from the bottom.
Trent Bash has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Volkov wants to control from the top but Bash keeps moving.

Volkov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Bash escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Volkov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Volkov passes Bash's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is looking to take a break and control but Bash is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Bash actively working from the bottom here.
Volkov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Bash!
Bash is trying to reverse the position but instead Volkov has taken his back - oops!
Volkov keeps control of the position as Bash tries to break free.

Volkov working for a choke but Bash is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov has the hooks in. Bash is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Volkov struggling to keep hold of the position.

Volkov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Bash wants to escape the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Even with his hooks in, Volkov manages to miss with strikes from the back.
I really don't envy Bash right now.
Bogdan Volkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bogdan Volkov has got the better of the ground game so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bogdan Volkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Volkov 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bogdan Volkov!