PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vitaly Volkanov (ranked 1830 p4p, 3997 weight class) and Martin Bhullar (ranked 232 p4p, 470 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Volkanov
vs
Bhullar

198 cm
22
255
2 - 2 - 0

178 cm
22
280
5 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vitaly Volkanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Martin Bhullar!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Russell Pearce and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bhullar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Volkanov.
Bhullar feints the counter takedown.
Volkanov swings widly with a right hand
enabling Bhullar to counter with a crisp jab.
Bhullar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Volkanov.
Bhullar ducks under a wild hook from Volkanov.
Volkanov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bhullar's head.

It looks like Martin Bhullar has been cut.
Volkanov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bhullar moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bhullar looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Volkanov misses with a hook

so Bhullar counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Bhullar trying to move into half guard but instead Volkanov has managed to sweep!

Bhullar has an active guard here but Volkanov has managed to pass 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!

Bhullar is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Volkanov pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bhullar gets back to full guard.

Bhullar has his foot on Volkanov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Volkanov works his way back into a safe position though.
Bhullar is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Bhullar escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Volkanov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Volkanov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bhullar managing to control the position.
Bhullar trying to control the position.
Bhullar looking for a sweep. Not yet Bhullar, not yet.
Volkanov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Bhullar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Bhullar looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Volkanov passes into half guard.
Bhullar has a hand on Volkanov's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Volkanov takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Bhullar working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bhullar tries to lock up and control but Volkanov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bhullar is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bhullar tries to hold on but Volkanov pushes him away.
Bhullar is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bhullar wants to hold on but Volkanov pushes him away.
Bhullar is looking to improve his position but Volkanov isn't that keen on the idea.
Bhullar manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Volkanov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Bhullar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bhullar tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Volkanov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaly Volkanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Bhullar's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Volkanov looks to throw the jab but Bhullar is out of range.
Volkanov misses with a looping right.
Bhullar looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Volkanov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Volkanov misses with the combination.
Bhullar unleashes a big counter combination but Volkanov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Volkanov throws an overhand right that lands on Bhullar's shoulder, as Bhullar tries to avoid the shot.
Volkanov thuds a left hand into Bhullar's body.
Volkanov stuns Bhullar with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkanov thuds his right hand into Bhullar's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Volkanov throws an overhand right that lands on Bhullar's shoulder, as Bhullar tries to avoid the shot.
Bhullar tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Volkanov misses its intended target.
Bhullar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Volkanov throws a hook but Bhullar blocks it.
Bhullar drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Volkanov defends it well.
Volkanov scores with a nice strike.
Volkanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bhullar walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A punch lands to the side of Bhullar 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Volkanov lands with a straight right. Bhullar didn't see that one coming.
Martin Bhullar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice cross by Volkanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Volkanov lands a beautiful left hook that drops Bhullar. Bhullar tries to recover but Volkanov is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Bhullar lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:08 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vitaly Volkanov!