PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alex Volkanovski (ranked 4229 p4p, 5364 weight class) and Anthoniiii Joshua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Volkanovski
vs
Joshua

175 cm
19
170
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
25
170
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Volkanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anthoniiii Joshua!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jonathan Paton and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkanovski misses with a double jab
and Joshua counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Joshua displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Volkanovski.
It seemed like Joshua was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Volkanovski has his takedown stuffed
enabling Joshua to counter with a crisp jab.
Volkanovski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Joshua sprawls well. Joshua wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Volkanovski gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Volkanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkanovski has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkanovski closes this distance looking for a takedown but Joshua circles away.
Joshua swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Volkanovski tries to score a power double leg takedown but Joshua sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Volkanovski somewhat.
It seemed like Joshua was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Volkanovski fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Joshua throws a counter combo.
No luck for Volkanovski with that takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Joshua's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Volkanovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
It seemed like Joshua was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Volkanovski swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Joshua connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Volkanovski is breathing heavily.
Volkanovski is looking to clinch but Joshua is avoiding it.
Joshua is looking for the big counter here.
Volkanovski misses the body punch

and Joshua counters with a right hand that sends Volkanovski tumbling to the canvas! Can Joshua finish him? He dives into Volkanovski's guard looking to do just that!

Volkanovski is rocked!
Volkanovski can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Joshua controls the pace.
Oh Volkanovski is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Volkanovski seems to have got his legs back now.

Volkanovski is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Joshua is aware though and is defending well.
Joshua tries to stand but Volkanovski is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joshua sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Joshua is looking to advance position but Volkanovski has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Joshua is in all sorts of trouble here.
Joshua manages to control the position for a moment.
Volkanovski avoids the attempt from Joshua to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joshua is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Volkanovski is staying active.
Joshua really wants to buck Volkanovski off and get back to his feet.
Joshua is trying desperately to improve position.
Volkanovski controlling from mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Joshua can do anything to dispel that myth.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Joshua is working to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthoniiii Joshua dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Joshua keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice sprawl there from Joshua as Volkanovski shoots in.
Joshua looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Volkanovski throws a hook but Joshua blocks it.
Joshua has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Volkanovski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Joshua looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Volkanovski misses with a takedown
and Joshua counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Volkanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkanovski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Joshua swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Volkanovski looks to clinch
and Joshua counters with a deadly accurate combination that rocks Volkanovski badly! He tries to strike back but Joshua puts an end to that with another precision combo that knocks Volkanovski out cold! Oh man, Volkanovski will never hear the end of this one!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Anthoniiii Joshua!