PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Nik Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Story (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Volkov
vs
Story

176 cm
24
140 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

160 cm
22
140 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Adam's NORTHERN WILD $10 Sale

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nik Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Story!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Story throws a looping overhand right but Volkov ducks down to avoid it.

Story fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Volkov sprawls well initially but Story persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Volkov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Story looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Volkov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Volkov wants to get back to full guard.
Story controlling the pace.
Story is trying to control. Volkov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Story is looking to advance position but Volkov won't allow it.
Volkov is staying active underneath Story, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Story lands strikes from half guard.
Story missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Volkov trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov is looking to improve his position.
Story slips a nice elbow through Volkov's hands, connecting with Volkov's forehead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Story thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Volkov's head.
Story winds up and cracks Volkov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Volkov trying to control from the bottom.
Story drops an elbow to the side of Volkov's head.
Story throwing shots but Volkov is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Story lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Story missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Story missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Volkov won't allow Story to pass to mount.
Story throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Story throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Volkov is refusing to be controlled, as Story sits in half guard.
Story is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Story looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Story landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov tries to roll over but Story keeps him under control.
Story throws a strike but Volkov avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Story wants to control from the top but Volkov keeps moving.
Story preventing the sweep.
Story works over Volkov with some ground and pound from guard.
Story stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Volkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Story trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Story won't allow Volkov to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is working hard here to advance position.
Story with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Story accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Story thows a big elbow that misses.
Volkov wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Story is now in half guard.
Volkov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Story seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Story tries to pass the half guard into mount. Volkov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Story dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Volkov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Story.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Volkov enables Story to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Volkov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Story working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Story throws a strike but Volkov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Story keeping moving, preventing Volkov from controlling successfully.
Story has his hands on Volkov's head, controlling the position.
Volkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Story works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Story seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Story is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Nik Volkov.
Story scores with a nice strike.

Story shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Volkov's guard.
Story passes Volkov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Story seems to be looking for submissions.
Volkov tries to get to full guard but Story has control of the leg.
Volkov is refusing to be controlled, as Story sits in half guard.
Volkov tries to get to full guard but Story has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov trying to control here.
Volkov tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Story has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Volkov is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Story is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Story with the ground and pound from mount.
Volkov is looking to improve his position but Story isn't that keen on the idea.
Story with the ground and pound from mount.
Story lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Volkov is rocked!
Story tries to control but Volkov wriggling away.
Oh Volkov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Volkov tries to reverse the position but Story maintains control.
Volkov seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Story tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Story landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Story tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Story landing punches.
Story wants to control the pace but Volkov is squirming around nicely.
Story avoids the attempt from Volkov to control.
Volkov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Story takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Story showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Story closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Volkov did well to prevent Story getting side control.
Volkov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Story is working away from the top position though.
Story not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Story stops Volkov from getting back to his feet.
Volkov is not content to let Story control the position.
Story scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Story frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Story has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Story takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov blocking the ground and pound.
BOOM! Story connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Story wants to control the pace but Volkov is squirming around nicely.
Story controlling his opponent.
Story lands a heavy elbow.
Story wants to control but instead Volkov manages to regain half guard.
Story throws a strike but Volkov avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Story wants to pass the guard but Volkov is keeping the position.
Story working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Volkov's head.
Story trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.
Story keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Volkov's head.
Story stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Volkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Story trying to control the position from guard on top but Volkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Story tries to free his leg and advance position but Volkov is retaining full guard.
Story works over Volkov with some ground and pound from guard.
Story with a flurry of punches that miss.
Story chips away with some ground and pound.
Story trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Volkov 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.
Story throwing strikes from guard but Volkov blocks nicely.
Story trying to control the position from guard on top but Volkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Story slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Story lands a decent elbow from side control.
You can see the frustration on Volkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Story creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Story creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Story postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
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!
Volkov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Nik Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nick Story is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Story tries to get to full guard but Volkov has control of the leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Story comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Story 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Story!