PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vincent Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Halo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Volkov comes to the cage accompanied by The Trooper by Iron Maiden. Halo is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Squeeze 1st-Jay-Z. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Volkov
vs
Halo

180 cm
37
182 lbs
36 - 24 - 1

189 cm
34
182 lbs
21 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

The Empire - 15% Laundry
The Big Kabosh

Condemned

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 36 - 24 - 1, fighting out of London, Vincent Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Halo!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Bruno Lombardi and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov looks to throw the jab but Halo is out of range.
Halo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Volkov moves forwards but Halo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
That kick from Halo tenderised Volkov's leg. Volkov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jab by Halo.
Volkov walks into a jab.
Volkov misses with an uppercut.
We've been informed that Halo has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Volkov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Halo.
Volkov blocks a head kick by Halo.
Volkov thows a body shot but no joy.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Volkov, right into the meat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Halo throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Volkov.
Halo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Halo is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Volkov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Volkov.
Volkov misses with a kick to the body.
Halo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Volkov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Halo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Volkov moves away.
Vincent Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Halo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Halo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Halo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Halo looks to score with a jab to the body but Volkov is just out of range.
Volkov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Volkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Halo was well out of range. Poor timing from Volkov.
Volkov closes the distance and clinches up with Halo, looking for a takedown. Volkov pushes Halo against the cage but Halo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Volkov avoids the head kick by Halo.
Halo lands a lovely overhand right.
Halo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Volkov.
Volkov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Volkov throws a looping overhand right but Halo ducks down to avoid it.
Volkov fails to land with a series of punches.
Crunch! Halo slams his shin into Volkov's torso.
Halo darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Volkov misses its intended target.
Volkov wants to slow Halo down by chopping away at his legs.
Volkov throws a body punch but Halo moves out of range.
Halo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Volkov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Volkov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Good work by Halo as he checks the leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Halo. That's going to slow Volkov down.
Halo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Halo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Halo ducks under a wild hook from Volkov.

Halo forces Volkov back against the cage and clinches.
Halo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Halo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Halo trying to stall but Volkov improves his position.
Volkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Halo after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vincent Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Halo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Halo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Volkov backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halo is trying to stall.
Halo lands with a right to the head.
Halo lands a hook to the side of the head.

Volkov breaks the clinch.
Halo throws a head kick that misses.
Volkov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Volkov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Volkov moves out of range of the body kick.
Halo slips under a jab.
Halo scoring well with a low kick there.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Halo.
Halo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Halo pushes Volkov away with a front kick.
Halo tries a head kick but it misses.
Halo lands with a kick to the temple. Volkov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Halo checks a leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Volkov as he connects with a hook.
Michael Halo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Volkov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Halo throws a sloppy head kick and Volkov moves out of range easily.
Volkov scores with a leg kick.
Volkov shoots in but no luck this time.
Halo tries to clinch there but Volkov circles away.
Halo checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Volkov is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Halo's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
The fight stays on the outside here - Halo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Volkov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Volkov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Volkov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Volkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Volkov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Halo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Halo dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Volkov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Halo just misses with a punch to the body.
Volkov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Volkov fails with the takedown.
Volkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Halo lands a body shot.
Halo plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Volkov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Halo manages to avoid it.
Halo misses with the combination.
Volkov looks to land a body kick but Halo moved away.
Halo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Volkov. Volkov obviously looking to wear him down.
Halo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Volkov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Halo.
Halo lands a head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov looks to throw the jab but Halo is out of range.
Volkov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Halo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Halo's corner calls for a 1-2. Halo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Volkov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Halo scores with a three punch combo!
Donk. Volkov catches Halo right on the button with a cross.
Volkov throws a body punch but Halo moves out of range.
Volkov tries to move into range but Halo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Halo tries a head kick but it misses.
Volkov misses with a leg kick.
Volkov thows a body shot but no joy.
Halo needs to keep his hands up - Volkov had a free shot at his head there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Halo lands with a kick to the temple. Volkov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Volkov throws a leg kick
and Halo counters with a left to the body.
Halo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Halo lands with a slapping head kick.
Volkov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Halo.
Volkov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Halo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Halo bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Volkov's head.
Halo lands with an overhand left.
Volkov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Halo counters with a series of strikes. Volkov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Volkov lands an overhand right.
Volkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Volkov throws a leg kick but Halo sees it coming and moves out of range.
Halo slips under a jab from Volkov.
Volkov misses the shot to the body.
Volkov misses with a body shot.
Halo has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Halo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Michael Halo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Halo looks to land a combination. Volkov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A looping hook to the body misses from Halo. Volkov does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Halo's calf.

Halo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Volkov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Halo walks away with a smile on his face. Volkov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Halo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Volkov.
Volkov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Halo.
Halo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Halo scores with a spinning back kick!
Halo scores with a head kick. Volkov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Volkov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Halo counters with a stiff right hand.
Volkov tries to score with a low kick but Halo moves his leg out of the way.
Halo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Halo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Halo misses with a head kick.
Halo scores with a jab. Volkov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Volkov tries to land a front kick but Halo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Volkov blocks a head kick by Halo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Volkov.
Halo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Halo looks to score with a jab to the body but Volkov is just out of range.
Volkov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Halo slips under a jab.
A low kick from Volkov misses
and Halo counters with a three punch combo that has Volkov backing up. Volkov nods at Halo to acknowledge the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Halo. Volkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Volkov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Halo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Volkov.
Volkov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Volkov throws an overhand right that lands on Halo's shoulder, as Halo tries to avoid the shot.
Halo getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Volkov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Volkov swings for the body but Halo moves out of range.
Halo connects with a high kick.
Halo misses with a straight right.
Halo bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Volkov's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Halo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Volkov, right into the meat.
Volkov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A low kick from Volkov is predictable there

and Halo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Halo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Volkov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Halo to keep the fight standing.
Halo pushes Volkov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Volkov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Halo wants to sweep here but Volkov controlling him for the moment.
Halo trying to control the position.
Halo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Volkov landing some decent shots from 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!
Volkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov won't allow Halo to sweep him here.
Volkov is in close to Halo's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Halo wants to sweep but no luck.
Volkov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Halo keeps moving.
Halo wants to sweep here but Volkov controlling him for the moment.
Halo lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Volkov!
Volkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Halo controlling from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Halo trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is working to get back to half guard.
Halo sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Halo trying to control but Volkov is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halo controlling from mount.

Halo stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Halo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Volkov misses with a looping right.
Halo scores with a hook.
Halo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Volkov.
Volkov throws a wild body kick that Halo sees coming a mile off.
Vincent Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Volkov misses with a double jab.
Volkov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Halo. That did some damage!
Halo pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halo lands with a cross.
Volkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Halo shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Volkov eats them both and turns towards Halo to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Halo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Halo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Volkov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Volkov lands a big head kick that sends Halo tumbling to the mat! Volkov takes a step backwards and waves Halo back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Halo is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Halo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Volkov throws out the jab.
Halo is still on wobbly legs! Can Volkov finish him?
Volkov throws a hook to the side of Halo's head but Halo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Volkov thumps Halo with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Halo blocks the low kick.
Volkov scores with a body shot.
Volkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Volkov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Halo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Halo blocks a head kick by Volkov.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Halo lands a nice hook to Volkov's body. Volkov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Volkov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Volkov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Volkov throws a hook to the side of Halo's head but Halo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Halo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Volkov.

Halo has managed to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vincent Volkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Halo 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Halo!
After the big win, Michael Halo made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Firebird Designs and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.