PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vera's entrance music is Pendulum - Tarantula. A fine choice. Volkov has chosen Major Lazer & DJ Snake - Lean On (feat. MØ) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Gabriel Vera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Vera
vs
Volkov

177 cm
18
197 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
192 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Four-Twenty Nutrition

GREEN!160
Mohito Fightwear

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gabriel Vera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov swings for the body but Vera moves out of range.
Volkov slips a jab and a cross from Vera.
Vera clobbers Volkov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

It looks like Alexander Volkov has been cut.
Vera throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Volkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Vera.
A slow jab from Vera misses its intended target.
Volkov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Vera defends it well.
Vera throws out a loose jab but Volkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Volkov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vera throws out the jab.
Volkov with the counter takedown but Vera avoids it easily.
Volkov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vera.
Volkov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vera misses with a two punch combination.
Vera is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Volkov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Vera is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera is looking to clinch but Volkov is avoiding it.
Vera misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Vera clinches with his opponent.
Volkov tries to break the clinch but Vera is controlling the position.
Vera is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Volkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vera tries to clinch up

so Volkov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volkov looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vera is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Volkov defends well.

Volkov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vera can't keep his opponent in guard - Volkov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Vera might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Volkov is working for a kimura but Vera is defending it quite comfortably.
Vera is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Volkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vera doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Volkov.
Volkov wants to pass to mount but Vera is defending the position.
Vera is trying to get back to full guard.

Vera looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Volkov prevents Vera from improving his position.

Volkov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Vera wants to control but Volkov is keeping busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vera is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gabriel Vera will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Volkov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Volkov slips a jab and a cross from Vera.
Vera fails with the takedown

so Volkov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Vera looking to hit a scissor sweep but Volkov is one step ahead there.
Volkov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vera is trying to get back to full guard.

Vera looking for subs from the bottom but Volkov mounts him!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Volkov jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Vera is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Vera and Volkov has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Vera is looking to regain half guard here but Volkov keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov tries for a kimura but Vera is defending well.
Vera regains half guard.
Alexander Volkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Volkov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Vera!
Vera sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Vera wants to improve his position but Volkov is controlling well.
Vera manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov wants to pass the guard but Vera is keeping the position.

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

Volkov is breathing heavily.
Vera slips nicely into half guard.
Volkov is not content to let Vera control the position.
Vera is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vera perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Volkov is looking for a sweep. Vera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Volkov has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Vera. Oh but Volkov has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Vera goes limp - he's gone! Volkov jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Alexander Volkov!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Alexander Volkov made sure he mentioned Mohito Fightwear, along with how happy he was to win his fight.