PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oko Poli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladislav Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Poli
vs
Volkov

172 cm
23
165 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

175 cm
27
165 lbs
9 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Oko Poli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vladislav Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Steve Smith and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov tries to clinch but Poli is having none of it.
Poli has his takedown stuffed

and Volkov counters by moving into the clinch.
Poli fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Volkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Volkov.
Poli has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oko Poli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Poli tries for a takedown but Volkov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Volkov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Poli.
Poli tries to score a power double leg takedown but Volkov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Poli somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Poli manages to avoid it.
Poli with a lazy takedown attempt
and Volkov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Volkov. No joy for Poli on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Poli gets tackled into the cage by Volkov. Volkov maintains the clinch.
Poli tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Volkov smiles and moves away.

Volkov moves into range and clinches up with Poli.

Volkov breaks from the clinch.

Volkov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Poli looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Volkov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Volkov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Poli tries to buck Volkov off but Volkov is having none of it.
Volkov is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Poli will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Poli manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Volkov is trying to work for a kimura but Poli is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Poli looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Volkov is trying to control. Poli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Poli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Volkov prevents Poli from improving his position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Poli actively working from the bottom here.
Poli wants to improve his position but Volkov is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Poli looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Poli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Volkov wants to control but Poli is keeping him busy.
Poli is looking to improve his position.
Poli manages to get to full guard.

Volkov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Poli is looking for a triangle but Volkov pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Volkov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Volkov stands up from Poli's guard - Volkov perhaps looking for a knockout.

Volkov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Poli tries to buck Volkov off but Volkov is having none of it.

Volkov decides to stand back up. Volkov steps back and let's Poli get back to his feet.

Volkov scores with a takedown into Poli's guard.

Poli looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Volkov passes into half guard.
Poli is not content to let Volkov control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladislav Volkov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Volkov has managed to clinch.

Poli ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Poli no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Volkov won't allow Poli to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Poli working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Volkov.
Volkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Poli working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Volkov has passed into half guard!
Poli wants to improve his position but Volkov is controlling well.
Volkov not doing much here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Poli is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Volkov pulls his head out easily.
Poli wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov trying to control from half guard but Poli is working away.

Poli looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Poli is looking for a sweep. Volkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Volkov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Poli wants to improve his position but Volkov is controlling well.
Volkov wants to free his trapped foot but Poli is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Volkov wants to control but Poli is keeping him busy.

Poli looking for submissions off his back.
Poli is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Poli gets back to full guard.

Volkov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Poli has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Volkov has managed to get both his arms back between Poli's legs - danger averted.

Poli is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Volkov trying to control but Poli is working from the bottom.

Poli has an active guard here but Volkov has managed to pass into half guard.

Volkov gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Volkov lands a front kick.
Oko Poli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Volkov manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Poli is defended easily by Volkov.
Oko Poli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Poli gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Poli looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Volkov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Volkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Poli's head.
Poli makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Poli.
Volkov wants to stand but Poli has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov 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.
Volkov slips nicely into half guard.
Poli tries to roll over but Volkov keeps him under control.

Poli is defending against the submission attempts here by Volkov.
Volkov is trying to control. Poli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volkov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Poli looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Poli actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladislav Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Poli misses with a takedown
and Volkov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Volkov throws a head kick but Poli moves out of range.
Poli drops down looking for a counter takedown but Volkov sprawls and moves away.
Poli shoots in looking for a takedown but Volkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Poli's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Volkov throws a head kick that Poli semi-blocks.

Volkov feints and as Poli raises his hands in defense, Volkov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Volkov postures up in Poli's guard and throws a big left but Poli blocks it.
Volkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Poli swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Poli has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Volkov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Poli wants to sweep but no luck.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Poli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Volkov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Volkov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Poli haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Poli working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Volkov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Volkov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Volkov drops back looking for a leg! Poli is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Poli manages to kick Volkov off! Volkov jumps back into Poli's guard.
Volkov passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Volkov stands up and beckons Poli to his feet.
Poli shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Volkov as he jumps to the side.
Volkov flicks out a counter leg kick but Poli steps away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oko Poli. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Poli looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Volkov!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is looking to regain half guard here but Poli keeps moving and retains side control.
Volkov can't do much from the bottom here.
Poli wants to control but Volkov is keeping him busy.
Poli prevents Volkov from escaping the position.
Poli is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Volkov will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Poli is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Volkov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Poli wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Volkov, who protects the arm well.

Poli looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Poli is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Volkov has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Poli is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Volkov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Volkov prevents Poli from moving into mount.

Poli goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Volkov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Poli's guard! Nice work there by Volkov!

Poli looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Volkov passes into side control.
Volkov works to advance to full mount. Poli defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Poli really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Oko Poli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vladislav Volkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Poli throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladislav Volkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Volkov 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladislav Volkov!