PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maksim Volkov (ranked 3759 p4p, 0 weight class) and Byung Soo Choi (ranked 3405 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Volkov
vs
Soo Choi

175 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
158 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maksim Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Byung Soo Choi!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, John Roberts and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Choi checks it well.
Choi looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Volkov jabs Choi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Byung Soo Choi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Despite the aggression on Choi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Choi tries a head kick but it misses.
Volkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Choi throws an off balance right hand
and Volkov counters with a three punch combo that has Choi backing up. Choi nods at Volkov to acknowledge the strikes.
A head kick misses from Choi.
Volkov is looking for a counter combo.
Volkov fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown but Choi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Volkov shoots in and drives through. Choi sprawls well.

Volkov clinches up against the cage.

Choi breaks from the clinch.
Choi throws a right and a left that Volkov avoids nicely.

Volkov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Choi takes a shot to the head.

Volkov manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Choi is fending him off so far but Volkov persists. Nope, Choi circles away and we're back to standing.
Volkov looks for a takedown but Choi sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Volkov.
Choi throws a head kick that Volkov semi-blocks.
Volkov misses with a head kick.
Volkov fails with the takedown.
Volkov blocks a head kick by Choi.
Volkov feinted with a counter takedown.
Choi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Volkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As Volkov backs off Choi throws a huge counter combo but Volkov manages to avoid it all.
Choi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Volkov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Choi, pushing him back against the cage.
Choi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Volkov has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov fails to pull guard.
Volkov throws an elbow but it misses.

Volkov manages to break the clinch.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Choi as he jumps to the side.
Choi throws a counter combo.
Choi throws a right hand that Volkov ducks under and follows up with a left that Volkov also avoids with ease.
Volkov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Volkov rushes Choi and presses him up against the cage.

Volkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Volkov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Volkov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Choi, pushing him back against the cage.

Volkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Choi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Choi tries a head kick but it misses.
Choi blocks a head kick by Volkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Choi misses.
Volkov looks to land a body kick but Choi moved away.
Volkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Choi throws a sloppy head kick and Volkov moves out of range easily.
Byung Soo Choi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Choi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Volkov.
Volkov tries to counter with a takedown but Choi is quick to defend against it.
Volkov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Choi defends well and Volkov ends up having to push Choi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Volkov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Choi, pushing him back against the cage.
Volkov lands a shot to the body.

Volkov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Volkov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
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.
Choi is looking to stand up but Volkov won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Volkov is on top in guard.

Volkov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Choi is trying to get back to his feet.
Volkov staying calm.
Choi wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Volkov stands up and we're back to a striking position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maksim Volkov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick by Choi misses

and Volkov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Volkov breaks the clinch.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown but Choi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Volkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Choi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Volkov somewhat.
As Volkov backs off Choi throws a huge counter combo but Volkov manages to avoid it all.
Choi throws a head kick that misses.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Choi but Choi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Choi unleashes a big counter combination but Volkov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Choi moves out of range of the body kick from Volkov.
Choi swats away the attempt to clinch by Volkov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Volkov.
Choi misses with a two punch combination.
Choi is breathing heavily.
Volkov looks to land a combination. Choi sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Volkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Choi can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov clinches up with Choi and pushes him back against the cage.

Volkov drags the fight down to the ground.
Choi wants to stand but Volkov is controlling his posture from full guard.

Volkov has his foot on Choi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Choi works his way back into a safe position though.
Choi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Volkov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Volkov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Choi pushes Volkov off looking to stand but Volkov dives back in and keeps control.
Volkov controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov passes to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volkov is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Choi will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Volkov trying to control the position but Choi is working away.

Volkov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Choi is looking to get back to his feet here but Volkov is keeping cool and he's managed to take Choi's back.

Volkov tightening his grip on Choi, looking for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choi wants to get back to his feet.
Volkov controls the position.
Volkov struggling to keep hold of the position.

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.
Volkov misses with punches from the back.
Choi is trying to stand back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Volkov biding his time, looking for the opening.
Choi looking very determined here, making life difficult for Volkov.

Volkov looking for the choke but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Choi wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maksim Volkov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Volkov pushes Choi up against the cage in a clinch.
Choi tries to break the clinch but Volkov is controlling the position.
Choi managing to block the knees to the body from Volkov.
Volkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Volkov breaks the clinch.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Choi as he avoids it easily.
Maksim Volkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Volkov moves in looking to clinch but Choi pushes him off.
Choi misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Choi throws a combination that misses
letting Volkov counter with a right hand.
Volkov catches Choi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Volkov drives through and clinches with Choi against the cage.
Volkov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Choi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov tries for a takedown but Choi manages to get underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Volkov.
Volkov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Volkov jumps into guard, dragging Choi to the mat.
Choi wants to stand but Volkov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Choi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Volkov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Choi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Volkov pulls Choi in to control the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Volkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Choi manages to get himself to full guard.

Volkov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Choi is looking to get back to is feet but Volkov passes into side control.
Volkov controlling the position from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choi is pushing Volkov's head away, looking to escape. Volkov manages to hold on to the position though.
Volkov works to advance to full mount. Choi defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Volkov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Volkov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Choi wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Volkov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Choi tries to buck Volkov off but Volkov takes his back!
Volkov punches the canvas rather than the man.
Volkov thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Choi is squirming around looking to escape but he's just wriggling himself into more trouble. Volkov sinks in the hooks and manages to tighten his grip on a rear naked choke. Choi has no choice but to tap and Volkov jumps to his feet to celebrate and slick submission win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Maksim Volkov!