PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Igor Bogdanov (ranked 7025 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maksim Volkov (ranked 2855 p4p, 0 weight class). Bogdanov has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Bogdanov
vs
Volkov

185 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

175 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Blue Moon

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Igor Bogdanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maksim Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Dean Styles and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov misses with an attempted mid kick.

Volkov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Volkov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bogdanov wants to break free but Volkov has control.

Volkov drags the fight down to the ground.
Volkov pulls Bogdanov in close to his closed guard and prevents Bogdanov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Bogdanov is breathing heavily.
Volkov wants to stand and escape but Bogdanov is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Volkov, not yet.
Volkov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bogdanov manages to get himself to full guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bogdanov being controlled here, momentarily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Volkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Volkov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Volkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Volkov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Volkov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Volkov is pushing down on Bogdanov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bogdanov is fighting to maintain full guard but Volkov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Bogdanov is looking to improve his position.
Volkov works his foot free and advances to mount.
Bogdanov holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Volkov tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bogdanov is looking to improve his position but Volkov isn't that keen on the idea.

Volkov is working for a guillotine from mount but Bogdanov frees his head quite easily.
Volkov controlling from the full mount.

That's four 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.
Volkov looking to control but Bogdanov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Volkov looking to secure an arm triangle but Bogdanov defends it well.
Volkov manages to capitalize on a mistake by Bogdanov to take his back!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volkov is punishing Bogdanov with strikes - can he finish him?!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maksim Volkov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bogdanov tries to clinch but Volkov moves out of range.
Volkov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Volkov tries to score with a low kick but Bogdanov moves his leg out of the way.
Sloppy strikes from Bogdanov. Those never looked like landing.
Volkov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bogdanov as he jumps to the side.
Volkov throws a head kick but Bogdanov moves out of range.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bogdanov but Bogdanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Igor Bogdanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maksim Volkov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Volkov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Volkov lands with a light punch inside.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bogdanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Volkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bogdanov prevents it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Volkov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bogdanov.
Volkov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bogdanov.
Bogdanov is working for takedown but Volkov is calmly controlling the position for now.
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 Bogdanov walks away with a smile on his face. Volkov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Volkov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bogdanov tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Bogdanov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Volkov on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov controlling from mount.
Volkov throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Volkov content just to control the position here.

Volkov stands up from mount. Strange move.

Bogdanov tries to keep at a distance but Volkov has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bogdanov is trying to pull guard but Volkov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Volkov breaks the clinch.

Volkov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bogdanov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Volkov is defending well.
Volkov trying to land knees to the body.
Volkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bogdanov prevents it.
Bogdanov prevents a takedown attempt there.

Volkov drags the fight down to the ground.

Volkov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bogdanov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bogdanov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bogdanov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bogdanov manages to get himself to full guard.

Bogdanov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Volkov controls the pace.
Bogdanov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bogdanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maksim Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Volkov shoots in for a takedown but Bogdanov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bogdanov lands a head kick. Volkov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Volkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Bogdanov tries to sprawl out of it but Volkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bogdanov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bogdanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Volkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Volkov throws a counter combo.
Bogdanov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Volkov swivels and escapes.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bogdanov as he avoids it easily.
Bogdanov is looking for a counter combo.
Igor Bogdanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maksim Volkov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkov shoots in but Bogdanov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Volkov throws a series of punches but Bogdanov avoids them all with ease.
Bogdanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Volkov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bogdanov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Volkov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Volkov shoots for a takedown but Bogdanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Volkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bogdanov pinned against the cage. Bogdanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Igor Bogdanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bogdanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Volkov tries to avoid it but Bogdanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Volkov to the ground. Volkov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Volkov takes the fight into the clinch.
Volkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bogdanov after a bit of a struggle.

Volkov manages to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Volkov looking for a guillotine here but Bogdanov defends easily.
Bogdanov postures up.
Bogdanov passes Volkov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Volkov wants to control but Bogdanov is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Volkov actively working from the bottom here.
Volkov regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bogdanov.
Bogdanov wants to pass the guard but Volkov is keeping the position.
Volkov wants to stand but Bogdanov is controlling the position.
Volkov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bogdanov has a closed guard, preventing Volkov from standing up.
Volkov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Volkov preventing the sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Volkov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Igor Bogdanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maksim Volkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bogdanov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Volkov has passed into half guard!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Maksim Volkov.
I've got Volkov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 26:30

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