PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Volkov (ranked 605 p4p, 3048 weight class) and Alex Gutierrez (ranked 96 p4p, 402 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Volkov
vs
Gutierrez

170 cm
30
175
13 - 0 - 0

191 cm
28
184
15 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 13 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sergei Volkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alex Gutierrez!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov shoots in and drives through. Gutierrez sprawls well.

Gutierrez closes the distance and clinches.
Volkov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gutierrez pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gutierrez scores with a nice hook to the head.
Volkov wants to take the fight to the mat but Gutierrez manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkov goes for a takedown attempt but Gutierrez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gutierrez has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Volkov shoots and misses
and Gutierrez counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice takedown defense from Gutierrez. No joy for Volkov on that attempt.
Gutierrez unleashes a big counter combination but Volkov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Volkov fails with the takedown
and Volkov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Volkov shoots in for a takedown but Gutierrez shows good takedown defense.
Sergei Volkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volkov tries for a takedown but Gutierrez circles away easily
and Gutierrez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Volkov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Volkov misses with a takedown
and Gutierrez counters with a right hand to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gutierrez bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Volkov's head backwards.

Volkov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Gutierrez's guard.
Gutierrez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Gutierrez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Volkov defends well.
Volkov has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gutierrez has his foot on Volkov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Volkov works his way back into a safe position though.
Volkov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Volkov stopping the sweep attempt from Gutierrez.
Volkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gutierrez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Volkov stands up over Gutierrez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Volkov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Volkov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gutierrez's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gutierrez 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.

Volkov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Volkov is in close to Gutierrez's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Gutierrez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Volkov drops back looking for a leg! Gutierrez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gutierrez manages to kick Volkov off! Volkov jumps back into Gutierrez's guard.
Volkov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov scoring with some ground and pound.
Volkov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Volkov is fighting to break Gutierrez's control of his arms but Gutierrez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Volkov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gutierrez has momentary wrist control but Volkov slips an elbow through the middle.
Volkov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Volkov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Volkov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gutierrez dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gutierrez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Volkov's guard.
Gutierrez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

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

Volkov is looking for a triangle but Gutierrez pushes his legs off easily.
Gutierrez preventing the sweep.
Gutierrez trying to control but Volkov is working from the bottom.

Volkov is working an open guard so Gutierrez takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Volkov misses with a takedown attempt
and Gutierrez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Volkov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Gutierrez!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Volkov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Volkov tries for a takedown but Gutierrez circles away easily
and Gutierrez counters with a two punch combo.
Volkov drops his hands momentarily and Gutierrez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Volkov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gutierrez counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gutierrez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gutierrez thuds a left hand into Volkov's body.
Volkov moves forwards but Gutierrez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Gutierrez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkov takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Gutierrez closes the distance and pushes Volkov back into the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Gutierrez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Volkov wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Volkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gutierrez digs a right hand underneath Volkov's ribcage. Volkov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gutierrez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Volkov.
Gutierrez lands a damaging elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gutierrez lands a left hand that snaps the head of Volkov backwards.
Gutierrez lands with a right to the head.
Gutierrez lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Gutierrez holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Volkov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gutierrez is defending well.
Volkov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gutierrez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Good shot there by Gutierrez.
Volkov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gutierrez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gutierrez lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Volkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Gutierrez tries to sprawl out of it but Volkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gutierrez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gutierrez lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Volkov misses with a takedown attempt
and Gutierrez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gutierrez lands a jab to the nose.
Volkov tries for a takedown but Gutierrez circles away easily
and Gutierrez counters with a stiff right hand.
Volkov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gutierrez counters with a nice uppercut.

Volkov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Volkov lands strikes from half guard.

Gutierrez looking for submissions off his back.
Volkov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gutierrez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Volkov drops an elbow to the side of Gutierrez's head.
Volkov wants to take a breather but Gutierrez is having none of it.
Volkov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gutierrez is trying to maintain the position but Volkov is very close to passing his half guard.
Volkov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Volkov lands a nice short elbow.
Volkov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Gutierrez wants to control but Volkov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ground and pound from Volkov.
Gutierrez is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Volkov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Volkov is nestled in close to Gutierrez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gutierrez wants to improve his position but Volkov is controlling well.
Volkov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gutierrez is trying to maintain the position but Volkov is very close to passing his half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Volkov connects with a nice short shot to Gutierrez's temple.
Sergei Volkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gutierrez trying to control but Volkov postures up.
Gutierrez tries to get to full guard but Volkov has control of the leg.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Gutierrez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Volkov.
Volkov shoots for a takedown but Gutierrez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Volkov walks into a jab.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gutierrez enables Volkov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gutierrez manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Volkov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gutierrez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Volkov has managed to get both his arms back between Gutierrez's legs - danger averted.
Gutierrez working a defensive guard here.
Volkov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gutierrez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Volkov landing some decent shots from guard.
Volkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gutierrez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov cracks Gutierrez with a solid left hand.
Volkov connects with a couple of short punches.
Gutierrez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Volkov is one step ahead there.
Volkov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Volkov chips away with some ground and pound.
Volkov scoring with some ground and pound.
Volkov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Volkov wants to control from the top but Gutierrez keeps moving.

Gutierrez working for a triangle but Volkov defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Volkov stopping the sweep attempt from Gutierrez.
Volkov chips away with some ground and pound.
Volkov forces his way into half guard.
Gutierrez on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Gutierrez has hold of Volkov's hands but Volkov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gutierrez tries to roll over but Volkov keeps him under control.
Volkov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gutierrez wants to get back to full guard.
Gutierrez wants to control but Volkov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gutierrez is controlling Volkov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Gutierrez is trying to stand back up but Volkov is controlling him
Alex Gutierrez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Volkov trying to control the action but Gutierrez is working from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Volkov connects with a nice short shot to Gutierrez's temple.
Volkov slips a nice elbow through Gutierrez's hands, connecting with Gutierrez's forehead.

Volkov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gutierrez has hold of Volkov's hands but Volkov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Volkov wants to pass the guard but Gutierrez is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Volkov lands a nice short elbow.
Gutierrez is trying to stand.
Gutierrez taking some punishment here, with Volkov in his half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Volkov working over Gutierrez with some ground and pound. Gutierrez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Volkov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sergei Volkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Gutierrez is rocked!
Volkov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Gutierrez is still in real trouble! Can Volkov finish him?

Volkov is looking for a kimura but Gutierrez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Volkov to get the leverage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergei Volkov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gutierrez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Gutierrez!
A determined Alex Gutierrez didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!