PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Volkanovski (ranked 3111 p4p, 3274 weight class) and Michael Fraiberg (ranked 410 p4p, 423 weight class). Volkanovski comes to the cage accompanied by 2pac - Hail Mary. Fraiberg has chosen It’s A Shameful Thing, Lobster Head (Too Many Limes) as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Volkanovski
vs
Fraiberg

193 cm
35
217
13 - 16 - 1

193 cm
31
210
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Champion Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aleksandar Volkanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Fraiberg!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Damien Edna and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Volkanovski misses.
Fraiberg throws a predictable looking body shot
and Volkanovski counters with a series of strikes. Fraiberg will be more careful next time no doubt.
The fighters circling - Fraiberg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Volkanovski moves out of range of the strikes.
Fraiberg tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Volkanovski ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Volkanovski cracks a nice hook into Fraiberg's ribs.
Volkanovski throws a sloppy head kick and Fraiberg moves out of range easily.
Fraiberg replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Volkanovski blocks it well.

Volkanovski drives through and clinches with Fraiberg against the cage.
Volkanovski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Fraiberg pulls his leg out and moves away.
We've been informed that Fraiberg has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A big left from Volkanovski misses.
A big right from Fraiberg misses.
Volkanovski throws a counter high kick but Fraiberg was just alert enough to avoid it.
Fraiberg gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Volkanovski cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fraiberg scores with a jab. Volkanovski acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fraiberg takes one to the chin there.
Volkanovski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkanovski wants to clinch.
Michael Fraiberg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fraiberg throws a body kick that misses.
Volkanovski takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Fraiberg scores with the left hand. Volkanovski knows he should have avoided that one.
Fraiberg is looking to land body kicks.
Volkanovski closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A chopping leg kick lands by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski throws a right and a left that Fraiberg avoids nicely.
Volkanovski wants to clinch up but Fraiberg keeps it at a distance.
Volkanovski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Volkanovski rushes Fraiberg and presses him up against the cage.
Volkanovski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fraiberg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Volkanovski blocks an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A shot in the inside from Fraiberg.
Volkanovski is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fraiberg gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Fraiberg throws a punch but it's blocked by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski tries to pull guard but Fraiberg forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandar Volkanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkanovski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Fraiberg has him pressed against the cage.

Volkanovski pulls guard.

Fraiberg stands up from Volkanovski's guard - Fraiberg perhaps looking for a knockout.
Volkanovski pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Volkanovski walks forward, straight into a front kick from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Volkanovski misses with a head kick.
Fraiberg lands a leg kick that knocks Volkanovski off balance momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Fraiberg catches Volkanovski right on the button with a cross.
Fraiberg is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski tries to bum rush Fraiberg with a series of wild strikes but Fraiberg uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Volkanovski misses with a two punch combination.
Fraiberg thuds his shin into the meat of Volkanovski's side.
Volkanovski is breathing heavily.
Fraiberg throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fraiberg takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Volkanovski fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Fraiberg.
A big left from Fraiberg misses.
Fraiberg swats away the attempt to clinch by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Volkanovski tries to clinch there but Fraiberg circles away.
Volkanovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fraiberg scores with a sloppy right hand. Volkanovski should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fraiberg has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski lands a right hook to the body.
Fraiberg tries a head kick but it misses.
Fraiberg blocks a head kick by Volkanovski.
It seemed like Fraiberg was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Fraiberg throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Volkanovski sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Volkanovski gets a double leg takedown into Fraiberg's guard.
Fraiberg wants to stand but Volkanovski is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fraiberg can do anything to dispel that myth.
Volkanovski pushing down on Fraiberg's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fraiberg is in trouble now - Volkanovski has advanced to mount!

Volkanovski get's back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Volkanovski connects with a leg kick.
Volkanovski gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Volkanovski on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fraiberg keeps Volkanovski at a distance using the push kick.
Aleksandar Volkanovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fraiberg throws a hook but Volkanovski avoids it easily.
Volkanovski closes the distance but Fraiberg moves to the side
and Fraiberg counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Volkanovski thinking.
Fraiberg looks to land a left hand but Volkanovski moved out of range nicely.
Aleksandar Volkanovski is winning the standup battle so far.
Volkanovski moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkanovski jabs Fraiberg right on the nose. Fraiberg blinks but takes it well.
Fraiberg checks a leg kick.
Volkanovski keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Volkanovski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fraiberg.
Volkanovski seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkanovski scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fraiberg takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Fraiberg misses with an uppercut. Volkanovski saw that one coming.
Volkanovski tried to counter with a leg kick but Fraiberg avoided it.
Fraiberg misses with a head kick.
Volkanovski uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fraiberg.
Fraiberg misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Volkanovski looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fraiberg misses with a two punch combination.
Volkanovski avoids a kick to the body.

Volkanovski lands a big head kick that sends Fraiberg tumbling to the mat! Volkanovski takes a step backwards and waves Fraiberg back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Fraiberg is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fraiberg looks to land a left hand but Volkanovski moved out of range nicely.
Fraiberg is still on wobbly legs! Can Volkanovski finish him?
Fraiberg pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fraiberg throws a shot from downtown. Volkanovski moves away and avoids it.
Volkanovski wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Fraiberg misses the target.
Fraiberg seems to have recovered his senses.
Fraiberg showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Volkanovski.
Fraiberg looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A punch combination from Volkanovski misses.
Fraiberg keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fraiberg avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fraiberg! But no joy.
Fraiberg takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Fraiberg plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Fraiberg avoids the head kick by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski misses with a low kick as Fraiberg jumps back.
Fraiberg swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Volkanovski wants to clinch up but Fraiberg keeps it at a distance.
Volkanovski lands a leg kick that knocks Fraiberg off balance momentarily.
Volkanovski slips under a jab.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fraiberg misses with a double jab.
A combination from Volkanovski does no damage.
Fraiberg misses the jab.
Fraiberg takes a swing at Volkanovski's ribcage but misses.
Volkanovski looks to land a body kick but Fraiberg moved away.
Fraiberg now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Crunch! Fraiberg slams his shin into Volkanovski's torso.
Volkanovski lands a nice hook to Fraiberg's body. Fraiberg takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fraiberg keeps the fight on the outside.
Volkanovski shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fraiberg! But no joy.
Fraiberg throws a lazy uppercut
and Volkanovski counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fraiberg, as that shot connected.
Fraiberg lets loose with a powerful body kick. Volkanovski will feel that in the morning.
Fraiberg walks forward, straight into a front kick from Volkanovski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circle momentarily. Fraiberg darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nice straight punches there by Volkanovski. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Volkanovski.
Volkanovski fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fraiberg throws a jab but it's blocked by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski walks forward, straight into a front kick from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg lands the left hand.
Nice defenses there by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski throws a series of punches but Fraiberg avoids them all with ease.
Crunch! Fraiberg slams his shin into Volkanovski's torso.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Volkanovski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Volkanovski misses with a takedown attempt - Fraiberg sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael Fraiberg will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Jab by Fraiberg.
Volkanovski tries a head kick but it misses.
Volkanovski throws a sloppy head kick
and Fraiberg counters with a nice uppercut.
A head kick misses from Fraiberg.
Fraiberg throws a half hearted mid kick.
Fraiberg misses with a hook
and Volkanovski counters with a left to the body.
Volkanovski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fraiberg avoids the body shot from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski feints and then cracks Fraiberg's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fraiberg down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fraiberg takes a kick to the side of the head.
Volkanovski avoids the head kick by Fraiberg.
Fraiberg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Volkanovski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Volkanovski scores with a four punch combination!
A telegraphed right hand from Fraiberg misses the target.
Volkanovski defending well as Fraiberg loads up on a big left hand.
Fraiberg fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Volkanovski manages to avoid it.
Volkanovski throwing a counter right hand but Fraiberg manages to avoid it.
The crowd cheers as Fraiberg lands an impressive looking overhand right. Volkanovski doesn't seem phased though.
Fraiberg just misses with a punch to the body.
Fraiberg throws a jab when Volkanovski was well out of range.
Volkanovski fails with a takedown attempt.
Volkanovski blocks the body kick.
Volkanovski throws a looping overhand right but Fraiberg ducks down to avoid it.
Volkanovski pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Volkanovski fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski wants to clinch up but Fraiberg keeps it at a distance.
Volkanovski takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A slow jab from Fraiberg misses its intended target.
Volkanovski staying out of range there.
Fraiberg pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Fraiberg lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Fraiberg takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Volkanovski cracks Fraiberg with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fraiberg fakes the leg kick and cracks Volkanovski in the body.
Volkanovski throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Fraiberg throws the left hand but Volkanovski avoids the punch easily.
Fraiberg looks to land a right hand but Volkanovski moved out of range.
Volkanovski moves away from the strike by Fraiberg.
Volkanovski throws a sloppy head kick and Fraiberg moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Volkanovski lands the left hand.
Volkanovski connects with a looping right hand.
Volkanovski bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Fraiberg lands with a kick to the ribs.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Fraiberg throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fraiberg throws a combination. Volkanovski tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Nice sprawl there from Fraiberg as Volkanovski shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandar Volkanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkanovski walks into a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fraiberg throws a body punch but Volkanovski moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fraiberg misses with a hook.
Fraiberg goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fraiberg ducks right into an uppercut from Volkanovski.
The crowd cheers as Volkanovski lands an impressive looking overhand right. Fraiberg doesn't seem phased though.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that Fraiberg semi-blocks.
Volkanovski slips under a jab from Fraiberg.
Volkanovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fraiberg goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fraiberg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fraiberg throws a body punch but Volkanovski moves out of range.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Volkanovski.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fraiberg. Volkanovski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fraiberg fakes the leg kick and cracks Volkanovski in the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Michael Fraiberg.
I think Fraiberg 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Fraiberg!
Michael Fraiberg decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.