PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mark Forolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergey Volkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Forolov
vs
Volkov

187 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mark Forolov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Volkov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksandr Martynov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkov slaps away a takedown attempt from Forolov, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Volkov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Forolov is looking to reverse the position.
Volkov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Forolov wants to control but Volkov postures up.
An elbow from Volkov crashes against the mat.
Forolov tries to improve position but can't.
Forolov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Forolov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Volkov tries to lock up and control but Forolov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Volkov wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volkov wants to control but Forolov is having none of it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Volkov can do anything to dispel that myth.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Forolov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forolov thowing shots but they're missing.

Forolov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Volkov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Volkov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Forolov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Forolov wants to finish this one by submission but Volkov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Forolov.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Volkov tries to lock up and control but Forolov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Forolov throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Volkov because Forolov loaded up on that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Forolov throws some wild stikes that Volkov manages to avoid easily.

Forolov has hold of Volkov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Volkov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
The referee warns Volkov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Volkov tries to hold on but Forolov pushes him away.
Volkov is looking to improve his position but Forolov isn't that keen on the idea.
Forolov wants to control the pace but Volkov is squirming around nicely.
Volkov is looking to improve his position but Forolov isn't that keen on the idea.
Forolov 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov is squirming around, avoiding Forolov's attempts to control the action.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Volkov is desperately trying to improve his position but Forolov has a good base and remains in mount.

Forolov goes for an armbar but Volkov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Volkov.
Volkov throws a big right hand that misses.
Forolov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Volkov.
Forolov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Volkov chips away with some ground and pound.
Forolov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Forolov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Forolov lands with some strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Forolov won't let Volkov get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Forolov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Forolov working Volkov over with strikes here.
Volkov tries to lock up and control but Forolov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Volkov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Forolov misses with a head shot.
Forolov tries to control but Volkov wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Volkov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Forolov manages to get back to half guard.
Forolov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Forolov.

Forolov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Volkov is aware though and is defending well.

Forolov 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Volkov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Forolov's head.

Forolov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Volkov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Volkov lands a couple of elbows.
Volkov looking to pass the guard.

Forolov wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volkov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Forolov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Volkov is working away from the top position though.
Volkov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Forolov wants to control but Volkov is keeping busy.
Volkov lands with a punch from half guard.
Volkov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Volkov working over Forolov with some ground and pound. Forolov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Volkov lands with a punch from half guard.
Forolov misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Forolov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Volkov.
Forolov taking some punishment here, with Volkov in his half guard.

Forolov actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Forolov has hold of Volkov's hands but Volkov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Volkov working the head and body with strikes.
Volkov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Volkov working over Forolov with some ground and pound. Forolov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Volkov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Forolov looking for submissions off his back.
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 Forolov's temple.
Volkov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Forolov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkov looking to pass the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Forolov is on top in guard.
Forolov stopping the sweep attempt from Volkov.

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

Forolov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Volkov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Volkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Volkov distracts Forolov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Forolov has an active guard here but Volkov has managed to pass into half guard.
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!
Forolov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Volkov drops an elbow to the side of Forolov's head.
Volkov is looking to advance position but Forolov won't allow it.
Volkov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Volkov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Forolov has hold of Volkov's hands but Volkov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Volkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Volkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Volkov scores with a takedown into Forolov's guard.
Forolov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Volkov.

Forolov 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 working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Volkov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Volkov works over Forolov with some ground and pound from guard.
Volkov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Forolov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Forolov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Volkov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Forolov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Volkov lands a couple of digs.
Volkov is in close to Forolov's body, working some short punches and elbows.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkov lands a couple of elbows.
Sergey Volkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Volkov landing with the ground and pound.
Volkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Forolov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Volkov stopping the sweep attempt from Forolov.
Volkov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Volkov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Volkov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Volkov is in close to Forolov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Volkov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Volkov stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Forolov throws up his legs and catches Volkov in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Volkov tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Forolov! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Mark Forolov!