PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Victor Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikita Gorshkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Novikov
vs
Gorshkov

168 cm
22
138 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

150 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Novikov!
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, Nikita Gorshkov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Novikov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gorshkov.
Novikov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Gorshkov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Gorshkov controlling the action here.
Novikov tries to kick Gorshkov off but Gorshkov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gorshkov trying to mount his opponent but Novikov defends it.
Novikov is looking to escape.
Gorshkov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Novikov's head.
Gorshkov prevents Novikov from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gorshkov looks for a takedown but Novikov sprawls well.
Novikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gorshkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Novikov misses with a looping right.
Gorshkov slips a jab and a cross from Novikov.
Gorshkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Victor Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikita Gorshkov.
Gorshkov looks gassed!

Novikov forces Gorshkov back against the cage and clinches.
Gorshkov takes an elbow to the temple.
Gorshkov tries to pull guard but Novikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Gorshkov drops back down to his feet.

That's two 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.
Gorshkov jumps guard but Novikov stands there with Gorshkov around his waist. Gorshkov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Novikov cracks Gorshkov with a nice body shot.

Novikov breaks the clinch.
Gorshkov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gorshkov there as he acknowledges the shot.

Novikov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Novikov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Novikov.
Novikov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gorshkov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Novikov manages to break the clinch.
Nice shot by Novikov.
Novikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Novikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Novikov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gorshkov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Novikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Novikov keeps Gorshkov at a distance using the push kick.
Novikov connects with the punch.

Novikov closes the distance and clinches.
Novikov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Novikov breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Novikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Victor Novikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Novikov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gorshkov backs up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novikov scores with a nice right hand.
Novikov lands a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Novikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Novikov tries to clinch but Gorshkov moves out of range.

Novikov drives through and clinches with Gorshkov against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novikov gets through Gorshkov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Novikov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gorshkov backwards.
Novikov has Gorshkov pressed against the cage.
Novikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Novikov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Novikov darts in and clinches Gorshkov up against the cage.
Novikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gorshkov avoids it.
Gorshkov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Novikov has Gorshkov pressed against the cage.
A short right from Novikov.

Novikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Gorshkov has eaten all the pies!
Novikov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Novikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gorshkov slips a jab and a cross from Novikov.
Gorshkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Some wild striking there from Novikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Novikov.
Gorshkov is breathing heavily.
Novikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gorshkov.
Gorshkov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Novikov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Novikov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Novikov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gorshkov's hands.
Gorshkov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Victor Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikita Gorshkov.
Jab, jab by Novikov - just one landing.
Novikov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gorshkov walks into a stiff left hand from Novikov.
Gorshkov takes one to the chin there.
Victor Novikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gorshkov needs to keep his hands up - Novikov had a free shot at his head there.
Novikov misses with a series of wild punches.
Gorshkov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Novikov.
Novikov tries to clinch but Gorshkov is having none of it.
Novikov cracks Gorshkov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Novikov fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov thuds his right hand into Gorshkov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Gorshkov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Novikov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Novikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Novikov moves out of range as Gorshkov strikes.
Victor Novikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Novikov lands a glancing blow to the side of Gorshkov's head.
Gorshkov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gorshkov.
Novikov scores with the left hand. Gorshkov knows he should have avoided that one.
Novikov throws a combination. Gorshkov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novikov cracks Gorshkov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Novikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gorshkov on the side of the head.
Gorshkov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Novikov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gorshkov momentarily.

Novikov pushes Gorshkov up against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Novikov lands a right hand.
Novikov lands a body shot.
Novikov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Novikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Novikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gorshkov on the side of the head.
Novikov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gorshkov's head backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Novikov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Novikov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Novikov cracks Gorshkov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A swing and a miss from Gorshkov.
Novikov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Novikov lands with a nice combination. Gorshkov backs away looking to recover.
Novikov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Gorshkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Novikov pinned against the cage. Novikov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A punch combination from Novikov misses.
Gorshkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Novikov scores with a punch to the head.
Gorshkov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Novikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gorshkov shoots for a takedown but Novikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Novikov lands with a right hand.
Novikov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gorshkov's hands.
Novikov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Novikov moves into the clinch successfully.
Novikov scores with a shot to the side of Gorshkov's head.
Novikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gorshkov can do to turn this around?

Novikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Novikov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gorshkov's head backwards.
Novikov sizes up Gorshkov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Novikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Gorshkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gorshkov looks for a takedown but Novikov sprawls well.
Victor Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikita Gorshkov.
Gorshkov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gorshkov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Novikov lands a jab to Gorshkov's midsection.
Novikov cracks a nice hook into Gorshkov's ribs.
Novikov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Novikov lands.
A decent looking cross lands there for Novikov.
Novikov connects with the punch.
Gorshkov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Novikov finds it's way round the side to connect with Gorshkov's head.
Novikov lands a jab-cross combination.
Novikov lands a head shot.
Novikov scores with a nice strike.
Novikov tries to clinch up but Gorshkov circles away and keeps his distance.
A jab from Novikov does it's job there.

Novikov closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Novikov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short right from Novikov.
Gorshkov takes an elbow to the forehead.

Novikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Novikov scores with a decent looking hook.
Novikov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Novikov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Novikov dips to his left and cracks Gorshkov with an uppercut!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gorshkov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gorshkov needs to keep his hands up - Novikov had a free shot at his head there.
Nikita Gorshkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Victor Novikov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Novikov closes the distance and clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor Novikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Novikov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:25
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:25
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Victor Novikov!