PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Meriu Crinichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Crinichi
vs
Novikov

200 cm
24
145 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

168 cm
23
139 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite 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 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Meriu Crinichi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Novikov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Aleksandr Martynov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crinichi shoots in and bounces Novikov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Crinichi has gone for a leg lock! Novikov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Crinichi's guard.
Crinichi looking for a sweep. Not yet Crinichi, not yet.

Crinichi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Crinichi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Crinichi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Novikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Novikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Novikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Crinichi 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.

Crinichi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Novikov defends it easily.

Crinichi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crinichi keeping moving, preventing Novikov from controlling successfully.

Crinichi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Crinichi is breathing heavily.
Crinichi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Crinichi wants to finish this one by submission but Novikov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Crinichi.
Crinichi really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Crinichi wants to finish this one by submission but Novikov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Crinichi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crinichi blocks Novikov's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

Crinichi working for a submission but Novikov is keeping him at bay.
You get the feeling that Novikov really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Novikov wants to control but Crinichi is having none of it.

Crinichi goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Novikov is on top in guard.
Novikov wants to control from the top but Crinichi keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Novikov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Crinichi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Novikov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Novikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Novikov stands and steps away. Crinichi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Crinichi looks for a takedown but Novikov sprawls well.
Crinichi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Novikov avoids it really well and circles away.
Victor Novikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Novikov scores with a three punch combo!
Crinichi dodges the punch combination from Novikov.
Crinichi dodges the punch combination from Novikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crinichi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Novikov avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Meriu Crinichi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Novikov with a nice cross.
Novikov cracks a nice hook into Crinichi's ribs.
Crinichi needs to keep his hands up - Novikov had a free shot at his head there.
Crinichi misses with a takedown attempt - Novikov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Novikov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Crinichi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Novikov tries to avoid it but Crinichi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Novikov to the ground. Novikov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Novikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Crinichi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Novikov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Crinichi somewhat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novikov throws a one two combo.

It looks like Meriu Crinichi has been cut.
A nice inside leg kick there by Novikov. That's going to slow Crinichi down.
Crinichi dives in and grabs Novikov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Novikov pushes down on Crinichi's head and hops out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Victor Novikov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Meriu Crinichi's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Novikov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Crinichi takes an elbow to the forehead.
Crinichi wants a takedown but no success here.
A nice left hand lands by Novikov.
Knees to the body from Novikov.

Crinichi lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Crinichi stops Novikov from getting back to his feet.

Crinichi is trying to work for a kimura but Novikov is defending well.
Novikov is trying to stand back up but Crinichi is controlling him
Novikov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Crinichi stops Novikov from getting back to his feet.

Crinichi is working for a kimura but Novikov is defending it quite comfortably.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Crinichi is thwarting Novikov's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crinichi wants to work for an arm triangle but Novikov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Novikov wants to get back to his feet.
Novikov trying to hold on to Crinichi's head to control him but Crinichi postures up.

Crinichi is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crinichi is looking for submissions but instead, Novikov has regained full guard.
Novikov wants to stand but Crinichi is controlling the position.
Crinichi stands and throws Novikov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Crinichi tries to move to mount but Novikov blocks the move with his legs.
Novikov can't do much from the bottom here.

Crinichi tries for a kimura but Novikov is defending well.

Crinichi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crinichi has hold of Novikov's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Novikov tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Crinichi cranks the arm and Novikov screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Novikov, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Meriu Crinichi!