PBP Commentary

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

Novikov
vs
Jackson

168 cm
24
139 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

170 cm
27
137 lbs
8 - 13 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 5 - 6 - 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 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bo Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Novikov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Jackson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Novikov's waist but Novikov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jackson off to one side.
Jackson shoots in but no luck this time.
Jackson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Novikov swivels and escapes.
Victor Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bo Jackson.
Jackson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Novikov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jackson somewhat.
Jackson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Novikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Novikov scores with a nice right hand.
Novikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Novikov forces Jackson back against the cage and clinches.
Novikov wants to get back to striking at distance but Jackson won't allow it.

Novikov breaks the clinch.
Novikov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jackson.
Novikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Novikov counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Novikov counters with a straight right hand.
Jackson looks gassed!
Jackson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Novikov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Jackson's guard.
Novikov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Novikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Novikov advances to half guard.
Novikov works his foot free and advances to mount.

Novikov looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Novikov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Jackson has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov controlling his opponent.
Novikov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Novikov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Jackson for as long as he can get away with.
Jackson is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov controlling from the full mount.
Novikov prevents Jackson from getting the reversal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Novikov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Novikov fails to move to back control.
Novikov controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Victor Novikov just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Novikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jackson, pushing him back against the cage.
Novikov is trying to break the clinch but Jackson is controlling him.

Novikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Novikov, as that shot connected.
Novikov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Jackson backs up against the cage.
Novikov lands with an uppercut that bounces Jackson off the cage and back into rage.

Novikov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Jackson's half guard.
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 feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Novikov preventing the sweep.
Novikov advances to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Novikov in particular looking to stall.
Novikov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Novikov controlling from mount.
Jackson is breathing heavily.
Jackson tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Jackson can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Novikov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
BOOM! Novikov connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Novikov controlling the pace for now.
Novikov is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Jackson is in real trouble.
Novikov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Jackson.
Novikov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Victor Novikov just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Novikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Novikov lands with a nice body punch.
Novikov scores with a nice head shot.
Novikov lands a slapping body shot.
Novikov scores with a jab to the head.
Jackson walks into a stiff left hand from Novikov.

Novikov clinches up with Jackson and pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Novikov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Novikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Novikov scores with a hook.
Jackson walks into a stiff left hand from Novikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Novikov moves into the clinch.
Novikov tries to break free but Jackson pushes him back against the cage.

Novikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A lazy left from Novikov finds it's target.
Novikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Novikov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Jackson backs up against the cage.
Jackson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Jackson there as he acknowledges the shot.

Novikov scores with a takedown into Jackson's guard.
Novikov looking to pass the guard.
Novikov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Novikov wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Novikov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Jackson 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 throws a series of punches but Jackson avoids them all with ease.
Victor Novikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Novikov throws a one two combo.
Novikov throws a series of punches but Jackson moves out of range.
Novikov misses with a head kick.

Novikov feints and as Jackson raises his hands in defense, Novikov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Novikov is pushing down on Jackson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jackson is fighting to maintain full guard but Novikov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Novikov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Novikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jackson can do to turn this around?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Novikov passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Jackson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Novikov decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Novikov circles away easily
letting Novikov counter with a right hand.
Novikov connects with a crisp jab.

Novikov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Jackson napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Jackson is letting Novikov control him for a moment.

Novikov tries for a kimura but Jackson is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Novikov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Novikov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Jackson is trying to get back to half guard.
Novikov taking a breather here.
Jackson wants to control but Novikov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov controls the position from side control.

Novikov decides to stand back up. Novikov steps back and let's Jackson get back to his feet.
Novikov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Novikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Jackson on the side of the head.
Novikov connects with a jab.
Novikov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Novikov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Novikov throws out a powerful jab.
Victor Novikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Novikov clinches with his opponent.

Novikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Good exchange - Novikov coming out on top.
Novikov lands a nice hook to Jackson's body. Jackson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Novikov tests Jackson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Novikov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Novikov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jackson's calf.
Novikov lands a jab to the nose.
Jackson 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 thuds a left hand into Jackson's body.
Novikov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bo Jackson 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 lands with a cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor Novikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Novikov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:26
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:26
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:24

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