PBP Commentary

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

Novikov
vs
Rain

190 cm
26
282 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

190 cm
21
228 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Decent elbows
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

FNF Energy & Stamina - Sale!
FNF Energy & Stamina - Sale!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evgeni Novikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dew Rain!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rain shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Novikov defends it nicely.

Novikov scores a takedown into full mount!
Rain working to try and regain half guard.
Rain avoids a series of strikes thrown by Novikov.
Novikov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Novikov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rain is looking to escape.
Rain bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Rain postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rain lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rain postures up in Novikov's guard and throws a big left but Novikov blocks it.
Novikov wants to sweep but no luck.
Rain wants to pass the guard but Novikov is keeping the position.

Rain stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Rain is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Novikov's half guard.
Novikov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Rain is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Novikov defends it well.

Rain is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rain looking for a submission but Novikov manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rain tries to free his leg and advance position but Novikov is retaining full guard.
Novikov keeping moving, preventing Rain from controlling successfully.
Rain wants to stand but Novikov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Novikov is trying to keep Rain in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rain stands up over Novikov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rain trying to control but Novikov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rain throws a big right hand that misses.
Rain lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rain wants to stand and escape but instead Novikov has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Rain looking to hit a scissor sweep but Novikov is one step ahead there.

Rain isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Novikov stacks Rain on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Novikov!
Novikov has control of an arm but Rain manages to advance to Novikov's back!
You can see the frustration on Novikov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Novikov defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Rain is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Novikov defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Novikov just trying to survive but Rain is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Rain patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Novikov tries to break free.

Rain looking to break Novikov's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Novikov remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Rain will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rain punches Novikov on the ear.

Rain has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Rain looking to break Novikov's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Novikov remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Rain will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rain shoots in and drives through. Novikov sprawls well.
Rain shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Novikov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Novikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Rain is just out of range.
Dew Rain is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rain swinging wildly here.
Novikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Rain is just out of range.
Novikov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rain manages to avoid it.
Rain fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Evgeni Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dew Rain.
Rain pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rain fails with a takedown attempt.
Rain shoots for a takedown but Novikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rain is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Novikov.
Rain shoots in looking for a takedown but Novikov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rain's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Novikov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Novikov wants it to stay on the feet.
Novikov cracks Rain with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Novikov throws a good cross that connects.
Rain fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Novikov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rain momentarily.
Novikov throws a nice looking combination but Rain bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Rain gets a double leg takedown into Novikov's guard.
Rain trying to control but Novikov is working from the bottom.
Novikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rain postures up in Novikov's guard and throws a big left but Novikov blocks it.
Rain works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Rain is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Novikov is just riding it out for now. Rain eventually gives up the hold.
Rain missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rain. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Novikov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rain's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rain's back!

Novikov is persistently looking for the submission but Rain is defending it well.
Rain needs to remain patient if he's going to get out of this sticky situation.
Rain has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov gets his hands free as Rain looks to control.
Novikov somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Rain turns into Novikov and is now in his guard.

Rain stands up from Novikov's guard - Rain perhaps looking for a knockout.
Rain will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rain misses with a takedown attempt
and Rain takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rain throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rain shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Novikov but Novikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rain fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Novikov avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Rain misses.
Rain fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dew Rain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Novikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rain circles away quickly and effectively.
Novikov stuffs the takedown attempt from Rain. Rain gets slowly back to his feet.
Rain tries for a takedown but Novikov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Novikov thows a body shot but no joy.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Novikov, right into the meat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Novikov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Novikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rain will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Some bone on bone action there as Rain checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nice straight punches there by Novikov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Novikov.
Rain dives in and grabs Novikov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Novikov pushes down on Rain's head and hops out.
Rain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rain has a takedown stuffed.
Evgeni Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dew Rain.
Rain slips a jab and a cross from Novikov.
Nice takedown defense from Novikov. No joy for Rain on that attempt.
Novikov scores with the left hand. Rain knows he should have avoided that one.
Rain takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rain shoots in looking for a takedown but Novikov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rain's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rain with a poor takedown
and Novikov counters with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov connects with the punch.
Rain takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Novikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Novikov with a hook.
Novikov lands with a nice combination. Rain backs away looking to recover.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab from Novikov misses.
Rain shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Novikov but Novikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Novikov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rain manages to avoid it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rain.
Novikov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rain seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Novikov has recovered full guard.

Rain is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Novikov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Novikov has escaped and now he's on top!

Rain looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Novikov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Rain looking for subs off his back but Novikov has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rain gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Novikov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rain has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Novikov has managed to get both his arms back between Rain's legs - danger averted.
Rain avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rain keeping full guard, as Novikov tries to pass.

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

Rain 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novikov looking to pass the guard.

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

Rain 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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rain trying to keep a closed guard but Novikov is proving a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evgeni Novikov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Novikov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28

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