PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fabio Novak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Joad (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.

Novak
vs
Joad

199 cm
18
298 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Novak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tom Joad!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Joad scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Novak wants to get back to full guard.
Joad perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
It looks like Joad might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Joad is trying to control the action in half guard but Novak is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tom Joad hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Joad avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Novak tries to score a power double leg takedown but Joad sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Novak somewhat.

Novak looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Joad!
Novak in side control, just content to control the action for now.
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!
Joad is looking to regain half guard here but Novak keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joad can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joad stops Novak from passing to mount.
Novak trying to control the position but Joad is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joad is looking to regain half guard here but Novak keeps moving and retains side control.
Joad is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Novak wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joad keeps working.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Joad parries the strikes from Novak easily there. Novak is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Joad to escape.
Joad tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Novak trying to control the position but Joad is working away.
Joad taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak wants to stand but Joad has his arm trapped.
Novak wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joad keeps working.
Joad really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Novak. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Joad looking for a sweep but Novak has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Joad tries to hold on but Novak pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joad wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Novak will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Novak is trying to stick to Joad's back but Joad is turning into Novak. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Novak's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Joad.
Joad wants to control from the top but Novak keeps moving.
Joad engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Novak bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Joad's guard.
Joad looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Novak wants to control from the top but Joad keeps moving.
Novak could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Fabio Novak will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Novak tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Joad was well out of range. Poor timing from Novak.
Joad fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tom Joad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Joad bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Joad has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Novak!
Joad looking to control but Novak is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Novak tries to reverse the position but Joad maintains control.
Novak is working hard here to advance position.
Novak is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Novak is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Novak is squirming around, avoiding Joad's attempts to control the action.
Novak is trying desperately to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joad trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Joad is trying to take his opponent's back.
Joad wants to get back to his feet but Novak is holding on tight.
Joad thowing shots but they're missing.
Novak slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Joad wants to work for an arm triangle but Novak is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Joad wants to control but Novak is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joad not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Joad wants to get back to his feet.
Joad wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Novak uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Novak trying to control the position.
Joad stopping the sweep attempt from Novak.
Joad is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joad tries to free his leg and advance position but Novak is retaining full guard.
Novak not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

We're going to have a standup here because Fabio Novak wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Joad.
Joad shoots for a double leg takedown but Novak sprawls well. He's pushed Joad's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fabio Novak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Joad.

Joad looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Joad is breathing heavily.
Joad trying to control but Novak is working from the bottom.
Joad prevents Novak from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joad tries to free his leg and advance position but Novak is retaining full guard.
Novak manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Joad manages to get himself to full guard.

Novak drops back looking for a leg! Joad is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Joad manages to kick Novak off! Novak jumps back into Joad's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Joad can do anything to dispel that myth.
Novak trying to control but Joad is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novak passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Joad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Joad shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Novak as he jumps to the side.
Joad fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Novak avoids it really well and circles away.
Joad looks for a takedown but Novak sprawls well.
Fabio Novak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Joad.
Novak fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Joad shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Novak as he avoids it easily.
Novak leaves Joad with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Joad fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Novak to the ground. Joad is now in Novak's guard.
Novak looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Joad prevents Novak from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Novak is keeping the position for now.
Joad takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Novak wants to sweep here but Joad controlling him for the moment.
Novak throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Novak is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Joad sitting in guard, not really doing much.

We're going to have a standup here because Fabio Novak wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Joad tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Novak swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novak closes this distance looking for a takedown but Joad circles away.
Joad shoots in but no luck this time.
Novak is looking to clinch but Joad is avoiding it.
Joad fails with a takedown attempt.
Fabio Novak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Joad stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Joad wants it to stay on the feet.
Joad looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Novak is fending him off so far but Joad persists. Nope, Novak circles away and we're back to standing.

Joad gets a takedown into half guard.

Novak has one foot on Joad's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Joad swivels and escapes.

Joad looking to score a takedown here. Novak is defending well but Joad drives through and ends up in Novak's guard.
Joad is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tom Joad has got the better of the ground game so far.
Novak is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Novak looking for a triangle here. Joad is fighting it but it looks tight! Novak pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Joad is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Fabio Novak!