PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sasha Novavich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Lang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lang has chosen Shipoopi as his entrance music. James Lang struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 206.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. James Lang has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Sasha Novavich's chin.

Novavich
vs
Lang

181 cm
22
212 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
23
215 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sasha Novavich!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Lang!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Steve Montenegro and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Novavich tries for a takedown but Lang sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Novavich darts in and clinches Lang up against the cage.
Lang gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Novavich.
Novavich missing with knees to the body.
Novavich has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lang avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasha Novavich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lang wants to break free but Novavich has control.
Lang wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Novavich has him pressed against the cage.
Lang throws a punch but it's blocked by Novavich.
Lang is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Novavich gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Novavich missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Novavich is keen to just control but Lang is a slippery customer.
Lang blocking the ground and pound attempt from Novavich.
Novavich stops Lang from getting back to his feet.
Lang is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Novavich wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lang keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Novavich thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Novavich has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novavich passes the guard and advances to mount!
Novavich controlling from the full mount.

Novavich is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Lang has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Lang!

Novavich is working an open guard so Lang takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Lang looks gassed!
Novavich misses with a takedown attempt - Lang sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sasha Novavich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab from Lang.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lang tries to move into range but Novavich moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

It looks like James Lang has been cut.
Novavich shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lang but Lang pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Novavich shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lang as he jumps to the side.
The fight stays on the outside here - Novavich looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A head kick misses from Lang.

Novavich gets a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Novavich is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Novavich prevents Lang from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang is staying active underneath Novavich, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Novavich prevents Lang from standing back up.

Novavich decides to stand and escape the position.
Novavich fails to land the takedown.
Lang moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Novavich moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Novavich decides to pull guard.
Novavich is trying to keep Lang in close.
Lang really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Novavich. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lang has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Novavich is proving hard to escape from.

Novavich is looking for a triangle but Lang pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lang wants to stand but Novavich has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Novavich is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Novavich looking for a guillotine here but Lang defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Novavich dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Lang's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Novavich tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Novavich swats away the attempt to clinch by Lang.
Lang misses with a low kick.
Novavich shoots in for a takedown but Lang shows good takedown defense.
Novavich throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lang's waist but Lang gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Novavich off to one side.
Lang connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Novavich scores with a takedown into Lang's guard.
Novavich tries to free his leg and advance position but Lang is retaining full guard.
Novavich sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lang's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Novavich is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Lang still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Lang has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lang wants to stand but Novavich has his arm trapped.
Novavich manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lang's best efforts.
Novavich missing with punches from the bottom.

Novavich actively working from the bottom here.
Novavich is pressing down on Lang's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Novavich had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Lang is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Novavich Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Lang's back instead.
Lang is trying to get back to his feet but Novavich has full control of the position and if anything, Lang has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Novavich gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

Novavich is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Lang knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Lang for a finish.

Novavich looking to break Lang's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Lang remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Novavich will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Novavich landing with strikes.
Lang controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Novavich lands a shot to the body.

Novavich is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Lang knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Lang for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang trying to get back to his feet but Novavich is in full control for now.
Novavich lands a shot to the head.
Will Novavich go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
A bit of a pause in the action here. Novavich controlling the positon.
Novavich looking to soften up his opponent with punches.

That's four 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.

Lang defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Novavich's arms.
Lang is trying to get back to his feet but Novavich has full control of the position and if anything, Lang has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Novavich tightening his grip on Lang, looking for the choke.
Lang has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Novavich dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on James Lang's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Novavich tries to clinch but Lang moves out of range.
Novavich avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lang doesn't manage to clinch there - Novavich circles away.
Novavich fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Novavich keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Novavich is looking to clinch.
Novavich circles away from the clinch attempt

and Novavich moves into the clinch.

Novavich jumps into guard, dragging Lang to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Novavich is controlling Lang's posture.

Novavich isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Lang stacks Novavich 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 Lang!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lang wants to stand but Novavich is controlling his arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Novavich's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Novavich manages to get back to half guard.
Novavich is trying to control but can't.
Lang seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Sasha Novavich overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Novavich manages to get to full guard.

Novavich working for a triangle but Lang defends it easily.

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.
Novavich 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.

Lang stands up from Novavich's guard - Lang perhaps looking for a knockout.
Novavich swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Novavich is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James Lang is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Novavich avoids the head kick by Lang.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Novavich rushes Lang and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Novavich pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Novavich fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lang scores with a jab to the body.

Novavich closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Novavich lands with a punch from half guard.
Lang is trying to stand.

Novavich is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Novavich prevents Lang from standing back up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Novavich lands a nice short elbow.

Novavich looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lang is trying to stand up here but Novavich is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Novavich scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Novavich working Lang over with strikes.

Novavich seems to be working for a kimura but Lang defends the submission attempt.
Lang pushes Novavich off looking to stand but Novavich dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Novavich clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on James Lang's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice shot lands for Lang.
Novavich shoots for a double leg takedown but Lang sprawls well. He's pushed Novavich's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lang keeps the fight on the outside.
Lang misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sasha Novavich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Novavich fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lang, pushing him back against the cage.
Lang is trying to break the clinch but Novavich has him pressed against the cage.
Lang is trying to break free.
Novavich displaying some good clinch control by pressing Lang up against the cage.
Lang avoiding damage as Novavich throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lang trying to land knees to the body.
Novavich has Lang pressed against the cage.
Novavich tries for a takedown. No joy.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Lang wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Novavich has him pressed against the cage.
Novavich digs a right hand underneath Lang's ribcage. Lang let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novavich goes for a takedown attempt but Lang pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasha Novavich. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Novavich with that takedown attempt.
Lang misses with a double jab

and Novavich counters with a takedown into side control.
Lang is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Novavich has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Novavich wants to control but Lang is keeping him busy.
Lang is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Novavich tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Novavich controlling from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lang is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Novavich is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lang has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lang is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Novavich asserts his dominance and retains side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lang can do anything to dispel that myth.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lang stuffs the takedown attempt from Novavich. Novavich gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang scores with a sloppy right hand. Novavich should have avoided that one.
Lang displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Novavich throws out the jab.
Novavich tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lang swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Horrible takedown by Novavich or perhaps it was just good defense by Lang which made him look bad.
Lang wants to clinch.
Lang thuds a left hand into Novavich's body.
Lang moves in looking to clinch but Novavich pushes him off.
Lang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Novavich fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lang throws a body punch but Novavich moves out of range.
Lang fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lang just misses with a punch to the body.

Novavich forces Lang back against the cage and clinches.

Novavich pulls guard effortlessly.
Novavich lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lang!
Novavich looking to ground and pound but Lang is blocking nicely.
Lang is squirming around, avoiding Novavich's attempts to control the action.

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

Novavich is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lang has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Novavich had his way with James Lang in that round.
The cut man is working on James Lang's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Lang dips to his left and cracks Novavich with an uppercut!

Novavich shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Novavich missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Novavich frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Lang wants to try and get back to his feet.
Novavich trying to control but Lang is having none of it.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Novavich is working for a guillotine from mount but Lang frees his head quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Novavich there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Novavich trying to control but Lang is having none of it.
Novavich won't let Lang get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Novavich raining down shots from the mount!
Lang is squirming around, avoiding Novavich's attempts to control the action.
Sasha Novavich is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Novavich tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Novavich thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Novavich is working for a guillotine from mount but Lang frees his head quite easily.
Novavich trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Lang is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Novavich trying to control but Lang is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.

Novavich patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
James Lang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Novavich trying to control.

Lang defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Novavich trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's four 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.
Novavich throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Novavich lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
A lull in the action here.

Lang is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Novavich controlling the position well here. Lang rolled but Novavich kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sasha Novavich showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Novavich, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sasha Novavich!
Sasha Novavich is the new light heavyweight champion!