PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evgeni Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Fridman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fridman comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Who's the King? kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Novikov
vs
Fridman

190 cm
20
287 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

190 cm
22
230 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Mundo Green - World Verde

Tesla Apparel

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeni Novikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Fridman!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fridman goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Fridman keeps the fight on the outside.

Fridman closes the distance and pushes Novikov back into the cage.
Novikov trying to land knees to the body.
Novikov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fridman wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Novikov has him pressed against the cage.
Fridman is pushing Novikov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Novikov tries a body shot but Fridman blocks it.
Novikov fails to pull guard.
Novikov misses with the head strike.
Novikov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fridman.

Novikov pulls guard effortlessly.
Novikov is pulling down on Fridman's head to control his posture.

Novikov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov has a closed guard, preventing Fridman from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Novikov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Novikov had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Fridman is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Novikov Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Fridman's back instead.
Fridman trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

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.
Novikov misses with a punch to the head.

Novikov looking to break Fridman's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Fridman remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Novikov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Novikov gets his hands free as Fridman looks to control.
Novikov has the hooks in. Fridman is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Novikov keeps control of the position easily here as Fridman tries to buck him off.
Novikov missing with strikes.
Fridman holding both Novikov 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Novikov is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Fridman knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Fridman for a finish.
Novikov is breathing heavily.
Fridman just trying to survive but Novikov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Fridman defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Novikov not allowing Fridman to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fridman looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Fridman manages to reverse the position and now he's in Novikov's guard. Nice work there by Fridman.
Fridman preventing the sweep.

Fridman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fridman wants to stand but Novikov is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Fridman will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A left and a right from Fridman both land. Nice combination.
Fridman circles away from the clinch attempt
and Novikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fridman darts in trying to clinch
and Novikov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Novikov wants to clinch
and Fridman counters with a three punch combo that has Novikov backing up. Novikov nods at Fridman to acknowledge the strikes.
Fridman misses with a wild combination.

Novikov forces Fridman back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Novikov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fridman just stands there and leans against the cage.
Novikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Novikov goes for a takedown attempt but Fridman pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fridman ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fridman cracks a nice hook into Novikov's ribs.
Fridman tries a head kick but it misses.
Fridman lands a right hook to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fridman goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Fridman lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Fridman darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Jab by Fridman.
Fridman fails to land the takedown.
A shot to de liver by Fridman. Beautiful body shot.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Fridman. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Fridman scores with a sloppy right hand. Novikov should have avoided that one.
Fridman throws a head kick that misses.
Fridman lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fridman closes the distance and clinches up with Novikov, looking for a takedown. Fridman pushes Novikov against the cage but Novikov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Novikov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Fridman drops Novikov with a left and a right! Oh, Novikov is hurt - Fridman dives into side control looking to finish!

Fridman stands up and beckons Novikov to his feet.
Novikov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Fridman counters with a nice leg kick.
Novikov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Novikov tries to clinch up
and Fridman makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Novikov really felt that one!
Fridman lands a nice looking body kick.
Fridman lands an overhand right.
Fridman throws a right and a left that Novikov avoids nicely.
Fridman throws a push kick but Novikov slaps the foot to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Fridman.
Fridman throws the kick towards the body but Novikov avoids it.
Novikov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Novikov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Novikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Evgeni Novikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fridman lands with a hook. Novikov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Fridman throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Fridman uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Novikov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
No joy there for Fridman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Evgeni Novikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Novikov closes the distance but Fridman moves to the side
and Fridman counters with a nice body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Novikov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Fridman sizes up Novikov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Fridman shoots in but Novikov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Evgeni Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Fridman.
Novikov shoots and misses
and Fridman counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fridman tests Novikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fridman throws a series of punches but Novikov moves out of range.
Fridman goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Novikov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Novikov is looking for a triangle but Fridman pushes his legs off easily.

Novikov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fridman looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Fridman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Novikov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Fridman cracks Novikov with a good jab.
Fridman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Novikov tries for a takedown but Fridman circles away easily
and Fridman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Novikov clinches but Fridman breaks the clinch
and Fridman finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Fridman lands a lovely overhand right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Novikov needs to keep his hands up - Fridman had a free shot at his head there.
Fridman lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Fridman. Novikov shrugs it off though.

Novikov gets caught flat footed, as Fridman shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Fridman scoring with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fridman's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Fridman wants to control from the top but Novikov keeps moving.
Fridman looking to sit in guard and control but Novikov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Novikov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Fridman dives on top into guard.

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.
Fridman showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Novikov looking for a sweep. Not yet Novikov, not yet.
Novikov is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov keeping moving, preventing Fridman from controlling successfully.
Fridman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Novikov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Evgeni Novikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Novikov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Alex Fridman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Fridman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fridman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Novikov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Danga de danga de dang - Fridman scores with a four punch combination!
Fridman dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Novikov. That did some damage!
Fridman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Novikov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fridman digs a good hook to Novikov's body.

Fridman closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fridman is looking to break free of the clinch but Novikov has double underhooks.
Fridman wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Novikov has him pressed against the cage.
Novikov jumps guard but Fridman stands there with Novikov around his waist. Novikov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Fridman will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Novikov up against the cage.
Fridman trying to control the position but instead, Novikov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Fridman into the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Novikov tries to throw a body punch but Fridman avoids it by throwing Novikov back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Fridman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fridman has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 25:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 25:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Fridman!