PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arkadi Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Daniel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Novikov
vs
Daniel

174 cm
19
164 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Arkadi Novikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Daniel!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Daniel tries to clinch but Novikov is having none of it.
Daniel looks to land a body kick but Novikov moved away.
Daniel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Daniel tries to clinch there but Novikov circles away.
Daniel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Novikov clinches up with Daniel and pushes him back against the cage.

Novikov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Daniel keeping moving, preventing Novikov from controlling successfully.
Novikov passes Daniel's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Daniel is not content to let Novikov control the position.
Novikov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Daniel's head.
Daniel is looking to control Novikov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Daniel avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Daniel with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Novikov wants to pass the guard but Daniel is defending well.
Novikov 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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Novikov lands a nice short elbow.
Daniel looks like he's trying to stand up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Daniel tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Novikov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Daniel won't be happy with that.
Novikov looks up at the clock and then as Daniel takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Novikov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

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!
Daniel struggling a bit here.
Novikov working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniel is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Daniel takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Daniel is looking for a sweep.
Daniel is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Novikov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Daniel is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Novikov scores with a couple of nice shots.

Daniel is defending against the submission attempts here by Novikov.
Daniel is not content to let Novikov control the position.
Novikov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Daniel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Novikov winds up and cracks Daniel with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Novikov is nestled in close to Daniel, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Daniel is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Novikov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Daniel tries to kick Novikov off in order to stand up. Novikov Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Daniel is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Novikov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Daniel tries to roll over but Novikov keeps him under control.
Novikov is thwarting Daniel's attempts to control the position.
Novikov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Novikov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Daniel doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Novikov.

Daniel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Novikov pulls his head out easily.
Daniel is not content to let Novikov control the position.
Daniel taking some punishment here, with Novikov in his half guard.
Daniel trying to control here.
Novikov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Daniel with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Novikov seems to be working for a kimura but Daniel defends the submission attempt.
Novikov is trying to control. Daniel wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkadi Novikov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Daniel tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Novikov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Novikov throws a strike but Daniel rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Daniel drops back, looking for a kneebar! Novikov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Novikov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Novikov!
Daniel is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Novikov working the body and head with strikes.
Daniel is trying to buck Novikov off.
Novikov working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniel manages to get back to half guard.
Novikov working the head and body with strikes.
Novikov is keen to just control but Daniel is a slippery customer.
Novikov working the head and body with strikes.
Novikov lands strikes from half guard.
Daniel wants to get back to his feet.
Novikov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Arkadi Novikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Novikov winds up and cracks Daniel with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Novikov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Novikov is thwarting Daniel's attempts to control the position.
Daniel is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Novikov trying to control the action but Daniel is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Daniel tries to clinch but Novikov moves away

so Novikov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Novikov scoring with some ground and pound.
Novikov looking to pass the guard.
Daniel is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Novikov connects with a couple of short punches.
Novikov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Novikov wants to control from the top but Daniel keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Daniel has an active guard here but Novikov has managed to pass into half guard.

Novikov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Novikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Daniel keeps working.
Daniel trying to control but Novikov postures up.
Novikov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Novikov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Daniel wants to control but Novikov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Novikov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Novikov prevents Daniel from standing back up.
Novikov not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Daniel looks to clinch

and Novikov counters with a takedown into side control.
Daniel takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Daniel tries to bench press Novikov off him but Novikov keeps the position.
Novikov lands some shots froms side control.
Novikov scoring with punches and elbows.
Daniel struggling a bit here.
Daniel might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Novikov kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Novikov lands some shots froms side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkadi Novikov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Daniel wants to clinch but Novikov slips to the side

and Novikov counters with a single leg into guard. Daniel didn't expect that.

Daniel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Novikov defends it easily.
Novikov trying to control but Daniel is working from the bottom.
Daniel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Novikov postures up and lands a big shot to Daniel's brow.
Novikov throws a big right hand that misses.
Novikov working some strikes from top position.

Daniel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Novikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Novikov works over Daniel with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniel wants to get back to his feet but Novikov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Daniel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Novikov defends well.
Daniel takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Daniel is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Novikov is controlling him.
Novikov wants to control from the top but Daniel keeps moving.

Daniel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Novikov defends it easily.
Novikov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Novikov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Novikov stays in close to Daniel's body and controls the position.

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 working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Novikov lands a couple of elbows.
Novikov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Daniel is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Novikov works over Daniel with some ground and pound from guard.
Novikov chips away with some ground and pound.
Novikov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Daniel's head.

Daniel 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.
Novikov lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniel has momentary wrist control but Novikov slips an elbow through the middle.
Novikov landing some decent shots from guard.
Daniel wants to sweep but no luck.
Novikov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Novikov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Novikov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Daniel 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.
Novikov with a nice head shot there.
Daniel wants to stand up but Novikov is controlling him.
Novikov with a nice head shot there.

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.

Daniel has his foot on Novikov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Novikov works his way back into a safe position though.
Novikov postures up and lands a big shot to Daniel's brow.
Novikov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Novikov is in close to Daniel's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Novikov lands a couple of elbows.
Daniel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Daniel is looking to stand up but Novikov isn't so interested in that idea.
Jack Daniel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Novikov passes Daniel's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Novikov lands strikes from half guard.

Novikov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Daniel doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Novikov.
Daniel wants to improve his position but Novikov is controlling well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arkadi 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

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