PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Dempsey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arkadi Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dempsey
vs
Novikov

170 cm
22
164 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

174 cm
19
164 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Dempsey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Arkadi Novikov!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dempsey throws a hook but Novikov blocks it.
The fighters circling - Dempsey throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Novikov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dempsey is fending him off so far but Novikov persists. Nope, Dempsey circles away and we're back to standing.
Dempsey rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Novikov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Novikov clinches up against the cage.

Novikov gets control of Dempsey's arms and successfully pulls guard. Novikov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Dempsey trying to control the position from guard on top but Novikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Novikov trying to control the position here.
Dempsey postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dempsey in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dempsey wants to get up but he can't break Novikov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Dempsey trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dempsey throws and elbow that misses. Novikov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dempsey's guard. Nice move by Novikov!
Novikov postures up in Dempsey's guard and throws a big left but Dempsey blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Novikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dempsey tries for a takedown but Novikov circles away easily

and Novikov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Dempsey's guard now.
Novikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Dempsey is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Novikov is aware though and is defending well.
Novikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Novikov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Novikov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Dempsey working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Novikov.
Dempsey is looking to stand up but Novikov isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov slips nicely into half guard.
Dempsey wants to get back to his feet.

Novikov wants to work for an arm triangle but Dempsey is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dempsey taking some punishment here, with Novikov in his half guard.
Novikov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dempsey's head.
Novikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Novikov working the head and body with strikes.
Novikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dempsey on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dempsey wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov is looking to advance position but Dempsey won't allow it.
Novikov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Novikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Novikov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Dempsey has managed to free his arm - good work.
Novikov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Novikov thows a huge punch but Dempsey dodges it nicely.
Novikov looks to land a strike but Dempsey avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Novikov dives in and grabs Dempsey's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dempsey pushes down on Novikov's head and hops out.
Novikov throws a series of punches but Dempsey avoids them all with ease.
Dempsey misses with a looping left.
Dempsey avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Novikov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Dempsey misses with a low kick.
Dempsey throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dempsey misses with the combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dempsey. Novikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dempsey throws a left and a right that both miss

and Novikov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Novikov prevents Dempsey from getting back to his feet.
Novikov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkadi Novikov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Novikov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dempsey sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Novikov somewhat.
Dempsey throws a hook to the side of Novikov's head but Novikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Dempsey works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Novikov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Dempsey did well to prevent Novikov getting side control.
Dempsey won't allow Novikov to pass to mount.
Dempsey looks like he's trying to stand up.
Novikov lands strikes from half guard.
Dempsey has hold of Novikov's hands but Novikov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Novikov thows a huge punch but Dempsey dodges it nicely.
Novikov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov tries to control but Dempsey wriggling away.
Novikov avoids the attempt from Dempsey to control.
Novikov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dempsey is looking to escape.

Dempsey bucks up and throws Novikov to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Dempsey throws a combination that misses
and Novikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Novikov shoots in for a takedown but Dempsey shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dempsey takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Dempsey tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Novikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Dempsey.

That's two 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.
Dempsey misses with a series of wild punches.
A swing and a miss from Dempsey.

Novikov pushes Dempsey up against the cage in a clinch.
Novikov goes for a takedown attempt but Dempsey pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ryan Dempsey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arkadi Novikov.

Novikov clinches.
Novikov wants a takedown but no success here.
Still in the clinch, Dempsey scores with a nice short uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Novikov.
Dempsey pushes Novikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Novikov prevents a body shot from Dempsey.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Novikov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov throws an elbow but Dempsey slips to the side and avoids it well.
Novikov tries to score with some ground and pound. Dempsey controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Novikov prevents Dempsey from escaping the position.
Novikov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dempsey keeps working.

Novikov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Dempsey is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Novikov is breathing heavily.
Dempsey tries to escape but Novikov is in control.
Novikov is chipping away with strikes.
Novikov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Novikov cracks Dempsey with a big elbow.

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!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dempsey is trying to get back to his feet.
Novikov working the body and head with strikes.

Novikov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Dempsey has escaped the position, nice work there.
Dempsey is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Novikov cracks Dempsey with a big right hand but Dempsey just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Novikov is chipping away with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkadi Novikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Dempsey's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Dempsey just misses with a punch to the body.
Ryan Dempsey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dempsey tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Novikov tries to clinch up but Dempsey circles away and keeps his distance.

Novikov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Novikov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Novikov scores with a couple of short elbows.
Dempsey taking a bit of punishment here - Novikov scoring with strikes.
Novikov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Novikov scores with punches from side control.
Dempsey wants to get back to his feet but Novikov drags him back down.

Novikov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Dempsey, who protects the arm well.
Novikov cracks Dempsey with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Dempsey wants to get back to his feet but Novikov drags him back down.
Novikov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Dempsey some visible discomfort.
Dempsey tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Novikov throwing damaging strikes from the back! Dempsey could be in trouble here!
Novikov gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Dempsey trying to get back to his feet but Novikov is in full control for now.
Novikov scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Dempsey is looking for a way out.

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 looking for the choke but no joy.
Novikov looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Novikov throwing damaging strikes from the back! Dempsey could be in trouble here!
Novikov lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Novikov gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Dempsey is trying to stand back up.
Novikov scores with punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Dempsey!
Novikov lands a shot to the head.
Novikov scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Dempsey trying to get back to his feet but Novikov is in full control for now.

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.
Dempsey grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Ryan Dempsey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Novikov trying to control momentarily.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Novikov. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Novikov scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Dempsey is looking for a way out.
Arkadi Novikov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Dempsey fending off the submission attempt from Novikov.
Novikov scores with punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arkadi Novikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Novikov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 26:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

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