PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitry Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dmitry Novikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Novikov
vs
Banks

196 cm
23
277 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

191 cm
23
265 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Vandal Fight Boutique -ACME- *$5tee!*

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitry Novikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eric Banks!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banks misses with a double jab.

Banks shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Novikov's guard.
Banks controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Banks prevents Novikov from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banks postures up in Novikov's guard and throws a big left but Novikov blocks it.
Banks loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Banks throwing strikes from guard but Novikov blocks nicely.
Novikov wants to stand but Banks is controlling the position.
Banks working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov wants to stand and escape but Banks is having none of it.
Novikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Banks won't allow Novikov to get back to his feet.
Banks throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Novikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Banks wants to control from the top but Novikov keeps moving.
Banks scoring with punches to the head and body.

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.
Banks wants to pass the guard but Novikov is keeping the position.
Banks throwing strikes but missing.
Banks prevents Novikov from getting back to his feet.
Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Novikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks 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 tries to stand but Banks is controlling from the bottom.
Banks 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Banks shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Novikov as he jumps to the side.
Banks misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

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.
Banks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Novikov defends it nicely.
Dmitry Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Banks.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Banks is defended easily by Novikov.
Banks tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Banks looks gassed!
Novikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Novikov throws a sloppy head kick and Banks moves out of range easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Novikov.
Novikov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Novikov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
An inside leg kick lands from Novikov.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A punch combination from Banks misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Novikov.

Novikov lands a big head kick that sends Banks tumbling to the mat! Novikov takes a step backwards and waves Banks back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Eric Banks has been cut.
Novikov throws a quick head kick that knocks Banks silly! This fight is all over! What a finish! Novikov is up on the cage, taking in the applause from the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Dmitry Novikov!