PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ernesto Hoost (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgeni Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hoost comes to the cage accompanied by All I Do Is Win. Ernesto Hoost looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Hoost
vs
Novikov

200 cm
26
285 lbs
8 - 5 - 1

190 cm
24
282 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Good elbows
Determined

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 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ernesto Hoost!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeni Novikov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Novikov throws a leg kick but Hoost checks it.
Novikov swats away the attempt to clinch by Hoost.
Hoost tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hoost looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Some wild striking there from Novikov.

Hoost moves into the clinch successfully.
Novikov cracks Hoost with a nice body shot.
Hoost prevents a body shot from Novikov.
Hoost misses with an elbow strike.
Hoost prevents a body shot from Novikov.
Hoost blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Novikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hoost misses with a knee to the head.
Hoost using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Novikov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoost with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Novikov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Novikov stalling in the clinch but Hoost improves position.
A hook to the body from Novikov.
Hoost is breathing heavily.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Novikov missing with knees to the body.
Novikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hoost avoids it.
Hoost misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Novikov.
Novikov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hoost.
Hoost missing with knees to the body.
Hoost looking to throw knees to the head but Novikov is blocking nicely.
Hoost misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Novikov.
Hoost managing to block the knees to the body from Novikov.
Novikov wants to stall.

Novikov has picked Hoost up - he's going for a ride! Novikov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Novikov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hoost tries to get to full guard but Novikov has control of the leg.
Novikov wants to pass to mount but Hoost is defending the position.

Novikov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hoost defends it well.
Novikov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hoost knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two 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.
Hoost has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Novikov is working away from the top position though.

Novikov is working for a kimura but Hoost is defending it quite comfortably.
Hoost is not content to let Novikov control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Novikov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hoost is out of range and Novikov settles back down.
Ernesto Hoost seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Hoost circles away.
Hoost throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hoost tries to clinch up but Novikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Novikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Novikov looks to throw the jab but Hoost is out of range.
Hoost tries to clinch up
and Novikov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hoost's knee momentarily.
Hoost blocks a leg kick.
Novikov blocks a head kick by Hoost.
Novikov throws out a leg kick but Hoost moves out of range and Novikov only half commits.
Hoost looks to land a combination but Novikov avoids it well.
Hoost throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Novikov is looking to clinch but Hoost is avoiding it.
Novikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Novikov counters with a straight right hand.
A nice inside leg kick there by Novikov. That's going to slow Hoost down.
Novikov misses with a wild body shot.

Novikov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoost pushes Novikov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Novikov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Hoost prevents Novikov from moving into mount.
Novikov trying to control the position but Hoost is working away.
Hoost is looking to regain half guard here but Novikov keeps moving and retains side control.
Novikov has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Hoost!

Novikov looking for a guillotine from mount but Hoost is having none of it.
Novikov looking to control but Hoost is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Novikov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hoost tries to clinch up.
Hoost tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Novikov counters with a left to the body.
Novikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jab, jab by Novikov - just one landing.
Hoost wants to clinch
letting Novikov counter with a right hand.
Novikov misses with a wild combination.
Ernesto Hoost is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hoost circles away from the clinch attempt.
Novikov throws a right hand that Hoost ducks under and follows up with a left that Hoost also avoids with ease.
Novikov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hoost.
Novikov tries a low kick but Hoost avoids it.
Novikov wants to clinch up but Hoost keeps it at a distance.
Hoost checks a leg kick.
Hoost keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hoost shoots in but Novikov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Novikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hoost's sensitive parts.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Novikov scores with a one two! Hoost had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hoost takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov misses with a wild body shot.

Novikov moves into range and clinches up with Hoost.
Hoost tries a knee to the head but Novikov blocks it.
Hoost tries to land a knee to the head but Novikov blocks with his arms.
A right hand to the body from Novikov.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Novikov.
Novikov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Novikov is leaning against Hoost and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Novikov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Novikov working Hoost over with knees to the body.
Novikov missing with knees to the body.
Hoost tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Novikov avoids it.
Novikov lands an elbow just above Hoost 's eye.
Novikov crunches a lovely knee into Hoost's ribcage.
Novikov tries to stall but Hoost uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Novikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Novikov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Novikov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hoost misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Novikov.
Novikov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Novikov lands an elbow inside.
Hoost throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Novikov blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov avoiding damage.
Hoost misses with a knee to the head.
Novikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Hoost.
Novikov takes a knee right on the jaw!
The referee calls for Novikov to work.
Novikov misses with an elbow strike.
Hoost with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Novikov lands an elbow just above Hoost 's eye.
Novikov has a couple of punches blocked by Hoost.
Hoost unloads a knee to the mid-section. Novikov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Novikov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Novikov tries to throw a body punch but Hoost avoids it by throwing Novikov back against the cage.
Hoost misses with a knee to the head.
Novikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hoost managing to block the knees to the body from Novikov.
Novikov is trying to maintain a safe position but Hoost gets an underhook and turns Novikov into the cage.
Hoost blocks an elbow strike from Novikov.
Hoost throws a knee to the head but misses.
Novikov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hoost landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hoost is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Novikov is defending well for now.
Novikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hoost is defending well for now.
Novikov tries to work over Hoost's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hoost tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Novikov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hoost backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hoost throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Novikov blocks it with crossed arms.
Novikov lands a shot to the body.
Hoost tries a knee to the head but Novikov blocks it.
Hoost throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoost throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Novikov obliges.
Hoost with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hoost connects with a nasty looking knee right to Novikov's face.

Novikov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Hoost keeping full guard, as Novikov tries to pass.
Novikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Hoost is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hoost seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoost is trying to keep Novikov in close.

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

Novikov throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hoost escapes and throws Novikov's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Hoost decides to stand back up. Hoost steps back and let's Novikov get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Novikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Hoost tries to bum rush Novikov with a series of wild strikes but Novikov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hoost tries to clinch
and Novikov counters with a nice body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hoost trying to land knees to the body.
Hoost blocks an uppercut.
Novikov works on Hoost's body with a couple of short punches.
Hoost blocks a body shot from Novikov.
Hoost looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Novikov misses with an elbow over the top.
Novikov lands an uppercut.
Hoost misses with a knee strike.
Novikov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hoost walks away with a smile on his face. Novikov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Novikov moves in looking to clinch but Hoost pushes him off.
Novikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Novikov misses with a wild combination.
Hoost tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Novikov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hoost checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hoost throws a head kick that misses.
Novikov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hoost rather than just go for the knockout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hoost moves out of range of the leg kick from Novikov.

Novikov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov passes Hoost's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Novikov wants to work for an arm triangle but Hoost is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Novikov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Novikov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hoost is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Ernesto Hoost has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Evgeni Novikov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Novikov trying to control from Hoost's half guard. Hoost has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Hoost manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Novikov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov wants to control the action here but instead Hoost manages to pass to full mount!

Hoost is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Novikov swinging wildly here.
Hoost looks to clinch

and Novikov counters by moving into the clinch.
Hoost lands a good knee to the midsection. Novikov won't want to take too many of those.
Hoost with a knee to the head.
Hoost tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoost with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A knee to the head by Hoost.
Hoost blocking some punches.
Hoost tries a knee to the head but Novikov blocks it.
Novikov lands an elbow just above Hoost 's eye.
Hoost avoids a wild elbow strike from Novikov.
Novikov crunches a lovely knee into Hoost's ribcage.
Hoost tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Novikov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hoost with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Novikov on the inside.
Hoost with a knee to the head.
Novikov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hoost scores a nice knee to the body.
Novikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Hoost avoids the damage to the body.
Hoost landing knees to the body.
Novikov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hoost using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Novikov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Novikov pushes off an throws an elbow but Hoost leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hoost with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoost with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Novikov cracks Hoost with a nice body shot.
Novikov trying to land knees to the body.
Hoost tries to land a knee to the head but Novikov blocks with his arms.
Hoost on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hoost scores with a knee to the head.
Hoost is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hoost using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Novikov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoost blocks an elbow strike from Novikov.
Hoost looking to throw knees to the head but Novikov is blocking nicely.
Novikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hoost is defending well for now.
Novikov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hoost tries to land a knee to the head but Novikov blocks with his arms.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hoost obliges.
Hoost avoiding damage as Novikov throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Evgeni Novikov.
Well Novikov 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

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