PBP Commentary

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

Savage
vs
Novikov

190 cm
19
155 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

174 cm
21
164 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kane Savage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Arkadi Novikov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Novikov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Savage quickly recovers to half guard.

Savage looking for submissions off his back.
Savage wants to improve his position but Novikov is controlling well.
Novikov slips a nice elbow through Savage's hands, connecting with Savage's forehead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Novikov working Savage over with strikes.
Novikov working over Savage with some ground and pound. Savage looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Savage looking for submissions off his back.
Savage really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Savage wants to control but Novikov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Savage looking for submissions off his back.
Novikov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Novikov drops an elbow to the side of Savage's head.

Savage looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Novikov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Novikov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Novikov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Novikov working the head and body with strikes.
Novikov trying to control the action but Savage is working from the bottom.

Novikov seems to be looking for submissions.
Novikov drops an elbow to the side of Savage's head.
Novikov slips a nice elbow through Savage's hands, connecting with Savage's forehead.
Novikov lands strikes from half guard.
Novikov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Savage moves into full guard.

Savage is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Novikov is in close to Savage's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Savage had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Novikov defends it easily.
Novikov controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov landing with the ground and pound.

Savage isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Novikov stacks Savage on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Novikov!
Savage gets back to half guard.
Savage is breathing heavily.
Novikov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Novikov working the head and body with strikes.
Savage tries to get to full guard but Novikov has control of the leg.
Novikov slips a nice elbow through Savage's hands, connecting with Savage's forehead.
Novikov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Savage is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Novikov pulls his head out easily.
Novikov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Savage!
Savage is in all sorts of trouble here.
Savage taking shots to the head.
Novikov controlling his opponent.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Novikov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Savage is looking to improve his position but Novikov isn't that keen on the idea.
A nice elbow there by Novikov.
Novikov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Savage can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Savage is desperately trying to improve his position but Novikov has a good base and remains in mount.
Novikov landing punches.
Savage is looking to improve his position but Novikov isn't that keen on the idea.
Savage regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novikov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Novikov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Novikov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Savage is refusing to be controlled, as Novikov sits in half guard.
Novikov lands with a punch from half guard.

Savage looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Savage looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Novikov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Novikov drops an elbow to the side of Savage's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novikov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Novikov working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkadi Novikov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Savage fails with the takedown

so Novikov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Novikov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Savage will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Novikov scoring with some ground and pound.
Novikov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Savage's head.
Novikov postures up.
Novikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Novikov passes Savage's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Arkadi Novikov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Novikov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Savage with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Savage looking for submissions off his back.
Novikov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Novikov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Novikov landing punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Savage working to try and regain half guard.
Savage is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov dominating with strikes here.
Savage tries to hold on but Novikov postures up.
Novikov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Savage in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Novikov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Savage tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Novikov lands a big elbow.
Novikov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Novikov avoids the attempt from Savage to control.
Novikov scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Novikov cracks Savage with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Novikov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Savage hang on?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov lands a heavy elbow.

Savage is rocked!
Novikov lands a nice shot to the head.
Oh Savage is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Savage is trying to escape the mount.

Novikov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Novikov dominating with strikes here.
Savage seems to have got his legs back now.
Novikov avoids the attempt from Savage to control.
Savage is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Novikov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Savage has managed to escape the submission attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Novikov looking to secure an arm triangle but Savage defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Novikov controlling from mount.
Novikov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Savage can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Savage takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Novikov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Novikov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Savage's face.
Novikov landing strikes from the mount and Savage is in trouble!
Savage is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novikov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Savage?
Savage wants to control but Novikov is having none of it.
Novikov is landing with some decent strikes but Savage is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Savage wants to control but Novikov is having none of it.
Savage is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Novikov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novikov looking to finish Savage with some ground and pound. This is bad for Savage!
Novikov with a couple of short strikes.
Novikov with a couple of short strikes.
Novikov lands a nice shot to the head.
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.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Savage shoots and misses

and Novikov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Savage is looking for a sweep. Novikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Novikov working over Savage with some ground and pound. Savage looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Novikov connects with a nice short shot to Savage's temple.
Savage is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Novikov scores with a couple of nice shots.

Novikov seems to be working for a kimura but Savage defends the submission attempt.
Savage is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Novikov is thwarting Savage's attempts to control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Novikov lands a nice short elbow.
Savage tries to roll over but Novikov keeps him under control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Novikov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Savage taking some punishment here, with Novikov in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Novikov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Novikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Savage is looking to improve his position.

Savage actively working from the bottom here.
Savage is looking to control Novikov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Savage avoid being mounted?
Novikov working over Savage with some ground and pound. Savage looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Novikov is nestled in close to Savage, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Savage trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Novikov lands with some strikes.
Savage working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov controlling his opponent.
Novikov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Savage can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Savage is bucking up trying to escape but Novikov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Novikov landing punches.
Novikov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Savage in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Savage tries to hold on but Novikov pushes him away.
Novikov working the ground and pound effectively.
Novikov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Savage looks a forlorn figure.
Novikov dominating with strikes here.
Savage taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage is bucking up trying to escape but Novikov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Novikov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Novikov with the ground and pound from mount.

Novikov looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Poor strikes thrown by Novikov there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Savage is trying desperately to improve position.
Savage is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Novikov wants to finish this one by submission but Savage is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Novikov.
Novikov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Savage hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novikov dominating with strikes here.
Novikov lands a nice shot to the head.
Savage is looking to get to half guard.
Novikov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Savage looks a forlorn figure.
Savage is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Novikov landing strikes from the mount.
Novikov prevents Savage from getting the reversal.
Novikov landing punches.
Savage keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Novikov with good strikes from the mount here!
Kane Savage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Savage is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arkadi Novikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 25:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 25:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 25:30

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