PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitry Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Zhitnik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zhitnik has chosen Metallica - Leper Messiah as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Novikov
vs
Zhitnik

196 cm
25
277 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

191 cm
28
280 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 - 3 - 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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Zhitnik!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Vladimir Khabensky and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Novikov throws a low kick but Zhitnik moves out of range easily.
Zhitnik throws a body punch but Novikov moves out of range.
Zhitnik moves out of range of the leg kick from Novikov.
Novikov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Novikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zhitnik.
Novikov throws a leg kick which misses Zhitnik's front leg but catches the back leg as Zhitnik tries to avoid it.
Zhitnik lands a jab.

Zhitnik closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Novikov to the mat! Novikov manages to get full guard.
Novikov wants to sweep but no luck.
Zhitnik trying to control but Novikov is working from the bottom.
Novikov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Novikov tries to get out of the position.
Novikov wants to stand but Zhitnik is controlling the position.
Novikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhitnik is looking to work some ground and pound but Novikov has wrist control.
Zhitnik wants to control from the top but Novikov keeps moving.
Zhitnik in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zhitnik throwing strikes from guard but Novikov blocks nicely.
Novikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zhitnik.
Novikov controls Zhitnik momentarily but Zhitnik frees himself.
Zhitnik landing with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhitnik won't allow Novikov to sweep him here.

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.
Novikov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zhitnik is controlling him.
Novikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Zhitnik.
Zhitnik trying to control but Novikov is working from the bottom.
Zhitnik won't allow Novikov to sweep him here.
Novikov is working hard here to advance position.
Novikov keeping moving, preventing Zhitnik from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Zhitnik shoots in for a double leg but Novikov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov motions for Zhitnik to come forward. Novikov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Novikov feints and then cracks Zhitnik's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Zhitnik down.
Zhitnik shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Novikov defends it nicely.
Zhitnik with a hook.
Novikov slips under a jab.
Zhitnik fails with a takedown attempt.
Dmitry Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Zhitnik.
Good standup being displayed there by Zhitnik as he connects with a hook.
Novikov tries to work over Zhitnik's front leg with a kick but Zhitnik checks it.
Zhitnik avoids the head kick by Novikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novikov throws a sloppy head kick and Zhitnik moves out of range easily.
Zhitnik ducks under a wild hook from Novikov.

Zhitnik gets the takedown into side control.
Novikov defending against the ground and pound.
An elbow from Zhitnik crashes against the mat.
Novikov tries to bench press Zhitnik off him but Zhitnik keeps the position.
Zhitnik with the ground and pound but Novikov regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Novikov is staying active underneath Zhitnik, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Zhitnik throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Zhitnik thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Novikov wants to improve his position but Zhitnik is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Zhitnik dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zhitnik looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Novikov throws a low kick but Zhitnik moves out of range easily.
Novikov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zhitnik has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Novikov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zhitnik on the side of the head.
Novikov is looking to chop away at Zhitnik's legs.
Zhitnik throws a predictable looking body shot
and Novikov counters with a low kick, right behind Zhitnik 's knee.
Zhitnik shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Novikov defends it nicely.
Novikov works Zhitnik's body with a nice hook.
Zhitnik is breathing heavily.
Novikov scores with a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zhitnik avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov throws the left hand but Zhitnik avoids the punch easily.
Novikov throws a low kick but Zhitnik avoids it.
Dmitry Novikov is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice inside leg kick there by Novikov. That's going to slow Zhitnik down.
Zhitnik avoids the head kick by Novikov.
Novikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhitnik.
Novikov scores with a spinning back kick!
A head kick misses from Novikov.
Novikov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Novikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Novikov connects with a high kick.
Novikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zhitnik chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Novikov can pounce on him.
Novikov throws a leg kick which misses Zhitnik's front leg but catches the back leg as Zhitnik tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zhitnik has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Novikov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zhitnik misses the jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Novikov.
Novikov thuds his shin into the meat of Zhitnik's side.
A good leg kick by Novikov.
Zhitnik keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Zhitnik takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Zhitnik tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Novikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zhitnik moves out of range of the leg kick from Novikov.
An inside leg kick from Novikov misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov throws a sloppy head kick and Zhitnik moves out of range easily.
Novikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Novikov throws a sloppy head kick and Zhitnik moves out of range easily.
Novikov throws a leg kick which misses Zhitnik's front leg but catches the back leg as Zhitnik tries to avoid it.
Zhitnik chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Novikov can pounce on him.
Novikov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Novikov tries a head kick but it misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Zhitnik blocks the leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Novikov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Novikov lands with a cross.
A leg kick checked by Zhitnik.
A shot to the liver by Novikov. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Novikov tenderised Zhitnik's leg. Zhitnik is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zhitnik checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Novikov tries to score with a low kick but Zhitnik moves his leg out of the way.
Novikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Novikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zhitnik checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Novikov connects with an inside leg kick.
Novikov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Novikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Novikov throws a nice head kick!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhitnik checks a low kick from Novikov.
Zhitnik throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Good work by Zhitnik as he checks the leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitry Novikov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Novikov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Novikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Novikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zhitnik tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zhitnik's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Novikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Novikov.
Novikov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Novikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Novikov throws a head kick that misses.
Zhitnik steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Novikov.
Zhitnik takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zhitnik throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Novikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Novikov misses with a head kick.
Novikov motions for Zhitnik to come forward. Novikov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov throws a leg kick which misses Zhitnik's front leg but catches the back leg as Zhitnik tries to avoid it.
Zhitnik looks to land a left hand but Novikov moved out of range nicely.
A leg kick checked by Zhitnik.
Novikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zhitnik can do to turn this around?
Novikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Novikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Novikov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zhitnik with a poor takedown
and Novikov counters with a leg kick.
Novikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A leg kick checked by Zhitnik.
Novikov throws a low kick but Zhitnik moves out of range easily.
Novikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zhitnik. That did some damage!
Novikov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov lands with an overhand left.
Novikov connects with a body shot.
Dmitry Novikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Novikov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zhitnik checks it well.
Novikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zhitnik checks the leg kick nicely there.
Zhitnik lands a nice shot to the body.
Zhitnik chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Novikov can pounce on him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good leg kick by Novikov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Novikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Novikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zhitnik.
Novikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zhitnik.
Crunch! Novikov slams his shin into Zhitnik's torso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zhitnik.
Both fighters circling a little - Novikov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Novikov.
Novikov throws a low kick, looking for Zhitnik's leg but Zhitnik calmly moves out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Zhitnik checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Novikov tries a low kick but Zhitnik avoids it.
Novikov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zhitnik.
A leg kick checked by Zhitnik.
Novikov lands a head kick!
Zhitnik swings widly with a right hand
and Novikov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Novikov throws a head kick that Zhitnik semi-blocks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novikov throws a leg kick which misses Zhitnik's front leg but catches the back leg as Zhitnik tries to avoid it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Crunch! Novikov slams his shin into Zhitnik's torso.
Crunch! Novikov slams his shin into Zhitnik's torso.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Novikov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Zhitnik has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Zhitnik and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Novikov lands a front kick.
Zhitnik stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Novikov.
Novikov scores with a head kick.
Zhitnik takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Novikov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zhitnik has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhitnik on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Novikov. Novikov obviously looking to wear him down.
Novikov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Novikov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Zhitnik's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitry Novikov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Novikov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:26
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:26
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:26

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