PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt Morgan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Novak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Morgan
vs
Novak

190 cm
25
207 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

192 cm
24
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Matt Morgan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Novak!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Novak sizes up Morgan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Novak lands with a hook. Morgan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Sloppy strikes from Morgan. Those never looked like landing.
Morgan bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Novak's head backwards.

Novak rushes Morgan and presses him up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Novak - that landed with a thud.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Morgan has had enough of the clinch but Novak keeps him there for the moment.
Novak pushes off an throws an elbow but Morgan leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Morgan working hard to break the clinch.
Novak tries a body shot but Morgan blocks it.
Morgan can't break the clinch.
Novak prevents Morgan from breaking the clinch.
Morgan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Morgan has had enough of the clinch but Novak keeps him there for the moment.
Novak lands a body shot in the clinch.
Novak wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Novak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Morgan takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Novak clinches up with Morgan and pushes him back against the cage.
Novak prevents Morgan from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Novak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Morgan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Novak.
Morgan tries a head kick but it misses.
Novak throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Morgan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Novak throws a right and a left that both miss.
Morgan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Novak.
Novak throws a series of punches but Morgan avoids them all with ease.
Morgan is looking to slow Novak down with leg kicks.
Morgan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Novak looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Morgan works over Novak's head and body with a nice combination.

Novak takes the fight into the clinch.

Novak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Novak misses with a double jab.
Morgan lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Morgan is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morgan throws a nice looking combination but Novak bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Novak clinches with his opponent.
Morgan tries to break free but Novak pushes him back against the cage.
Morgan is looking to break free of the clinch but Novak has double underhooks.
Morgan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Morgan is trying to break free.
Morgan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A short right from Novak.

Novak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Novak rushes Morgan and presses him up against the cage.

Novak manages to break the clinch.

Novak closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Novak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak avoids the head kick by Morgan.
Ivan Novak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morgan looks to land a body kick but Novak moved away.
Novak misses with a series of wild punches.
Novak misses with a jab, cross combination.
Morgan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Morgan misses with a few strikes there.
Novak uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Morgan.
Nice uppercut lands for Novak. That snapped Morgan's head back.

Morgan tries to keep at a distance but Novak has taken the fight into the clinch.
Novak has Morgan pressed against the cage, preventing Morgan from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nice body punch from Novak.
Novak trying to land knees to the body.
Morgan tries to circle away but Novak has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Novak working hard to break the clinch.
Morgan has had enough of the clinch but Novak keeps him there for the moment.
Morgan wants to break free but Novak has control.
Novak pushes Morgan back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Novak lands a nice uppercut.
Morgan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A body shot lands from Novak.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morgan tries to break free but Novak pushes him back against the cage.
Morgan looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Novak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Morgan tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Novak will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Novak moves into the clinch successfully.
Morgan prevents Novak from breaking the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Novak 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.

Morgan throws a right and a left that Novak avoids nicely.
Novak lands with a nice combination. Morgan backs away looking to recover.
Morgan jabs at Novak's body.
Matt Morgan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Morgan tries to bum rush Novak with a series of wild strikes but Novak uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Novak in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

Novak rushes Morgan and presses him up against the cage.

Novak breaks the clinch.
Novak has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Morgan.
Morgan dodges the punch combination from Novak.
Morgan misses with a wild combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Morgan ducks under a wild hook from Novak.
Morgan misses with a double jab.
Novak rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Morgan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Morgan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Novak throws a right hand that Morgan ducks under and follows up with a left that Morgan also avoids with ease.
Morgan misses with a head kick.
Morgan misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Novak connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Novak misses with a straight left.
Novak misses with a combination
and Morgan counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Novak thinking.
Morgan swinging wildly here.
Morgan tries to bum rush Novak with a series of wild strikes but Novak uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Good exchange - Novak coming out on top.
Morgan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Novak throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Novak lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Morgan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morgan takes one to the chin there.
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!

Novak has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ivan Novak seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Novak is leaning against Morgan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Morgan tries to circle away but Novak has him pinned against the cage.
Novak pushes Morgan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Novak lands a body shot.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Novak just misses with a elbow thrown towards Morgan's brow.
Morgan wants to break the clinch but can't.

Novak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Morgan slips a jab and a cross from Novak.
Novak throws a hook but Morgan avoids it easily.
Novak might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Morgan lands with a good body shot.

Novak drives through and clinches with Morgan against the cage.
Morgan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak wants a takedown.
Morgan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Morgan blocks a body shot from Novak.
Morgan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Novak just leaning against Morgan, taking a breather.
Morgan tries to circle away but Novak has him pinned against the cage.
Morgan tries to break free but Novak pushes him back against the cage.
Morgan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Novak wants to get back to striking at distance but Morgan won't allow it.
Novak working hard to break the clinch.
Novak working hard to break the clinch.
Novak keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Morgan's efforts to push away.
Morgan is trying to break the clinch but Novak is controlling him.
Novak makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Morgan is looking to break free of the clinch but Novak has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan tries to circle away but Novak has him pinned against the cage.
Novak lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Morgan tries to circle away but Novak has him pinned against the cage.
Novak keeps control of Morgan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Morgan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Morgan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Morgan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Morgan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Novak lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Novak digs a right hand underneath Morgan's ribcage. Morgan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Novak scores with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Novak lands with a left to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Morgan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Novak.
Morgan is trying to force a seperation but Novak has the dominant position.

Novak jumps guard and drags Morgan to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Novak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Morgan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Morgan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Novak.
Novak feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Morgans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Novak avoids the body shot from Morgan.
Novak scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Morgan misses with a series of wild punches.
A combination from Morgan does no damage.
Morgan swings for the body but Novak moves out of range.
Novak throws a series of punches but Morgan avoids them all with ease.
Morgan throws a head kick but Novak moves out of range.
Novak misses with the combination.
Morgan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Novak.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Novak gets a clinch.
Novak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Morgan backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morgan takes a shot to the head.
Novak looking for a takedown.
Novak digs a right hand underneath Morgan's ribcage. Morgan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Morgan is looking to break free of the clinch but Novak has double underhooks.

Novak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Novak cracks Morgan with a right hand to the side of the head.

Novak takes the fight into the clinch.

Novak breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Morgan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Novak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Novak avoids a punch combination nicely.
Novak misses with a double jab.
Novak lands a nice hook to Morgan's body. Morgan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Novak gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Morgan's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Morgan is trying to break free.
Morgan avoiding damage as Novak throws knees to the body.
Morgan letting Novak take a breather here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Novak digs a right hand into Morgan's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Morgan's gas tank.
Morgan tries to circle away but Novak has him pinned against the cage.
Novak lands a shoulder strike.
Novak drops down looking for an ankle pick but Morgan pulls his leg out and moves away.
No joy there for Morgan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Morgan is looking to wear down Novak with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Good work by Novak as he checks the leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Novak crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Morgan - the referee stops the clock and Novak gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Morgan. Novak manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak looks to land a combination but Morgan avoids it well.
Novak throws a left and a right that both miss
and Morgan counters with a left to the body.
Morgan lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Novak fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Morgan, pushing him back against the cage.
Morgan tries to circle away but Novak has him pinned against the cage.
Morgan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Novak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Novak throws a series of punches but Morgan avoids them all with ease.
Morgan swats away the attempt to clinch by Novak.
Novak throws out a loose jab but Morgan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Morgan lands a two punch combo.
Morgan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Novak.
Morgan throws a series of punches but Novak moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morgan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Novak throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Morgan misses with a double jab.
Novak connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Novak avoids the head kick by Morgan.
Morgan lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Novak rushes Morgan and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Novak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A combination from Morgan does no damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A left and a right from Novak both land. Nice combination.
Ivan Novak is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A combination from Morgan does no damage.
Matt Morgan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Danga de danga de dang - Novak scores with a four punch combination!
Novak lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Morgan circles away quickly and effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Novak comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Novak 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Novak!