PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jonic Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nir Sosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Novikov
vs
Sosa

183 cm
23
193 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonic Novikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nir Sosa!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sosa lands a body shot.

Novikov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Novikov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sosa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sosa keeping full guard, as Novikov tries to pass.
Sosa wants to sweep here but Novikov controlling him for the moment.

Sosa looking for a guillotine here but Novikov defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jonic Novikov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sosa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Novikov manages to avoid it.

Novikov shoots in and bounces Sosa off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Novikov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sosa looking for a sweep. Not yet Sosa, not yet.

We're going to have a standup here because Jonic Novikov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sosa enables Novikov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sosa manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Novikov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
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!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov won't allow Sosa to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jonic Novikov just wasn't active enough.
Sosa throws a hook but Novikov avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Sosa as Novikov shoots in.

Novikov shoots in and bounces Sosa off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Sosa trying to keep a closed guard but Novikov is proving a slippery customer.
Novikov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sosa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Novikov is one step ahead there.

Sosa looking for a guillotine here but Novikov defends easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sosa trying to keep a closed guard but Novikov is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonic 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.

Novikov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sosa but Sosa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sosa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sosa wants it to stay on the feet.
Sosa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Good exchange - Sosa coming out on top.
Sosa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Novikov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sosa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sosa sizes up Novikov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

It looks like Jonic Novikov has been cut.
Novikov walks into a left hand.
Novikov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sosa pinned against the cage. Sosa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonic Novikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Novikov tries to move into range but Sosa moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sosa takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sosa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Novikov's head backwards.

Novikov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Well, if Novikov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Novikov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sosa sees it coming and defends easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sosa wants to get back to full guard.
Novikov trying to mount his opponent but Sosa defends it.
Novikov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sosa wants to control but Novikov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jonic Novikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Novikov controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jonic Novikov.
Sosa misses with a straight left.
Sosa lands a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Novikov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nir Sosa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sosa is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sosa with a nice cross.
Sosa jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Novikov walks into a left hand.
Novikov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Novikov tries for a takedown but Sosa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sosa digs a good hook to Novikov's body.
Sosa thuds a left hand into Novikov's body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Novikov is defended easily by Sosa.
Sosa scores with a punch to the head.

Jonic Novikov's cut is getting worse.
Sosa lands with a nice body punch.

Sosa drops Novikov with a nice combination! Sosa dives into Novikov's guard, looking to finish!

Novikov is rocked!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Sosa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Novikov's guard.
Oh Novikov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sosa wants to control from the top but Novikov keeps moving.
Sosa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Novikov seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nir Sosa wasn't active enough on the ground.
Novikov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Novikov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sosa circles away.
Jab from Sosa.
Sosa wants to clinch.
Sosa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sosa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Novikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nir Sosa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jonic Novikov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Novikov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Novikov.
Novikov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Novikov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Novikov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sosa swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonic Novikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Novikov needs to keep his hands up - Sosa had a free shot at his head there.
Sosa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Novikov at a distance.
A shot to the liver by Sosa. Beautiful body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Novikov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Novikov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sosa lands a jab to Novikov's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sosa moves in looking to clinch but Novikov pushes him off.
Sosa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sosa sizes up Novikov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sosa slaps away a takedown attempt from Novikov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sosa getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Jonic Novikov's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Sosa stuns Novikov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sosa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sosa scores with a jab. Novikov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sosa connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Novikov's hands.
Jonic Novikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sosa punishes Novikov's body with a nice straight punch.
Sosa scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Sosa as he connects with a hook.
Sosa throws a monster overhand right that drops Novikov! Sosa follows up with more strikes from mount and the fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:10 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nir Sosa!
Nir Sosa made sure to mention his sponsor, TFP Graphics - Pit Inc in his post fight interview.