PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kid Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonic Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kid Li could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jonic Novikov's chin.

Li
vs
Novikov

184 cm
18
197 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
23
193 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kid Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jonic Novikov!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Li misses.
Novikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Li shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Novikov trying to control from the bottom.

Li is looking for a kimura here.
Novikov controlling the position for now.
Li wants to take a breather but Novikov is having none of it.
Li throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Novikov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Li is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jonic Novikov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Novikov tries for a takedown but Li circles away easily

and Li counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Li.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Li looking to throw knees to the head but Novikov is blocking nicely.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Novikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but Novikov blocks with his arms.
Li drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Novikov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Li prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Novikov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Li drops down looking for an ankle pick but Novikov pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kid Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Novikov fails with the takedown

and Li counters with a single leg into guard. Novikov didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li trying to control but Novikov is working from the bottom.
Li content to stall in guard here.
Li throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li throwing strikes but missing.
Novikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Li.
Li stopping the sweep attempt from Novikov.

Novikov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Novikov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Li can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Li with a nice head shot there.

Novikov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Li defends well.
Li tries to free his leg and advance position but Novikov is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Novikov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Li has passed into half guard!
Novikov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Li is working away from the top position though.
Novikov is in trouble now - Li has advanced to mount!
Li landing strikes, looking to finish!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li dominating with strikes here.

It looks like Jonic Novikov has been cut.

Li is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Novikov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Novikov tries to lock up and control but Li gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Li connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kid Li dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jonic Novikov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Novikov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That has opened up Jonic Novikov's cut even more.
Li trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Novikov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Novikov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Li gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Li has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Li landing some decent shots from guard.
Li trying to control but Novikov is working from the bottom.
Kid Li overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Li throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Novikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Li scoring with punches to the head and body.
Li throwing strikes from guard but Novikov blocks nicely.

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

Li is trying to work for a kimura but Novikov is defending well.
Novikov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Li is working away from the top position though.
Novikov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Li.
Li wants to control but Novikov is keeping him busy.
Li looks to land a strike but Novikov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Novikov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Novikov has Li pulled in close to control his posture.

Novikov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Li doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Li manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov keeping moving, preventing Li from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Novikov has his foot on Li's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Li works his way back into a safe position though.
Li trying to control but Novikov is working from the bottom.
Li looking to pass the guard.
Li lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Li accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Novikov keeping full guard, as Li tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to control but Novikov is working from the bottom.
Li is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Li is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Novikov trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Novikov pulls Li in close to prevent any damage.
Novikov working a defensive guard here.
Li looking to pass the guard.

Novikov is looking for a triangle but Li pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li throwing strikes but missing.
Novikov is adopting a defensive guard.
Li postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Novikov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Li postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Novikov looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Li throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Li stands and throws Novikov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Li working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kid Li dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jonic Novikov's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Novikov misses with a takedown

so Li counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Li being controlled here momentarily.
Novikov controls Li momentarily but Li frees himself.
Li advances to half guard.
Novikov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Li lands strikes from half guard.

Novikov actively working from the bottom here.
Novikov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Novikov is not content to let Li control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov is trying to control but can't.
Li thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Li is thwarting Novikov's attempts to control the position.
Li not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Novikov looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Li pushes past his half guard into mount!
Li can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Novikov is looking to escape.
Li lands a big shot there that rocks Novikov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

The cut above Jonic Novikov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Jonic Novikov's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Kid Li!