PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kris Novak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mathias Astala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Astala has chosen Turisas - Cursed Be Iron as his entrance music. Mathias Astala is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Novak
vs
Astala

190 cm
21
187 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

196 cm
21
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Nemesis Cage Clothing

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Kris Novak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Mathias Astala!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Novak looks for a takedown but Astala sprawls well.
Astala tries to close the distance and clinch up but Novak swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Novak thows a left - swing and a miss!
Novak fails to land the takedown.
Astala fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Astala wants to clinch.
Astala checks the leg kick nicely there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Novak changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Astala tries to avoid it but Novak manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Astala to the ground. Astala escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kris Novak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Astala rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Novak moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Novak shoots in for a takedown but Astala shows good takedown defense.
Astala tries to close the distance and clinch but Novak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novak shoots in and drives through. Astala sprawls well.
Astala tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Novak moves into the clinch.

Astala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Novak tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Astala makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Novak pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Novak on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Astala. Astala obviously looking to wear him down.
Novak is breathing heavily.

Astala pushes Novak up against the cage in a clinch.
Astala lands an elbow that stopped Novak in his tracks for a moment.
Astala lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
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!
Astala stalling.
Astala with a knee to the head.
Astala connects with a knee to the head.
Astala with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Astala throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Novak blocks it with crossed arms.
Novak takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Astala unloads a knee to the mid-section. Novak lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Astala stalls.
Astala looking to throw knees to the head but Novak is blocking nicely.
Astala landing knees to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Astala takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Astala lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Astala unloads a knee to the mid-section. Novak lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Astala landing knees to the head.
Knees to the body from Astala.
Astala lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Astala is trying to drag Novak to the mat but Novak just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Novak breaks from the clinch.
Astala looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Novak is fending him off so far but Astala persists. Nope, Novak circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak tries for a takedown but Astala sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Novak pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Novak stuffs the takedown attempt from Astala. Astala gets slowly back to his feet.
Astala tries to clinch up

and Novak counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Novak is tying to control. Astala wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Astala tries to roll over but Novak keeps him under control.

Novak escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novak fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Astala slows down the pace here.
Astala tries a knee to the head but Novak blocks it.

Novak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Novak fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Astala sprawls well initially but Novak persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Novak stands up from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mathias Astala dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice sprawl there from Novak as Astala shoots in.
Novak tries for a takedown but Astala circles away easily

and Astala counters by clinching up.
Astala looking to stall.
Astala crunches a lovely knee into Novak's ribcage.
Astala tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Astala trying to land knees to the body.

Novak ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Novak no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Novak wants to stand and escape but Astala is having none of it.
Novak controls Astala momentarily but Astala frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Novak has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Astala can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Astala is pushing down on Novak's leg trying to pass to half guard. Novak is fighting to maintain full guard but Astala has managed to sneak the leg through.

Novak looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Astala there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Novak is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Astala stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Astala doesn't manage to clinch there - Novak circles away.
Astala tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Novak counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astala throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Astala throws his legs up looking for a submission but Novak uses it to pass to side control.
Novak wants to lay and pray for a moment but Astala keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Astala tries to escape but Novak is in control.
Astala gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Novak tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Astala.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kris Novak will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Astala moves in looking to clinch but Novak pushes him off.
Astala lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Novak stuffs the takedown.

Astala gets a clinch.
Astala with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Astala unloads a knee to the mid-section. Novak lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Astala with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Novak drags the fight down to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Novak trying to keep a closed guard but Astala is proving a slippery customer.
Novak tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novak has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Astala has passed into side control.
Astala works to advance to full mount. Novak defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Novak regains half guard.
Novak is looking to control Astala's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Novak avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Novak is not content to let Astala control the position.
Novak trying to control from the bottom.
Novak is looking to improve his position.
Astala takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak is looking for a sweep. Astala is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Novak wants to control but Astala is keeping busy.

Novak looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Astala doesn't manage to clinch there - Novak circles away.
No luck for Astala with that takedown attempt.
Novak shoots for a double leg takedown but Astala sprawls well. He's pushed Novak's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Astala is looking to clinch but Novak is avoiding it.
Astala moves in looking to clinch but Novak pushes him off.
Novak throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Astala's waist but Astala gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Novak off to one side.
Astala tries to clinch there but Novak circles away.
Astala tries to close the distance and clinch but Novak swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Astala tries to clinch

and Novak counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Astala prevents Novak from breaking the clinch.
Astala lands a nice elbow.
Astala taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Novak prevents a takedown attempt there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mathias Astala comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Astala has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight for Mathias Astala!
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Mathias Astala!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Mathias Astala!

Mathias Astala wins by unanimous decision!