PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Barry Jones (ranked 4487 p4p, 5380 weight class) and Marko Novak (ranked 368 p4p, 405 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Jones
vs
Novak

175 cm
18
145
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
18
150
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Barry Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marko Novak!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Richard Clark and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Novak lands a high kick!
Jones misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice uppercut lands for Jones. That snapped Novak's head back.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Jones, as that shot connected.
Jones works Novak's body with a nice hook.
Jones throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Novak connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Novak swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Jones.
Novak pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jones dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Novak showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jones.
Novak misses with a straight left.
As Novak looks to move away, Jones throws a big counter combo but Novak just gets out of the way.
Jones looks to land a combination but Novak avoids it well.
Jones misses with a straight left.
Jones lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Novak ducks under a wild hook from Jones.
Jones thuds his right hand into Novak's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Novak throws a quick inside leg kick.
Jones slips a jab from Novak.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones misses with a series of wild punches.
Jones jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Jones throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Novak blocks a jab.
A jab from Novak finds it's way through Jones's defenses.
Novak with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Jones to score with a decent uppercut.
Novak takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Jones thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jones defending well as Novak loads up on a big left hand.
Jones takes a swing at Novak's ribcage but misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Jones.
Jones swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A little jabbing left from Novak on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Jones waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Novak.
Novak with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Novak on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Jones ducks under a wild hook from Novak.
Jones scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones throws a hook to the side of Novak's head but Novak sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jones pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Novak back to the cage. Jones follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Jones connects with a body shot that sends Novak's belly button to the back.
Novak connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Jones connects with a single shot there.
Jones uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Novak.
Jones looks to land a left hand but Novak moved out of range nicely.
Jab from Novak.
A telegraphed right hand from Jones misses the target.
Novak throws a head kick that half lands.
Novak misses with a jab, cross combination.
Novak ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jones moves away.
Jones misses with a hook
and Novak counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Jones thinking.
Novak misses with a left hand
and Jones cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Jones walks into a stiff left hand from Novak.
Jones connects with the punch.
Novak moves out of range as Jones strikes.
Novak swings widly with a right hand
and Jones counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Jones to counter with a crisp jab.
A big right from Jones misses.
Jones shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Novak eats them both and turns towards Jones to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Novak takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Jones is breathing heavily.
The fighters circling - Jones throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jones listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Jones moves away from the strike by Novak.
Novak ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice shot lands for Novak.
Jones loads up on a big right hand but Novak slips the punch.
It seemed like Novak was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Jones is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Jones scores with a hook to the body. Novak takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Novak looks to score with a jab to the body but Jones is just out of range.
A big right from Jones misses.
Jones's corner calls for a 1-2. Jones obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Novak thows a body kick. Jones tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Novak throws a hook to the side of Jones's head but Jones sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jones misses with a hook. Novak ducked under it nicely.
Novak is looking for the big counter here.
Novak slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novak works Jones's body with a nice hook.
Novak takes a swing at Jones's ribcage but misses.
Novak swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A jab from Novak does it's job there.
Novak misses with a head kick.
Jones lands an overhand right.
Jones lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Novak at a distance.
Novak swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jones throws a jab but it's blocked by Novak.
Novak throws a hook but Jones blocks it.
Jones thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jones slips under a jab from Novak.
Novak throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Jones looks to land a right hand but Novak moved out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Jones crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Novak - the referee stops the clock and Jones gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Novak. Jones manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Novak works the jab nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Barry Jones dominated that round.
That's time! Jones's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Novak misses with a looping left.
Jones misses with a lunging right hand
and Novak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jones pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Novak takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jones misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jones throws a shot to the body.
Jones stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Barry Jones is winning the standup battle so far.
Novak uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jones.
Jones lands with a shot to the body.
Novak gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Jones tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Novak was well out of range. Poor timing from Jones.
Jones keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Novak walks into a stiff left hand from Jones.
Jones misses with a body punch
and Novak counters with a straight right hand.
Jones moves out of range as Novak strikes.
Jones pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jones closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Novak connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Novak does no damage.
Novak avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Novak fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Jones on the side of the head.
Jones throws a poor cross that misses
and Novak counters with a nice uppercut.
Novak will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jones uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Novak.
Novak takes one to the side of the head.
Jones blocks a head kick by Novak.
Jones bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jones throwing a counter right hand but Novak manages to avoid it.
Jones dodges the punch combination from Novak.
Jones throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Jones slips under a jab.
Jones throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jones pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Novak! But no joy.
Novak takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Novak misses.
A big right from Jones misses.
Novak looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Novak throws a lazy uppercut
and Jones connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jones scores with a shot to the body.
Jones throws a poor cross that misses
and Novak counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A big left from Jones misses.
Jones uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Novak has time to react.
Jones's corner calls for a 1-2. Jones obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Novak ducks under a wild hook from Jones.
Jones throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Novak counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jones is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Jones throws a poor cross that misses
and Novak cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Jones ducks under a wild hook from Novak.
An attempted straight right counter from Jones misses the target.
Jones misses with an uppercut
and Jones takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Novak with a jab.
Jones lands a nice hook to Novak's body. Novak takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Jones swinging wildly here.
Novak raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak throws a lazy uppercut
letting Jones counter with a right hand.
Novak misses with a head kick.
Jones slips a straight right by Novak.
Jones looks to land a right hand but Novak moved out of range.
Novak misses with an uppercut
and Jones counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jones ducks under a wild hook from Novak.
Jones waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Novak.
A swing and a miss from Novak.
Novak goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Jones throws a jab when Novak was well out of range.
Novak looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Novak uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jones.
Jones defending well as Novak loads up on a big left hand.
Novak misses with a hook.
Jones scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Jones displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Novak throws out the jab.
It looked like Jones was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Novak.
Jones moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jones moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Jones misses the target.
Novak throws a hook to the side of Jones's head but Jones sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jones missing with a left hand there. Novak was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Novak misses the shot to the body.
Novak throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice defenses there by Jones.
Jones uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Novak has time to react.
Jones has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Novak.
Novak waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jones.
Jones connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Jones is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Novak can do to turn this around?
Jones moves out of range of the strikes.
Jones scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jones scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jones steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Novak.
Jones connects with a looping right hand.
Jones will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Barry Jones dominated that second 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Novak throws a lazy right hand but Jones sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A combination from Jones does no damage.
Jones throws a good cross that connects.
Novak misses with an uppercut. Jones saw that one coming.
Novak takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Jones swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Novak takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jones throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Novak to counter with a crisp jab.
Novak thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jones ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jones has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Novak tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jones was well out of range. Poor timing from Novak.
Jones is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nice body punch from Jones.
A slow jab from Novak misses its intended target.
A big left from Jones misses.
Jones throws a poor cross that misses
and Novak counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Novak misses with a wild combination.
Jones rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Novak counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Novak!
The crowd cheers as Novak lands an impressive looking overhand right. Jones doesn't seem phased though.
A big left from Novak misses.
Novak misses with a hook.
Jones swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jones just misses with a punch to the body.
Jones misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jones slips a jab and a cross from Novak.
Novak swings for the body but Jones moves out of range.
Novak defending well as Jones loads up on a big left hand.
Jones misses with a straight left.
Jones scores with a three punch combo!
The fighters circling - Novak throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice uppercut there from Novak.
Jones throws a hook but Novak avoids it easily.
Novak scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big left from Novak misses.
Novak misses the jab.
Jones throws a big shot that misses.
Novak's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Jones connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Novak scrambles back to his feet.
A big right from Novak misses.
Jones throws out a loose jab but Novak uses good head movement to avoid it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Novak! But no joy.
Jones keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Novak bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Jones's head.
Novak digs a good hook to Jones's body.
Novak bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jones has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Jones there as he acknowledges the shot.
Jones misses with a looping right.
Jones tries to bum rush Novak with a series of wild strikes but Novak uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jones uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Novak.
Novak swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jones tries to move into range but Novak moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Novak lands a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones lunges at Novak with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Novak's hand.
Nice uppercut lands for Jones. That snapped Novak's head back.
Novak walks into a stiff left hand from Jones.
Novak takes a swing at Jones's ribcage but misses.
The fighters circling - Novak throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Novak looks to score with a jab to the body but Jones is just out of range.
A jab from Novak misses.
Novak lands with a nice body kick.
Novak swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jones throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice straight punches there by Jones. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Jones.
Novak swings widly with a right hand
and Jones counters with a straight right hand.
A jab from Novak misses.
Novak misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Novak listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
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!
Jones throws a jab when Novak was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novak takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Marko Novak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jones misses with a hook
and Novak counters with a nice uppercut.
Novak throws out a loose jab but Jones uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice straight punches there by Jones. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Jones.
Jones getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Novak uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jones.
Jones slips a jab from Novak.
Jones throws a shot from downtown. Novak moves away and avoids it.
Novak on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Novak moves out of range of the strikes.
Novak swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jones on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novak uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jones.
A jab from Novak misses.
Jones misses with an uppercut.
Jones throws a lazy right hand but Novak sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Barry Jones.
Well Jones has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Barry Jones!