PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alfonz Novak (ranked 969 p4p, 1574 weight class) and August Thibodeaux (ranked 122 p4p, 188 weight class). Novak comes to the cage accompanied by A Tout Le Monde - Megadeth. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Novak
vs
Thibodeaux

190 cm
25
186
9 - 3 - 0

195 cm
28
186
9 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alfonz Novak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, August Thibodeaux!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thibodeaux stuffs the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Novak looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Novak is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thibodeaux sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Novak throws a body shot but no joy.

Novak instigates a clinch.
Novak is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thibodeaux pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alfonz Novak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Novak has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A body shot lands from Thibodeaux.
Novak wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thibodeaux has him pressed against the cage.
Thibodeaux lands a right hand that snaps the head of Novak backwards.
Thibodeaux tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Novak's elbow.
Thibodeaux lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Novak or not.
We've been hearing reports that Novak has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Thibodeaux is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Novak wants to take the fight to the mat but Thibodeaux manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Thibodeaux lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Novak or not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux avoiding damage as Novak throws knees to the body.
Novak goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thibodeaux prevents it.
Thibodeaux stops a takedown attempt from Novak.
A short uppercut from Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Novak tries to clinch but Thibodeaux is having none of it.
Novak throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Thibodeaux turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Novak tries to clinch up but Thibodeaux circles away and keeps his distance.
Thibodeaux uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Novak.

Novak shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thibodeaux's guard.
Thibodeaux is trying to control the position but Novak postures up.
Novak trying to control but Thibodeaux is working from the bottom.
Thibodeaux is adopting a defensive guard.
Thibodeaux looking for a sweep. Not yet Thibodeaux, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novak is fighting to break Thibodeaux's control of his arms but Thibodeaux is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Thibodeaux looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Novak throwing strikes from guard but Thibodeaux blocks nicely.
Novak stops Thibodeaux from standing up.
Novak with a flurry of punches that miss.
Novak is working Thibodeaux over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thibodeaux looking to hit a scissor sweep but Novak is one step ahead there.
Novak throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak tries to free his leg and advance position but Thibodeaux is retaining full guard.
Novak slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Thibodeaux has momentary wrist control but Novak slips an elbow through the middle.
Novak scoring with punches to the head and body.

Novak got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thibodeaux has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Novak has managed to get both his arms back between Thibodeaux's legs - danger averted.
Thibodeaux pulls Novak in close to prevent any damage.
Thibodeaux wants to stand up but Novak is controlling him.
Thibodeaux is pulling down on Novak's head to control his posture.
Novak trying to control but Thibodeaux is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Novak misses the shot to the body.

Novak gets a takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Novak scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Thibodeaux blocking the ground and pound attempt from Novak.
Novak working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Thibodeaux tries to roll over but Novak keeps him under control.
Novak thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thibodeaux trying to hold on to Novak's head to control him but Novak postures up.
Thibodeaux is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Novak scores with a couple of nice shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alfonz Novak will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Novak dives in for a single leg takedown but Thibodeaux sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Novak wants to stall.

Thibodeaux manages to break the clinch.
Alfonz Novak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Novak fails to land the takedown.
Novak slips a jab and a cross from Thibodeaux.

Novak forces Thibodeaux back against the cage and clinches.
Novak can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alfonz Novak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thibodeaux prevents a takedown attempt there.
Thibodeaux stops a takedown attempt from Novak.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thibodeaux wants to stall.
Thibodeaux lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Thibodeaux escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Novak tries to clinch up.
Thibodeaux is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thibodeaux ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Novak moves away.
Novak feinted with a counter takedown.
Novak misses with a takedown
and Thibodeaux counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Novak tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thibodeaux swivels and escapes.
Novak fails with a takedown attempt.
Novak takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
August Thibodeaux is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Novak swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A good leg kick by Thibodeaux.

Novak scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Novak taking a breather here.
Alfonz Novak overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Novak wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Thibodeaux is trying to buck Novak off.
Thibodeaux can't do much from the bottom here.
Thibodeaux dodges the ground and pound from Novak.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thibodeaux gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Thibodeaux keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Novak stalling away here and it's allowed Thibodeaux to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Thibodeaux working a defensive guard here.
Thibodeaux wants to stand but Novak is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novak throwing strikes but missing.
Novak has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Novak stops Thibodeaux from standing up.

Thibodeaux has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Novak has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Novak wants a takedown.
Novak is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Thibodeaux lands a hook that snaps the head of Novak backwards.
Novak is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thibodeaux pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thibodeaux gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Novak.
Novak is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Thibodeaux is defending well for now.
Thibodeaux has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Thibodeaux breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Novak has managed to clinch.
Novak is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novak prevents a body shot from Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Thibodeaux breaks from the clinch.
Jab, jab by Thibodeaux - just one landing.
Thibodeaux throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thibodeaux lands a nice looking body shot.
Thibodeaux bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Novak misses with a takedown attempt
and Thibodeaux counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Thibodeaux throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Novak gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Novak throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Novak throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Thibodeaux was covering up waiting for the punch and Novak finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Thibodeaux not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Novak in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

August Thibodeaux showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Thibodeaux lands a body shot.
Thibodeaux misses with a right hand

and Novak counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Thibodeaux taking some punishment here, with Novak in his half guard.
Novak trying to control from Thibodeaux's half guard. Thibodeaux has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Thibodeaux controlling Novak's posture.
Thibodeaux is looking to stand up but Novak isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Novak wants to control from the top but Thibodeaux keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Novak's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Thibodeaux is pulling down on Novak's head to control his posture.
Thibodeaux looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Thibodeaux working a defensive guard here.
Novak trying to control the position from guard on top but Thibodeaux is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Novak looking to pass the guard.
Novak with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

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.
Thibodeaux fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Novak.
Thibodeaux swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thibodeaux throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Novak fails to land the takedown.
Thibodeaux tries to work over Novak's front leg with a kick but Novak checks it.
Thibodeaux tests Novak's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Thibodeaux leaves Novak with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Thibodeaux swats away the attempt to clinch by Novak.
Thibodeaux is looking to chop away at Novak's legs.
Novak tries to clinch up but Thibodeaux circles away and keeps his distance.
Novak closes the distance and clinches up with Thibodeaux, looking for a takedown. Novak pushes Thibodeaux against the cage but Thibodeaux circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alfonz Novak. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Novak tries to clinch there but Thibodeaux circles away.
Novak moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromThibodeaux.
Nice sprawl there from Thibodeaux as Novak shoots in.
Thibodeaux lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thibodeaux misses with a body shot.
Novak avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Thibodeaux lands with a good body shot.
Novak misses with a takedown attempt
and Thibodeaux connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thibodeaux displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Novak.
Novak swings away with a body shot that misses
and Thibodeaux connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thibodeaux takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Thibodeaux scores with a leg kick.
Thibodeaux fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Novak looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Novak takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Novak tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thibodeaux sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Novak somewhat.
Thibodeaux missing with a left hand there. Novak was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Thibodeaux scores with a punch to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Novak tries to close the distance and clinch but Thibodeaux swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novak takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Novak closes the distance looking to clinch
and Thibodeaux counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Novak shoots for a takedown but Thibodeaux saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
August Thibodeaux seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thibodeaux fails to land with a series of punches.
Thibodeaux lands with a shot to the body.
Thibodeaux throws a body shot but no joy.
Novak fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thibodeaux manages to avoid it.
Novak darts in trying to clinch
and Thibodeaux counters with a leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Thibodeaux. Beautiful body shot.
Thibodeaux has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Thibodeaux swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Thibodeaux throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Novak stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Novak has a takedown stuffed.

And that's the end of the fight!
August Thibodeaux comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thibodeaux 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... August Thibodeaux!