PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between David Aluev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Novitskiy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Aluev
vs
Novitskiy

165 cm
19
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, David Aluev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Novitskiy!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Vladimir Khabensky and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Novitskiy lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Aluev backs up against the cage.

Novitskiy scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Aluev is trying to get back to half guard.
Novitskiy throws an elbow but Aluev slips to the side and avoids it well.
Novitskiy working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Aluev is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Novitskiy's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Novitskiy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Novitskiy working the head and body with strikes.
Novitskiy with the ground and pound but Aluev uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Aluev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Novitskiy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Novitskiy stands and steps away. Aluev gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Novitskiy lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Novitskiy.

Novitskiy has closed the distance and engaged Aluev in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Novitskiy's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Novitskiy prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aluev throws a head punch that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Novitskiy's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Novitskiy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aluev has him pressed against the cage.

Aluev breaks from the clinch.

Aluev scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Novitskiy is looking for a sweep. Aluev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Novitskiy tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Novitskiy on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Aluev tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Aluev is breathing heavily.
Aluev is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novitskiy trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Novitskiy has hold of Aluev's hands but Aluev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Novitskiy is trying to stand up here but Aluev is controlling him well.
Aluev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Aluev wants to free his trapped foot but Novitskiy is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Novitskiy wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novitskiy wants to get back to full guard.
Novitskiy is refusing to be controlled, as Aluev sits in half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Novitskiy scores with a takedown into Aluev's guard.
Novitskiy wants to stand but Aluev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Aluev seems keen to control Novitskiy's posture.
Novitskiy landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novitskiy thows a big elbow that misses.
Novitskiy trying to stand up but can't free himself from Aluev's guard.
Aluev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Aluev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Novitskiy wants to stand but Aluev is controlling his posture from full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Aluev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Novitskiy dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Novitskiy looks to land a combination. Aluev sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Novitskiy lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Aluev backs up against the cage.
Aluev swings for the body but Novitskiy moves out of range.
Aluev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Novitskiy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Novitskiy lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Novitskiy gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Novitskiy wants to control but Aluev is keeping him busy.
Aluev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Aluev tries to get out of the position.
Aluev is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
It looks like Novitskiy is going to stand back up.
Aluev wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aluev is trying to control but can't.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Novitskiy throwing shots but Aluev is blocking nicely.
Novitskiy seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Aluev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Novitskiy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Novitskiy throws a nice looking combination but Aluev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Novitskiy moves in looking to clinch but Aluev pushes him off.

Novitskiy gets a takedown into half guard.
Aluev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Novitskiy.
Aluev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Novitskiy is working away from the top position though.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Novitskiy lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Novitskiy is looking for a kimura here.
Novitskiy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Aluev is defending against the submission attempts here by Novitskiy.
Novitskiy throwing shots but Aluev is blocking nicely.
Aluev manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aluev wants to sweep but no luck.

Aluev is working an open guard so Novitskiy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Novitskiy fails to land with a series of punches.
Novitskiy throws a series of punches but Aluev avoids them all with ease.
Novitskiy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Novitskiy moves into the clinch.

Aluev manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Novitskiy wants to get up but he can't break Aluev's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Novitskiy is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Aluev is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Aluev has escaped and now he's on top!

Novitskiy has his feet on Aluev's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Novitskiy misses with a series of wild punches.
Aluev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Novitskiy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Aluev is looking to clinch but Novitskiy is avoiding it.
Novitskiy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Aluev rushes Novitskiy and presses him up against the cage.
Novitskiy wants to get back to striking at distance but Aluev won't allow it.
Novitskiy wants to break free but Aluev has control.
Aluev is stalling here.

Novitskiy breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Novitskiy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Novitskiy stalks Aluev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Aluev's face. Aluev staggers backwards, shaken.
Aluev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Aluev shoots in for a double leg but Novitskiy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Novitskiy misses with a double jab.

Novitskiy moves into range and clinches up with Aluev.
Novitskiy avoids the elbow strike from Aluev, against the cage.
Novitskiy is trying to force a seperation but Aluev has the dominant position.
Novitskiy tries to circle away but Aluev has him pinned against the cage.

Aluev manages to break the clinch.
Novitskiy misses with a wild combination.
Novitskiy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Aluev tries to avoid it but Novitskiy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Aluev to the ground. Aluev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Novitskiy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aluev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Novitskiy lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Aluev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Novitskiy tries to avoid it but Aluev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Novitskiy to the ground. Novitskiy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Left hook, right uppercut from Novitskiy.

Novitskiy drives through and clinches with Aluev against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novitskiy tries to break the clinch but Aluev is controlling the position.

Novitskiy gets control of Aluev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Novitskiy will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Aluev stops Novitskiy from standing up.
Aluev advances position into side control!
Aluev trying to control the position but Novitskiy is working away.
Novitskiy gets back to half guard.
Novitskiy is trying to stand.

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.
Novitskiy is looking for a sweep. Aluev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Aluev is working for a submission of some sort.
Novitskiy is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Aluev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Aluev's back!

Novitskiy working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aluev covers up after that shot from Novitskiy.
Aluev controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Aluev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Novitskiy is working the ground and pound. Can Aluev escape?
Aluev tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Novitskiy landing strikes from the mount and Aluev is in trouble!
Aluev bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Aluev throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Aluev gets to his feet - Novitskiy follows without any prompting.
Aluev just misses with a punch to the body.

Aluev scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Novitskiy is trying to stand.
Novitskiy tries to get to full guard but Aluev has control of the leg.
Alexander Novitskiy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Aluev is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Novitskiy is looking to escape.

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 David Aluev.
Well Novitskiy has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Novitskiy!