PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evgeni Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nsir Vlum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evgeni Novikov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Novikov
vs
Vlum

190 cm
22
287 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

212 cm
19
288 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeni Novikov!
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, Nsir Vlum!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Dmitry Maklakov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Novikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vlum checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Vlum is looking to clinch but Novikov is avoiding it.
Novikov closes the distance but Vlum moves to the side

and Vlum counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Novikov's guard now.
Novikov working a defensive guard but Vlum manages to pass into side control anyway.
Novikov dodges the ground and pound from Vlum.
Vlum works to advance to full mount. Novikov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Novikov working to try and regain half guard.
Vlum looking to ground and pound but Novikov is blocking nicely.
Vlum can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Novikov is looking to escape.
Vlum has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Novikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Vlum.
Vlum punching from mount but Novikov doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Vlum wants to control the pace but Novikov is squirming around nicely.
Novikov wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vlum has good solid back control here.
Vlum trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Vlum is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Novikov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Vlum is hanging on to Novikov's back as he tries to escape.

That's two 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.
Novikov staying busy and making it hard for Vlum to control.
Novikov tries to escape but Vlum has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Vlum struggling to keep hold of the position.
Novikov rolls, trying to escape but Vlum keeps control of the position.
Vlum not allowing Novikov to control his hands.
Vlum is trying to stick to Novikov's back but Novikov is turning into Vlum. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Vlum's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Novikov.
Novikov trying to control but Vlum is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Vlum wants to clinch but Novikov slips to the side

and Novikov counters with a single leg into guard. Vlum didn't expect that.

Vlum is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Novikov is aware though and is defending well.
Novikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Vlum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vlum manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Novikov manages to get himself to full guard.
Vlum trying to control the position from guard on top but Novikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Novikov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vlum defends it easily.
Vlum trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Novikov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vlum pushing down on Novikov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Vlum trying to control the action but Novikov is working from the bottom.
Vlum looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Novikov actively working from the bottom here.
Novikov is breathing heavily.
Vlum wants to lay and pray for a moment but Novikov keeps working.
Vlum tries to pass the half guard into mount. Novikov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Novikov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vlum pulls his head out easily.
Vlum with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nsir Vlum dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Novikov moves into the clinch.

Vlum breaks from the clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Vlum.
Vlum has his takedown stuffed

and Novikov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Vlum!

Novikov working for a guillotine from mount but Vlum is in no mood to give up.
Vlum wants to control but Novikov is having none of it.
Vlum is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Novikov is staying active.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novikov prevents Vlum from getting the reversal.
Novikov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Novikov breaks from Vlum's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Evgeni Novikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vlum tries to buck Novikov off but he can't manage it.
Vlum sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Novikov is keen to just control but Vlum is a slippery customer.
Novikov prevents Vlum from improving his position.
Novikov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vlum is looking for a sweep. Novikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vlum is pressing down on Novikov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Vlum doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Novikov looking to sit in guard and control but Vlum gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Vlum works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Vlum is keen to just control but Novikov is a slippery customer.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Vlum in particular looking to stall.
Novikov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vlum trying to control the action but Novikov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov works his way to full guard. Good work.

Novikov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vlum wants to control from the top but Novikov keeps moving.
Vlum trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Novikov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Novikov keeping moving, preventing Vlum from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Vlum misses with a takedown

and Novikov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Vlum!
Vlum tries to reverse the position but Novikov maintains control.
Vlum tries to buck Novikov off but he can't manage it.

Novikov moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Vlum has worked his arm free - good work by Vlum!
You can see the frustration on Vlum's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Novikov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vlum is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Novikov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Vlum moves in looking to clinch but Novikov pushes him off.
Novikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Novikov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Vlum throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Novikov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Vlum's defenses.
Vlum blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vlum is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Novikov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Novikov misses with the head strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vlum tries for a takedown. No joy.
Novikov lands an elbow that stopped Vlum in his tracks for a moment.
Novikov misses with an elbow strike.
Vlum blocks a body shot from Novikov.

Vlum manages to break the clinch.
Vlum throws a nice looking combination but Novikov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vlum with a lazy takedown attempt
and Novikov counters with a low kick, right behind Vlum 's knee.
Evgeni Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nsir Vlum.
Novikov throws a lazy body kick

and Vlum counters by clinching up.
Novikov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Novikov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Vlum blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Novikov has Vlum pressed against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Novikov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Novikov is looking to control Vlum's arms but Vlum gets an underhook and turns him. Now Novikov has his back to the cage.
Novikov is pressed up against the cage. Vlum has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Novikov down to the mat. Novikov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Novikov cracks Vlum with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Vlum shoots and misses

and Novikov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Novikov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Vlum's defenses.
Novikov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Vlum backwards.
Vlum fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov lands an elbow inside that Vlum shrugs off.
Novikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vlum avoids it.
Novikov pushes Vlum back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Vlum has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Novikov uses from the top position.
Vlum trying to strike off his back.
Novikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Vlum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vlum wants to get back to his feet but Novikov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Vlum doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Vlum manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Novikov is in all sorts of trouble here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novikov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Vlum.
Vlum avoids the attempt from Novikov to control.
Vlum cracks Novikov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Vlum punching from mount but Novikov doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Novikov is squirming around, avoiding Vlum's attempts to control the action.
Novikov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Vlum has control of Novikov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Novikov regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vlum trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Vlum prevents Novikov from getting the reversal.
Novikov throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Novikov working to try and regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nsir Vlum comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vlum 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nsir Vlum!