PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Colin Jacobs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sergei Novikov struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 206.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Jacobs
vs
Novikov

189 cm
20
206 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Colin Jacobs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sergei Novikov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jacobs gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Novikov wants to control from the top but Jacobs keeps moving.
Novikov passes into half guard.
Jacobs gets back to full guard.
Novikov wants to control from the top but Jacobs keeps moving.
Novikov preventing the sweep.
Novikov landing some decent shots from guard.
Jacobs is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Novikov is trying to get back to full guard.
Jacobs wants to stand up but Novikov is controlling the position.
Jacobs is looking to take a break and control but Novikov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacobs sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Novikov defending well though.
Novikov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jacobs wants to control from the top but Novikov keeps moving.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Novikov wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Novikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Novikov drives through and clinches with Jacobs against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Jacobs as the two fighters clinch.
Novikov wants a takedown but no success here.
Novikov looks gassed!
A short right from Jacobs on the inside.
Jacobs lands an uppercut.
Jacobs lands a body shot in the clinch.
Novikov goes for a takedown attempt but Jacobs pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jacobs connects with the punch.
Jacobs's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Jacobs duly obliges.
Novikov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jacobs pinned against the cage. Jacobs gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Colin Jacobs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Novikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jacobs fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Novikov, pushing him back against the cage.
Jacobs pushes Novikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jacobs gets through Novikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Jacobs lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jacobs scores with a shot to the side of Novikov's head.
Jacobs pushes Novikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Novikov can't get the takedown.
Jacobs scores with a shot to the side of Novikov's head.
Jacobs goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Novikov can't get the takedown.
Jacobs landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Jacobs lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Novikov backwards.
Jacobs is leaning against Novikov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Novikov pulls guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Novikov is on top in guard.
Novikov trying to control but Jacobs is working from the bottom.
Novikov works over Jacobs with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Novikov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Novikov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Jacobs being controlled here, momentarily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Novikov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Novikov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Jacobs's head.
Jacobs tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Novikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Jacobs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jacobs trying to keep a closed guard but Novikov is proving a slippery customer.
Jacobs is really struggling to control Novikov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Novikov trying to control but Jacobs is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Novikov wants to clinch but Jacobs slips to the side

and Jacobs counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Jacobs throws a head punch that misses.
Jacobs working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Novikov blocks an uppercut.

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.
Novikov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Jacobs or not.
Jacobs tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jacobs wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jacobs goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Novikov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Novikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Jacobs. No joy for Novikov on that attempt.

Jacobs moves into the clinch.
Novikov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Novikov lands a nice shot to the body.
Novikov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jacobs avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jacobs misses with a punch to the body.

Novikov breaks the clinch.

Novikov scores a takedown into full mount!
Novikov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Jacobs looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jacobs tries to reverse the position but Novikov maintains control.
Jacobs taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sergei Novikov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jacobs looks to throw the jab but Novikov is out of range.
Novikov fails with a takedown attempt.
Colin Jacobs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Decent striking displayed by Jacobs there.
A punch lands to the side of Novikov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Jacobs ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Jacobs connects with a nice looking jab.
Novikov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Novikov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jacobs circles away.
Novikov wants to clinch

and Jacobs counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Jacobs tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Novikov controlling the action here for a moment.
Jacobs tries to land a knee to the head but Novikov blocks with his arms.
A short right from Jacobs.
Jacobs tries to land knees in the clinch but Novikov avoids the damage to the body.
Nice body punch from Jacobs.
Jacobs scores with a nice hook to the head.
Jacobs trying to land knees to the body.
Novikov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacobs pushes Novikov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jacobs lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Jacobs breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jacobs tries to clinch up but Novikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Jacobs throws a good cross that connects.
Colin Jacobs is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jacobs listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Jacobs throws a shot to the body.
Jacobs lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Jacobs.

Jacobs closes the distance and clinches.
Novikov wants a takedown but no success here.
Colin Jacobs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Novikov.
Jacobs struggles to land a body shot inside as Novikov controls his hands.
Jacobs gets through Novikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Jacobs.
A short right from Jacobs.
Good body shot from Jacobs.
Nice body punch from Jacobs - that landed with a thud.
Novikov is stalling here.
Jacobs swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Novikov leaning his opponent against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Jacobs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Novikov is keeping busy.
Jacobs gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Novikov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Jacobs gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jacobs misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jacobs misses with a hook to the ribs.

Novikov breaks the clinch.

Novikov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Novikov wants to control from the top but Jacobs keeps moving.
Novikov wants to pass the guard but Jacobs is keeping the position.
Jacobs looking for a sweep. Not yet Jacobs, not yet.
Novikov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Novikov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jacobs is pulling down on Novikov's head. It's preventing any offense from Novikov, at least for the moment.
Jacobs throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Jacobs, right into the meat.
A solid leg kick lands there for Novikov.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Jacobs.
Novikov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jacobs counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Novikov thinking.
Jacobs cracks Novikov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jacobs tests Novikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jacobs's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Jacobs duly obliges.
Nice takedown defense from Jacobs. No joy for Novikov on that attempt.
A jab from Jacobs finds it's way through Novikov's defenses.
Jacobs lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Jacobs is looking to clinch but Novikov is avoiding it.
Jacobs misses with a wild combination.
Jacobs fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jacobs dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Novikov. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs misses with a wild combination.
A lazy left from Jacobs finds it's target.

Novikov has managed to clinch.
Jacobs landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Novikov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Jacobs or not.
A right hook to the body lands for Jacobs.
Novikov looking to slow down the pace here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Novikov.

Jacobs breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Novikov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jacobs.
Novikov throws a hook but Jacobs blocks it.
Jacobs lands a two punch combo.
Jacobs misses with a series of wild punches.
Colin Jacobs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novikov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jacobs circles away.
Jacobs lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Novikov backs up against the cage.

Jacobs takes the fight into the clinch.
Novikov is working for takedown but Jacobs is calmly controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Colin Jacobs dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Jacobs throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Novikov on the side of the head.
Novikov shoots in but Jacobs avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Novikov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jacobs swivels and escapes.
Novikov walks into a jab.
Novikov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Jacobs instigates a clinch.
Novikov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jacobs pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Colin Jacobs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Novikov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jacobs.
Jacobs misses with the head strike.
Jacobs wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jacobs prevents the takedown attempt.
Novikov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jacobs prevents it.
Jacobs lands a body shot.
Novikov has Jacobs pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jacobs manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Novikov keeps control of Jacobs as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Jacobs lands a body punch in the clinch.
Novikov misses with a body punch.
Jacobs wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Novikov has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jacobs misses with a punch on the inside.

Novikov manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jacobs throws a head kick but Novikov moves out of range.
Jacobs circles away from the clinch attempt
and Jacobs counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Jacobs clinches but Novikov breaks the clinch

and Novikov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Novikov trying to mount his opponent but Jacobs defends it.
Jacobs is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jacobs is refusing to be controlled, as Novikov sits in half guard.
Jacobs is trying to control but can't.
Jacobs looks like he's trying to stand up.
Jacobs manages to get to full guard.
Jacobs working a defensive guard here.
Jacobs looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jacobs pushes Novikov off and gets back to his feet.

Jacobs takes the fight into the clinch.
Jacobs misses with the head strike.

Novikov tightens his grip and picks Jacobs up, before dumping him to the ground. Jacobs manages to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jacobs keeping moving, preventing Novikov from controlling successfully.
Jacobs is trying to control the position but Novikov postures up.
Novikov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Novikov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Novikov scoring with punches and elbows.

Novikov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Jacobs, who protects the arm well.
Jacobs is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs is working hard here to advance position.
Novikov working away.
Jacobs manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Jacobs is just content to waste time from the top position. Novikov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Jacobs working some strikes from top position.
Jacobs scoring with some ground and pound.
Novikov trying to keep a closed guard but Jacobs is proving a slippery customer.
Jacobs landing some decent shots from guard.
Novikov has momentary wrist control but Jacobs slips an elbow through the middle.
Jacobs chips away with some ground and pound.
Novikov wants to sweep here but Jacobs controlling him for the moment.
Jacobs lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jacobs lands a couple of digs.
Novikov striking off his back.
Jacobs postures up.
Jacobs looking to pass the guard.
Novikov has control of Jacobs's left arm, preventing Jacobs from doing any damage.
Novikov is trying to control the position but Jacobs postures up.
Jacobs with a flurry of punches that miss.
Novikov is trying to keep Jacobs in close.
Novikov has his hands on Jacobs's head, controlling the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
A punch lands to the side of Novikov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Novikov tries to clinch but Jacobs is having none of it.
Novikov shoots in and drives through. Jacobs sprawls well.
Novikov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jacobs gets a clinch.
Jacobs working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

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 Colin Jacobs.
I think Jacobs has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Colin Jacobs!