PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taylor Sphinx (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgeni Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Sphinx
vs
Novikov

175 cm
26
225 lbs
11 - 14 - 0

190 cm
23
282 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Good elbows
Determined

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 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Taylor Sphinx!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeni Novikov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Novikov.
Evgeni Novikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Novikov instigates a clinch.
Sphinx has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Novikov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Novikov lands a good knee to the midsection. Sphinx won't want to take too many of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Novikov lands an elbow inside.
Sphinx is breathing heavily.
Sphinx jumps guard but Novikov stands there with Sphinx around his waist. Sphinx gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Novikov lands a good knee to the midsection. Sphinx won't want to take too many of those.
A hook to the body from Novikov.
A body shot lands from Novikov.
A short left from Novikov.
A short left from Novikov.
Novikov landing knees to the head.

It looks like Taylor Sphinx has been cut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Novikov.
A short right from Novikov on the inside.

Sphinx is rocked!
Knees in the clinch landing for Novikov.
Oh Sphinx is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Novikov digs a right hand into Sphinx's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sphinx's gas tank.
Sphinx seems to have got his legs back now.
Novikov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Novikov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Novikov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Novikov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Novikov is working Sphinx over against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Novikov.
Novikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sphinx jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Novikov walks away with a smile on his face. Sphinx gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taylor Sphinx. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Novikov sends Sphinx crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Novikov is motioning to the referee to let Sphinx up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Novikov prevents Sphinx from breaking the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Novikov.
Novikov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sphinx lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A right hook to the body lands for Novikov.
Nice body punch from Novikov - that landed with a thud.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Novikov lands an elbow inside that Sphinx shrugs off.
Sphinx takes an elbow to the temple.
Novikov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Novikov lands an elbow that stopped Sphinx in his tracks for a moment.
Novikov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Novikov lands a nice elbow.
Novikov stalling the fight.
Sphinx takes an elbow to the temple.
Knees in the clinch landing for Novikov.
A hook to the body from Novikov.
Sphinx wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Novikov lands a left hand.
Novikov lands an elbow just above Sphinx 's eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Novikov lands a body punch.
Novikov working Sphinx over with knees to the body.
Novikov connects with a knee to the head.
Novikov just leaning against Sphinx, taking a breather.
Knees to the body from Novikov.
Stalling in the clinch from Novikov.
Novikov lands an elbow that stopped Sphinx in his tracks for a moment.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Novikov.
Novikov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Novikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Sphinx backwards.

Novikov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Sphinx can't fight it off and eventually Novikov manages to take the fight to the floor. Sphinx looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Novikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Sphinx is retaining full guard.

Novikov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Novikov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Novikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Sphinx is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Novikov controls from within his opponent's guard.

Sphinx has his foot on Novikov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Novikov works his way back into a safe position though.

Novikov drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Novikov as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Sphinx screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Novikov! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Evgeni Novikov!