PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bertus Eppinga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boris Novachkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Eppinga
vs
Novachkov

187 cm
22
198 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

183 cm
19
198 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bertus Eppinga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Boris Novachkov!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paulsen Ambrosius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Eppinga.
Novachkov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Eppinga tries to avoid it but Novachkov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Eppinga to the ground. Eppinga escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Eppinga feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Eppinga with a flurry of punches that miss.
Novachkov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Eppinga decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Novachkov, up you get!

Novachkov tries to sprawl but Eppinga drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Eppinga decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Novachkov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Eppinga.
Novachkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Eppinga as he avoids it easily.
Novachkov misses the shot to the body.
Novachkov shoots in looking for a takedown but Eppinga manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Novachkov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bertus Eppinga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boris Novachkov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Eppinga.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novachkov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Novachkov wants it to stay on the feet.

Eppinga scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Eppinga wants to lay and pray for a moment but Novachkov keeps working.

Eppinga is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Novachkov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Novachkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Eppinga decides to stand back up. Eppinga steps back and let's Novachkov get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Eppinga fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Novachkov to the ground. Eppinga is now in Novachkov's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Eppinga gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Novachkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Eppinga pinned against the cage. Eppinga gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Novachkov stuffs the takedown attempt from Eppinga. Eppinga gets slowly back to his feet.

Novachkov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Eppinga did well to prevent Novachkov getting side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Eppinga is trying to stand back up but Novachkov is controlling him
Eppinga tries to roll over but Novachkov keeps him under control.
Novachkov trying to control the action but Eppinga is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Eppinga looking for submissions off his back.
It looks like Novachkov is going to stand back up.
Eppinga is looking to control Novachkov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Eppinga avoid being mounted?
Eppinga misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Eppinga actively working from the bottom here.
Eppinga is pressing down on Novachkov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Novachkov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Novachkov looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bertus Eppinga dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Eppinga closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Eppinga lands in his opponent's guard.
Eppinga connects with a couple of short punches.
Eppinga throwing strikes but missing.
Eppinga wants to pass the guard but Novachkov is keeping the position.

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

Novachkov is working an open guard so Eppinga takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Novachkov tries to sprawl but Eppinga drives through with a takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Eppinga is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eppinga stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Novachkov looks for a takedown but Eppinga sprawls well.
Eppinga scores with a head kick.
Novachkov avoids a kick to the body.
Novachkov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Eppinga paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Novachkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Novachkov is looking to clinch.

Eppinga closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Novachkov did well to prevent Eppinga getting side control.
Eppinga wants to control but Novachkov is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Novachkov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Eppinga in particular looking to stall.
Eppinga slips a nice elbow through Novachkov's hands, connecting with Novachkov's forehead.
Novachkov trying to hold on to Eppinga's head to control him but Eppinga postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Eppinga passes the guard and advances to mount!

Eppinga stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Novachkov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eppinga tries to improve position but can't.
Eppinga sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Eppinga gets full guard.

Novachkov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Eppinga has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Novachkov has managed to get both his arms back between Eppinga's legs - danger averted.

Eppinga has his feet on Novachkov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Eppinga scores with a push kick.
Novachkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Eppinga but Eppinga pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Boris Novachkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eppinga lands a body shot.
Novachkov is breathing heavily.
Eppinga looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Novachkov is fending him off so far but Eppinga persists. Nope, Novachkov circles away and we're back to standing.
Eppinga fails to land the takedown.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Eppinga closes the distance and clinches up with Novachkov, looking for a takedown. Eppinga pushes Novachkov against the cage but Novachkov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bertus Eppinga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eppinga keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Eppinga is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Novachkov can do to turn this around?
Eppinga shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Novachkov stuffs the takedown attempt from Eppinga. Eppinga gets slowly back to his feet.

Novachkov shoots in and bounces Eppinga off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bertus Eppinga dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A head kick misses from Eppinga.
Novachkov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Novachkov scores with a jab to the body.
Eppinga fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Novachkov tries to clinch up but Eppinga circles away and keeps his distance.
Bertus Eppinga is winning the standup battle so far.
Eppinga throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Eppinga circles away from the clinch attempt.
Novachkov misses with a left hand
and Eppinga counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Novachkov is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Eppinga drives through with a takedown into Novachkov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Eppinga engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Eppinga tries to stand but Novachkov is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eppinga loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Novachkov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Eppinga wants to control from the top but Novachkov keeps moving.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Novachkov is working an open guard so Eppinga takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Novachkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Eppinga pinned against the cage. Eppinga gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Eppinga shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Novachkov as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eppinga lands a nice looking body shot.
Novachkov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Eppinga can pounce on him.
Eppinga shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Novachkov as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bertus Eppinga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eppinga fails with the takedown.
Eppinga throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Eppinga throws a head kick that misses.
Novachkov missing with a left hand there. Eppinga was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Eppinga looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Novachkov!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novachkov is desperately trying to improve his position but Eppinga has a good base and remains in mount.
Novachkov wants to control but Eppinga is having none of it.

Eppinga is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Novachkov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Novachkov shrugs it off.

Eppinga is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
The fight stays on the outside here - Novachkov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Eppinga lands with a kick to the ribs.

Eppinga gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eppinga has had enough of the clinch but Novachkov keeps him there for the moment.

Eppinga breaks from the clinch.
Eppinga stuffs the takedown attempt from Novachkov. Novachkov gets slowly back to his feet.
Bertus Eppinga is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Novachkov wants to clinch.

Eppinga closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Eppinga lands in his opponent's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eppinga stands up over Novachkov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bertus Eppinga showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Eppinga has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bertus Eppinga!
After winning the bout, Bertus Eppinga thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.