PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Novikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Philippo Darso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Novikov
vs
Darso

183 cm
18
172 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Novikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Philippo Darso!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Darso shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Novikov sprawls well. Novikov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Darso gets slowly back to his feet.
Darso shoots in looking for a takedown but Novikov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Darso's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Novikov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Darso will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
John Novikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Philippo Darso.
Novikov wants to clinch.
Novikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Novikov throws a head kick but Darso moves out of range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Novikov enables Darso to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Novikov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Darso is looking to work some ground and pound but Novikov has wrist control.
Darso postures up.
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!
Darso is looking to work some ground and pound but Novikov has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darso is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Darso throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Novikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Darso throwing strikes from guard but Novikov blocks nicely.
Darso content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Darso postures up in Novikov's guard and throws a big left but Novikov blocks it.
Darso postures up in Novikov's guard and throws a big left but Novikov blocks it.
Novikov is breathing heavily.
Darso throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Darso stops Novikov from standing up.
Novikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Darso working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Novikov's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darso in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Darso with a flurry of punches that miss.
Darso postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Darso missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Darso landing with the ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Novikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Darso postures up and lands a big shot to Novikov's brow.
Darso has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Darso is in close to Novikov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Darso connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darso postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Darso is looking to work some ground and pound but Novikov has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Darso accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Darso accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Darso postures up in Novikov's guard and throws a big left but Novikov blocks it.
Darso lands a couple of digs.
Darso works over Novikov with some ground and pound from guard.
Darso scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Darso landing some decent shots from guard.
Darso throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Novikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darso cracks Novikov with a solid left hand.
Darso landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Darso stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Novikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Darso cracks Novikov with a solid left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Darso with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Novikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Darso postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philippo Darso dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Darso closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Novikov quickly recovers to half guard.
Novikov wants to control but Darso is keeping busy.
Novikov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Darso.
Darso thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Novikov is in trouble now - Darso has advanced to mount!
The referee warns Novikov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Darso landing punches.
Novikov is in a horrible position here. Darso smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Darso raining down shots from the mount!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darso is landing with some decent strikes but Novikov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Philippo Darso has got the better of the ground game so far.
Darso is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Darso lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Novikov is rocked!
Darso postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Novikov in real trouble here! The ref calls for Novikov to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Philippo Darso!