PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rolf Thorkildsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junior Lessard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thorkildsen comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Hell's Bells. Lessard has chosen Ozzy Osbourne - Mr Crowley as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Thorkildsen
vs
Lessard

176 cm
25
165 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

175 cm
22
163 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

FNF Energy & Stamina - Sale!

Fight Club Clothing™

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rolf Thorkildsen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Junior Lessard!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lessard slips a straight right by Thorkildsen.
Lessard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice straight punches there by Lessard. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lessard.
Lessard misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thorkildsen throws a jab but it's blocked by Lessard.
Lessard throws a solid leg kick but Thorkildsen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Lessard.
Lessard moves out of range of the strikes.
Thorkildsen shoots in for a takedown but Lessard shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lessard tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thorkildsen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lessard scoring well with a low kick there.
Lessard tries to bum rush Thorkildsen with a series of wild strikes but Thorkildsen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thorkildsen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lessard.
Lessard fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Thorkildsen.
Lessard misses with a leg kick.
Thorkildsen throws the left hand but Lessard avoids the punch easily.
Thorkildsen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Thorkildsen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thorkildsen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lessard stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lessard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thorkildsen.

Lessard drives through and clinches with Thorkildsen against the cage.

Thorkildsen manages to break the clinch.
Lessard lands a jab to the head.
Lessard lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Thorkildsen at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lessard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lessard trying to land knees to the body.
A short left from Thorkildsen.
Lessard misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thorkildsen.

Thorkildsen gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Lessard regains guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thorkildsen wants to pass the guard but Lessard is keeping the position.
Thorkildsen won't allow Lessard to sweep him here.
Thorkildsen passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Thorkildsen throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Lessard works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Lessard makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lessard.
Thorkildsen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lessard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Thorkildsen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Thorkildsen trying to control but Lessard is working from the bottom.
Thorkildsen postures up and lands a big shot to Lessard's brow.
Thorkildsen landing some decent shots from guard.
Lessard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Thorkildsen postures up in Lessard's guard and throws a big left but Lessard blocks it.
Thorkildsen wants to control from the top but Lessard keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lessard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Thorkildsen stopping the sweep attempt from Lessard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Thorkildsen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice defenses there by Lessard.
Thorkildsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lessard.
Lessard stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lessard wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters circling - Thorkildsen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Junior Lessard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thorkildsen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thorkildsen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lessard.
Thorkildsen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rolf Thorkildsen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lessard moves into the clinch.
Lessard lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thorkildsen backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lessard tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thorkildsen avoids it.
Lessard lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

It looks like Rolf Thorkildsen has been cut.
Lessard throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Thorkildsen tries a body shot but Lessard blocks it.
Lessard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thorkildsen tries a knee to the head but Lessard blocks it.
Lessard lands a body punch in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Thorkildsen.
Lessard tries a knee to the head but Thorkildsen blocks it.
Thorkildsen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolf Thorkildsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thorkildsen misses with a body punch.
Lessard lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lessard blocks an uppercut.
Thorkildsen swings wildly with an uppercut but Lessard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thorkildsen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lessard is trying to maintain a safe position but Thorkildsen gets an underhook and turns Lessard into the cage.
Lessard misses with a knee strike.
Thorkildsen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thorkildsen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Thorkildsen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Thorkildsen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lessard pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thorkildsen is breathing heavily.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lessard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thorkildsen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lessard with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lessard lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Lessard dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rolf Thorkildsen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thorkildsen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lessard tries to clinch up but Thorkildsen circles away and keeps his distance.
Thorkildsen lands with a shot to the body.
Thorkildsen lands a jab to the head.
Thorkildsen fails with the takedown.
Thorkildsen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A good leg kick by Lessard.
Thorkildsen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lessard defends it nicely.
Lessard feints and then cracks Thorkildsen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thorkildsen down.
Thorkildsen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thorkildsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Lessard fakes the leg kick and cracks Thorkildsen in the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thorkildsen looks to throw the jab but Lessard is out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lessard.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lessard.
Thorkildsen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lessard can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Lessard.
Lessard lands with a good body shot.
Lessard with a nice cross.
Lessard digs a good body shot into Thorkildsen's ribs.
Thorkildsen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Lessard closes the distance and pushes Thorkildsen back into the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Lessard.
Nice body punch from Lessard.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lessard.
Nice body punch from Lessard.
Lessard lands a good knee to the midsection. Thorkildsen won't want to take too many of those.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lessard tries to land a knee to the head but Thorkildsen blocks with his arms.
Lessard throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short body shot lands from Lessard as the two fighters clinch.
Lessard throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lessard lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A left hand lands to the body for Lessard.
Lessard lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Lessard lands a knee to the body.
Lessard misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen can't break the clinch.
Lessard lands a body shot in the clinch.
Lessard crunches a lovely knee into Thorkildsen's ribcage.
A knee to the head by Lessard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lessard lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lessard crunches a lovely knee into Thorkildsen's ribcage.
Lessard tries to land knees in the clinch but Thorkildsen avoids the damage to the body.
Lessard working Thorkildsen over with knees to the body.
Lessard with a knee to the head.
Nice body punch from Lessard - that landed with a thud.
Lessard landing knees to the body.
Lessard pushes Thorkildsen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Lessard connects with a knee to the head.
Lessard leaning against his opponent.
Thorkildsen tries for a takedown but Lessard manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolf Thorkildsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lessard is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lessard throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Thorkildsens head.
Lessard misses with a knee strike.
Lessard digs a right hand underneath Thorkildsen's ribcage. Thorkildsen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Lessard is looking to control Thorkildsen's arms but Thorkildsen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lessard has his back to the cage.
Thorkildsen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A left hand lands to the body for Lessard.
Lessard digs a right hand into Thorkildsen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Thorkildsen's gas tank.

Thorkildsen manages to break the clinch.
Lessard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thorkildsen misses with a wild combination.
Lessard lands with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen misses with an uppercut. Lessard saw that one coming.
Thorkildsen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Lessard.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thorkildsen.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lessard, as that shot connected.
Lessard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lessard throws a nice inside leg kick.
A nice combination there by Thorkildsen.
Lessard lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Thorkildsen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thorkildsen needs to keep his hands up - Lessard had a free shot at his head there.
Thorkildsen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lessard connects with a solid leg kick.
Thorkildsen looks to score with a jab to the body but Lessard is just out of range.
Lessard lands a head shot.
Thorkildsen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lessard has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lessard pushes Thorkildsen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Junior Lessard seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lessard lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thorkildsen avoiding damage as Lessard throws knees to the body.
Lessard lands a good knee to the midsection. Thorkildsen won't want to take too many of those.
Lessard unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lessard is looking to control Thorkildsen's arms but Thorkildsen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lessard has his back to the cage.
Nice body punch from Lessard - that landed with a thud.
Thorkildsen is trying to break free.
Lessard lands an elbow inside that Thorkildsen shrugs off.
Lessard putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Thorkildsen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Good body shot from Lessard.
A right hook to the body lands for Lessard.
Lessard lands with a right to the head.
Lessard pushes Thorkildsen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Lessard lands a body shot.
Lessard working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thorkildsen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Lessard lands a hook that snaps the head of Thorkildsen backwards.
Thorkildsen is trying to force a seperation but Lessard has the dominant position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lessard cracks Thorkildsen with a nice body shot.
Lessard lands with a light punch inside.
Lessard unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lessard scores a nice knee to the body.
Lessard is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Thorkildsen tries to work over Lessard's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thorkildsen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lessard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Lessard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rolf Thorkildsen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lessard drives through and clinches with Thorkildsen against the cage.
Thorkildsen tries to land a knee to the head but Lessard blocks with his arms.
Thorkildsen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lessard backwards.
Thorkildsen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lessard lands a damaging elbow.
Lessard is pressed up against the cage. Thorkildsen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lessard down to the mat. Lessard avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lessard darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Thorkildsen thows a left - swing and a miss!

Lessard moves into the clinch.
Lessard has Thorkildsen pressed against the cage, preventing Thorkildsen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Thorkildsen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lessard throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Thorkildsen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees to the body from Lessard.
Lessard is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Thorkildsen is defending well for now.
Nice body punch from Lessard.
Lessard unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lessard is stalling here.
Lessard lands a nice shot to the body.
Lessard works on Thorkildsen's body with a couple of short punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lessard has Thorkildsen pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Lessard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lessard stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Lessard lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lessard digs a right hand underneath Thorkildsen's ribcage. Thorkildsen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Lessard utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Thorkildsen takes an elbow to the temple.

Rolf Thorkildsen's cut is getting worse.
Lessard lands a body punch in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Lessard.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lessard.
Knees to the body from Lessard.
Nice body punch from Lessard - that landed with a thud.
Lessard landing knees to the body.
Lessard lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lessard lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lessard throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lessard lands a body punch in the clinch.
Thorkildsen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lessard prevents it.
Lessard scores with a shoulder strike.
Lessard lands a nice knee to the body.
Lessard has Thorkildsen pressed against the cage, preventing Thorkildsen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lessard scores a nice knee to the body.
Thorkildsen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Thorkildsen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Lessard scores with a knee to the head.
Thorkildsen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lessard pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolf Thorkildsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lessard working Thorkildsen over with knees to the body.
Lessard utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thorkildsen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lessard uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lessard lands with a kick to the ribs.
Lessard with a body punch. A glancing blow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thorkildsen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lessard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lessard is looking to slow Thorkildsen down with leg kicks.
Lessard is looking to slow Thorkildsen down with leg kicks.
Thorkildsen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Thorkildsen shoots for a takedown but Lessard saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thorkildsen. Lessard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thorkildsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lessard.
Thorkildsen throws a leg kick
and Lessard counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Thorkildsen thinking.
Lessard connects with a body shot.
Thorkildsen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Lessard fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lessard scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lessard keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Thorkildsen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lessard.
Lessard fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lessard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lessard lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Thorkildsen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A punch combination from Thorkildsen misses.

Lessard moves into the clinch.
Lessard looking to throw knees to the head but Thorkildsen is blocking nicely.
Lessard throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thorkildsen blocks it with crossed arms.
Lessard gets through Thorkildsen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Thorkildsen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lessard gets through Thorkildsen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lessard cracks Thorkildsen with a nice body shot.
Lessard is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lessard tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lessard throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lessard blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lessard tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thorkildsen avoids it.
Lessard missing with knees to the body.
Thorkildsen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lessard landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Thorkildsen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thorkildsen looking for a takedown.
Lessard is looking to control Thorkildsen's arms but Thorkildsen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lessard has his back to the cage.
Thorkildsen tries for a takedown but Lessard manages to get underhooks.
Lessard tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lessard cracks Thorkildsen with a nice body shot.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Lessard.
Lessard can't find room to land a body shot as Thorkildsen controls the action.
Lessard tries to land knees in the clinch but Thorkildsen avoids the damage to the body.
Lessard prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lessard lands a nice shot to the body.
Lessard lands a knee to the body.
Thorkildsen lands a body shot in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thorkildsen cracks Lessard with a nice body shot.
Thorkildsen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lessard misses with an elbow over the top.
Thorkildsen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Lessard is pressed up against the cage. Thorkildsen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lessard down to the mat. Lessard avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Lessard really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rolf Thorkildsen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thorkildsen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lessard. Lessard obviously looking to wear him down.
Thorkildsen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lessard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lessard slips a jab from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Thorkildsen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Junior Lessard seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Lessard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Thorkildsen tries to land a knee to the head but Lessard blocks with his arms.
Thorkildsen cracks Lessard with a nice body shot.
Lessard landing knees to the body.
Lessard connects with a knee to the head.
Thorkildsen blocks an elbow strike.
Lessard with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short body shot lands from Lessard as the two fighters clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Lessard.
Lessard cracks Thorkildsen with a nice body shot.
Lessard misses with a knee to the head.
Lessard tries to land knees in the clinch but Thorkildsen avoids the damage to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Lessard lands a body shot.

Thorkildsen turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Lessard parries the strikes from Thorkildsen easily there. Thorkildsen is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Lessard to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lessard stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Thorkildsen throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Lessard works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Lessard trying to control from the bottom.
Lessard is holding on to half guard well.
Thorkildsen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lessard's head.
Thorkildsen thows a huge punch but Lessard dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lessard is trying is best to control the position here.
Thorkildsen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lessard does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lessard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Thorkildsen is looking to advance position but Lessard won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A shot to the body from Thorkildsen misses
and Lessard counters with an outside leg kick.
Lessard tries to clinch but Thorkildsen moves out of range.
Lessard scoring well with a low kick there.
Thorkildsen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Lessard counters with a straight right hand.
Lessard misses with a hook. Thorkildsen ducked under it nicely.
Thorkildsen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lessard as he avoids it easily.
Lessard scores with a leg kick.

Lessard gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Thorkildsen to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Lessard is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lessard's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Lessard looking for a sweep. Not yet Lessard, not yet.
Thorkildsen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lessard swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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.
Lessard can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thorkildsen controls the pace.
Lessard lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Thorkildsen!
Lessard looking to control and managing it successfully.
Thorkildsen tries to hold on but Lessard postures up.
Thorkildsen is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Lessard dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Rolf Thorkildsen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Thorkildsen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lessard dips to his left and cracks Thorkildsen with an uppercut!
Lessard lands with a shot to the body.
Lessard throws out a loose jab but Thorkildsen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thorkildsen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lessard is looking to chop away at Thorkildsen's legs.
Lessard with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lessard looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Lessard scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Thorkildsen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lessard.
Lessard tries to clinch but Thorkildsen moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Thorkildsen.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lessard.
Thorkildsen scores with a hook to the body. Lessard takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thorkildsen. Lessard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lessard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lessard throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorkildsen scores with a hook.
Thorkildsen misses the body punch
and Lessard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Lessard keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen lands a nice shot to the body.
Thorkildsen throws a hook but Lessard blocks it.
Lessard lands a nice shot to the body.
Lessard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thorkildsen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Lessard throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lessard misses with a body punch
and Thorkildsen counters with a straight right hand.
Thorkildsen misses with a few strikes there.
Lessard is looking to slow Thorkildsen down with leg kicks.
Lessard wants to clinch up but Thorkildsen keeps it at a distance.
Thorkildsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lessard.
Lessard slaps away a takedown attempt from Thorkildsen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Good shot there by Lessard.
Thorkildsen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lessard. Lessard obviously looking to wear him down.
Rolf Thorkildsen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorkildsen walks into a jab.
Lessard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thorkildsen.
Thorkildsen dives in and grabs Lessard's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lessard pushes down on Thorkildsen's head and hops out.
Thorkildsen takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lessard.
Lessard lunges at Thorkildsen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Thorkildsen's hand.
Lessard lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Thorkildsen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Good exchange - Lessard coming out on top.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lessard.
Lessard connects with a single shot there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lessard lands a nice shot that snaps Thorkildsen's head back.
Lessard scores with a sloppy right hand. Thorkildsen should have avoided that one.
Thorkildsen throws out a leg kick but Lessard moves out of range and Thorkildsen only half commits.
Lessard connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Lessard slips a jab and a cross from Thorkildsen.
Lessard scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Thorkildsen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Thorkildsen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Thorkildsen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lessard lands with a hook. Thorkildsen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lessard chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Lessard with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lessard lands a body shot.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Lessard.
Thorkildsen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lessard.
Lessard moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Lessard has managed to clinch.
Nice body punch from Lessard.
Junior Lessard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thorkildsen being controlled against the cage.
Thorkildsen will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Lessard.
Lessard stalling in the clinch.
Lessard lands a damaging elbow.
Lessard lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Thorkildsen has Lessard pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lessard manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolf Thorkildsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lessard landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lessard lands a nice knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lessard obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lessard lands with a right to the head.
Lessard lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lessard avoiding damage.
Lessard blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lessard obliges.
Lessard unloads a knee to the mid-section. Thorkildsen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lessard is leaning against Thorkildsen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Lessard lands a knee to the body.
Lessard lands a good knee to the midsection. Thorkildsen won't want to take too many of those.
Lessard presses Thorkildsen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nice body punch from Lessard - that landed with a thud.
Lessard works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Lessard lands a body shot.
Thorkildsen letting Lessard take a breather here.
Lessard stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Lessard landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Lessard tries a knee to the head but Thorkildsen blocks it.
A right hand to the body from Lessard.
Lessard lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lessard lands a body punch in the clinch.
Lessard lands a good knee to the midsection. Thorkildsen won't want to take too many of those.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junior Lessard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lessard winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 42:50
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 43:50
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 42:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junior Lessard!
Junior Lessard is the new lightweight champion!