PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tauno Palo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vadim Lavrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Palo
vs
Lavrov

183 cm
27
182 lbs
27 - 12 - 1

182 cm
24
180 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Malicious Intent Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tauno Palo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vadim Lavrov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lavrov scores with a nice right hand.
Lavrov moves out of range of the body kick.
Palo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Palo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lavrov.
Lavrov throws a leg kick but Palo moved away.
Lavrov stalks Palo and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Palo's face. Palo staggers backwards, shaken.
Palo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lavrov throws a leg kick but Palo checks it.
Palo tries a low kick but Lavrov avoids it.

Lavrov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lavrov obliges.
Palo lands a right hand.
Lavrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Palo.
Palo tries to throw a body punch but Lavrov avoids it by throwing Palo back against the cage.
Lavrov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lavrov blocks an elbow strike from Palo.
Palo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lavrov tries a knee to the head but Palo blocks it.
Palo lands a body punch.
Lavrov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Palo lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavrov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Palo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lavrov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Lavrov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lavrov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Palo backwards.
Lavrov misses with a body punch.
Lavrov lands an elbow inside that Palo shrugs off.
A nice left hand lands by Palo.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Palo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Palo trying to stall but Lavrov improves his position.
Palo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lavrov.
Lavrov lands a nice shot to the body.
Palo avoids the elbow strike from Lavrov, against the cage.
Palo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Palo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lavrov misses with a punch on the inside.
Palo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lavrov misses with an elbow strike.
Knees in the clinch landing for Palo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Palo prevents a body shot from Lavrov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Palo.
Lavrov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Palo tries to work over Lavrov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A left hand lands to the body for Palo.
Palo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lavrov's elbow.
Palo taking a breather.
Lavrov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Palo backwards.

Palo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lavrov with a hook.
Tauno Palo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palo works Lavrov's body with a nice hook.
Lavrov dodges the punch combination from Palo.

Lavrov gets tackled into the cage by Palo. Palo maintains the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Palo fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lavrov.
Palo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Palo misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Lavrov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavrov tries to land knees in the clinch but Palo avoids the damage to the body.
Lavrov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Palo.
Lavrov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Lavrov misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Palo.
The referee is keeping an eye on Palo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Palo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lavrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lavrov works on Palo's body with a couple of short punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Lavrov.
Palo pushes Lavrov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Palo misses with some punches.
Palo dodges an elbow strike from Lavrov.
Lavrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Palo throws a punch but it's blocked by Lavrov.
Nice elbow from Lavrov.
Lavrov lands a hook that snaps the head of Palo backwards.
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!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Lavrov.
Lavrov misses with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palo blocks an elbow strike.
Palo blocks an elbow strike from Lavrov.
Palo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Palo avoids the elbow strike from Lavrov, against the cage.
Lavrov prevents a body shot from Palo.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Palo.
A head punch on the inside from Lavrov fails to land.
Lavrov throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Palo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A slapping body kick lands there for Palo.
Lavrov looks gassed!
A nice inside leg kick there by Palo. That's going to slow Lavrov down.
Palo throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lavrov on the side of the head.
Lavrov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Palo is able to avoid easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lavrov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
An inside leg kick lands from Palo.
Palo jabs Lavrov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Lavrov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tauno Palo will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lavrov moves out of range of the body kick from Palo.
Lavrov misses with a head kick.
Palo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Palo pushes Lavrov away with a front kick.
Palo throws a body punch but Lavrov moves out of range.
Palo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lavrov was well out of range. Poor timing from Palo.
Lavrov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Palo can pounce on him.
Palo scoring well with a low kick there.
Palo misses with a two punch combination.
Palo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lavrov's calf.
A bone on bone clash there as Lavrov blocks the leg kick.
A left and a right from Lavrov both land. Nice combination.
Lavrov checks the leg kick nicely there.

Palo closes the distance and pushes Lavrov back into the cage.
Lavrov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Palo avoids it.
Lavrov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Palo's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Palo tries to break the clinch but Lavrov is controlling the position.
Lavrov looking to throw knees to the head but Palo is blocking nicely.
Lavrov misses with a punch on the inside.
Lavrov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lavrov is breathing heavily.
Lavrov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Palo is defending well for now.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Palo.
Palo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Palo lands a right hand.
A short right from Palo.
A short uppercut from Palo.
Palo missing with knees to the body.
Lavrov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Palo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Palo.
Palo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lavrov backwards.
Palo tries to work over Lavrov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Palo dodges an elbow strike from Lavrov.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lavrov.
A right hand to the body from Palo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palo throws a punch but it's blocked by Lavrov.
Palo blocks the elbow strike.
Lavrov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Palo avoids it.
Palo blocks the elbow strike.

Palo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Palo lands a glancing blow to the side of Lavrov's head.
Lavrov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Palo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Palo is looking to wear down Lavrov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lavrov missing with a left hand there. Palo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Palo blocks a jab.

Palo instigates a clinch.
Lavrov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lavrov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Palo avoids it.
Lavrov crunches a lovely knee into Palo's ribcage.
Lavrov lands with a light punch inside.
Palo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lavrov is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavrov blocks a body shot from Palo.
Palo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lavrov takes a shot to the head.
Lavrov lands a damaging elbow.
Lavrov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Palo working aggressively here.
Lavrov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lavrov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Palo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Palo avoids the elbow strike from Lavrov, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Palo.
Palo misses with a punch on the inside.
A hook to the body from Palo.
Palo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
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!
Palo is leaning against Lavrov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Palo lands a hook that snaps the head of Lavrov backwards.
Lavrov trying to land knees to the body.
Palo lands with a light punch inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Palo takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Tauno Palo has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Palo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lavrov throws an elbow that misses.
A hook to the body from Palo.

Palo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Palo misses with a wild body shot.
Tauno Palo is winning the standup battle so far.
Palo scores with a shot to the body.
Palo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lavrov cracks Palo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Palo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lavrov's hands.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Palo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A solid leg kick lands there for Palo.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Palo - that will leave a mark!
Palo bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Lavrov's head.
Lavrov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Palo circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Palo dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Palo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lavrov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Palo connects with a looping right hand.
Palo lands with a good body shot.
Lavrov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lavrov moves out of range of the body kick.
Palo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Palo throws a leg kick that is checked

and Lavrov counters by moving into the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lavrov.
Palo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lavrov blocks it with crossed arms.

Palo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Palo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Palo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Palo lands a nice shot to the body.
Lavrov throws a jab but it's blocked by Palo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Palo misses with a shot to the body
and Lavrov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavrov throws out a loose jab but Palo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palo throws a leg kick but Lavrov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Palo throws a leg kick but Lavrov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Palo throws a head kick that misses.
Palo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Palo looks to score with a jab to the body but Lavrov is just out of range.
Lavrov wants to clinch up but Palo keeps it at a distance.

Lavrov closes the distance and pushes Palo back into the cage.
Palo avoiding damage as Lavrov throws knees to the body.
Lavrov lands a shoulder strike.
Palo misses with an elbow over the top.
Palo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Palo is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lavrov is keeping busy.

Palo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lavrov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palo throws a wild body kick that Lavrov sees coming a mile off.
Lavrov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lavrov lands with a nice body kick.
That kick from Palo tenderised Lavrov's leg. Lavrov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lavrov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Palo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palo moves away from the strike by Lavrov.
Palo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Palo throws a nice head kick!
Palo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lavrov moves away.
Lavrov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lavrov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Palo.
Palo takes a swing at Lavrov's ribcage but misses.
Palo digs a good body shot into Lavrov's ribs.
Palo misses with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lavrov.
A jab from Palo misses.
Palo stuns Lavrov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice shot by Lavrov.
An inside leg kick from Lavrov misses.
Palo throws a jab when Lavrov was well out of range.
Palo misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lavrov throws a shot from downtown. Palo moves away and avoids it.
Good exchange - Palo coming out on top.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lavrov. Palo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Palo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Palo lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Lavrov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Lavrov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A swing and a miss from Palo.
Palo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lavrov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lavrov throws a solid leg kick but Palo takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Lavrov.
Palo does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Lavrov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Palo.
Lavrov tries to close the distance and clinch but Palo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lavrov blocks the body kick.
Palo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Palo thows a leg kick but Lavrov checks it
and Lavrov counters with a nice uppercut.
Palo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lavrov wants to clinch up but Palo keeps it at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lavrov moves in looking to clinch but Palo pushes him off.
Lavrov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Palo throws a leg kick
and Lavrov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Palo clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Palo misses with a hook.
Lavrov throws a lazy right hand but Palo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Palo with a jab.
A slow jab from Palo misses its intended target.
Lavrov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Palo.
Lavrov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Palo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lavrov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice jab there from Palo.
Palo throws a front kick that sends Lavrov stumbling back into the cage.
Palo cracks the inside of Lavrov's front leg.
Palo misses with a looping left.
Palo takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Palo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Palo throws a leg kick but Lavrov moved away.
Palo swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lavrov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lavrov was well out of range. Poor timing from Palo.

Palo moves into range and clinches up with Lavrov.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lavrov throws an elbow but misses.
Lavrov lands a hook that snaps the head of Palo backwards.
Palo blocks an elbow strike.
Palo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Palo throws a punch but it's blocked by Lavrov.
Palo is looking to control Lavrov's arms but Lavrov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Palo has his back to the cage.
Palo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Lavrov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Palo lands with a right to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Palo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Palo trying to stall but Lavrov improves his position.
A nice left hand lands by Palo.
Lavrov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Palos head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Palo is trying to break the clinch but Lavrov has him pressed against the cage.
Palo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lavrov backwards.
A right hand to the body from Palo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Palo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A bone on bone clash there as Lavrov blocks the leg kick.
Palo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lavrov.
Lavrov walks into a jab.
Lavrov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lavrov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Palo throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Palo moves into the clinch successfully.
Lavrov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Palo wants to get back to striking at distance but Lavrov won't allow it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Palo.
Lavrov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Palo avoids a wild elbow strike from Lavrov.
Lavrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lavrov lands with a left to the head.
A short right from Palo on the inside.
Lavrov lands a nice elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palo tries to throw a body punch but Lavrov avoids it by throwing Palo back against the cage.
Lavrov takes a shot to the head.
Palo blocks the elbow strike.
Palo blocks a body shot from Lavrov.
Lavrov blocking some punches.
Palo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lavrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Palo.
Lavrov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lavrov.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lavrov.
Nice elbow from Lavrov.
Lavrov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Palo is trying to break free.
Lavrov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Palos head.
A hook to the body from Lavrov.
Palo pushes Lavrov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lavrov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Lavrov lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palo missing with knees to the body.
A short right from Palo on the inside.
Lavrov scores with a hook to the body.
Palo struggles to land a body shot inside as Lavrov controls his hands.
Palo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lavrov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lavrov tries to land a knee to the head but Palo blocks with his arms.
Palo lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lavrov.
Lavrov pushes off an throws an elbow but Palo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Palo blocks an uppercut.
Lavrov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Palo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lavrov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Palo misses with a punch on the inside.
Lavrov scores with a knee to the head.
Lavrov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Lavrov blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Palo had his way with Vadim Lavrov in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Palo delivers a nice body kick.
Palo tries to score with a low kick but Lavrov moves his leg out of the way.
Palo jabs at Lavrov's body.
Lavrov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Lavrov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Palo misses with a few strikes there.
Palo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lavrov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Palo.
Lavrov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Palo - that will leave a mark!
Palo throws a shot from downtown. Lavrov moves away and avoids it.
Palo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Palo throws a leg kick that is checked

and Lavrov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palo misses with a punch on the inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lavrov obliges.
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.
Palo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Palo working aggressively here.
Lavrov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Palo blocks the elbow strike.
Lavrov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Palo working aggressively here.
Lavrov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Palo lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Palo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A cross from Lavrov lands.
Palo throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Palo lands a nice shot to the body.
Palo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Lavrov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Palo lands with a left to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palo misses with some punches.
Palo struggles to land a body shot inside as Lavrov controls his hands.
Palo presses Lavrov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Lavrov blocks an uppercut.
Lavrov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lavrov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Palo tries a body shot but Lavrov blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Lavrov.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Palo.
Lavrov throws a head punch that misses.
Palo misses with a body punch.
Palo blocks an uppercut.
Nice elbow from Lavrov.
Palo lands a nice elbow.
Palo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Palo avoids the elbow strike from Lavrov, against the cage.
Palo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lavrov backwards.
Lavrov misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavrov tries to work over Palo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Palo misses with a body punch.
Palo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lavrov tries to throw a body punch but Palo avoids it by throwing Lavrov back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Lavrov.
Palo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Palo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lavrov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lavrov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Palo lands a shoulder strike.
Palo lands a left hand.
Palo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Palo is stalling here.
Lavrov misses with a punch on the inside.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Palo.
Lavrov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vadim Lavrov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavrov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Lavrov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Palo avoids it.
Palo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Palo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Palo pushes Lavrov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Palo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lavrov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lavrov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Palo.
Palo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Lavrov is rocked!
A short right from Palo.
Lavrov is still on wobbly legs! Can Palo finish him?
A body shot lands from Palo.
Palo works on Lavrov's body with a couple of short punches.
Palo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Palo pushes Lavrov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lavrov lands an elbow that stopped Palo in his tracks for a moment.
Palo lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Palo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Palo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Palo cracks the inside of Lavrov's front leg.
Palo jabs Lavrov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Some bone on bone action there as Palo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Palo lands with a nice body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tauno Palo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Palo 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 50:45
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tauno Palo!
Tauno Palo retains his welterweight title!