PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bjarno Lackenmeier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lassi Lambada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bjarno Lackenmeier had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.5lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lackenmeier
vs
Lambada

188 cm
32
205 lbs
8 - 2 - 1

188 cm
31
200 lbs
18 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bjarno Lackenmeier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lassi Lambada!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Seu Braga and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lambada throws a right and a left that Lackenmeier avoids nicely.
Lackenmeier tries to clinch but Lambada is having none of it.
Lackenmeier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lambada rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lackenmeier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lackenmeier tries to clinch
and Lambada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lackenmeier is looking to clinch but Lambada is avoiding it.
Lackenmeier fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lackenmeier wants to clinch
and Lambada counters with a left to the body.
Lambada pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lackenmeier is out of range and Lambada settles back down.
Nice shot by Lambada.
Lackenmeier tries to clinch up but Lambada circles away and keeps his distance.
Lackenmeier on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Lackenmeier tries to clinch there but Lambada circles away.
Lambada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Lambada clinches up against the cage.
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!
Lambada is looking to break free of the clinch but Lackenmeier has double underhooks.
Lackenmeier tries a knee to the head but Lambada blocks it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lackenmeier throws an elbow but misses.
Lackenmeier unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lambada lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lambada throws a head punch that misses.
Lackenmeier tries to land knees in the clinch but Lambada avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Lackenmeier landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lackenmeier is pushing Lambada up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Lackenmeier blocks an uppercut.
Lambada is looking to control Lackenmeier's arms but Lackenmeier gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lambada has his back to the cage.
Lambada has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lackenmeier is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lackenmeier putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lambada in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Lambada misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lambada dodges an elbow strike from Lackenmeier.
Lackenmeier has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lambada misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lambada throws a punch but it's blocked by Lackenmeier.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lackenmeier.
Lackenmeier stops a takedown attempt from Lambada.
Lackenmeier is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Lackenmeier.
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!
Lackenmeier scores with a knee to the head.
Lambada blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lackenmeier crunches a lovely knee into Lambada's ribcage.
Lambada misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lackenmeier.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Lackenmeier just misses with a elbow thrown towards Lambada's brow.
Lackenmeier tries to stall but Lambada uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Lambada creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lambada blocks an elbow strike.
Lackenmeier pushes off an throws an elbow but Lambada leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Lackenmeier misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lambada.
Lambada lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lambada misses with the head strike.
Lambada tries to break the clinch but Lackenmeier is controlling the position.
Lambada blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lambada tries to land knees in the clinch but Lackenmeier avoids the damage to the body.
Lackenmeier connects with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lackenmeier stalling in the clinch but Lambada improves position.
Lackenmeier tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lambada avoids it.
Lackenmeier lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Lassi Lambada has been cut.

Lackenmeier breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lackenmeier misses with a wild body shot.

Lambada fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lackenmeier, pushing him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Lambada is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Lackenmeier can't fight it off and eventually Lambada manages to take the fight to the floor. Lackenmeier looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lambada prevents Lackenmeier from getting back to his feet.
My spies in The Warehouse inform me that Lambada has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Lambada looking to pass the guard.
Lambada slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Lackenmeier seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lambada postures up.

We're going to have a standup here because Bjarno Lackenmeier wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Lackenmeier misses with a head kick.
Lackenmeier fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
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!
Lackenmeier throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lambada throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lackenmeier moves in looking to clinch but Lambada pushes him off.

Lambada drives through and clinches with Lackenmeier against the cage.
Lambada blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lackenmeier with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
I was talking to Lackenmeier's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Lackenmeier landing knees to the head.
Lambada misses with a punch on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lackenmeier missing with knees to the body.
Lackenmeier dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Lackenmeier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bjarno Lackenmeier dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lassi Lambada'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.

Lambada darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Lambada trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lackenmeier is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lambada throwing shots but Lackenmeier is blocking nicely.
Lackenmeier keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lackenmeier is looking for a sweep. Lambada is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lackenmeier is trying to stand up here but Lambada is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lambada slows the pace down in half guard.
Lackenmeier tries to get to full guard but Lambada has control of the leg.
Lambada stops Lackenmeier from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lambada not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lambada is trying to control. Lackenmeier wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lackenmeier is trying to control but can't.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lackenmeier tries to clinch there but Lambada circles away.
Lackenmeier tries to clinch
and Lambada counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Lambada closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ground and pound from Lambada.
Lambada is pressing down on Lackenmeier's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lackenmeier is holding on for now.
Lambada lands strikes from half guard.
Lambada seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lambada's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lackenmeier wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lambada wants to pass to mount but Lackenmeier is defending the position.
Lambada prevents Lackenmeier from improving his position.
Lambada is keen to just control but Lackenmeier is a slippery customer.
Still in half guard, Lambada seems content to control.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Lassi Lambada wasn't active enough on the ground.
Lackenmeier doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lambada circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lackenmeier.

Lackenmeier forces Lambada back against the cage and clinches.
Lackenmeier takes a shot to the head.
Lackenmeier tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lambada avoids it.
Lackenmeier lands a nice knee to the body.
Lambada is working for takedown but Lackenmeier is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lambada lands with a left to the head.

Lambada turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Lackenmeier tries to improve position but can't.
Lambada trying to control the position but Lackenmeier is working away.
Lambada working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Lambada is looking to take a break and control but Lackenmeier is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lackenmeier is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Lambada stalling.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lambada connects with a nice short shot to Lackenmeier's temple.
Lambada lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lambada trying to pass the guard but Lackenmeier defending well.
Lackenmeier gets full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lambada is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Lambada trying to control the position from guard on top but Lackenmeier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lackenmeier is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Lackenmeier prevents Lambada from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lassi Lambada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lassi Lambada's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lambada connects with a body shot.
Lambada keeps the fight on the outside.
Lackenmeier fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lackenmeier gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lambada.

Lambada moves into the clinch.
Lackenmeier throws an elbow that misses.

Lambada escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lambada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lambada swinging wildly here.

Lackenmeier clinches up against the cage.
Lambada managing to block the knees to the body from Lackenmeier.

Lambada turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Lackenmeier defending against the ground and pound.
Lackenmeier gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lackenmeier is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lambada is trying to control. Lackenmeier wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lambada is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Lambada lands strikes from half guard.
Lambada is pressing down on Lackenmeier's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lackenmeier is holding on for now.
Lambada stalling.
Lackenmeier tries to roll over but Lambada keeps him under control.
Lambada content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lassi Lambada has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Lambada is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Lambada misses with a series of wild punches.
Lackenmeier looks to land a body kick but Lambada moved away.
Lackenmeier throws a leg kick but Lambada moved away.
Lackenmeier tries to close the distance and clinch but Lambada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Lambada closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Lackenmeier'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!
Lackenmeier keeping moving, preventing Lambada from controlling successfully.
Lambada preventing the sweep.
Lackenmeier pulls Lambada in close to prevent any damage.
Lambada trying to control the position from guard on top but Lackenmeier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lackenmeier is looking to stand up but Lambada isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Lassi Lambada wasn't active enough on the ground.
Lackenmeier fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lambada avoids a kick to the body.

Lambada shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Lackenmeier can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lambada controls the pace.
Lambada preventing the sweep.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lambada is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Lassi Lambada has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Lambada throws a right and a left that Lackenmeier avoids nicely.

Lambada has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bjarno Lackenmeier has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Lackenmeier gets underhooks to prevent Lambada's takedown attempt.
Lackenmeier lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lambada is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lackenmeier pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Lambada takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lambada digs a right hand into Lackenmeier's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lackenmeier's gas tank.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lackenmeier blocks a body shot from Lambada.
Lambada working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lackenmeier tries to land knees in the clinch but Lambada avoids the damage to the body.
Lackenmeier tries to land knees in the clinch but Lambada avoids the damage to the body.
Lackenmeier misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lambada.
Lackenmeier tries to break free but Lambada pushes him back against the cage.
Lambada lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lackenmeier backwards.
Lackenmeier unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lambada lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lambada.
A right hand to the body from Lambada.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Lambada has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Lackenmeier regains guard immediately.
Lambada wants to control from the top but Lackenmeier keeps moving.
Lambada pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lackenmeier is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lassi Lambada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lambada has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lassi Lambada!
During a confident post fight interview, Lassi Lambada thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.