PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Bjornsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Lavronenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lavronenko has chosen Ex-Sektor Gaza - 'Dopilsya' as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bjornsson
vs
Lavronenko

193 cm
25
210 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

186 cm
29
212 lbs
16 - 10 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gunnar Bjornsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Ivan Lavronenko!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bjornsson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Lavronenko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bjornsson.
Lavronenko misses the shot to the body.
Bjornsson works Lavronenko's body with a nice hook.
Lavronenko is looking to clinch.
Lavronenko lands an overhand right.
Bjornsson slips under a jab from Lavronenko.
Lavronenko takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Bjornsson scores with a kick to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lavronenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bjornsson but Bjornsson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Good leg kick by Bjornsson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bjornsson connects with a right hand. Lavronenko shakes it off.
Lavronenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bjornsson but Bjornsson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bjornsson scores with a leg kick.
Bjornsson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lavronenko.
Bjornsson scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavronenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Gunnar Bjornsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Lavronenko.
Bjornsson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lavronenko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bjornsson throws a leg kick which misses Lavronenko's front leg but catches the back leg as Lavronenko tries to avoid it.

Lavronenko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lavronenko trying to control from half guard but Bjornsson is working away.

Bjornsson pushes Lavronenko off and gets back to his feet.
Bjornsson scores with a jab. Lavronenko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bjornsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lavronenko manages to avoid it.
Bjornsson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bjornsson thuds a left hand into Lavronenko's body.
Bjornsson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lavronenko.
Bjornsson throws a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Bjornsson.
Bjornsson just misses with a punch to the body.
Bjornsson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bjornsson lands with a nice body punch.
Bjornsson swinging wildly here.
Bjornsson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bjornsson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bjornsson lands with a good body shot.
Bjornsson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bjornsson avoids the body shot from Lavronenko.
Bjornsson dodges the punch combination from Lavronenko.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bjornsson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavronenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bjornsson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gunnar Bjornsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bjornsson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A swing and a miss from Lavronenko.
A jab from Bjornsson misses.
Bjornsson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lavronenko in his tracks.
Bjornsson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Lavronenko under the eye.
Lavronenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bjornsson is looking to score with low kicks.
Lavronenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bjornsson avoids it really well and circles away.
Bjornsson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lavronenko eats them both and turns towards Bjornsson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lavronenko tries for a takedown but Bjornsson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lavronenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Bjornsson sprawls well. He's pushed Lavronenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bjornsson cracks Lavronenko with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Bjornsson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lavronenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson thuds a left hand into Lavronenko's body.
Lavronenko looks winded!
Bjornsson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lavronenko.
Bjornsson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lavronenko.
Bjornsson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Lavronenko. Lavronenko circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Lavronenko on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nice sprawl there from Bjornsson as Lavronenko shoots in.
Bjornsson scores with a head kick.
Lavronenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bjornsson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bjornsson looks to land a combination but Lavronenko avoids it well.

Lavronenko closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bjornsson quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lavronenko with the ground and pound but Bjornsson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Bjornsson wants to stand but Lavronenko is controlling the position.

Bjornsson wriggles free and stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bjornsson lands with a nice body punch.
Lavronenko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bjornsson's waist but Bjornsson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lavronenko off to one side.
Lavronenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bjornsson is looking to wear down Lavronenko with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bjornsson cracks Lavronenko with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bjornsson misses with a wild combination.
Lavronenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Bjornsson is just out of range.
Horrible takedown by Lavronenko or perhaps it was just good defense by Bjornsson which made him look bad.
Bjornsson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Lavronenko closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Bjornsson takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The strikes coming from Lavronenko are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lavronenko cracks Bjornsson with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavronenko lands some shots froms side control.
Lavronenko misses with the ground and pound.
Lavronenko throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Bjornsson is pushing Lavronenko's head away, looking to escape. Lavronenko manages to hold on to the position though.
Lavronenko happy to just control the position for now.
Bjornsson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Lavronenko asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Lavronenko goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Bjornsson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Lavronenko but great work by Bjornsson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavronenko sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Bjornsson tries to stand and escape but Lavronenko actually recovers to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bjornsson tries to stand but Lavronenko is controlling from the bottom.

Bjornsson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Bjornsson lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lavronenko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bjornsson pinned against the cage. Bjornsson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gunnar Bjornsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Lavronenko.
Lavronenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavronenko shoots in for a double leg but Bjornsson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lavronenko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bjornsson pinned against the cage. Bjornsson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bjornsson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lavronenko is breathing heavily.
Bjornsson with a jab.
Bjornsson feints and then cracks Lavronenko's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Lavronenko down.
Lavronenko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bjornsson's waist but Bjornsson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lavronenko off to one side.
Lavronenko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A shot to the liver by Bjornsson. Beautiful body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No joy there for Bjornsson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bjornsson lands a nice hook to Lavronenko's body. Lavronenko takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bjornsson jabs Lavronenko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bjornsson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Bjornsson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bjornsson digs a good body shot into Lavronenko's ribs.
Bjornsson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Bjornsson with a nice cross.
Gunnar Bjornsson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bjornsson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lavronenkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bjornsson scores with a kick to the midsection.
Lavronenko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bjornsson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Bjornsson duly obliges.
Nice body punch from Bjornsson.
Bjornsson cracks Lavronenko with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Lavronenko has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bjornsson finds it's way round the side to connect with Lavronenko's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bjornsson connects with a body shot that sends Lavronenko's belly button to the back.
Lavronenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bjornsson swivels and escapes.
Bjornsson lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Bjornsson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bjornsson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bjornsson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bjornsson tries to bum rush Lavronenko with a series of wild strikes but Lavronenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bjornsson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lavronenko missing with a left hand there. Bjornsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bjornsson - that will leave a mark!
Lavronenko has a takedown stuffed.
Nice sprawl there from Bjornsson as Lavronenko shoots in.
Bjornsson thumps Lavronenko with a low kick.
Bjornsson lands a right hook to the body.
Gunnar Bjornsson is winning the standup battle so far.
Bjornsson cracks a nice hook into Lavronenko's ribs.
Bjornsson lands a nice shot to the body.
Lavronenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!
Bjornsson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bjornsson bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lavronenko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A shot to the liver by Bjornsson. Beautiful body shot.
Bjornsson misses with a head kick.
Bjornsson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Bjornsson cracks the inside of Lavronenko's front leg.
Bjornsson lands a nice hook to Lavronenko's body. Lavronenko takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Lavronenko takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bjornsson thuds a left hand into Lavronenko's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bjornsson tries to bum rush Lavronenko with a series of wild strikes but Lavronenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bjornsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lavronenko can do to turn this around?
Bjornsson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Bjornsson connects with a right hand. Lavronenko shakes it off.
Bjornsson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lavronenko at a distance.
Lavronenko fails with the takedown.
Gunnar Bjornsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Lavronenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson connects with the punch.
Bjornsson misses the shot to the body.
Lavronenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Bjornsson.
Lavronenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A jab from Bjornsson does it's job there.
Bjornsson throws a quick inside leg kick.

Lavronenko shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bjornsson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Lavronenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Bjornsson is retaining full guard.
Lavronenko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lavronenko content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjornsson keeping moving, preventing Lavronenko from controlling successfully.
Lavronenko won't allow Bjornsson to get back to his feet.
Lavronenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bjornsson's head.
Lavronenko stops Bjornsson from standing up.
Lavronenko trying to control but Bjornsson is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lavronenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavronenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bjornsson wants to stand but Lavronenko is controlling the position.
Lavronenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lavronenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lavronenko is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bjornsson wants to stand up but Lavronenko is controlling him.
Lavronenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Bjornsson is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Bjornsson clearly takes that round.
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.

Lavronenko shoots in but Bjornsson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lavronenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lavronenko throws a chopping leg kick but Bjornsson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lavronenko throws an overhand right that lands on Bjornsson's shoulder, as Bjornsson tries to avoid the shot.
Bjornsson throws a head kick that misses.
Bjornsson throws a body kick that misses
and Lavronenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lavronenko checks a leg kick.

Lavronenko scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Lavronenko tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Lavronenko thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Lavronenko is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjornsson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Lavronenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bjornsson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bjornsson parries the strikes from Lavronenko easily there. Lavronenko is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Bjornsson to escape.
Lavronenko advances nicely into full mount.
BOOM! Lavronenko connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavronenko wants to control the pace but Bjornsson is squirming around nicely.
Bjornsson is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Lavronenko working Bjornsson over with strikes here.
Lavronenko raining down shots from the mount!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bjornsson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Bjornsson taking shots to the head.
Bjornsson is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavronenko breaks from Bjornsson's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Bjornsson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Lavronenko tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Lavronenko cracks Bjornsson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Lavronenko scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Lavronenko lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
You get the feeling that Bjornsson really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Lavronenko trying to control but Bjornsson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavronenko tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Lavronenko looking to finish Bjornsson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Bjornsson!
Lavronenko wants to control the pace but Bjornsson is squirming around nicely.
Lavronenko lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lavronenko throws some wild stikes that Bjornsson manages to avoid easily.
Lavronenko trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Lavronenko dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bjornsson thumps Lavronenko with a low kick.
Lavronenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bjornsson lands a leg kick that knocks Lavronenko off balance momentarily.
Bjornsson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lavronenko in his tracks.
Bjornsson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lavronenko.
Bjornsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lavronenko has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Lavronenko blocks a low kick nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lavronenko.
Bjornsson walks into a left hand.
Lavronenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gunnar Bjornsson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Lavronenko.
Lavronenko is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
A looping hook to the body misses from Bjornsson. Lavronenko does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lavronenko moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bjornsson throws a hook but Lavronenko blocks it.
Bjornsson throws a hook but Lavronenko blocks it.
Lavronenko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bjornsson circles away.
Bjornsson ducks under a wild hook from Lavronenko.
A right-left combo lands from Bjornsson.
Bjornsson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Lavronenko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bjornsson to the mat! Bjornsson manages to get full guard.
Lavronenko prevents Bjornsson from getting back to his feet.
Lavronenko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ivan Lavronenko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bjornsson is pushing Lavronenko's head away, looking to escape. Lavronenko manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Bjornsson defending against the ground and pound.
Bjornsson is looking to get back to his feet here but Lavronenko is keeping cool and he's managed to take Bjornsson's back.
Lavronenko lands a shot to the head.
Well, with Lavronenko on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Bjornsson is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Good control from Lavronenko.
Bjornsson controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lavronenko is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Lavronenko throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Bjornsson!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Lavronenko trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lavronenko is landing with strikes. Bjornsson can't take much more of this.
Ivan Lavronenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lavronenko throwing strikes and Bjornsson squirms under the pressure, ending up mounted.
Bjornsson is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lavronenko with the ground and pound from mount.
Lavronenko with a couple of short strikes.
Lavronenko punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lavronenko working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Bjornsson slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Gunnar Bjornsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bjornsson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lavronenko scores with a couple of nice shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Lavronenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bjornsson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47

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