PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Oliver Lancaster (ranked 299 p4p, 44 weight class) and Lenny Kowalski (ranked 648 p4p, 92 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.

Lancaster
vs
Kowalski

188 cm
22
220 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

190 cm
20
210 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Oliver Lancaster!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lenny Kowalski!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Ivan Kurochkin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalski bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lancaster tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice defenses there by Kowalski.
Kowalski swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kowalski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lancaster tries to counter by clinching up but Kowalski breaks away and moves out of range.
Lancaster misses with a hook to the body
and Kowalski counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Oliver Lancaster has been cut.

Lancaster moves into the clinch.
Lancaster lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kowalski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lancaster smiles and moves away.
Kowalski fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lancaster on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lancaster has closed the distance and engaged Kowalski in a clinch.
Lancaster tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lancaster misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kowalski stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Kowalski manages to break the clinch.
Lancaster misses the jab.
Lancaster lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lancaster ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kowalski moves away.

Lancaster darts in and clinches Kowalski up against the cage.
Lancaster stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kowalski digs a right hand underneath Lancaster's ribcage. Lancaster let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kowalski misses with a body punch.
Lancaster keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kowalski's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kowalski.

Kowalski breaks the clinch.
Lancaster ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lancaster uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kowalski.
Lancaster connects with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slow jab from Lancaster misses its intended target.
Lancaster misses with an uppercut
enabling Kowalski to counter with a crisp jab.
Kowalski throws a right hand that Lancaster ducks under and follows up with a left that Lancaster also avoids with ease.
Oliver Lancaster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lancaster misses with a lunging right hand
and Kowalski counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kowalski looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster lands a nice looking body shot.
Lancaster throws the left hand but Kowalski avoids the punch easily.
Kowalski flicks out a counter leg kick but Lancaster steps away.
Kowalski rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Lancaster counters with a straight right hand.
A big right from Lancaster misses.
Lancaster takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lancaster fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kowalski wants to land a leg kick but Lancaster is out of range.
Lancaster scores with a nice strike.
Lancaster misses with a lunging right hand
and Kowalski cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kowalski darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lancaster misses with a hook

and Kowalski counters with a beautiful punch that sends Lancaster to the canvas!

Lancaster is rocked!
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!
Lancaster trying to control the position.
Lancaster keeping moving, preventing Kowalski from controlling successfully.
Kowalski looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
It looks like Kowalski might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Kowalski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oliver Lancaster's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lancaster scores with a shot to the body.
Lancaster throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kowalski flicks out a counter leg kick but Lancaster steps away.
A big left from Lancaster misses.
Kowalski looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lancaster doesn't manage to clinch there - Kowalski circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster misses the shot to the body.
Kowalski misses with a looping right.
Lancaster tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kowalski manages to circle out of the way.
Kowalski throws a poor cross that misses

and Lancaster counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski throws a punch but it's blocked by Lancaster.
Lancaster has Kowalski pressed against the cage, preventing Kowalski from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Still in the clinch, Lancaster scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kowalski lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lancaster swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kowalski swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kowalski lands a right hand.
Kowalski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kowalski has a couple of punches blocked by Lancaster.
Kowalski struggles to land a body shot inside as Lancaster controls his hands.
Kowalski is working Lancaster over against the cage.
Kowalski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kowalski has a couple of punches blocked by Lancaster.
Lancaster misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kowalski.
Kowalski misses with a punch on the inside.
Lancaster struggles to land a body shot inside as Kowalski controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kowalski digs a right hand underneath Lancaster's ribcage. Lancaster let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kowalski takes a shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kowalski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lancaster checks a leg kick.
Lancaster thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lancaster takes a swing at Kowalski's ribcage but misses.
Lancaster ducks under a wild hook from Kowalski.
Kowalski slips under a jab.
Oliver Lancaster is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kowalski uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lancaster.
Lancaster throws a shot from downtown. Kowalski moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Lancaster looks to land a left hand but Kowalski moved out of range nicely.
Kowalski throws a jab when Lancaster was well out of range.
That kick from Kowalski tenderised Lancaster's leg. Lancaster is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lancaster throws an off balance right hand
and Kowalski counters with a nice low kick that buckles Lancaster's knee momentarily.
Kowalski jabs Lancaster to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Lancaster wants to clinch
and Kowalski counters with a nice low kick that buckles Lancaster's knee momentarily.
Lancaster misses the shot to the body.
Kowalski thinks about the counter body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster misses the shot to the body.
And Kowalski tries to counter it with a takedown but Lancaster pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lancaster has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kowalski.
Lancaster throws a body shot but no joy.
Kowalski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lancaster.
Kowalski avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kowalski looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kowalski cracks a nice hook into Lancaster's ribs.
Lancaster punishes Kowalski's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kowalski misses with a takedown attempt
and Kowalski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lancaster moves into range and connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lenny Kowalski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Oliver Lancaster'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.

Lancaster thuds a left hand into Kowalski's body.
Lancaster throws a body shot but no joy.
Kowalski delivers a nice body kick.
Kowalski moves out of range of the strikes.
Kowalski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lancaster swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kowalski moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kowalski lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Lancaster misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski lands a jab to the head.
Lancaster throws a combination that misses

and Kowalski counters with a right hand that sends Lancaster tumbling to the canvas! Can Kowalski finish him? He dives into Lancaster's guard looking to do just that!
Lancaster keeping moving, preventing Kowalski from controlling successfully.
Lancaster is adopting a defensive guard.

Kowalski drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Lancaster dives on top into guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lancaster is looking to pass into half guard but Kowalski pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Kowalski is in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski trying to control but Lancaster is working from the bottom.

Kowalski drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lancaster manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kowalski has Lancaster in his guard.

Lancaster preventing the sweep.
Kowalski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lancaster not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Kowalski throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Lancaster escapes and throws Kowalski's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Lancaster decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kowalski to his feet.
Lancaster fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kowalski manages to avoid it.
Kowalski tries to clinch but Lancaster moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Lancaster tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lancaster is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kowalski.
A countering left hand to the body from Kowalski misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kowalski throws a sloppy head kick and Lancaster moves out of range easily.
Lenny Kowalski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab, jab by Lancaster - just one landing.
Lancaster digs a good hook to Kowalski's body.
Lancaster scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lancaster. Kowalski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kowalski doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kowalski with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lancaster ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kowalski moves away.
Kowalski takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Oliver Lancaster did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Oliver Lancaster'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.

Kowalski dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kowalski throws a shot from downtown. Lancaster moves away and avoids it.
Lancaster swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Lancaster connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kowalski momentarily.
Kowalski scores with a nice right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kowalski darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lancaster slips a straight right by Kowalski.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster lands with a hook. Kowalski tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Lancaster closes the distance and clinches.
Kowalski misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski wants to get back to striking at distance but Lancaster won't allow it.
Kowalski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kowalski has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lancaster avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A short left from Lancaster.
Kowalski misses with a body punch.
Lancaster goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lancaster doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lancaster.
Kowalski works on Lancaster's body with a couple of short punches.
Kowalski lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kowalski lands with a left to the head.
Kowalski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lancaster working aggressively here.
Kowalski wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kowalski blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Kowalski manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster scores with a shot to the body.
Kowalski takes a swing at Lancaster's ribcage but misses.
Lancaster misses with an uppercut
letting Kowalski counter with a right hand.
Lancaster throws a body punch but Kowalski moves out of range.
Kowalski walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kowalski throws a low kick but Lancaster moves out of range easily.
Lancaster misses with a body shot.
Kowalski looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kowalski moves forwards but Lancaster connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lancaster is fending him off so far but Kowalski persists. Nope, Lancaster circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kowalski.
Lancaster throws a body shot but no joy.
Kowalski let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Kowalski bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Lancaster! He dives into his guard looking to finish!
Oh Lancaster is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kowalski must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lancaster looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kowalski is one step ahead there.
Lancaster seems to have got his legs back now.
Kowalski trying to control but Lancaster is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski forces his way into half guard.
Kowalski working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Lancaster's thigh. Lancaster counters though and makes it back to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kowalski controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Kowalski dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Oliver Lancaster's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Lancaster.
Kowalski looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lancaster swings widly with a right hand
enabling Kowalski to counter with a crisp jab.
Lancaster fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kowalski avoids the body shot from Lancaster.
Lancaster moves out of range of the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster misses with a hook
enabling Kowalski to counter with a crisp jab.
Kowalski misses with an uppercut

and Lancaster counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kowalski misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lancaster throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lancaster keeps control of Kowalski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lancaster tries a body shot but Kowalski blocks it.
Lancaster stops a takedown attempt from Kowalski.
Kowalski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lancaster smiles and moves away.
Lancaster fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kowalski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lancaster manages to avoid it.

Kowalski rushes Lancaster and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lancaster has Kowalski pressed against the cage, preventing Kowalski from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lancaster lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kowalski backwards.
Kowalski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kowalski scores with a nice hook to the head.
Oliver Lancaster has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Lancaster.
Lancaster lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kowalski backwards.
Lancaster's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kowalski is trying to push Lancaster away but Lancaster has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kowalski has Lancaster pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lancaster manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Oliver Lancaster has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lenny Kowalski.
A frustrated look appears on Kowalski's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kowalski swings wildly with an uppercut but Lancaster uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kowalski prevents a body shot from Lancaster.
Lancaster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kowalski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lancaster is leaning against Kowalski and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Lancaster blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lancaster works on Kowalski's body with a couple of short punches.
Kowalski is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kowalski misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster is pressed up against the cage. Kowalski has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lancaster down to the mat. Lancaster avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kowalski throws a hook but Lancaster avoids it easily.
Kowalski avoids the body shot from Lancaster.
Lancaster loads up on a big right hand but Kowalski slips the punch.
Lancaster missing with a left hand there. Kowalski was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lancaster scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kowalski in his tracks.
Nice defenses there by Kowalski.
Kowalski looks to throw a body kick
and Lancaster counters with a straight right hand.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kowalski is defended easily by Lancaster.
It looked like Lancaster was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kowalski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Oliver Lancaster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lancaster throws an off balance right hand
and Kowalski counters with a solid body kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lancaster wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lancaster throws a jab but it's blocked by Kowalski.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oliver Lancaster showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kowalski 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Lenny Kowalski!
Lenny Kowalski is the new light heavyweight champion!