PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tj Lavin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fiodor Jemelianko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Fiodor Jemelianko enters the cage!

Lavin
vs
Jemelianko

185 cm
26
195 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

185 cm
24
200 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]
•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Tj Lavin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Fiodor Jemelianko!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Colin Fotheringham and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Jemelianko.
Jemelianko misses with a combination

and Lavin counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Jemelianko works his way to full guard. Good work.
Lavin looking to pass the guard.
Lavin passes Jemelianko's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Lavin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jemelianko has managed to free his arm - good work.

Lavin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jemelianko trying to control here.

Jemelianko is defending against the submission attempts here by Lavin.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lavin is working for an americana but Jemelianko has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Lavin was thinking about the submission.
Lavin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jemelianko swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Lavin drops back, looking for a kneebar! Jemelianko looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Jemelianko looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Jemelianko!
Lavin looking for a sweep but Jemelianko has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Lavin working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavin manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Jemelianko is trying to control the action in half guard but Lavin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lavin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Jemelianko trying to control from half guard but Lavin is working away.

Lavin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Jemelianko stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Jemelianko connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lavin's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lavin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jemelianko throws a left and a right that both miss

and Lavin counters with a shoot takedown. Jemelianko fights it but they end up in guard.
Jemelianko wants to stand and escape but Lavin is having none of it.

Lavin drops back, looking for a kneebar! Jemelianko looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Jemelianko looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Jemelianko!
Lavin is breathing heavily.
Jemelianko trying to control the action but Lavin is working from the bottom.
Lavin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lavin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jemelianko pulls his head out easily.
Lavin has hold of Jemelianko's hands but Jemelianko slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jemelianko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lavin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Lavin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jemelianko pulls his head out easily.

Lavin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lavin is not content to let Jemelianko control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
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 Tj Lavin will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jemelianko connects with a nice looking jab.
Jemelianko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jemelianko misses with an uppercut.
Jemelianko wants to clinch

and Lavin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Jemelianko's guard.
Jemelianko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jemelianko might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Lavin kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Lavin looking to pass the guard.
Jemelianko wants to get back to his feet but Lavin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Lavin postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jemelianko is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lavin, into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lavin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jemelianko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Lavin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Lavin looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Jemelianko has picked Lavin up and slammed him! Lavin can't keep hold of the triangle and Jemelianko manages to pass to side control!
Lavin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Lavin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jemelianko pushes Lavin off looking to stand but Lavin dives back in and keeps control.
Jemelianko is trying to control but can't.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jemelianko is trying to stand up here but Lavin is controlling him well.

Lavin seems to be working for a kimura but Jemelianko defends the submission attempt.

Lavin is working for a kimura but Jemelianko is defending it quite comfortably.

Jemelianko is defending against the submission attempts here by Lavin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lavin is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Jemelianko as he works his way to full guard.
Jemelianko working a defensive guard here.

Lavin throws his legs up looking for a submission but Jemelianko uses it to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jemelianko is chipping away with strikes.
Lavin is trying to get back to half guard.
Lavin is working to avoid the ground and pound but Jemelianko connects with a decent elbow.
Jemelianko cracks Lavin with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Lavin tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Jemelianko presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Tj Lavin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lavin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lavin regains half guard.
Jemelianko wants to stand up but Lavin is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tj Lavin will probably get the nod.
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!

Lavin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Jemelianko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lavin avoids a punch combination nicely.
A left lands for Jemelianko.
Lavin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Lavin is rocked!

It looks like Tj Lavin has been cut.
Jemelianko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lavin pinned against the cage. Lavin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lavin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jemelianko takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Jemelianko has Lavin up against the cage in a clinch.

Jemelianko decides to pull guard.
Lavin stops Jemelianko from standing up.
Jemelianko is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavin is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Jemelianko wants to take a breather but Lavin is having none of it.

Lavin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lavin tries to roll over but Jemelianko keeps him under control.
Jemelianko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Jemelianko working over Lavin with some ground and pound. Lavin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
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!
Jemelianko is trying to control. Lavin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lavin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Lavin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jemelianko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jemelianko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lavin has a closed guard, preventing Jemelianko from standing up.

Lavin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jemelianko defends well.
Lavin keeping full guard, as Jemelianko tries to pass.

Lavin looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Jemelianko has picked Lavin up and slammed him! Lavin can't keep hold of the triangle and Jemelianko manages to pass to side control!
Lavin is not content to let Jemelianko control the position.
Lavin taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jemelianko decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Jemelianko connects with a right hand. Lavin shakes it off.
Jemelianko lands a jab-cross combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lavin swats away the attempt to clinch by Jemelianko.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jemelianko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fiodor Jemelianko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tj Lavin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Jemelianko takes the fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fiodor Jemelianko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lavin 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tj Lavin!