PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dave Iverson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Lau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Iverson
vs
Lau

190 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 10 - 0

185 cm
20
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Determined

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 3 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dave Iverson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johnny Lau!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Iverson looks for the body kick but Lau saw that one coming.
No joy there for Iverson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lau wants to land a leg kick but Iverson is out of range.
Iverson blocks the body kick.
Iverson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lau moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lau moves out of range of the body kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Iverson, as that shot connected.
Iverson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Lau.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Lau - that will leave a mark!
Iverson moves out of range as Lau throws a body kick.
Lau throws out a leg kick but Iverson moves out of range and Lau only half commits.
Lau throws a sloppy head kick and Iverson moves out of range easily.
Johnny Lau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Iverson looking to score a takedown here. Lau is defending well but Iverson drives through and ends up in Lau's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Lau wants to stand but Iverson is controlling the position.
Lau is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Iverson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lau swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Iverson throwing strikes from guard but Lau blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lau trying to control the position.

Iverson stands up from Lau's guard - Iverson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Iverson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Iverson checks a leg kick.
Iverson avoids the head kick by Lau.

Iverson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Iverson trying to control the action but Lau is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lau is looking to control Iverson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lau avoid being mounted?
Iverson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Iverson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Iverson clobbers Lau with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Iverson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lau wants to improve his position but Iverson is controlling well.

Iverson stands up and beckons Lau to join him on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Lau.
Iverson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lau can pounce on him.
Iverson cracks a nice hook into Lau's ribs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Iverson breaks from the clinch.
Lau tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Iverson is able to avoid easily.
Iverson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lau tries a head kick but it misses.
Iverson is looking to clinch but Lau is avoiding it.
Decent striking displayed by Iverson there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Iverson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Lau thumps Iverson with a low kick.
Lau stuffs the takedown.
Lau misses with a head kick.

Iverson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
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!
Iverson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lau keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lau avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Iverson.
Iverson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lau's head.
Lau keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lau on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Iverson stands up and beckons Lau to join him on the feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Iverson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lau paws at him with a jab and circles away.
That kick from Lau tenderised Iverson's leg. Iverson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lau buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Iverson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lau throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Iverson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Iverson throws a chopping leg kick but Lau manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lau throws a sloppy head kick and Iverson moves out of range easily.
Iverson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lau goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Dave Iverson has been cut.

Iverson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lau sprawls well initially but Iverson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dave Iverson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Iverson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
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!
Iverson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lau's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lau is looking for a sweep. Iverson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Iverson thows a huge punch but Lau dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Iverson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Iverson thows a huge punch but Lau dodges it nicely.
Iverson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lau defending well though.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lau can do anything to dispel that myth.
Iverson drops an elbow to the side of Lau's head.
Iverson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Iverson trying to control the action but Lau is working from the bottom.
Iverson sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lau avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Iverson.
Iverson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Iverson trying to control from half guard but Lau is working away.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Dave Iverson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Iverson shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lau eats them both and turns towards Iverson to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Iverson cracks Lau with a good jab.
Lau is looking to slow Iverson down with leg kicks.
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!

Iverson rushes Lau and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Iverson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Lau lands a big head kick that sends Iverson tumbling to the mat! Lau takes a step backwards and waves Iverson back to his feet - he wants the finish!
A looping hook to the body misses from Iverson. Lau does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lau motions for Iverson to come forward. Lau throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A jab from Lau misses.
Iverson looks to land a combination. Lau sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Iverson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lau momentarily.

Lau lands a big head kick that sends Iverson tumbling to the mat! Lau takes a step backwards and waves Iverson back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Iverson is rocked!
Dave Iverson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lau throws a head kick that misses.
Oh Iverson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Lau gets caught napping as Iverson dives in and scores a takedown. Lau manages to retain guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Iverson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lau avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Iverson seems to have got his legs back now.

Iverson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Iverson trying to control but Lau is working from the bottom.
Lau tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lau being controlled here, momentarily.
Iverson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Iverson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Iverson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lau controls Iverson momentarily but Iverson frees himself.

Iverson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lau, up you get!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lau throws a head kick that misses.
Iverson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Johnny Lau will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Dave Iverson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Iverson blocks a head kick by Lau.

Iverson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lau quickly recovers to half guard.

Iverson postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Lau to stand up.
Lau fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Iverson.
Lau tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Iverson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Dave Iverson's cut is getting worse.

Iverson clinches with his opponent.
Lau wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Lau's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lau chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Iverson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Iverson winds up and cracks Lau with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lau takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Iverson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iverson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Iverson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Iverson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Iverson drops an elbow to the side of Lau's head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Iverson lands a nice short elbow.
Iverson is trying to control. Lau wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ground and pound from Iverson.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Iverson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lau doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Iverson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Iverson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lau does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Iverson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Iverson not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Iverson stands up from half guard.

Iverson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lau quickly recovers to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iverson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Iverson working over Lau with some ground and pound. Lau looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lau keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lau trying to hold on to Iverson's head to control him but Iverson postures up.
Lau on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Lau really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Iverson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Lau actively working from the bottom here.
Iverson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Iverson slips a nice elbow through Lau's hands, connecting with Lau's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iverson is trying to control. Lau wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Iverson seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Lau is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Dave Iverson!
Dave Iverson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.