PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Barney Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lars Thunstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lee comes to the cage accompanied by On To The Next One. The crowd seem to be enjoying Thunstrom's choice of entrance music: Prodigy - Spitfire. Lars Thunstrom has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Barney Lee's chin.

Lee
vs
Thunstrom

182 cm
29
170 lbs
23 - 13 - 1

160 cm
31
165 lbs
20 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Legion of Pain Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Barney Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lars Thunstrom!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Illya Tyunina and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thunstrom moves away from the strike by Lee.
Lee throws out a loose jab but Thunstrom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thunstrom steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lee.
Lee jabs Thunstrom right on the nose. Thunstrom blinks but takes it well.
Lee throws a low kick but it's checked well by Thunstrom.
Thunstrom looks to throw the jab but Lee is out of range.

Lee tries to sprawl but Thunstrom drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Thunstrom is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Thunstrom is trying to work for a kimura but Lee is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thunstrom trying to mount his opponent but Lee defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee works his way to full guard. Good work.
Thunstrom forces his way into half guard.
Lee is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Thunstrom tries to pass to full mount but Lee defends it.
Lee manages to get to full guard.
Lee keeping full guard, as Thunstrom tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lee pulls Thunstrom in close to his closed guard and prevents Thunstrom from doing any damage or advancing position.
Thunstrom works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Thunstrom is pressing down on Lee's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lee is holding on for now.
Lee trying to hold on to Thunstrom's head to control him but Thunstrom postures up.

Thunstrom is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lee sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thunstrom looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Thunstrom is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Thunstrom wants to work for an arm triangle but Lee is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Lee slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Thunstrom won't allow Lee to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lee is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Lee with the ground and pound but Thunstrom uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Thunstrom has a closed guard, preventing Lee from standing up.

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

Lee decides to stand back up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lee connects with a jab.
Thunstrom shoots in looking for a takedown. Lee tries to sprawl out of it but Thunstrom keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lee manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
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 Barney Lee will probably get the nod.
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.

Nice shot lands for Lee.
Lee connects with a high kick.
Thunstrom comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lee throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Thunstrom throws the left hand but Lee avoids the punch easily.
Thunstrom takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Thunstrom misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thunstrom throws a jab but it's blocked by Lee.

Lee moves into the clinch successfully.
Lee tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thunstrom avoids it.
Lee blocks an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Thunstrom.
Lee misses with a punch to the body.
Lee misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thunstrom lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunstrom swings wildly with an uppercut but Lee uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thunstrom has a couple of punches blocked by Lee.
Lee takes a shot to the head.
Thunstrom is leaning against Lee and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Lee misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lee struggles to land a body shot inside as Thunstrom controls his hands.
Thunstrom lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Thunstrom wants to get back to striking at distance but Lee won't allow it.
Thunstrom lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Good body shot from Lee.
Lee tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thunstrom misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thunstrom scores with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lee tries a body shot but Thunstrom blocks it.
Thunstrom misses with a punch on the inside.
Thunstrom lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee tries to work over Thunstrom's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Thunstrom pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thunstrom throws a body punch but Lee moves out of range.
Thunstrom fails with a takedown attempt.
Lee throws a sloppy head kick and Thunstrom moves out of range easily.
A swing and a miss from Thunstrom.
Thunstrom throws a series of punches but Lee avoids them all with ease.
Thunstrom throws a hook but Lee avoids it easily.
Lee scores with a jab to the head.
Barney Lee is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thunstrom misses with a double jab.
Thunstrom looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Thunstrom.
Barney Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lars Thunstrom.
Lee throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Lee throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lee closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Thunstrom throws a hook but Lee blocks it.
Lee tries to close the distance and clinch but Thunstrom swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lee throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice uppercut lands for Lee. That snapped Thunstrom's head back.
Thunstrom is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Lee is looking to clinch but Thunstrom is avoiding it.
Thunstrom shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lee defends it nicely.
Thunstrom fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lee manages to avoid it.
Lee moves away from the strike by Thunstrom.
Thunstrom swats away the attempt to clinch by Lee.
Lee tries to clinch there but Thunstrom circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Thunstrom shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lee as he jumps to the side.
Lee looks to throw the jab but Thunstrom is out of range.

Thunstrom closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lee did well to prevent Thunstrom getting side control.
Lee wants to control but Thunstrom is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thunstrom tries to pass to full mount but Lee defends it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Thunstrom is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lee is just riding it out for now. Thunstrom eventually gives up the hold.
Thunstrom looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lars Thunstrom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Thunstrom closes the distance and clinches up with Lee, looking for a takedown. Thunstrom pushes Lee against the cage but Lee circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Thunstrom throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lee sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Lee gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Lee throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Thunstrom misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thunstrom working aggressively here.
Thunstrom swings wildly with an uppercut but Lee uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thunstrom is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lee to keep the fight standing.
Lee struggles to land a body shot inside as Thunstrom controls his hands.
Lee misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lee lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Thunstrom misses with some punches.
Lee lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Thunstrom.
Lee tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thunstrom blocks a body shot from Lee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee takes a shot to the head.
Lee can't find room to land a body shot as Thunstrom controls the action.
Thunstrom on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Thunstrom misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thunstrom lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Thunstrom swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lee blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Thunstrom misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thunstrom struggles to land a body shot inside as Lee controls his hands.
Thunstrom prevents a body shot from Lee.
Lee tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Thunstrom avoids it.
Thunstrom trying to stall but Lee improves his position.
A short right from Thunstrom.
Thunstrom lands a hook that snaps the head of Lee backwards.

Thunstrom drags the fight down to the ground.
Lee tries to stand but Thunstrom is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Thunstrom looking for a guillotine here but Lee defends easily.

Lee got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thunstrom has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lee has managed to get both his arms back between Thunstrom's legs - danger averted.

Lee decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Thunstrom, up you get!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom misses with the combination.

Thunstrom fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lee sprawls well initially but Thunstrom persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Lee trying to control but Thunstrom postures up.
Thunstrom is pressing down on Lee's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lee is holding on for now.

Thunstrom is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lee has managed to free his arm - good work.
Lars Thunstrom has got the better of the ground game so far.

Thunstrom is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lee is just riding it out for now. Thunstrom eventually gives up the hold.
Lee manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thunstrom works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Lee trying to hold on to Thunstrom's head to control him but Thunstrom postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Lars Thunstrom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thunstrom 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lars Thunstrom!
Our winner, Lars Thunstrom, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.