PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Blackie Lawler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Redman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lawler comes to the cage accompanied by hand on the pump. Redman has chosen Sympathy for the Devil as his entrance music. Johnny Redman will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Lawler
vs
Redman

170 cm
21
140 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

186 cm
23
141 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Prefers standup

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Blackie Lawler!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johnny Redman!
The judges for this bout are , and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Redman dodges the punch combination from Lawler.
Lawler lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Lawler just misses with a punch to the body.
Lawler misses with a double jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lawler. That's going to slow Redman down.

Redman fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lawler sprawls well initially but Redman persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Redman prevents Lawler from improving his position.
Redman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Redman is looking for a kimura but Lawler is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Redman to get the leverage.

Redman is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Redman is working for a kimura but Lawler is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Redman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lawler might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Redman wants to work for an arm triangle but Lawler is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Lawler wants to control but Redman is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Redman works his way into side control.

Redman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lawler is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawler is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Redman is controlling him well.

Redman wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lawler, who protects the arm well.

Redman is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lawler knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Redman looks gassed!

Redman working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redman prevents Lawler from escaping the position.

Redman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lawler is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lawler is not content to let Redman control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Lawler struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Redman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lawler is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lawler tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Redman tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Redman has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Redman dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lawler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Redman moves away.
Redman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lawler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Redman somewhat.
A left and a right from Lawler both land. Nice combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawler misses with a body shot.
A jab from Lawler misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Redman misses with a takedown attempt - Lawler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lawler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Redman.
Lawler throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lawler connects with a right hand. Redman shakes it off.
Lawler paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Lawler fails to land with a series of punches.
Lawler lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Redman shoots in and drives through. Lawler sprawls well.
Blackie Lawler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Redman.
Lawler throws a body punch but Redman moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Redman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Lawler sprawls well. Lawler wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Redman gets slowly back to his feet.
Lawler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lawler stalks Redman and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Redman's face. Redman staggers backwards, shaken.
Lawler throws a right and a left that Redman avoids nicely.
Lawler just misses with a punch to the body.
Some wild striking there from Lawler.
Lawler comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Lawler.
The crowd cheers as Lawler lands an impressive looking overhand right. Redman doesn't seem phased though.
Lawler throws a series of punches but Redman moves out of range.
Lawler missing with a left hand there. Redman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lawler throws a right hand that Redman ducks under and follows up with a left that Redman also avoids with ease.
Lawler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A jab from Lawler misses.
Lawler misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Redman slips a jab from Lawler.
Lawler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Redman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lawler throws out the jab.
Lawler will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lawler fails to land with a series of punches.
Lawler scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lawler tries to bum rush Redman with a series of wild strikes but Redman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Lawler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blackie Lawler dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Redman checks the leg kick.
A jab from Lawler misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Lawler!
Lawler swinging wilding here.
Lawler tries to bum rush Redman with a series of wild strikes but Redman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lawler fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Redman shoots in for a double leg but Lawler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lawler misses with the combination.
Lawler is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawler misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lawler misses with the combination.
Lawler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Redman is defended easily by Lawler.
Lawler scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Blackie Lawler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lawler thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lawler slaps away a takedown attempt from Redman, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Blackie Lawler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Redman.
Lawler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lawler misses the shot to the body.
Redman changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lawler tries to avoid it but Redman manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lawler to the ground. Lawler escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Redman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Redman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lawler.
Redman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lawler.
Lawler closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawler throws a right and a left that Redman avoids nicely.
Lawler scores with a three punch combo!
Nice takedown defense from Lawler. No joy for Redman on that attempt.
Lawler throws a combination. Redman tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Lawler throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lawler misses with an uppercut. Redman saw that one coming.
Redman tries for a takedown but Lawler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lawler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Redman.
Lawler moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawler lands a lovely overhand right.
Redman ducks under a wild hook from Lawler.
Nice takedown defense from Lawler. No joy for Redman on that attempt.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Redman checks a leg kick.
Lawler swings for the body but Redman moves out of range.
Lawler displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Lawler throws a jab but it's blocked by Redman.
No joy there for Lawler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Redman ducks right into an uppercut from Lawler.
Lawler misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blackie Lawler clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lawler throws a series of punches but Redman avoids them all with ease.
Lawler misses with a body shot.
Lawler misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lawler lands a nice shot that snaps Redman's head back.
Redman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lawler.
Redman ducks right into an uppercut from Lawler.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Redman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lawler.
Blackie Lawler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lawler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Redman moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawler with a jab.
Lawler changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lawler goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Redman.
Lawler lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Lawler misses the target.
Lawler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lawler throws a series of punches but Redman avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawler misses with a few strikes there.
Redman will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Redman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Blackie Lawler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lawler looks to land a combination but Redman avoids it well.
Redman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lawler as he jumps to the side.
Blackie Lawler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Redman.
Redman avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lawler sizes up Redman with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Redman shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lawler manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Lawler knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Redman on the ground.
Redman wants to control from the top but Lawler keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lawler is keeping the position for now.
Redman prevents Lawler from getting back to his feet.

Redman thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Lawler utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Redman throwing strikes from guard but Lawler blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Redman throwing strikes but missing.
Redman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Lawler gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Redman to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Redman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Redman drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Redman jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Redman is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Lawler keeping full guard, as Redman tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Blackie Lawler will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Lawler looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Redman moves out of range of the leg kick from Lawler.
Redman walks into a straight right hand from Lawler.
Lawler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Redman.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawler throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lawler lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawler looks to score with a jab to the body but Redman is just out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Lawler there.
Lawler just misses with a punch to the body.
Lawler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lawler wants to land a leg kick but Redman is out of range.
Lawler attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lawler throws a shot to the body.
Lawler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lawler throws a right and a left that Redman avoids nicely.
Johnny Redman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lawler misses with a hook. Redman ducked under it nicely.
Lawler throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lawler looks to land a right hand but Redman moved out of range.
Lawler throws a series of punches but Redman moves out of range.
Lawler stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lawler wants it to stay on the feet.
Lawler throws a shot to the body.
Lawler lands a two punch combo.
Nice uppercut there from Lawler.
Redman has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Lawler feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Redman looking for a guillotine here but Lawler defends easily.
Redman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Redman wants to sweep but no luck.
Redman keeping moving, preventing Lawler from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Redman lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lawler!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Redman is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Lawler can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Redman wants to take Lawler's back but he can't do it this time.
Redman working Lawler over with strikes here.

Redman has control of Lawler's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Lawler regains control of the situation pretty easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blackie Lawler showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Lawler 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 49:46
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 49:46
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blackie Lawler!
Blackie Lawler retains his bantamweight title!