PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Henrique Azebedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Lawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Azebedo
vs
Lawson

185 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Double R Nutrients

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Henrique Azebedo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matt Lawson!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lawson is defended easily by Azebedo.
Lawson fails with the takedown.

Lawson clinches.
Azebedo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lawson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Azebedo tries to pull guard but Lawson holds him up against the cage and eventually Azebedo drops back down to his feet.
Lawson leaning his opponent against the cage.
Lawson prevents Azebedo from breaking the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawson tries to score a body lock takedown but Azebedo shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Henrique Azebedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Lawson.
Azebedo prevents the takedown attempt.
Azebedo lands an uppercut.
Lawson wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson blocks an uppercut.
Lawson stalling in the clinch but Azebedo improves position.
Azebedo tries to break free but Lawson pushes him back against the cage.

Azebedo breaks the clinch.

Lawson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Azebedo to the mat! Azebedo manages to get full guard.
Lawson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Azebedo is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawson trying to control but Azebedo is working from the bottom.
Lawson tries to free his leg and advance position but Azebedo is retaining full guard.
Lawson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Lawson is looking to work some ground and pound but Azebedo has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawson thows a big elbow that misses.

Lawson gets to his feet. Azebedo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lawson is defended easily by Azebedo.
Lawson looks gassed!
Azebedo leaves Lawson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Azebedo scores with a takedown into Lawson's guard.
Azebedo preventing the sweep.
Lawson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Azebedo looking to sit in guard and control but Lawson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Azebedo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azebedo keeping moving, preventing Lawson from controlling successfully.
Lawson pushes down on Azebedo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lawson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Azebedo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Lawson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Azebedo keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Azebedo tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Lawson has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Azebedo trying desperately to get to his feet.
BOOM! Lawson connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Lawson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Azebedo is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Lawson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Lawson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Azebedo is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Lawson is controlling him well.

Lawson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lawson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Lawson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Azebedo has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lawson trying to control the action but Azebedo is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson misses with the ground and pound.

Lawson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Lawson closes the distance and clinches.
Lawson stops a takedown attempt from Azebedo.

Lawson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Azebedo regains guard immediately.
Azebedo is wriggling around but Lawson manages to pass to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azebedo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lawson tries to pass to full mount but Azebedo defends it.
Lawson wants to control but Azebedo is keeping him busy.
Lawson passes to side control.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lawson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lawson is looking to take a break and control but Azebedo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lawson taking a breather here.

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

Lawson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lawson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Azebedo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Lawson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Azebedo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lawson fails with a takedown attempt.
Azebedo tries to clinch but Lawson moves out of range.
Azebedo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lawson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Azebedo but Azebedo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lawson dives in and grabs Azebedo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Azebedo pushes down on Lawson's head and hops out.
Henrique Azebedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Lawson.

Lawson closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azebedo tries to pull guard but Lawson won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Azebedo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lawson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Lawson clinches with his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Azebedo pulls guard effortlessly.
Lawson passes Azebedo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Lawson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Azebedo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lawson.
Lawson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Lawson landing punches.

Azebedo defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Lawson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawson is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Lawson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Azebedo is fending him off so far but Lawson persists. Nope, Azebedo circles away and we're back to standing.
Azebedo tries to clinch there but Lawson circles away.
Azebedo tries to clinch but Lawson moves away

and Lawson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Azebedo!
Lawson wants to control the pace but Azebedo is squirming around nicely.

Lawson looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Matt Lawson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Lawson looking for a guillotine from mount but Azebedo is having none of it.
Lawson wants to control the pace but Azebedo is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Lawson throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Azebedo because Lawson loaded up on that one.

Lawson quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Lawson but it's paid off an Azebedo is forced to tap! Nice work by Lawson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Matt Lawson!