PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sir John MacDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Lawrence (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lawrence has chosen Overture as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

John MacDonald
vs
Lawrence

182 cm
25
180 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

177 cm
28
182 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sir John MacDonald!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcus Lawrence!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Thiago Cunha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacDonald is looking to clinch.
MacDonald is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
MacDonald rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lawrence moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lawrence avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
MacDonald lands a jab.
Lawrence looks to land a combination but MacDonald avoids it well.
Lawrence lands with a good body shot.
Lawrence looks for a takedown but MacDonald sprawls well.
Lawrence has a takedown stuffed.
MacDonald throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
MacDonald fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lawrence misses with a double jab
and MacDonald counters with a one-two to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lawrence just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd cheers as MacDonald lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lawrence doesn't seem phased though.

Lawrence closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into MacDonald's guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lawrence lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Lawrence postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! MacDonald is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lawrence, into his guard.

Lawrence is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

MacDonald drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and MacDonald jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lawrence wants to sweep here but MacDonald controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald content to stall in guard here.
Lawrence keeping moving, preventing MacDonald from controlling successfully.
Lawrence controls MacDonald momentarily but MacDonald frees himself.

Lawrence had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. MacDonald defends it easily.

Lawrence has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but MacDonald can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald passes Lawrence's left leg - he's now in half guard.
MacDonald wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lawrence keeps working.
Lawrence trying to get back to full guard but MacDonald takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
MacDonald wants to take Lawrence's back but he can't do it this time.

MacDonald swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Lawrence is now in MacDonald's guard. A big mistake from MacDonald there, giving up the dominant position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and MacDonald dives on top into guard.
MacDonald looking to pass the guard.

Lawrence looking for a guillotine here but MacDonald defends easily.
MacDonald throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
MacDonald preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lawrence is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sir John MacDonald dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

MacDonald throws a leg kick

so Lawrence counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Lawrence stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. MacDonald swivels though and keeps the full guard.

MacDonald is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
MacDonald tries to land a sweep but no joy.
MacDonald trying to control the position.
Lawrence stands and throws MacDonald's legs to the side, diving into side control.
MacDonald struggling a bit here.
Lawrence sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but MacDonald is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawrence goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, MacDonald has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Lawrence but great work by MacDonald.
You can see the frustration on Lawrence's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lawrence sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Lawrence is staying active underneath MacDonald, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lawrence keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Lawrence is trying to control but can't.
MacDonald is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Lawrence trying to control but MacDonald postures up.

MacDonald is looking for a kimura but Lawrence is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for MacDonald to get the leverage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is looking for a sweep. MacDonald is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

MacDonald is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lawrence sees it coming and defends easily.
MacDonald wants to take a breather but Lawrence is having none of it.
Lawrence tries to get to full guard but MacDonald has control of the leg.

MacDonald is working for a kimura but Lawrence is defending it quite comfortably.
Lawrence is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of MacDonald's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take MacDonald's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence looking to break MacDonald's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. MacDonald remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Lawrence will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
MacDonald manages to reverse the position and now he's in Lawrence's guard. Nice work there by MacDonald.

Lawrence has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. MacDonald is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Lawrence.
Lawrence wants to control but MacDonald postures up.

MacDonald stands up and beckons Lawrence to his feet.
MacDonald swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Lawrence closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Marcus Lawrence has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald manages to get to full guard.

MacDonald throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
MacDonald is trying to control the position but Lawrence postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Lawrence showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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 defenses there by Lawrence.
MacDonald misses with a double jab

and Lawrence decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in MacDonald's guard.
Lawrence postures up in MacDonald's guard and throws a big left but MacDonald blocks it.

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

Lawrence drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lawrence jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lawrence landing some decent shots from guard.
MacDonald keeping full guard, as Lawrence tries to pass.

Lawrence drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and MacDonald dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lawrence looking to hit a scissor sweep but MacDonald is one step ahead there.
MacDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
MacDonald trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.
Lawrence wants to improve his position but instead MacDonald has moved into half guard.

Lawrence looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
MacDonald is thwarting Lawrence's attempts to control the position.

That's two 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.
Lawrence tries to roll over but MacDonald keeps him under control.
Lawrence is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Lawrence slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
MacDonald controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

MacDonald drops back looking for a leg! Lawrence is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lawrence manages to kick MacDonald off! MacDonald jumps back into Lawrence's guard.
MacDonald advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and MacDonald pushes past his half guard into mount!
Lawrence is looking to get to half guard.
Lawrence sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

MacDonald is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lawrence slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Lawrence wants to sweep but no luck.

Lawrence looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.
Lawrence wants to sweep here but MacDonald controlling him for the moment.

MacDonald is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
MacDonald wanted to stand there but Lawrence had control of the position.

MacDonald avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
MacDonald advances position into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Lawrence really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

MacDonald fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
MacDonald darts in trying to clinch

so Lawrence counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Lawrence throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as MacDonald works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

MacDonald isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Lawrence stacks MacDonald on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Lawrence!
MacDonald is looking for a sweep.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Lawrence lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear MacDonald down.
MacDonald tries to buck Lawrence off but Lawrence is having none of it.
Lawrence in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawrence is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. MacDonald knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald is trying to control Lawrence's posture but Lawrence avoids it.

Lawrence thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Lawrence tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Lawrence wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by MacDonald, who protects the arm well.
Lawrence working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Lawrence.
Lawrence is working MacDonald over with some ground and pound from side control.
Lawrence connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused MacDonald some visible discomfort.
MacDonald sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Lawrence throwing shots but MacDonald is blocking nicely.
MacDonald makes his way to full guard. A much better position for MacDonald.

MacDonald working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Lawrence has passed into half guard!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lawrence connects with a nice short shot to MacDonald's temple.

Lawrence is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so MacDonald is just riding it out for now. Lawrence eventually gives up the hold.

Lawrence wants to work for an arm triangle but MacDonald is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
MacDonald gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Lawrence dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Lawrence throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around MacDonald's waist but MacDonald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lawrence off to one side.
Lawrence shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts MacDonald as he jumps to the side.
A combination from MacDonald does no damage.
MacDonald throws a body kick that misses.
Lawrence walks into a straight right hand from MacDonald.
Lawrence shoots in for a takedown but MacDonald shows good takedown defense.
Sir John MacDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Lawrence.
Lawrence looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
MacDonald throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
MacDonald misses the jab.
MacDonald lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
MacDonald scores with a nice head shot.
MacDonald feints and then cracks Lawrence's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Lawrence down.
Lawrence fails to land the takedown.
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.
MacDonald with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lawrence circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and MacDonald wants it to stay on the feet.
MacDonald lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lawrence will feel that in the morning.
Lawrence throws a jab but it's blocked by MacDonald.
MacDonald scores with a kick to the body.
Sir John MacDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MacDonald scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
MacDonald throws a nice looking combination but Lawrence bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sir John MacDonald is winning the standup battle so far.
Lawrence throws a predictable looking body shot

and MacDonald counters by clinching up.
MacDonald looking to stall.
MacDonald working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lawrence has MacDonald pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. MacDonald manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lawrence tries for a takedown. No joy.
MacDonald connects with a knee to the head.
MacDonald pressing his opponent against the ropes.

Lawrence has hold of one of MacDonald's legs. MacDonald is fighting the takedown attempt but Lawrence gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Sir John MacDonald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence looking to pass the guard.
MacDonald utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lawrence looking to pass the guard.

MacDonald looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Lawrence has picked MacDonald up and slammed him! MacDonald can't keep hold of the triangle and Lawrence manages to pass to side control!
MacDonald is working to avoid the ground and pound but Lawrence connects with a decent elbow.
Lawrence throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Lawrence advances nicely into full mount.
MacDonald is wriggling around trying to escape.
MacDonald tries to hold on but Lawrence pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence prevents MacDonald from getting the reversal.
Lawrence lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Lawrence lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Lawrence lands a nice shot to the head.

Lawrence is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But MacDonald has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from MacDonald!
MacDonald trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.

Lawrence throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lawrence keeping moving, preventing MacDonald from controlling successfully.
Marcus Lawrence is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence has control of MacDonald's left arm, preventing MacDonald from doing any damage.
Lawrence manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Lawrence working for a submission but MacDonald is keeping him at bay.
MacDonald is looking to improve his position but Lawrence isn't that keen on the idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sir John MacDonald.
I think Lawrence 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 47:48
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 47:48
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Lawrence!
Marcus Lawrence is the new welterweight champion!