PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Lawrence (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robb Spewak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lawrence kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Overture. Spewak has chosen The German National Anthem as his entrance music. Robb Spewak struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.7lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Robb Spewak has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lawrence
vs
Spewak

177 cm
28
182 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

180 cm
30
186 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcus Lawrence!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robb Spewak!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Paulo Santos and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Spewak. No joy for Lawrence on that attempt.

Lawrence fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Spewak to the ground. Lawrence is now in Spewak's guard.
Spewak tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Spewak has his hands on Lawrence's head, controlling the position.

Spewak is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lawrence defends well.

Spewak has his foot on Lawrence's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lawrence works his way back into a safe position though.

Spewak isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Lawrence stacks Spewak 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!
Lawrence in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawrence looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Lawrence goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Spewak has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Lawrence but great work by Spewak.
Lawrence regains half guard.
Spewak prevents Lawrence from standing back up.
Lawrence works his way to full guard. Good work.
Spewak wants to control from the top but Lawrence keeps moving.
Spewak must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lawrence looking to hit a scissor sweep but Spewak is one step ahead there.
Spewak trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Lawrence looking for a guillotine here but Spewak defends easily.

Lawrence working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Spewak doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Spewak manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Spewak trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawrence is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spewak is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spewak preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Spewak gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lawrence avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lawrence throws his legs up looking for a submission but Spewak uses it to pass to side control.

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

Spewak tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Lawrence is looking to reverse the position.
Lawrence is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence trying to control here.
Spewak working the head and body with strikes.
Lawrence slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Lawrence bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Spewak's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lawrence looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spewak is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Spewak is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lawrence's half guard.
Spewak wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lawrence keeps working.
Lawrence trying to control but Spewak postures up.

Spewak is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lawrence sees it coming and defends easily.
Lawrence manages to get to full guard.
Spewak trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lawrence trying to keep a closed guard but Spewak is proving a slippery customer.
Marcus Lawrence overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Lawrence is looking for a triangle but Spewak pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spewak content to stall in guard here.
Lawrence keeping moving, preventing Spewak from controlling successfully.

Lawrence is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Spewak defends well.
Spewak wants to control from the top but Lawrence keeps moving.
Spewak stopping the sweep attempt from Lawrence.
Spewak trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Robb Spewak wasn't active enough on the ground.
A combination from Lawrence does no damage.
Lawrence tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Spewak swivels and escapes.
Spewak jabs Lawrence to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Spewak gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
You can see the frustration on Lawrence's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Spewak tries for a kimura but Lawrence is defending well.
Lawrence sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spewak is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lawrence defends it well.

Lawrence is defending against the submission attempts here by Spewak.
Lawrence regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lawrence wants to sweep but no luck.

Lawrence is looking for a triangle but Spewak pushes his legs off easily.
Spewak pushes down on Lawrence's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Spewak is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence wants to improve his position but Spewak is controlling well.
Lawrence wants to get back to his feet.
Lawrence tries to get to full guard but Spewak has control of the leg.

Spewak is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Spewak is working for a kimura but Lawrence is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robb Spewak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Lawrence's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lawrence.
Lawrence fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lawrence throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spewak's waist but Spewak gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lawrence off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcus Lawrence. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Spewak is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lawrence's half guard.
Lawrence moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lawrence keeping moving, preventing Spewak from controlling successfully.
Spewak looking to sit in guard and control but Lawrence gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spewak looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Lawrence passes into side control.
Spewak can't do much from the bottom here.
Lawrence working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Lawrence tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Lawrence grinds an elbow into Spewak's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence tries for a kimura but Spewak is defending well.
Spewak is trying to control Lawrence's posture but Lawrence avoids it.
An elbow from Lawrence crashes against the mat.

Lawrence thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spewak tries to escape but Lawrence is in control.
You can see the frustration on Spewak's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Lawrence looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Spewak tries to buck Lawrence off but Lawrence is having none of it.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence tries to advance to mount but Spewak denies him.
Spewak manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Lawrence is trying to get back to full guard.
Spewak is pressing down on Lawrence's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lawrence is holding on for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lawrence gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Lawrence clearly takes that round.
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.

Spewak shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Spewak was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Lawrence keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lawrence wants to control but Spewak is having none of it.
Lawrence is trying to escape the mount.
Lawrence tries to hold on but Spewak postures up.
Spewak lands a nice shot to the head.
Spewak tries to control but Lawrence wriggling away.
Lawrence is trying to stand up.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spewak is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Lawrence can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Lawrence slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Spewak is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lawrence sees it coming and defends easily.

Lawrence is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Spewak pulls his head out easily.
Lawrence is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Spewak's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Spewak's back!

Lawrence has got his arm under Spewak's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Spewak has spun round into Lawrence's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Lawrence keeping moving, preventing Spewak from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spewak has gone for a leg lock! Lawrence slips out almost immediately though and dives into Spewak's guard.

Spewak looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Lawrence passes into half guard.

Lawrence is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Spewak is just riding it out for now. Lawrence eventually gives up the hold.
Lawrence working over Spewak with some ground and pound. Spewak looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Lawrence is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Lawrence is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Spewak still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Spewak has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Lawrence is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Lawrence wants to get back to full guard.
Spewak is thwarting Lawrence's attempts to control the position.
Lawrence is looking to improve his position.

Spewak is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spewak keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Lawrence had his way with Robb Spewak in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Spewak shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Spewak was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Spewak misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Lawrence tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Spewak is working for a guillotine from mount but Lawrence frees his head quite easily.

Spewak jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Lawrence is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Lawrence and Spewak has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Lawrence sneaks back into half guard.

Spewak 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.
Spewak is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Lawrence manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawrence is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Lawrence looking for subs off his back but Spewak has passed one foot through into half guard.
Lawrence works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spewak controlling from the top position.

Spewak avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Spewak stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lawrence swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Lawrence looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lawrence is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Lawrence thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spewak manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Spewak drives through with a takedown into guard.
Lawrence working a defensive guard here.
Lawrence manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Lawrence scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Spewak?
Robb Spewak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lawrence lands a big shot there that rocks Spewak but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Lawrence is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Spewak has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Spewak!
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 pulls Spewak in close to his closed guard and prevents Spewak from doing any damage or advancing position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spewak passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Spewak wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lawrence, who protects the arm well.
Lawrence sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lawrence is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lawrence slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

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 Marcus Lawrence.
I think Lawrence 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 49:46
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 49:46
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Lawrence!
Marcus Lawrence retains his welterweight title!