PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arn Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Muhammed Lawal (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.

Anderson
vs
Lawal

150 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 Las Vegas, Arn Anderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Muhammed Lawal!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lawal fails with the takedown
and Anderson counters with a two punch combo.
Anderson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Lawal closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lawal lands in his opponent's guard.
Anderson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Anderson tries to get out of the position.
Anderson trying to keep a closed guard but Lawal is proving a slippery customer.
Anderson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Anderson seems keen to control Lawal's posture.
Anderson wants to sweep but no luck.
Anderson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Lawal trying to control but Anderson is working from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Muhammed Lawal hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lawal looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lawal takes one to the chin there.

Lawal closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Anderson is trying to improve his position.
Lawal working the ground and pound but Anderson is defending the strikes.
Anderson is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Anderson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Anderson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Anderson is looking for a sweep.
Anderson is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawal postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Lawal looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Lawal looks gassed!
Anderson is looking for a sweep.
Anderson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Anderson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson is looking for a sweep. Lawal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Anderson is doing well to control the position and prevent Lawal from advancing to side control.
Anderson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lawal on the ground.
Anderson is looking to control Lawal's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Anderson avoid being mounted?
Anderson won't allow Lawal to pass to mount.
Lawal seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Anderson trying to control here.
Lawal has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Anderson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Anderson wants to control but Lawal is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lawal is trying to control the action in half guard but Anderson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Anderson is looking to improve his position.
Lawal trying to control the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson moves into full guard.
Anderson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Anderson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lawal chips away with some ground and pound.
Anderson looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawal stopping the sweep attempt from Anderson.
Anderson is pulling down on Lawal's head. It's preventing any offense from Lawal, at least for the moment.
Anderson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lawal manages to get himself to full guard.
Anderson tries to free his leg and advance position but Lawal is retaining full guard.
Anderson connects with a couple of short punches.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Anderson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Anderson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lawal has his feet on Anderson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Lawal falls off balance throwing a combination
and Anderson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Anderson scores with a takedown into Lawal's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arn Anderson dominated 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.

Anderson jabs Lawal right on the nose. Lawal blinks but takes it well.
Lawal doesn't manage to clinch there - Anderson circles away.
Lawal swinging wildly here.
Lawal shoots in for a double leg but Anderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A nice combination there by Anderson.
Lawal lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Anderson circles away quickly and effectively.
Anderson lunges at Lawal with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lawal's hand.

Lawal shoots in and gets a takedown into Anderson's guard.
Anderson looking for a sweep. Not yet Anderson, not yet.
Lawal is breathing heavily.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Anderson holds on and takes a little breather.
Anderson wants to sweep here but Lawal controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Anderson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Anderson working the head and body with strikes.
Arn Anderson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ground and pound from Anderson.
Anderson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Anderson working the head and body with strikes.
Anderson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Lawal on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Anderson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lawal throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Anderson lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Anderson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lawal has hold of Anderson's hands but Anderson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nice strikes from Anderson there.
Anderson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Anderson lands a nice short elbow.
Anderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Lawal is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Anderson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Anderson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Lawal has hold of Anderson's hands but Anderson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Anderson lands a nice short elbow.
Anderson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Lawal is trying to stand back up but Anderson is controlling him
Anderson is nestled in close to Lawal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lawal wants to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Anderson there.
Anderson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Anderson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Anderson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Anderson drops an elbow to the side of Lawal's head.

Lawal looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lawal taking some punishment here, with Anderson in his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Anderson lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Anderson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Anderson working the head and body with strikes.
Lawal on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Anderson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Anderson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Anderson is nestled in close to Lawal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
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. Anderson connects with a nice short shot to Lawal's temple.
Lawal is trying to maintain the position but Anderson is very close to passing his half guard.
Lawal is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Anderson scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Anderson lands with a punch from half guard.
Lawal wants to control but Anderson is keeping busy.
Anderson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lawal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arn Anderson 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. This is the final round!

Anderson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lawal backs up against the cage.
Lawal tries for a takedown but Anderson circles away easily

and Anderson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Lawal has hold of Anderson's hands but Anderson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Lawal is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Anderson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Lawal is looking to escape.
Lawal has hold of Anderson's hands but Anderson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Anderson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lawal can do to turn this around?
Anderson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lawal wants to improve his position but Anderson is controlling well.
Anderson stops Lawal from getting back to his feet.
Anderson lands with a punch from half guard.
Anderson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Anderson lands a nice short elbow.
Anderson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Lawal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice strikes from Anderson there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson lands strikes from half guard.
Ground and pound from Anderson.
Anderson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Anderson there.
Lawal is staying active underneath Anderson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Anderson working Lawal over with strikes.
Lawal missing with punches from the bottom.
Anderson working the head and body with strikes.
Anderson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Anderson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lawal missing with punches from the bottom.
Anderson working over Lawal with some ground and pound. Lawal looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Anderson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Anderson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Lawal tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Anderson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lawal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Anderson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Anderson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Anderson trying to pass the guard but Lawal defending well.
Arn Anderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lawal is looking to escape.
Anderson trying to control the action but Lawal is working from the bottom.
Lawal punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Anderson there.
Anderson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Anderson stalling.
Anderson is nestled in close to Lawal, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Anderson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lawal with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Muhammed Lawal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anderson trying to control the action but Lawal is working from the bottom.
Anderson working Lawal over with strikes.
Anderson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Anderson is keen to just control but Lawal is a slippery customer.
Anderson trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Anderson is trying to control the action in half guard but Lawal is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Anderson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Arn Anderson.
Lawal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Anderson but Anderson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lawal showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Anderson.
Muhammed Lawal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lawal gets caught flat footed, as Anderson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Anderson trying to control but Lawal is working from the bottom.
Anderson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arn Anderson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Anderson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arn Anderson!