PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Lawler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Rogers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Lawler might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Tom Petty- I Wont Back Down. Sam Rogers told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Lawler
vs
Rogers

182 cm
27
175 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

183 cm
28
177 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricky Lawler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Sam Rogers!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Cecil Peabody and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lawler throws a combination that misses
and Rogers counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Ricky Lawler has been cut.
Lawler tries to clinch there but Rogers circles away.
Rogers slips under a jab from Lawler.
Rogers has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Rogers gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lawler counters with an inside leg kick.
Lawler takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Rogers shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lawler napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rogers sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Lawler is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
An elbow from Rogers crashes against the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lawler is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rogers has an Americana. Lawler didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Rogers is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Rogers hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Sam Rogers!
In his post fight interview, Sam Rogers started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.