PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tyron Lawler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gal Thommer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Lawler
vs
Thommer

182 cm
30
173 lbs
5 - 10 - 0

182 cm
20
182 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tyron Lawler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gal Thommer!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thommer dives in and grabs Lawler's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lawler pushes down on Thommer's head and hops out.
Lawler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thommer.
Thommer 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.
Lawler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thommer cracks Lawler with a right hand to the side of the head.
Thommer shoots in for a double leg but Lawler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lawler takes a swing at Thommer's ribcage but misses.
Thommer walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lawler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tyron Lawler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gal Thommer.
Thommer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Thommer enables Lawler to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Thommer manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Lawler working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Lawler chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Thommer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lawler doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lawler manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lawler with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawler's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lawler's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Lawler throws a big right hand that misses.
Lawler postures up.
Lawler is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Lawler missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lawler slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Lawler in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lawler preventing the sweep.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Thommer wants to clinch up but Lawler keeps it at a distance.
Lawler feinted with a counter takedown.
Lawler tries to bum rush Thommer with a series of wild strikes but Thommer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Thommer tries to sprawl but Lawler drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Lawler landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Thommer is trying to control but can't.
Lawler looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thommer tries to roll over but Lawler keeps him under control.
Lawler has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Lawler has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lawler landing strikes, looking to finish!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawler tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Thommer is wriggling around trying to escape.
Lawler lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Lawler looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Lawler wants to control but instead Thommer manages to regain half guard.
Lawler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thommer keeps working.
Lawler looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawler is taking a breather. Thommer says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Thommer has hold of Lawler's hands but Lawler slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Thommer is trying to get back to full guard.
Thommer keeps trying to improve his position.
Lawler perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lawler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thommer tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lawler defends well and Thommer ends up having to push Lawler into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lawler looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lawler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thommer manages to avoid it.
Thommer moves in looking to clinch but Lawler pushes him off.
Thommer shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Lawler displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thommer throws out the jab.

Lawler scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Lawler looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Thommer is trying to control but can't.
Lawler content to control rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thommer is not content to let Lawler control the position.
Still in half guard, Lawler seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawler stands up and beckons Thommer to join him on the feet.

Lawler looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Lawler lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lawler keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Thommer's head.

Thommer is rocked!
Lawler working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Thommer is still in real trouble! Can Lawler finish him?
Lawler gets to his feet and stands over Thommer, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Thommer felt that one! Lawler unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Thommer from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tyron Lawler!