PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Linwood Lawrence (ranked 8962 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr First (ranked 6820 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lawrence
vs
First

190 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
172 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Linwood Lawrence!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mr First !
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lawrence is on the wrong end of a nice combination from First .

First tries to keep at a distance but Lawrence has taken the fight into the clinch.

Lawrence manages to pull guard.
Lawrence wants to sweep here but First controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
First stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lawrence swivels though and keeps the full guard.
First content to stall in guard here.
First stopping the sweep attempt from Lawrence.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
First wants to get up but he can't break Lawrence's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
First must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
First is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Lawrence tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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 stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
First throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A nice combination there by First .
First punishes Lawrence's body with a nice straight punch.
Lawrence throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around First 's waist but First gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lawrence off to one side.
Lawrence changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. First tries to avoid it but Lawrence manages to keep hold of a leg and drag First to the ground. First escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
First looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
First looks to land a combination but Lawrence avoids it well.
Lawrence throws a big counter combination but First scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
First scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lawrence darts in looking for a takedown but First gets double underhooks and turns Lawrence into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Linwood Lawrence. That's going to take a lot out of him.
First scores with the left hand. Lawrence knows he should have avoided that one.
Mr First seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Lawrence.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
First misses with a wild body shot.
First scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
First missing with a left hand there. Lawrence was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
First thuds a left hand into Lawrence's body.
Lawrence uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from First .
First scores with a jab to the body.
Lawrence keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lawrence seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Lawrence takes one on the chin but seems OK.
First avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
First swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The crowd cheers as First lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lawrence doesn't seem phased though.
First throws a shot to the body.
First scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
First misses the shot to the body.
Nice uppercut there from First .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
First lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
First lands an overhand right.
First misses with a wild body shot.
Lawrence takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
First swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lawrence displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as First throws out the jab.
First moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
First swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lawrence lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
First lands a nice shot to the body.
Lawrence is on the wrong end of a nice combination from First .
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
First falls off balance throwing a combination
and Lawrence counters with a left and a right that stings First .
Mr First is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
First misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence on the wrong end of a nice jab.
First is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Lawrence had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Lawrence showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from First .
First will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
First stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and First wants it to stay on the feet.
Lawrence takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
First cracks Lawrence with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
First fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
First throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lawrence takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
First misses with a body shot
and Lawrence counters with a series of strikes. First will be more careful next time no doubt.
Lawrence is breathing heavily.
First cracks a nice hook into Lawrence's ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr First dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

First connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
First scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheers as Lawrence lands an impressive looking overhand right. First doesn't seem phased though.
Lawrence takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Lawrence needs to keep his hands up - First had a free shot at his head there.
Lawrence uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from First .
First pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
First works over Lawrence's head and body with a nice combination.
First throws a body shot but no joy.
Lawrence fails with the takedown
and First counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Linwood Lawrence is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawrence doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lawrence takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
First waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lawrence.

That's one minute gone in the round.
First stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
First throws a jab but it's blocked by Lawrence.
First throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lawrence throws a counter high kick but First was just alert enough to avoid it.
First lands a jab to the head.
Lawrence doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
First misses with a series of wild punches.
A decent looking cross lands there for First .
Lawrence keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from First .
Lawrence throws a big counter combination but First scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
First looks to land a left hand but Lawrence moved out of range nicely.
Lawrence throws a head kick but First moves out of range.
First scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lawrence throws a sloppy head kick
and First counters with a straight right hand.
First misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. First darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Mr First seems to be getting the better of the standup.
First throws a looping overhand right but Lawrence ducks down to avoid it.
First scores with a hook to the body. Lawrence takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
First lands with a cross.
Lawrence shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has First pinned against the cage. First gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lawrence looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
First lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence darts in and clinches First up against the cage.
First has had enough of the clinch but Lawrence keeps him there for the moment.
Lawrence is trying to drag First to the mat but First just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Linwood Lawrence. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lawrence manages to break the clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for First .
First connects with the punch.
First works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
First scores with a body shot.
Lawrence takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
First throws a hook but Lawrence avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence wants to clinch.
Lawrence throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
First leaves Lawrence with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lawrence takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right-left combo lands from First .
First fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lawrence takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
First throws a hook to the side of Lawrence's head but Lawrence sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
First has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The fighters circling - Lawrence throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr First showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

First lands with a good body shot.
Lawrence shoots in for a takedown but First shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
It seemed like First was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lawrence throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around First 's waist but First gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lawrence off to one side.
First swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lawrence on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
First throws a hook but Lawrence blocks it.
First looks to land a combination but Lawrence avoids it well.
Lawrence on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lawrence avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lawrence ducks under a wild hook from First .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
First throws a body shot but no joy.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by First .
First connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lawrence walks into a left hand.
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!
First tests Lawrence's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

First gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Lawrence to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lawrence 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.
First avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lawrence wants to control from the top but First keeps moving.
Mr First is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence's corner is telling him to maintain position.

First manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Lawrence ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Lawrence no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
First stopping the sweep attempt from Lawrence.
First really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lawrence. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
First has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Lawrence is proving hard to escape from.
First controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in First 's guard.

Lawrence loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
First is pulling down on Lawrence's head. It's preventing any offense from Lawrence, at least for the moment.
First keeping moving, preventing Lawrence from controlling successfully.
Lawrence is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because First is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Linwood Lawrence overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Lawrence gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
First uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
First punishes Lawrence's body with a nice straight punch.
Lawrence lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
First scores with a jab to the jaw.
Linwood Lawrence has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
First lands with a nice body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mr First comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got First winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 26:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr First !
Our winner, Mr First , made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.