PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Virgil Van Dijk (ranked 916 p4p, 128 weight class) and Johnny Lawrence (ranked 350 p4p, 47 weight class). Lawrence comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Sweep the Leg kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Van Dijk
vs
Lawrence

184 cm
27
184 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

185 cm
27
175 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Woodhouse's

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Virgil Van Dijk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Johnny Lawrence!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lawrence.
Lawrence 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.

Van Dijk drives through and clinches with Lawrence against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Lawrence fails to land.
Van Dijk misses with a body punch.
Lawrence tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lawrence lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A head punch on the inside from Lawrence fails to land.
Van Dijk blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Van Dijk tries a body shot but Lawrence blocks it.
Lawrence tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lawrence tries to throw a body punch but Van Dijk avoids it by throwing Lawrence back against the cage.
Van Dijk blocks an uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Lawrence's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lawrence misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lawrence manages to break the clinch.
Van Dijk looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Van Dijk bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Van Dijk tries to land a body kick
and Van Dijk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lawrence smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Lawrence avoids the head kick by Van Dijk.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Van Dijk throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lawrence blocks the body kick.
Lawrence fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Van Dijk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lawrence let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Lawrence lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lawrence.
Van Dijk misses with the body kick
and Lawrence counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lawrence lands a really nice looking cross but Van Dijk seems unphased.
Lawrence wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
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!
Van Dijk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Van Dijk throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lawrence displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Van Dijk throws a hook but Lawrence avoids it easily.
Lawrence misses with a head kick.
Van Dijk tries a head kick but it misses.
Lawrence works Van Dijk's body with a nice hook.
A good leg kick by Lawrence.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence throws a hook but Van Dijk avoids it easily.
Van Dijk is looking to counter with head kicks.
Lawrence finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Van Dijk fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lawrence on the side of the head.

Lawrence moves into the clinch.
Lawrence misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lawrence lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Van Dijk or not.
Van Dijk lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lawrence backwards.
Van Dijk misses with some punches.
Van Dijk lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Van Dijk misses with a body punch.
Van Dijk can't find room to land a body shot as Lawrence controls the action.
Van Dijk tries to throw a body punch but Lawrence avoids it by throwing Van Dijk back against the cage.

Van Dijk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lawrence goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Johnny Lawrence is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed right hand from Van Dijk misses the target.
Lawrence looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lawrence takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Van Dijk tries to land a front kick but Lawrence steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Dijk darts in and clinches Lawrence up against the cage.
Van Dijk tries to score a body lock takedown but Lawrence shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Lawrence creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Van Dijk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lawrence blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lawrence misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lawrence tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lawrence is leaning against Van Dijk and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Lawrence avoids the elbow strike from Van Dijk, against the cage.
A short right from Van Dijk.
Lawrence lands with a left to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lawrence.
Lawrence blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Van Dijk creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Van Dijk is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Van Dijk misses with a short punch on the inside.
Van Dijk lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lawrence or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Dijk misses with a body punch.
Van Dijk lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lawrence backwards.
A short uppercut from Lawrence.
Lawrence throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Lawrence throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Van Dijk.
Lawrence swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lawrence cracks Van Dijk with a nice body shot.
Van Dijk blocks a body shot from Lawrence.

Lawrence escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lawrence blocks a head kick by Van Dijk.
Lawrence uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Van Dijk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lawrence throws out the jab.
A little feinted left hand from Van Dijk on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lawrence lands a really nice looking cross but Van Dijk seems unphased.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lawrence jabs at Van Dijk's body.
That kick from Lawrence tenderised Van Dijk's leg. Van Dijk is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lawrence is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Van Dijk had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Van Dijk misses with a head kick.
Lawrence connects with a nice looking jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Lawrence dominated that round.
That's time! Van Dijk's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lawrence comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Lawrence.
Lawrence works Van Dijk's body with a nice hook.
Van Dijk throws the left hand but Lawrence avoids the punch easily.
Van Dijk steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lawrence.
Van Dijk connects with a jab.
Van Dijk swings away with a body shot that misses
and Lawrence counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lawrence throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Van Dijk throws the kick towards the body but Lawrence avoids it.
Lawrence appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Lawrence feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Van Dijks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Van Dijk throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Van Dijk takes a swing at Lawrence's ribcage but misses.
Van Dijk bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Van Dijk drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Lawrence pulls Van Dijk in close to his closed guard and prevents Van Dijk from doing any damage or advancing position.
Lawrence really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Van Dijk. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lawrence keeping moving, preventing Van Dijk from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lawrence wants to sweep but no luck.
Van Dijk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lawrence swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lawrence wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Van Dijk is now in half guard.
Van Dijk throwing shots but Lawrence is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Van Dijk seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lawrence does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Van Dijk thows a huge punch but Lawrence dodges it nicely.
Lawrence is pressing down on Van Dijk's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Van Dijk trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawrence is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Van Dijk trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Van Dijk wants to control from the top but Lawrence keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Van Dijk missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lawrence scores with a jab to the body.
Van Dijk goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lawrence connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Van Dijk's hands.
Van Dijk tries to bum rush Lawrence with a series of wild strikes but Lawrence uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Dijk throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lawrence jabs at Van Dijk's body.
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Van Dijk moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lawrence showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Van Dijk.
Nice defenses there by Van Dijk.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Lawrence. Van Dijk shrugs it off though.
Lawrence getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Johnny Lawrence seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Horrible takedown attempt by Van Dijk or perhaps it was just good defense by Lawrence, which made it look bad.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lawrence lands with a nice body punch.
Van Dijk shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lawrence connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lawrence tests Van Dijk's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Van Dijk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lawrence was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Dijk.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Dijk fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lawrence manages to avoid it.
Lawrence feints a counter leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawrence throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Van Dijk stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Van Dijk tries to land a body kick
and Lawrence counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lawrence punishes Van Dijk's body with a nice straight punch.
Lawrence's jab looks to have found its range, popping Van Dijk under the eye.
Lawrence stuns Van Dijk with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lawrence comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lawrence scores with a hook.
Van Dijk takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lawrence misses with a looping right.
Van Dijk tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lawrence was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Dijk.
Lawrence is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Lawrence dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnny Lawrence is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Van Dijk dodges the punch combination from Lawrence.
Lawrence lands a really nice looking cross but Van Dijk seems unphased.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A leg kick checked by Van Dijk.
Van Dijk jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Van Dijk tries to close the distance and clinch but Lawrence swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lawrence is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Lawrence scores with a nice strike.
Lawrence feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Van Dijk's calf.
Lawrence blocks the body kick.
Lawrence doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Van Dijk - that will leave a mark!
Lawrence stalks Van Dijk and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Van Dijk's face. Van Dijk staggers backwards, shaken.
Van Dijk lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lawrence misses with a double jab.
Lawrence moves out of range as Van Dijk throws a body kick.
Van Dijk throws a head kick that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Dijk swings for the body but Lawrence moves out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Van Dijk 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lawrence scores with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence scores with a body shot.
Van Dijk moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Lawrence goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jab from Lawrence.

Van Dijk is rocked!
Lawrence throws a hook to the side of Van Dijk's head but Van Dijk sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lawrence cracks a nice hook into Van Dijk's ribs.
Lawrence lands a head kick!
Oh Van Dijk is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Van Dijk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lawrence.
A nice combination there by Lawrence.
Lawrence misses with a hook.
Van Dijk ducks right into an uppercut from Lawrence.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lawrence throws an overhand right from the outside, which connects and sends Van Dijk stumbling backwards into the cage! Van Dijk bounces back off the cage towards Lawrence, who cracks him with a two punch combination that drops him to his knees! Lawrence lands two more shots before the referee has chance to intervene - what a finish! Lawrence celebrates with his corner as the crowd cheer loudly.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Johnny Lawrence!
During a confident post fight interview, Johnny Lawrence thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.