PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Malachi Lawrence (ranked 2074 p4p, 277 weight class) and John Fadden (ranked 4174 p4p, 463 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.

Lawrence
vs
Fadden

180 cm
21
174 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

177 cm
27
180 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Malachi Lawrence!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Fadden!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Chad Campbell and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fadden just misses with a punch to the body.
Fadden misses with a left hand
and Lawrence counters with a straight right hand.
Fadden misses with a body shot.
Lawrence misses with a series of wild punches.
Lawrence swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fadden lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Fadden 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.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fadden bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lawrence works over Fadden's head and body with a nice combination.
Lawrence goes for a double leg but Fadden avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fadden continues to drive forward.
Lawrence connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A cross from Lawrence lands.
Lawrence misses with a wild body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fadden throws a right hand that misses
and Lawrence counters with a right hand to the body.
Lawrence circles away from the clinch attempt.
A combination from Lawrence does no damage.
Lawrence lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lawrence.
Lawrence staying out of range there.

Fadden drives through and clinches with Lawrence against the cage.
Fadden throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Fadden jumps guard and drags Lawrence to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fadden looking to control.
Fadden looking for a sweep. Not yet Fadden, not yet.
We've been hearing that Lawrence has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Lawrence makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fadden controls Lawrence momentarily but Lawrence frees himself.
Fadden is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawrence is looking to control Fadden's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lawrence avoid being mounted?
Lawrence tries to get to full guard but Fadden has control of the leg.
Fadden trying to control from half guard but Lawrence is working away.
Lawrence is pressing down on Fadden's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Lawrence keeping moving, preventing Fadden from controlling successfully.
Fadden is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fadden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fadden stays in close to Lawrence's body and controls the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fadden accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fadden advances position into side control!
Lawrence is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Fadden lands with a punch from half guard.
Fadden trying to control from half guard but Lawrence is working away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Fadden might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Lawrence haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Lawrence wants to get back to full guard.
Fadden is trying to control the action in half guard but Lawrence is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence wants to control but Fadden is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lawrence makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lawrence.
Lawrence pulls Fadden in close to prevent any damage.
Fadden is stalling in the full guard.
Fadden makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lawrence not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fadden throwing strikes from guard but Lawrence blocks nicely.
Fadden trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.
Fadden 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Let's hope that Fadden has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Fadden works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Fadden works his way into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawrence is looking to reverse the position.
Fadden working away.
Lawrence is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lawrence is working hard here to advance position.
Fadden controls the position from side control.
Fadden misses with the ground and pound.
Lawrence sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Malachi Lawrence will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lawrence moves out of range of the strikes.
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fadden moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lawrence throws a right and a left that both miss.
The fighters circling - Lawrence throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fadden is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Fadden throws a nice outside leg kick.

Fadden closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Fadden decides to pull guard.
Lawrence works over Fadden with some ground and pound from guard.
Lawrence advances to half guard.
Fadden tries to get to full guard but Lawrence has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawrence is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Lawrence has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Fadden tries to hold on but Lawrence postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fadden is working to get back to half guard.
Lawrence scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Lawrence stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Fadden waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lawrence.
Lawrence seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Lawrence takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fadden is looking to clinch.
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lawrence throws out a loose jab but Fadden uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
Malachi Lawrence is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lawrence digs a good hook to Fadden's body.
Fadden keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fadden. Lawrence does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lawrence looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fadden punishes Lawrence's body with a nice straight punch.
Fadden misses with a right hand
and Lawrence counters with a straight punch 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!
Fadden swings for the body but Lawrence moves out of range.
Lawrence throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lawrence lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fadden circles away quickly and effectively.
Lawrence throws a right hand that Fadden ducks under and follows up with a left that Fadden also avoids with ease.
Fadden takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fadden tries to clinch but Lawrence moves out of range.
Lawrence moves out of range of the strikes.
Lawrence has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lawrence there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fadden bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lawrence scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fadden. Lawrence does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lawrence keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
No joy there for Lawrence, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nice defenses there by Lawrence.
Lawrence throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fadden as he avoids it easily.
Lawrence takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Fadden swings for the body but Lawrence moves out of range.
Lawrence keeps the fight on the outside.
Lawrence is looking for a counter combo.
Fadden fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lawrence manages to avoid it.
Lawrence shoots in looking for a takedown. Fadden tries to sprawl out of it but Lawrence keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fadden manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lawrence misses with an uppercut. Fadden saw that one coming.
Fadden throws a looping overhand right but Lawrence ducks down to avoid it.
Fadden throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lawrence stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lawrence throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fadden.
Fadden lands with a nice body kick.
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fadden moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Fadden gets a clinch.
Lawrence trying to stall but Fadden improves his position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lawrence.
Lawrence prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence misses with a punch on the inside.
Fadden is looking for a takedown.
Lawrence misses with some punches.
Fadden wants to take the fight to the mat but Lawrence manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Malachi Lawrence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Fadden.
Fadden tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lawrence avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fadden swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fadden leaning his opponent against the cage.
Lawrence lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lawrence tries a body shot but Fadden blocks it.

Lawrence lands a takedown into guard.
Fadden looking for a sweep. Not yet Fadden, not yet.
Fadden not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fadden keeping full guard, as Lawrence tries to pass.
Fadden working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malachi Lawrence dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A jab from Fadden misses.
Fadden throws a poor cross that misses
and Lawrence counters with a left to the body.
Fadden swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lawrence lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fadden circles away quickly and effectively.
Fadden misses with a series of wild punches.
Fadden misses with a looping right.
Fadden slips a jab and a cross from Lawrence.
Fadden looks to land a combination but Lawrence avoids it well.
Lawrence seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Lawrence misses with a series of wild punches.
Lawrence moves away from the strike by Fadden.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawrence throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fadden throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fadden tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lawrence paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fadden thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fadden jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fadden misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence looks to score with a jab to the body but Fadden is just out of range.
Lawrence circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lawrence misses with a few strikes there.
A nice side step and Fadden releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Lawrence drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Lawrence wants to control from the top but Fadden keeps moving.
Lawrence is in close to Fadden's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Fadden trying to keep a closed guard but Lawrence is proving a slippery customer.
Fadden striking off his back but it's not causing Lawrence any problems.
Lawrence works over Fadden with some ground and pound from guard.
Lawrence throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fadden is on top in guard.

Fadden with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence looking to control.
Fadden is stalling in the full guard.
Fadden won't allow Lawrence to sweep him here.
Fadden wants to control from the top but Lawrence keeps moving.
Lawrence utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fadden stays in close to Lawrence's body and controls the position.
Fadden working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lawrence looking for a sweep. Not yet Lawrence, not yet.
Fadden lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Lawrence has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fadden can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fadden slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fadden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fadden trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.
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 throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fadden is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fadden is trying to maintain the position but Lawrence is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fadden wants to improve his position but Lawrence is controlling well.
John Fadden has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lawrence is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Lawrence avoids the attempt from Fadden to control.
Lawrence working the ground and pound effectively.
Lawrence lands a couple of good shots and Fadden has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Lawrence is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Fadden is defending well though. Lawrence let's go of the attempt for now.
Malachi Lawrence overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fadden manages to reverse the position and now he's in Lawrence's guard. Nice work there by Fadden.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malachi Lawrence showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lawrence, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malachi Lawrence!