PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Walt Nightman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Lawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nightman might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Night Man. Lawson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Personality Crisis. 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.

Nightman
vs
Lawson

185 cm
21
178 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

183 cm
26
175 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Walt Nightman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Karl Lawson!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A low kick from Lawson is predictable there
letting Nightman counter with a right hand.
Karl Lawson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lawson misses with a lunging right hand
letting Nightman counter with a right hand.
A good leg kick by Nightman.
Nightman looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Lawson misses with a right hand
and Nightman counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Lawson tries to clinch up
and Nightman counters with an inside leg kick.
Lawson misses with a combination
and Nightman counters with a nice uppercut.
Lawson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nightman was well out of range. Poor timing from Lawson.
Nightman blocks a low kick nicely.
Nightman wants to slow Lawson down by chopping away at his legs.
Nice shot by Nightman.
Nightman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lawson throws a leg kick
and Nightman counters with a thumping low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nightman scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice straight punches there by Nightman. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nightman.
Lawson misses with a head kick.
Lawson misses with a body shot
and Nightman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nightman gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Lawson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nightman throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lawson.
Lawson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nightman counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nightman tries to land a front kick but Lawson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lawson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Nightman.
Lawson throws a shot from downtown. Nightman moves away and avoids it.
Nightman tests Lawson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lawson misses with a body punch
and Nightman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nightman connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lawson momentarily.
Lawson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nightman lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A low kick from Lawson is predictable there
and Nightman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nightman thumps Lawson with a low kick.
Lawson misses with the body kick
and Nightman counters with an outside leg kick.
Lawson moves in looking to clinch but Nightman pushes him off.
Nightman lands with a slapping head kick.
Lawson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lawson misses with a kick to the body
enabling Nightman to counter with a crisp jab.
Lawson misses with a shot to the body
and Nightman counters with a low kick, right behind Lawson 's knee.
Lawson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nightman rather than just go for the knockout.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nightman.
Lawson throws an overhand right that lands on Nightman's shoulder, as Nightman tries to avoid the shot.
Lawson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A head kick by Lawson misses
and Nightman counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lawson misses with a right hand
and Nightman counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nightman moves out of range of the body kick.
A swing and a miss from Nightman.
Nightman connects with a leg kick. Lawson looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nightman throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lawson tries to clinch up but Nightman circles away and keeps his distance.
Lawson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nightman.
Lawson throws a lazy body kick
and Nightman counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Lawson throws an off balance right hand
and Nightman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lawson tries to land a body kick
and Nightman counters with a stiff right hand.
Nightman throws a head kick but Lawson moves out of range.
Nightman bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Lawson's head.
Nightman buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lawson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nightman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lawson misses with a right hand
and Nightman counters with a stiff right hand.
Lawson swings widly with a right hand
and Nightman counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lawson thinking.
Nightman is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Good exchange - Nightman coming out on top.
Nightman scores with a one two! Lawson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nightman throws an off balance right hand
and Lawson counters with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nightman feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lawson's calf.
Lawson tries to clinch up
and Nightman counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nightman fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nightman fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A cross from Nightman lands.
Nightman scores with the left hand. Lawson knows he should have avoided that one.
Lawson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lawson throws a lazy body kick
and Nightman counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nightman turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nightman pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lawson gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Nightman counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lawson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nightman counters with a nice body shot.
Lawson misses with a leg kick
and Nightman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lawson scores with a push kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lawson tries a low kick but Nightman avoids it.
Lawson throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Nightman counters with a straight right hand.
Lawson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Lawson closes the distance but Nightman moves to the side
and Lawson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lawson jabs Nightman to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nightman has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lawson finds it's way round the side to connect with Nightman's head.
Lawson misses with a right hand
and Nightman counters with a stiff right hand.
Lawson connects with a leg kick. Nightman looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lawson connects with a crisp jab.
Lawson misses with a jab to the body
and Nightman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good work by Nightman as he checks the leg kick.
Lawson swings widly with a right hand
and Nightman counters with a good low kick that Lawson was not able to check.
A low kick from Lawson misses
and Nightman counters with a nice low kick that buckles Lawson's knee momentarily.
Lawson throws an off balance right hand
and Nightman counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Good leg kick by Nightman there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sloppy strikes from Nightman. Those never looked like landing.

Lawson clinches.
Nightman is working Lawson over against the cage.
Lawson misses with an elbow over the top.
Nightman tries to throw a body punch but Lawson avoids it by throwing Nightman back against the cage.

Nightman manages to break the clinch.
Nightman with a jab.
Nightman misses the shot to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Nightman as he connects with a hook.
A low kick from Lawson misses
and Nightman counters with a nice uppercut.
Nightman lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nightman lands with a kick to the temple. Lawson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lawson misses with a combination
enabling Nightman to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawson wants to clinch but Nightman slips to the side
and Nightman counters with a three punch combo that has Lawson backing up. Lawson nods at Nightman to acknowledge the strikes.
Lawson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Nightman keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nightman throws a sloppy head kick
and Lawson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lawson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Good leg kick by Nightman there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nightman lands a lovely overhand right.
Lawson misses with a body shot
and Nightman makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lawson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nightman delivers a nice body kick.
Lawson misses with a body kick.
Lawson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nightman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Walt Nightman is winning the standup battle so far.
Lawson moves in looking to clinch but Nightman pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nightman looks to land a left hand but Lawson moved out of range nicely.
Nightman moves out of range as Lawson strikes.
Nice shot lands for Lawson.
Nightman fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lawson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nightman scores with a nice right hand.
Nightman scores with a decent looking hook.
Lawson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Nightman counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lawson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nightman.
Lawson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nightman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lawson feints and then cracks Nightman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nightman down.
Lawson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nightman ducks under a wild hook from Lawson.
Lawson throws a lazy uppercut
and Nightman counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawson needs to keep his hands up - Nightman had a free shot at his head there.
Lawson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nightman on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lawson. Lawson obviously looking to wear him down.
Lawson misses with a hook.
Nightman fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nightman avoids the body shot from Lawson.
Nightman works the jab nicely.
Lawson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Nightman counters with a stiff right hand.
Nightman feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Lawson's calf.
Lawson takes a swing at Nightman's ribcage but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lawson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Lawson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lawson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Walt Nightman will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Lawson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nightman scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nightman clobbers Lawson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nightman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nightman takes a jab right on the kisser.
Lawson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nightman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lawson thumps Nightman with a low kick.
Nightman digs a good hook to Lawson's body.
Lawson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nightman cracks a nice hook into Lawson's ribs.
Lawson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nightman throws a body kick the misses
and Lawson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nightman bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for Nightman. That snapped Lawson's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson throws a lazy head kick
and Nightman counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Nightman misses the jab.
Nightman lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lawson's sensitive parts.
Lawson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lawson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nightman to score with a decent uppercut.
Lawson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nightman.
Lawson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nightman lands a two punch combo.
Nightman connects with a crisp jab.
Lawson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Nightman counters with a nice body kick.
Nightman lands with a good body shot.
Nightman wants to slow Lawson down by chopping away at his legs.
Nightman looks to score with a jab to the body but Lawson is just out of range.
Lawson throws a lazy uppercut
and Nightman counters with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Nightman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nightman slips under a jab.
Nightman getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Lawson tries to land a body kick
and Nightman counters with a stiff right hand.
A low kick from Lawson is predictable there
and Nightman counters with a nice uppercut.
Nightman looks to score with a jab to the body but Lawson is just out of range.
Lawson misses with a hook
and Nightman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nightman.
Nightman scores with a shot to the body.
A good leg kick by Nightman.
Lawson misses with a body shot.
An inside leg kick from Nightman misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nightman.
Lawson slips a straight right by Nightman.
Karl Lawson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nightman keeps the fight on the outside.
Lawson avoids the head kick by Nightman.
Nightman lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nightman misses with a body punch
and Lawson counters with a leg kick.
Nightman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nightman lands a nice looking body shot.
Lawson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nightman with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lawson blocks a head kick by Nightman.
Lawson swings for the body but Nightman moves out of range.
Nightman scores with a leg kick.
Nightman fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lawson on the side of the head.
Left hook, right uppercut from Nightman.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lawson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Lawson clinches.
Nightman swings wildly with an uppercut but Lawson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nightman lands a body punch.
Nightman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lawson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Lawson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nightman avoids the elbow strike from Lawson, against the cage.
Lawson lands a body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Nightman fails to land.
Nightman dodges an elbow strike from Lawson.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nightman creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lawson misses with a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lawson trying to land knees to the body.
Nightman avoids the elbow strike from Lawson, against the cage.
Lawson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lawson lands a good knee to the midsection. Nightman won't want to take too many of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawson throws a head punch that misses.
Nightman misses with the head strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Walt Nightman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nightman, 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Walt Nightman!