PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Verney Lapierre (ranked 2344 p4p, 4735 weight class) and Jack Lawson (ranked 308 p4p, 478 weight class). Lapierre comes to the cage accompanied by Sugar. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Lapierre
vs
Lawson

156 cm
24
142
9 - 4 - 0

180 cm
29
185
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Verney Lapierre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Lawson!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Lapierre is trying to trip Lawson. He has hold of a leg but Lawson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Lapierre persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Lapierre thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Lapierre trying to control but Lawson is working from the bottom.
Lapierre postures up.

Lawson is looking for a triangle but Lapierre pushes his legs off easily.
Lawson keeping moving, preventing Lapierre from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lawson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Lapierre drops back looking for a leg! Lawson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lawson manages to kick Lapierre off! Lapierre jumps back into Lawson's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lapierre doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lapierre manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lawson keeping moving, preventing Lapierre from controlling successfully.
Lapierre sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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.

Lapierre drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Lawson dives on top into guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Lapierre is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lawson is aware though and is defending well.

Lapierre has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Lawson is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Lapierre.

Lawson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lapierre knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Lapierre can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lapierre has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lapierre is looking for a sweep.
Lapierre wants to control but Lawson postures up.
Lapierre tries to improve position but can't.

Lawson has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Lapierre is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Lawson yanks on the arm and Lapierre is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Lawson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jack Lawson!