PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Donovan Sharpe (ranked 1185 p4p, 2103 weight class) and Gabriel Lauzier (ranked 155 p4p, 254 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.

Sharpe
vs
Lauzier

182 cm
24
185
9 - 5 - 0

192 cm
25
198
10 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Uncle Rufus Clothing .Co
Sakura Style

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Donovan Sharpe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gabriel Lauzier!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Russell Pearce and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sharpe shoots in but no luck this time.
Lauzier is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sharpe.

Sharpe closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lauzier pushes Sharpe off looking to stand but Sharpe dives back in and keeps control.
Lauzier slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
We've been hearing that Sharpe has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Sharpe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sharpe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Sharpe looking to pass the guard.
Lauzier keeping moving, preventing Sharpe from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lauzier can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sharpe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sharpe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lauzier looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sharpe working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Lauzier's head.
Sharpe postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lauzier really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sharpe. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lauzier working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sharpe.
Sharpe wants to control from the top but Lauzier keeps moving.
Sharpe throwing strikes but missing.
Sharpe with a nice head shot there.
Sharpe stopping the sweep attempt from Lauzier.
Sharpe with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sharpe trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lauzier not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sharpe throws an elbow that misses. Lauzier uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sharpe's guard. Nice move by Lauzier!

Sharpe looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lauzier being controlled here momentarily.
Sharpe is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sharpe seems keen to control Lauzier's posture.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Lauzier working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharpe manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lauzier manages to get himself to full guard.

Sharpe trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sharpe throws a big elbow that misses.
Sharpe postures up in Lauzier's guard and throws a big left but Lauzier blocks it.
Sharpe throwing strikes but missing.
Lauzier preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sharpe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sharpe throwing strikes from guard but Lauzier blocks nicely.
Lauzier avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sharpe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lauzier utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sharpe throws an elbow that misses. Lauzier uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sharpe's guard. Nice move by Lauzier!

Sharpe pulls Lauzier in close to prevent any damage.
Sharpe looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sharpe is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Sharpe pushes Lauzier off and scrambles back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lauzier throws a hook to the side of Sharpe's head but Sharpe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lauzier throws a hook but Sharpe avoids it easily.
Lauzier throws a big shot that misses.
Sharpe throwing a counter right hand but Lauzier manages to avoid it.
Sharpe ducks under a wild hook from Lauzier.
Sharpe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lauzier.
Sharpe misses the jab.
Sharpe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lauzier as he avoids it easily.
Lauzier swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lauzier keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lauzier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sharpe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lauzier throws an overhand right that lands on Sharpe's shoulder, as Sharpe tries to avoid the shot.
Lauzier uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sharpe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lauzier's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sharpe under the eye.
Sharpe has his takedown stuffed
enabling Lauzier to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Donovan Sharpe. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sharpe gets a double leg takedown into Lauzier's guard.
Sharpe makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lauzier is looking to stand back up but Sharpe counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Lauzier.
Sharpe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lauzier can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharpe wants to take a breather but Lauzier is having none of it.
Sharpe trying to control the pace.
Lauzier is trying to stand back up but Sharpe is controlling him
Lauzier avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sharpe.
Lauzier keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lauzier is looking to control Sharpe's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lauzier avoid being mounted?
Sharpe prevents Lauzier from improving his position.
Sharpe misses with a head shot. Lauzier uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sharpe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lauzier works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sharpe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lauzier works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sharpe has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sharpe throws an elbow that misses. Lauzier uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sharpe's guard. Nice move by Lauzier!

Lauzier is fighting to break Sharpe's control of his arms but Sharpe is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Lauzier must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Sharpe is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Sharpe prevents Lauzier from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sharpe is looking for a takedown.
Sharpe is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sharpe has Lauzier pressed against the cage, preventing Lauzier from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sharpe is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lauzier pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sharpe tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sharpe slows down the pace here.
Lauzier is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sharpe has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lauzier avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Lauzier wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sharpe has him pressed against the cage.
Sharpe drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lauzier gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lauzier has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lauzier is trying to force a seperation but Sharpe has the dominant position.

That's four 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.
Sharpe goes for a takedown in the clinch but Lauzier prevents it.
Lauzier is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lauzier is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Sharpe has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Lauzier is trying to keep an underhook but Sharpe manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Sharpe working over Lauzier with some ground and pound. Lauzier looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lauzier wants to control but Sharpe is keeping busy.
Lauzier tries to kick Sharpe off but Sharpe keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Lauzier keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lauzier is trying to stand up here but Sharpe is controlling him well.
Sharpe is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Sharpe looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Donovan Sharpe will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sharpe is looking to clinch.
Sharpe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lauzier circles away.
Lauzier lands with a hook. Sharpe tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lauzier misses with a lunging right hand

and Sharpe moves into the clinch.
Sharpe wants a takedown but no success here.
Sharpe has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lauzier avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Donovan Sharpe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sharpe working aggressively here.
A frustrated look appears on Lauzier's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lauzier is trying to force a seperation but Sharpe has the dominant position.
Sharpe scores with a hook to the body.
Sharpe is trying to drag Lauzier to the mat but Lauzier just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sharpe is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lauzier is defending well.
Sharpe leaning his opponent against the cage.
Lauzier is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sharpe is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sharpe wants a takedown.
Sharpe is looking to take this one to the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sharpe is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Lauzier is defending well.
Sharpe has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lauzier avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sharpe drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lauzier gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lauzier has had enough of the clinch but Sharpe keeps him there for the moment.
Lauzier tries to break the clinch but Sharpe is controlling the position.
Lauzier has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sharpe is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sharpe tries a body shot but Lauzier blocks it.

That's two 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.
Sharpe misses with a punch to the body.
Lauzier stops a takedown attempt from Sharpe.

Lauzier breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lauzier throws a jab when Sharpe was well out of range.
Lauzier throws a shot from downtown. Sharpe moves away and avoids it.
An attempted straight right counter from Sharpe misses the target.
Lauzier might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Lauzier throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sharpe on the side of the head.
Lauzier misses the jab.
Sharpe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lauzier.
Gabriel Lauzier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sharpe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lauzier.
Lauzier is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sharpe.
Lauzier pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sharpe fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lauzier is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sharpe.
Sharpe misses with a takedown
and Lauzier connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sharpe on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Lauzier catches Sharpe right on the button with a cross.
Lauzier throws a poor cross that misses
and Sharpe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A big right from Lauzier misses.
Lauzier throws a jab but it's blocked by Sharpe.
Lauzier misses with a straight left.
A jab from Lauzier misses.
Sharpe defending well as Lauzier loads up on a big left hand.
Sharpe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A big right from Lauzier misses.
Lauzier waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sharpe.
Sharpe swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Lauzier gets caught flat footed, as Sharpe shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Sharpe slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sharpe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sharpe throws an elbow that misses. Lauzier uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sharpe's guard. Nice move by Lauzier!

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sharpe wants to get back to his feet but Lauzier is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gabriel Lauzier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sharpe holds on and takes a little breather.
Lauzier wants to control from the top but Sharpe keeps moving.
Donovan Sharpe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sharpe manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lauzier manages to get himself to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gabriel Lauzier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sharpe has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Donovan Sharpe!
A very excited looking Donovan Sharpe made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.