PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raif Severence (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Lawal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lawal comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Chocolate Salty Balls kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Jon Lawal will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Severence
vs
Lawal

170 cm
24
185 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

185 cm
19
201 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raif Severence!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jon Lawal!
The judges for this bout are , and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Severence, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lawal digs a good hook to Severence's body.
Lawal scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Severence takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
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!
Lawal scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Severence is breathing heavily.

Lawal throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Severence tumbling to the canvas!
Severence has a closed guard, preventing Lawal from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lawal is looking to work some ground and pound but Severence has wrist control.

Severence looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lawal must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Severence looking for a sweep. Not yet Severence, not yet.
Lawal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Severence avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lawal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lawal really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Severence. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Lawal lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lawal is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Lawal bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Severence! He dives into his guard looking to finish!

Severence is rocked!
Lawal trying to stand up but can't free himself from Severence's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawal is looking to work some ground and pound but Severence has wrist control.
Lawal scoring with some ground and pound.
Lawal wants to stand but Severence is controlling his posture from full guard.
Lawal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawal is looking to stand up but Severence won't let him.
Lawal in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lawal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Severence works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Severence throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lawal in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Severence is trying to control the position but Lawal postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lawal changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lawal lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Lawal connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lawal lands with a cross.
Lawal lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Lawal scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jab, jab by Lawal - just one landing.
Lawal throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Severence stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Severence is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Lawal 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.
Lawal scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Severence walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lawal lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Some wild striking there from Lawal.
Severence takes a swing at Lawal's ribcage but misses.
Lawal scores with a jab. Severence acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Lawal connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Severence's hands.
Jon Lawal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawal connects with a right hand. Severence shakes it off.
Severence swings for the body but Lawal moves out of range.
Lawal scores with the left hand. Severence knows he should have avoided that one.
Lawal takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Severence takes one to the side of the head.
Severence has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Lawal with a jab.
Lawal moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lawal scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Severence doesn't seem bothered though.
Lawal lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Lawal closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Severence has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Lawal bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Severence's head backwards.
Lawal displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Lawal moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Jon Lawal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Severence scores with a kick to the body.
Lawal thuds a left hand into Severence's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Lawal catches Severence right on the button with a cross.
Severence gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lawal misses with a looping right.
Severence throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lawal is working the combinations to good effect here.
Lawal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lawal wants it to stay on the feet.
Severence takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lawal connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Severence's hands.
Severence throws a nice looking combination but Lawal bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Danga de danga de dang - Lawal scores with a four punch combination!
Lawal throws a one two combo.
Lawal takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lawal fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lawal looks to throw the jab but Severence is out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Severence drops his hands momentarily and Lawal takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lawal.
Severence tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lawal lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Lawal dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Severence throws the kick towards the body but Lawal avoids it.
Severence slips a jab from Lawal.
Severence throws a head kick that misses.
Lawal fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Severence on the side of the head.
Lawal smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Severence takes a jab right on the kisser.
Lawal lands a right hook to the body.
Lawal cracks Severence with a right hand to the side of the head.
Severence tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice cross by Lawal.
Lawal connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Severence momentarily.
Raif Severence is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lawal.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawal throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Severence stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Severence moves forwards but Lawal connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Lawal throws a jab but it's blocked by Severence.
Lawal scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Severence has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lawal finds it's way round the side to connect with Severence's head.
No joy there for Lawal, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawal avoids the head kick by Severence.
Lawal jabs at Severence's body.
Severence has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Severence there as he acknowledges the shot.
Severence wants to land a leg kick but Lawal is out of range.
Lawal throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Severence misses with a low kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lawal.
No luck for Severence with that takedown attempt.
Severence has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Severence there as he acknowledges the shot.
Lawal rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Severence moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Severence's corner calls for a 1-2. Severence obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Lawal connects with a single shot there.
Jon Lawal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Severence.
Severence looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A head kick misses from Severence.
Severence misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lawal.
Lawal displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Severence throws out the jab.
Lawal fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Severence looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Lawal.
Lawal connects with a single shot there.
Severence shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lawal scores with a jab. Severence acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Severence throws the left hand but Lawal avoids the punch easily.
Lawal fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Severence on the side of the head.
Severence throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lawal moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Severence throws a sloppy head kick and Lawal moves out of range easily.
Lawal has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Severence walks into a stiff left hand from Lawal.
Lawal lands with an overhand left.
A right-left combo lands from Lawal.
A nice combination there by Lawal.
Severence ducks under a wild hook from Lawal.
Severence throws a series of punches but Lawal avoids them all with ease.
Lawal throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Lawal.
Severence misses with a head kick.
Lawal bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Severence's head.
Lawal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Severence has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lawal finds it's way round the side to connect with Severence's head.
Severence moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lawal misses with a series of wild punches.
Severence takes one to the chin there.
Severence walks into a stiff left hand from Lawal.
Severence looks to land a combination but Lawal avoids it well.
A nice combination there by Lawal.
Some wild striking there from Lawal.
Severence swinging wildly here.
Lawal blocks a head kick by Severence.
Lawal swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Severence.
Severence slips a jab and a cross from Lawal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
A shot to de liver by Severence. Beautiful body shot.
Lawal works over Severence's head and body with a nice combination.
A jab from Lawal misses.
Severence is looking to wear down Lawal with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Severence tries to bum rush Lawal with a series of wild strikes but Lawal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Severence throws a wild body kick that Lawal sees coming a mile off.
Severence takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Lawal lands an overhand right.
Jab by Lawal.
Severence throws a low kick, looking for Lawal's leg but Lawal calmly moves out of range.
Lawal moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lawal connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A solid leg kick lands there for Severence.
Lawal getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Severence throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lawal scores with a crisp jab that stopped Severence in his tracks.
Lawal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lawal misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Lawal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Severence shoots in and drives through. Lawal sprawls well.
Severence goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Severence throws and low kick but Lawal moves out of range easily.
Donk. Lawal catches Severence right on the button with a cross.
Lawal stalks Severence and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Severence's face. Severence staggers backwards, shaken.
Lawal lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Lawal comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Severence takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A swing and a miss from Lawal.

Severence clinches up against the cage.
Lawal is trying to break free.
Severence wants a takedown but no success here.

Severence breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Severence tries to move into range but Lawal moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Some wild striking there from Lawal.
Severence tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Severence throws a leg kick but Lawal sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawal throws a good cross that connects.
Severence tries to move into range but Lawal moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Lawal moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lawal jabs at Severence's body.
Severence throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Lawal's head.
Severence ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lawal moves away.
Lawal works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Severence takes the fight into the clinch.
Lawal can't break the clinch.
Lawal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lawal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Severence pulls guard successfully.
Severence 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.

Severence is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lawal is aware though and is defending well.
Severence is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lawal stops Severence from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Severence working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lawal.
Severence controls Lawal momentarily but Lawal frees himself.
Lawal won't allow Severence to get back to his feet.
Lawal throwing strikes but missing.

Severence is looking for a triangle but Lawal pushes his legs off easily.
Raif Severence has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Severence throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lawal scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lawal.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawal swinging wildly here.
Severence takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawal cracks Severence with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Lawal pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Lawal stuffs the takedown attempt from Severence. Severence gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raif Severence. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lawal.
Severence moves in looking to clinch but Lawal pushes him off.
Severence looks to land a body kick but Lawal moved away.
Severence takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lawal scores with a three punch combo!
Lawal lands a nice shot to the body.
Lawal cracks Severence with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Lawal works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lawal lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Danga de danga de dang - Lawal scores with a four punch combination!
Lawal lands an overhand right.
Lawal wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lawal throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Lawal. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lawal.
Lawal throws a jab but it's blocked by Severence.
Severence takes a jab right on the kisser.
Lawal jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Severence misses with a few strikes there.
Severence takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Lawal cracks Severence with an open hand slap.
Severence looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lawal connects with a single shot there.
Severence defending well as Lawal loads up on a big left hand.
Lawal pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Severence misses with a few strikes there.
Lawal closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A swing and a miss from Severence.
Severence looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lawal jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lawal catches Severence with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Lawal staying out of range there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jon Lawal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lawal winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Suge Night scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Lawal!