PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jim Johnsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Lawrence (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lawrence has chosen Overture as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Johnsson
vs
Lawrence

175 cm
32
178 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

177 cm
31
182 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
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 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jim Johnsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcus Lawrence!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Matheus Silva and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnsson throws a combination that misses

and Lawrence counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Johnsson's guard now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Lawrence tries to free his leg and advance position but Johnsson is retaining full guard.

Johnsson looking for a guillotine here but Lawrence defends easily.
Lawrence trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lawrence throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Johnsson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lawrence preventing the sweep.
Lawrence is looking to work some ground and pound but Johnsson has wrist control.
Lawrence working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnsson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Johnsson moves into full mount! Lawrence won't be happy about that!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence is working to get back to half guard.
Johnsson controlling from the full mount.
Johnsson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Johnsson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Lawrence has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lawrence tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnsson tries to control but Lawrence wriggling away.
Lawrence is looking to improve his position but Johnsson isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Johnsson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Johnsson is landing with some decent strikes but Lawrence is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnsson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Lawrence?
Johnsson working Lawrence over with strikes here.
Lawrence regains half guard.
Johnsson trying to control the pace.
Johnsson prevents Lawrence from improving his position.

Lawrence with the active half guard here but Johnsson passes nicely into side control.
Johnsson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Lawrence to see if he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Lawrence's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Johnsson wants to control but Lawrence is keeping him busy.

Johnsson is trying to get an arm triangle but Lawrence is defending well.
Lawrence tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Johnsson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Johnsson wants to control but Lawrence is keeping him busy.
Lawrence manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is trying to control but can't.
Johnsson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lawrence is refusing to be controlled, as Johnsson sits in half guard.
Johnsson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Lawrence is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lawrence manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Johnsson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Johnsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
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!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lawrence manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Johnsson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Johnsson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Lawrence looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Lawrence is looking to advance position but Johnsson has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Johnsson controlling the position easily from mount.
Johnsson prevents Lawrence from getting the reversal.
Lawrence is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Johnsson lands a big shot there that rocks Lawrence but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Johnsson has control of Lawrence's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Lawrence regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Johnsson avoids the attempt from Lawrence to control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnsson working Lawrence over with strikes here.
Lawrence slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Lawrence actively working from the bottom here.
Lawrence blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnsson.
Johnsson trying to control the action but Lawrence is working from the bottom.
Lawrence gets full guard.
Lawrence utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lawrence tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Johnsson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Johnsson trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.
Lawrence working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnsson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Johnsson pushes down on Lawrence's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawrence is trying to control but can't.

Johnsson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lawrence defends it well.

Johnsson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lawrence is trying to stand back up but Johnsson is controlling him
Johnsson trying to control from half guard but Lawrence is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence tries to roll over but Johnsson keeps him under control.
Lawrence is trying to maintain the position but Johnsson is very close to passing his half guard.

Johnsson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lawrence doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Johnsson.
Lawrence wants to get back to full guard.
Johnsson passes into side control, despite Lawrence's attempt to control the position.

Johnsson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lawrence has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is not content to let Johnsson control the position.
Johnsson happy to just control the position for now.
Lawrence is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Johnsson off and has taken his back!
Johnsson breaks Lawrence's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Johnsson controls from within his opponent's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawrence is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Johnsson dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Johnsson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Lawrence!
Lawrence tries to lock up and control but Johnsson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Johnsson prevents Lawrence from getting the reversal.
Lawrence wants to hold on but Johnsson pushes him away.
Lawrence tries to control Johnsson's body but Johnsson pushes him off. Lawrence squirms to his side and now Johnsson has his back!
Lawrence rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Johnsson stops Lawrence from getting back to his feet.
Johnsson is nestled in close to Lawrence, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnsson is nestled in close to Lawrence, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Johnsson works his way into full mount!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lawrence bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawrence is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Johnsson is just riding it out for now. Lawrence eventually gives up the hold.
Johnsson is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnsson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Johnsson 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.

Lawrence got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lawrence has managed to get both his arms back between Johnsson's legs - danger averted.
Lawrence postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lawrence working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lawrence pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Johnsson is keeping the position for now.
Marcus Lawrence has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnsson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence preventing the sweep.
Lawrence postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lawrence throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Johnsson 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 is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnsson pulls his head out easily.
Lawrence manages to get to full guard.
Lawrence keeping moving, preventing Johnsson from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence is looking for a triangle here but Johnsson uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Johnsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lawrence keeps working.
Jim Johnsson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lawrence sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lawrence is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Johnsson pulls his head out easily.
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!
Lawrence tries to roll over but Johnsson keeps him under control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jim Johnsson.
Well Johnsson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jim Johnsson!