PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Riley Sykes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Lawless (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Sykes
vs
Lawless

182 cm
20
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
19
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Riley Sykes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Lawless!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lawless looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sykes is trying to control but can't.

Lawless is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sykes has managed to free his arm - good work.

Lawless is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sykes is just riding it out for now. Lawless eventually gives up the hold.
Sykes trying to control from the bottom.

Sykes is defending against the submission attempts here by Lawless.
Lawless prevents Sykes from improving his position.

Lawless is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sykes sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawless looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Lawless is looking for a kimura here.

Lawless seems to be looking for submissions.
Sykes regains full guard. Nicely done.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sykes is trying to control the position but Lawless postures up.
Lawless stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sykes swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

Lawless drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lawless jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Sykes trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Lawless is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sykes looking to control but Lawless passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawless is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sykes sees it coming and defends easily.

Lawless is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sykes has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sykes trying to control but Lawless postures up.

Lawless is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sykes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lawless.

Lawless looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sykes misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Sykes knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lawless on the ground.
Sykes trying to control from the bottom.
Sykes pushes Lawless off looking to stand but Lawless dives back in and keeps control.
Lawless prevents Sykes from improving his position.

Lawless is trying to work for a kimura but Sykes is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lawless is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sykes defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sykes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lawless sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lawless tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sykes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lawless somewhat.
Lawless shoots in for a takedown but Sykes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawless closes the distance and clinches up with Sykes, looking for a takedown. Lawless pushes Sykes against the cage but Sykes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Riley Sykes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Lawless.
Sykes has a takedown stuffed.
Sykes throws a push kick but Lawless slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lawless.

Sykes clinches.
Sykes tries to pull guard but Lawless holds him up against the cage and eventually Sykes drops back down to his feet.
Sykes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lawless fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sykes throws a body kick that misses.
Riley Sykes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lawless throws a head kick that misses.
Lawless displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sykes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykes misses with a takedown attempt - Lawless sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sykes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lawless.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lawless.

Lawless wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sykes, who protects the arm well.
Sykes is looking for a sweep.

Lawless thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawless working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Lawless is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sykes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
You can see the frustration on Sykes's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Lawless is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sykes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sykes is trying to control Lawless's posture but Lawless avoids it.
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.

Lawless tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Lawless thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sykes tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lawless tries for a kimura but Sykes is defending well.

Lawless is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sykes knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Lawless showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lawless shoots in and drives through. Sykes sprawls well.
Sykes has his takedown stuffed
and Lawless counters with a head kick.
Riley Sykes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lawless tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sykes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sykes tries to close the distance and clinch but Lawless swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Lawless is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sykes's half guard.

Lawless seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawless is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sykes defends it well.
Nick Lawless has got the better of the ground game so far.

Lawless is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sykes sees it coming and defends easily.

Lawless is working for a kimura but Sykes is defending it quite comfortably.

Sykes is defending against the submission attempts here by Lawless.

Lawless wants to work for an arm triangle but Sykes is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawless is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sykes is just riding it out for now. Lawless eventually gives up the hold.

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

Lawless is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sykes sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawless is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sykes sees it coming and defends easily.
Sykes is looking for a sweep. Lawless is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Sykes is defending against the submission attempts here by Lawless.
Sykes is trying is best to control the position here.
Nick Lawless is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sykes is not content to let Lawless control the position.
Sykes tries to get to full guard but Lawless has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawless is keen to just control but Sykes is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lawless is trying to work for a kimura but Sykes is defending well.
Lawless stalling.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Lawless is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sykes sees it coming and defends easily.
Lawless is looking to advance position but Sykes won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sykes is pressing down on Lawless's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Riley Sykes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sykes keeping moving, preventing Lawless from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Lawless comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lawless 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Lawless!
Nick Lawless decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.