PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sam Rothstien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Muhammed Lawal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sam Rothstien had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Rothstien
vs
Lawal

188 cm
21
212 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

183 cm
28
205 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sam Rothstien!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Muhammed Lawal!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lawal tries to clinch but Rothstien moves out of range.
Rothstien fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lawal avoids it really well and circles away.
Rothstien keeps the fight on the outside.
Rothstien goes for a double leg but Lawal avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lawal continues to drive forward.
Lawal is trying to force a seperation but Rothstien has the dominant position.

Rothstien breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lawal tries to clinch up but Rothstien circles away and keeps his distance.
Lawal tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rothstien swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lawal fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rothstien manages to avoid it.

Rothstien closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Lawal wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Rothstien decides to stand back up. Rothstien steps back and let's Lawal get back to his feet.
Rothstien throws a nice head kick!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lawal tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rothstien makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Lawal really felt that one!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rothstien scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rothstien seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lawal really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rothstien. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rothstien's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Lawal pushes Rothstien off but Rothstien dives into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rothstien stands up and beckons Lawal to his feet.

Rothstien closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rothstien lands in his opponent's guard.

Rothstien gets to his feet. Lawal looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lawal takes one to the chin there.

It looks like Muhammed Lawal has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rothstien has Lawal up against the cage in a clinch.
Lawal tries to pull guard but Rothstien won't allow it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Lawal swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Rothstien escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rothstien moves into the clinch successfully.
Rothstien tries to land knees in the clinch but Lawal avoids the damage to the body.

Rothstien pulls guard effortlessly.
Rothstien is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rothstien trying to strike off his back.
Rothstien controls Lawal momentarily but Lawal frees himself.

Rothstien pushes a forearm under Lawal's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Lawal is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sam Rothstien!