PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Lawler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricky Lawler could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Paul Smith's chin.

Lawler
vs
Smith

182 cm
25
175 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
170 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricky Lawler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paul Smith!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lawler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lawler with a lazy takedown attempt

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown. Lawler fights it but they end up in guard.

Smith got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lawler has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Smith has managed to get both his arms back between Lawler's legs - danger averted.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith working some strikes from top position.
Lawler will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lawler utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Lawler is keeping the position.
Smith is stalling in the full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith wants to control from the top but Lawler keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawler can't keep his opponent in guard - Smith advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Smith is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Smith passes the guard and advances to mount!
Smith trying to control but Lawler is having none of it.
Lawler really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Smith avoids the attempt from Lawler to control.
Lawler is trying desperately to improve position.

Smith working for a submission but Lawler is keeping him at bay.
Lawler is looking to improve his position but Smith isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Smith pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Smith can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lawler is looking to escape.
Smith working Lawler over with strikes here.
Smith in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Smith looking to control but Lawler is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a big shot there that rocks Lawler but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Lawler is holding on tight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A nice elbow there by Smith.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Lawler is holding on tight.
Lawler has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Smith's lack of action.
Smith is keen to just control but Lawler is a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
It looks like Smith is going to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Smith dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lawler shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Smith sprawls well. Smith wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lawler gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Smith looks for a takedown but Lawler sprawls well.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lawler.
Lawler defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Lawler throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lawler circles away.
Ricky Lawler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Smith.
Lawler gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lawler is looking to improve his position.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
Smith sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawler wants to get back to full guard.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Smith trying to control the pace.
Paul Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Paul Smith.
Lawler tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Smith looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Smith postures up in Lawler's guard and throws a big left but Lawler blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawler looking for a sweep. Not yet Lawler, not yet.
Lawler wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Paul Smith.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Lawler, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Lawler against the cage but Lawler circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lawler sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lawler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A nice combination there by Lawler.

Smith closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lawler quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith is trying to control. Lawler wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smith performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lawler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lawler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Lawler persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.

Smith closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Lawler's guard.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lawler keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Lawler haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Paul Smith.
Lawler doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Smith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lawler's guard.
Smith sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lawler's guard.
Smith wants to stand up but Lawler has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Paul Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to pass to full mount but Lawler defends it.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lawler trying to control here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lawler.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Lawler. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smith pushing down on Lawler's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Lawler is trying to control but can't.
Smith wants to stand up but Lawler has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Smith wants to pass to mount but Lawler is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to stand up but Lawler has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Lawler tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Smith has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Smith controlling the pace for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smith 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Smith!