PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Beeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Lawlor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Beeman
vs
Lawlor

180 cm
25
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
185 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Valhalla Fight Wear

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Beeman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Lawlor!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beeman shoots in but no luck this time.
Beeman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lawlor was well out of range. Poor timing from Beeman.
Lawlor swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Beeman holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Beeman has Lawlor pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lawlor manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Beeman breaks the clinch.
Lawlor throws out a powerful jab.

Lawlor feints and as Beeman raises his hands in defense, Lawlor changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Lawlor throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lawlor throwing strikes from guard but Beeman blocks nicely.
Lawlor tries to free his leg and advance position but Beeman is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawlor slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Beeman pulls Lawlor in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beeman wants to sweep here but Lawlor controlling him for the moment.
Lawlor trying to control the position from guard on top but Beeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Beeman has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Beeman fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Beeman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Beeman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lawlor as he avoids it easily.
Beeman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lawlor sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Beeman somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Beeman fails with an attempt to clinch.

Lawlor shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Beeman is trying to defend but Lawlor finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Lawlor is keen to just control but Beeman is a slippery customer.

Beeman is defending against the submission attempts here by Lawlor.
Beeman avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lawlor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawlor wants to pass to mount but Beeman is defending the position.
Lawlor frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Beeman wants to hold on but Lawlor pushes him away.
We've been informed that Lawlor has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Lawlor unloading with bombs!
Lawlor trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Lawlor scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Lawlor throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawlor thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

Lawlor goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Beeman is on top in guard.
Lawlor wants to sweep here but Beeman controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lawlor working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Beeman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Beeman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Beeman prevents Lawlor from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lawlor gets the takedown into side control.
Lawlor wants to lay and pray for a moment but Beeman keeps working.
Beeman stops Lawlor from passing to mount.
The strikes coming from Lawlor are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Lawlor throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawlor cracks Beeman with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Beeman gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawlor is pressing down on Beeman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Beeman is holding on for now.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawlor working Beeman over with strikes.
Beeman moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Beeman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lawlor loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Beeman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lawlor's guard.

Beeman lands a couple of digs.
Lawlor preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beeman throwing strikes from guard but Lawlor blocks nicely.
Lawlor trying to keep a closed guard but Beeman is proving a slippery customer.
Lawlor 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.
Beeman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lawlor swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Lawlor is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Beeman is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawlor 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.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lawlor is on top in guard.

Lawlor trying to control the position from guard on top but Beeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Beeman trying to strike off his back.
Lawlor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Beeman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lawlor advances to half guard.
Lawlor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lawlor is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Beeman has managed to free his arm - good work.
Beeman is looking to improve his position.
Beeman is trying to stand up here but Lawlor is controlling him well.
Lawlor trying to mount his opponent but Beeman defends it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Lawlor drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Lawlor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lawlor tries to move into full mount but can't pass Beeman's legs.
Beeman is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Lawlor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Beeman misses with a combination

and Lawlor counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Beeman trying to keep a closed guard but Lawlor is proving a slippery customer.
Lawlor trying to control but Beeman is working from the bottom.
Beeman trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Lawlor throws a strike but Beeman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lawlor is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Beeman is aware though and is defending well.
Lawlor wants to get back to his feet but Beeman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Beeman wants to control from the top but Lawlor keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawlor looking for a sweep. Not yet Lawlor, not yet.
Beeman stays in close to Lawlor's body and controls the position.
Beeman wants to control from the top but Lawlor keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Beeman controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Beeman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lawlor as he avoids it easily.
Beeman misses with a looping left.
Lawlor swats away the attempt to clinch by Beeman.
James Beeman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Lawlor closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Beeman did well to prevent Lawlor getting side control.
Lawlor wants to pass the guard but Beeman is defending well.

Lawlor is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawlor is stalling here. Beeman is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Lawlor seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Beeman has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Lawlor tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lawlor keeps trying to improve his position.
Lawlor is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Beeman off and has taken his back!

Beeman is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Lawlor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Beeman covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
John Lawlor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Beeman's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Beeman is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Lawlor really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Beeman.
Lawlor doesn't have the hooks in and Beeman manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lawlor wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Lawlor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lawlor 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Lawlor!
An out of breath John Lawlor thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.