PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Laith Law (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chaz Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Swanson has chosen Till I Collapse as his entrance music. The key to victory for Laith Law has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Law
vs
Swanson

195 cm
19
256 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
28
260 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Laith Law!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chaz Swanson!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Law works Swanson's body with a nice hook.
Laith Law seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Swanson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Swanson tries to sprawl but Law drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Law scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Law throwing shots but Swanson is blocking nicely.
Law lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Law landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Law sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Swanson defending well though.
Law not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Swanson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Law slips a nice elbow through Swanson's hands, connecting with Swanson's forehead.
Law not doing much here.
Law throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Law sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Swanson defending well though.
Law lands strikes from half guard.
Law misses with a head shot. Swanson uses the momentum to regain guard.
Swanson controlling Law's posture.
Law makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Law throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Law missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Law controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Swanson is trying to keep Law in close.
Law wants to control from the top but Swanson keeps moving.
Law working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Swanson's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson can't keep his opponent in guard - Law advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Law trying to control from half guard but Swanson is working away.
Law throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Law trying to control the action but Swanson is working from the bottom.
Swanson tries to roll over but Law keeps him under control.
Ground and pound from Law.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Swanson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Law is trying to control the action in half guard but Swanson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Law missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Law keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Laith Law wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Law lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Swanson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Law's waist but Law gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Swanson off to one side.
Law connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Swanson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Law lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Swanson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Law closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Law winds up and cracks Swanson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Law thows a huge punch but Swanson dodges it nicely.
Law scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Swanson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Law throws a big right hand that misses.
Law postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Swanson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Law is in close to Swanson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Laith Law overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Law wants to control from the top but Swanson keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Law's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Law stands up over Swanson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Law lands a couple of elbows.
Law is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Swanson can do to turn this around?
Law throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Law in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Law lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Law trying to control but Swanson is working from the bottom.
Law throws a big elbow that misses.
Law lands a couple of digs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Law throws an elbow that misses. Swanson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Law's guard. Nice move by Swanson!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Law tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Law looking to control but Swanson passes into half guard.
Swanson prevents Law from improving his position.
Law trying to get back to full guard but Swanson takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Law is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Law tries to lock up and control but Swanson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Law reaches up and holds on to Swanson to control the position.
Law tries to hold on but Swanson pushes him away.
Law tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Law is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at CEC Underdark, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Law is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Law tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Law is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Law is looking to improve his position but Swanson isn't that keen on the idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Law wants to control but Swanson is having none of it.
Law is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Law lands a right hook to the body.
Law thuds a left hand into Swanson's body.
Nice shot by Law.
Law keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Swanson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Law finds it's way round the side to connect with Swanson's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Law gets a double leg takedown into Swanson's guard.
Law scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Law postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Law postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Law scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Law slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Law looking to sit in guard and control but Swanson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Swanson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Law is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Law is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Swanson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Law has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Swanson is working away from the top position though.
Law keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Law wants to improve his position but Swanson is controlling well.
Swanson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Laith Law.
Law scores with a nice head shot.
Law throws a nice looking combination but Swanson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Chaz Swanson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Swanson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Law is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Law connects with the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Law fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Swanson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Swanson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Law scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Law lunges at Swanson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Swanson's hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Swanson.
Swanson misses with a takedown
enabling Law to counter with a crisp jab.
Laith Law has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chaz Swanson.
Swanson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Law lands a big shot that drops Swanson! Can he finish him?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Laith Law clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Law dives in and gets a big takedown. He lands in full mount and immediately unloads a series of heavy strikes! Swanson has had enough and taps out.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Laith Law!
Laith Law retains his heavyweight title!
Laith Law was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
In defeat, Chaz Swanson stepped up to the mic, saying 'I gave it my all and they still came out on top, I guess they were just the better man tonight.'.