PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Burton Lawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ashin Sukumaran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Burton Lawson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Lawson
vs
Sukumaran

166 cm
19
161 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Burton Lawson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ashin Sukumaran!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Donald Grub and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sukumaran changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Lawson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Lawson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Sukumaran stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Sukumaran looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Sukumaran slows the pace down in half guard.
Lawson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sukumaran on the ground.
Sukumaran's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sukumaran tries to stand but can't do so whilst Lawson controls his leg.
Lawson misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukumaran landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sukumaran looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Sukumaran decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Sukumaran shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Lawson wants to control but Sukumaran is keeping busy.
Sukumaran not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sukumaran is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lawson trying to control from the bottom.
Lawson tries to get to full guard but Sukumaran has control of the leg.
Sukumaran perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson is looking for a sweep. Sukumaran is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sukumaran keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Lawson trying to control here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Sukumaran shoots in and gets a takedown into Lawson's guard.
Sukumaran engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sukumaran won't allow Lawson to sweep him here.
Sukumaran trying to control but Lawson is working from the bottom.
Sukumaran trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sukumaran wants to control from the top but Lawson keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sukumaran sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ashin Sukumaran dominated 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.

Sukumaran shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Lawson wants to get back to full guard.
Sukumaran stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sukumaran is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukumaran is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Sukumaran is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lawson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sukumaran scores with a couple of nice shots.
Lawson is looking to improve his position.
Sukumaran stalling.
Lawson wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sukumaran not doing much here.

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

Sukumaran closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lawson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Sukumaran has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Lawson works to full guard.
Lawson wants to hit a switch here but Sukumaran passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Lawson there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sukumaran tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Lawson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sukumaran trying to control but Lawson is having none of it.

Sukumaran looking for a guillotine from mount but Lawson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sukumaran wants to control the pace but Lawson is squirming around nicely.
Sukumaran working Lawson over with strikes here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lawson is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sukumaran manages to capitalize on a mistake by Lawson to take his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ashin Sukumaran 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!

Sukumaran changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Lawson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sukumaran tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Lawson is being controlled here.
Sukumaran trying to control the action but Lawson is working from the bottom.
Sukumaran misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawson trying his best to control but Sukumaran has mounted him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson can't escape the position.
Sukumaran controlling from mount.
Lawson is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Sukumaran looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ashin Sukumaran has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sukumaran pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Sukumaran controlling his opponent.
Sukumaran landing shots from mount.
Lawson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Sukumaran takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sukumaran dominating with strikes here.
Sukumaran controlling from the full mount.
Sukumaran lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Lawson is squirming around, avoiding Sukumaran's attempts to control the action.
Lawson is desperately trying to improve his position but Sukumaran has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sukumaran can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lawson is looking to escape.
Sukumaran wants to stand but Lawson is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Sukumaran has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Sukumaran wants to finish this one by submission but Lawson is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Sukumaran.
Sukumaran with good strikes from the mount here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sukumaran looking to control and managing it successfully.
Burton Lawson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ashin Sukumaran is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ashin Sukumaran comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sukumaran has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 24:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 24:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ashin Sukumaran!
Ashin Sukumaran took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.