PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Lawlor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Nicholas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lawlor comes to the cage accompanied by Irigy Hónaljmirigy - Rúgj Chuck Norris (Chuck Norris parody by Hungarians). Jack Nicholas will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Lawlor
vs
Nicholas

175 cm
28
186 lbs
7 - 1 - 1

197 cm
24
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Namunamu Clothing

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 7 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, John Lawlor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Nicholas!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Bruno Lombardi and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nicholas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lawlor circles away.
Nicholas has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Lawlor is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Nicholas lands a jab.

Lawlor dives in and scores a takedown into Nicholas's guard.
Nicholas has Lawlor pulled in close to control his posture.
Lawlor stopping the sweep attempt from Nicholas.
Nicholas keeping full guard, as Lawlor tries to pass.
Nicholas looking for a sweep. Not yet Nicholas, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawlor wants to pass the guard but Nicholas is keeping the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawlor works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Lawlor wants to pass to mount but Nicholas is defending the position.

Lawlor is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lawlor wants to pass to mount but Nicholas is defending the position.
Nicholas keeping control of the position.
Nicholas is looking to escape.

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.
Lawlor wants to pass the guard but Nicholas is defending well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lawlor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nicholas was well out of range. Poor timing from Lawlor.
Nicholas changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lawlor ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nicholas looks for a takedown but Lawlor sprawls well.
Lawlor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nicholas.
Lawlor attempts a counter takedown but Nicholas avoids it well and moves away.
John Lawlor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Nicholas.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nicholas.
Lawlor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nicholas as he avoids it easily.
Nicholas drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lawlor defends it well.

Nicholas shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lawlor napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Lawlor is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Lawlor manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Lawlor is working for a kimura but Nicholas is defending it quite comfortably.
Lawlor wants to free his trapped foot but Nicholas is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawlor throwing shots but Nicholas is blocking nicely.
Lawlor seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nicholas does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nicholas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lawlor's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lawlor's back!
Nicholas lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawlor wants to escape the position.
Nicholas is punishing Lawlor with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nicholas lands with a hammerfist to the side of Lawlor's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawlor manages to reverse the position and now he's in Nicholas's guard. Nice work there by Lawlor.
Nicholas managing to control the position.

Lawlor drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Nicholas dives on top into guard.

Lawlor wants to sweep here but Nicholas controlling him for the moment.
Nicholas is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nicholas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nicholas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lawlor looking for a sweep. Not yet Lawlor, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jack Nicholas will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nicholas throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lawlor tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nicholas is in Lawlor's guard.
Nicholas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Nicholas drops back, looking for a kneebar! Lawlor looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Lawlor looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Lawlor!

Lawlor goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Nicholas rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Lawlor's guard! Nice work there by Nicholas!
Nicholas lands a couple of elbows.
Nicholas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lawlor is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lawlor had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nicholas defends it easily.
Nicholas trying to control but Lawlor is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicholas stands up over Lawlor, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lawlor is on top in guard.

Nicholas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lawlor is one step ahead there.
Nicholas wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Nicholas looking to control but Lawlor passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawlor is working for a submission of some sort.
Lawlor prevents Nicholas from improving his position.

Lawlor trying to work for an americana but Nicholas has managed to regain full guard.
Lawlor pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nicholas is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nicholas is on top in guard.

Lawlor keeping full guard, as Nicholas tries to pass.
Nicholas won't allow Lawlor to get back to his feet.
Nicholas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nicholas lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nicholas trying to control but Lawlor is working from the bottom.
Nicholas working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nicholas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nicholas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lawlor manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Nicholas has Lawlor in his guard.

Nicholas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lawlor.
Lawlor pushing down on Nicholas's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Lawlor is looking to advance position but Nicholas won't allow it.
Nicholas desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lawlor is looking to advance position but Nicholas won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jack Nicholas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nicholas misses with a takedown attempt - Lawlor sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Lawlor misses its target.

Nicholas has closed the distance and engaged Lawlor in a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nicholas.
Lawlor has Nicholas pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nicholas manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lawlor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nicholas struggles to land a body shot inside as Lawlor controls his hands.
Lawlor tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nicholas just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lawlor goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nicholas prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Lawlor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nicholas lands a shot to the body.
Nicholas lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lawlor works on Nicholas's body with a couple of short punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicholas is leaning against Lawlor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nicholas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lawlor gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nicholas lands a shot to the body.
Nicholas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nicholas lands a shoulder strike.

Nicholas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nicholas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawlor tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nicholas swivels and escapes.

Nicholas fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lawlor sprawls well initially but Nicholas persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Nicholas trying to advance position but Lawlor counters by regaining guard.
Nicholas lands a couple of digs.
Lawlor wants to sweep here but Nicholas controlling him for the moment.
Nicholas wants to control from the top but Lawlor keeps moving.
Nicholas looking to sit in guard and control but Lawlor gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nicholas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nicholas lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicholas slips a nice elbow through Lawlor's hands, connecting with Lawlor's forehead.
Nicholas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Jack Nicholas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lawlor gets back to full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nicholas wants to pass the guard but Lawlor is keeping the position.
Nicholas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nicholas throwing strikes from guard but Lawlor blocks nicely.

Nicholas postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lawlor is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Nicholas, into his guard.

Lawlor passes Nicholas's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawlor not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Nicholas is defending against the submission attempts here by Lawlor.
Nicholas wants to control but Lawlor is keeping busy.
Lawlor trying to pass the guard but Nicholas defending well.
John Lawlor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lawlor works his way into side control.
Nicholas is trying to control Lawlor's posture but Lawlor avoids it.
Lawlor looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Nicholas is avoiding damage well.
Nicholas is trying to control Lawlor's posture but Lawlor avoids it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lawlor is trying to get an arm triangle but Nicholas is defending well.
Jack Nicholas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lawlor working the strikes but Nicholas uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Nicholas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nicholas 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Nicholas!
Our winner, Jack Nicholas, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
John Lawlor spoke after the fight, saying 'there is always tomorrow'.