PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Lawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Nechvidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lawson
vs
Nechvidov

175 cm
18
130 lbs
3 - 1 - 1

173 cm
19
140 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thomas Lawson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Nechvidov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nechvidov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lawson's waist but Lawson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nechvidov off to one side.

Lawson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nechvidov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lawson is in Nechvidov's guard.
Nechvidov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Lawson manages to pass to side control.

Nechvidov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lawson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nechvidov tries to roll over but Lawson keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson trying to control from half guard but Nechvidov is working away.

Lawson wants to work for an arm triangle but Nechvidov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Lawson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Lawson moves nicely into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Nechvidov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lawson taking a breather here.
I wouldn't like to be where Nechvidov is right now.

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.

Lawson tries for a kimura but Nechvidov is defending well.
Lawson is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Nechvidov will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Nechvidov struggling a bit here.
Nechvidov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nechvidov is not content to let Lawson control the position.
Nechvidov gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Lawson tries to control but Nechvidov wriggling away.
Poor strikes thrown by Lawson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Nechvidov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

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.
Nechvidov reaches up and holds on to Lawson to control the position.
Lawson tries to control but Nechvidov wriggling away.
Lawson raining down shots from the mount!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nechvidov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nechvidov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lawson controlling the pace for now.
Nechvidov is desperately trying to improve his position but Lawson has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nechvidov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nechvidov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Lawson counters with a single leg into guard. Nechvidov didn't expect that.
Lawson is standing up over Nechvidov. Nechvidov looks to escape but Lawson dives into side control.

Lawson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nechvidov can do to turn this around?
Lawson trying to control the action but Nechvidov is working from the bottom.
Lawson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Lawson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nechvidov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nechvidov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lawson's best efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson wants to take a breather but Nechvidov is having none of it.
Nechvidov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Nechvidov is not content to let Lawson control the position.
Lawson trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lawson trying to control the action but Nechvidov is working from the bottom.
Nechvidov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nechvidov.
Nechvidov keeping moving, preventing Lawson from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A head kick misses from Lawson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson shoots for a double leg takedown but Nechvidov sprawls well. He's pushed Lawson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lawson swinging wildly here.

Nechvidov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Lawson tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

Nechvidov working for a choke but Lawson is defending well.
Nechvidov is punishing Lawson with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawson tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Lawson is wriggling around trying to escape.
Lawson is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Nechvidov controlling from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lawson wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Nechvidov tries to keep control of the position but Lawson is staying busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nikolay Nechvidov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lawson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Lawson has managed to clinch.
Nechvidov is trying to pull guard but Lawson has him pressed against the cage.
Lawson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Nechvidov pulls Lawson into guard.
Lawson advances to half guard.
Nechvidov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Thomas Lawson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lawson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lawson is looking to stall here but Nechvidov recovers full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Nechvidov is looking for a triangle but Lawson pushes his legs off easily.
Lawson passes Nechvidov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Lawson working over Nechvidov with some ground and pound. Nechvidov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lawson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Lawson looking to control but Nechvidov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nechvidov is desperately trying to improve his position but Lawson has a good base and remains in mount.
Lawson trying to control but Nechvidov is having none of it.
Nechvidov working to try and regain half guard.

Lawson is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Nechvidov can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Lawson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Lawson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Nechvidov hang on?
Lawson controlling the pace for now.
Lawson lands a couple of good shots and Nechvidov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Nechvidov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Nechvidov defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Nechvidov is trying to stand back up.
Lawson doesn't have the hooks in and Nechvidov manages to turn into his guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nechvidov trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Lawson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lawson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Lawson!
Thomas Lawson bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.