PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Lawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mystic Mac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mystic Mac will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Lawson
vs
Mac

175 cm
18
130 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

187 cm
20
145 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 5 - 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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mystic Mac!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lawson.
Mac lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lawson looks to score with a jab to the body but Mac is just out of range.
As Lawson backs off Mac throws a huge counter combo but Lawson manages to avoid it all.
Mac scores with a kick to the body.

Lawson moves into the clinch.
Mac is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Lawson gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lawson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mac makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Mac avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mac misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mac throws a counter combo.
Lawson misses with a takedown attempt
and Mac counters with a three punch combo that has Lawson backing up. Lawson nods at Mac to acknowledge the strikes.
Lawson dodges the punch combination from Mac.
Lawson lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
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 has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mac has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Lawson breaks the clinch.
Lawson takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mac throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Lawson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Lawson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mac avoids it.
Lawson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mac just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Lawson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lawson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Lawson avoiding damage.

Mac escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lawson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mac.
Lawson avoids the head kick by Mac.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lawson.
Mac is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Mac stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mac wants it to stay on the feet.
Mystic Mac is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lawson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lawson misses with a double jab
and Mac counters with a one-two to the body.
Lawson is breathing heavily.
Danga de danga de dang - Mac scores with a four punch combination!
Lawson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mac swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Lawson counters with a single leg into guard. Mac didn't expect that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mac wants to stand but Lawson is controlling the position.
Mac 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.
Mac pushes Lawson off looking to stand but Lawson dives back in and keeps control.

Mac manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Lawson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mac counters with a left and a right that stings Lawson.
Lawson blocks a head kick by Mac.
Lawson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mac.
Lawson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mystic Mac dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lawson moves into the clinch successfully.
Mac has had enough of the clinch but Lawson keeps him there for the moment.
Lawson is trying to pull guard but Mac has him pressed against the cage.

Lawson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Lawson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
A lazy body kick from Mac

and Lawson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mac's guard.

Mac has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Lawson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right-left combo lands from Mac.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mac, pushing him back against the cage.

Mac pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Lawson pushes Mac up against the cage in a clinch.
Mac blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Mac pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mac has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mac lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lawson circles away quickly and effectively.

Lawson darts in and clinches Mac up against the cage.
Lawson is trying to pull guard but Mac turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Lawson effectively controlling the action here.
Mac tries to break the clinch but Lawson is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawson pulls guard effortlessly.
Lawson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Lawson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lawson wants to sweep here but Mac controlling him for the moment.
Lawson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Lawson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Mac really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lawson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Lawson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mac can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mac won't allow Lawson to get back to his feet.
Lawson 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 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.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mac is trying to stand up here but Lawson is controlling him well.
Thomas Lawson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Mac kicks off Lawson and gets to his feet.
Lawson shoots in looking for a takedown but Mac manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lawson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mac unleashes a big counter combination but Lawson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Lawson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mac tries to keep at a distance but Lawson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mac is trying to break free.
Mac on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mac working hard to break the clinch.

Lawson successfully pulls guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Lawson dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Lawson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Mac counters with a three punch combo that has Lawson backing up. Lawson nods at Mac to acknowledge the strikes.
Nice sprawl there from Mac as Lawson shoots in.
Lawson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mac is looking for the big counter here.
Thomas Lawson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lawson dives in for a single leg takedown but Mac sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Lawson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lawson tries to clinch up.
Mac keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawson takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mac throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Mac - that will leave a mark!
Lawson throws the left hand but Mac avoids the punch easily.
Despite the aggression on Mac's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Mac rushes Lawson and presses him up against the cage.
Mac is trying to push Lawson away but Lawson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Lawson wants to take the fight to the mat but Mac manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Lawson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Lawson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Mac is looking to get back to his feet here but Lawson is keeping cool and he's managed to take Mac's back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mac wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mac defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Lawson's arms.
Mac is trying to get back to his feet but Lawson has full control of the position and if anything, Mac has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Mac is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Mac is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Mac trying to get back to his feet but Lawson is in full control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Mac's body.
Mac is trying to stand back up.
Can Mac hold on?! Lawson is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

Lawson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Mac defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mac is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Mac preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Lawson.
Mac is trying to get back to his feet but Lawson has full control of the position and if anything, Mac has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Lawson working for the choke.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mac is trying to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mystic Mac.
I think Mac has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Thomas Lawson!
Thomas Lawson decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.