PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Robbie Lawler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hasan Malik Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Lawler
vs
Malik Ali

190 cm
25
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
183 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Robbie Lawler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hasan Malik Ali!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Winston Alpacca and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malik Ali looks to land a left hand but Lawler moved out of range nicely.
Lawler is looking to counter the offense by Malik Ali and move into the clinch.
Lawler ducks under a wild hook from Malik Ali.
Lawler wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Lawler slips under a jab.
Lawler slips a jab from Malik Ali.
Malik Ali misses with a few strikes there.
Lawler throws a nice looking combination but Malik Ali bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Malik Ali is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Lawler with a body shot.

Malik Ali gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Malik Ali working aggressively here.
Lawler blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Malik Ali throws a head punch that misses.
Malik Ali is trying to force a seperation but Lawler has the dominant position.
Lawler scores with a nice hook to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lawler - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawler lands an uppercut.
Malik Ali tries to throw a body punch but Lawler avoids it by throwing Malik Ali back against the cage.
Malik Ali is trying to maintain a safe position but Lawler gets an underhook and turns Malik Ali into the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Malik Ali seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
A short right from Lawler.
Malik Ali wants to stall.
Lawler has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Malik Ali after a bit of a struggle.
Malik Ali is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lawler is keeping busy.
Lawler is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Malik Ali is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Malik Ali.
A head punch on the inside from Malik Ali fails to land.
Lawler lands a body shot in the clinch.
Malik Ali misses with a short punch on the inside.
Malik Ali is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Malik Ali tries to break free but Lawler pushes him back against the cage.
Lawler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lawler lands a body punch.
Malik Ali misses with a punch on the inside.
Malik Ali doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Come on Lawler - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malik Ali misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lawler lands a right hand that snaps the head of Malik Ali backwards.
Lawler tries to land knees in the clinch but Malik Ali avoids the damage to the body.
Lawler keeps control of Malik Ali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Malik Ali throws a head punch that misses.
Malik Ali is trying to maintain a safe position but Lawler gets an underhook and turns Malik Ali into the cage.
Malik Ali is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Malik Ali is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Lawler creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Malik Ali swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short uppercut from Lawler.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawler is stalling here.
Malik Ali trying to control the position but instead, Lawler has worked for underhooks and has pushed Malik Ali into the cage.
Lawler definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Lawler lands a left hand that snaps the head of Malik Ali backwards.
Malik Ali throws a punch but it's blocked by Lawler.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Lawler lands a shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lawler leaning his opponent against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lawler.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robbie Lawler dominated that round.
That's time! Lawler's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Malik Ali moves into range and clinches up with Lawler.
Malik Ali lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lawler blocks an uppercut.
Malik Ali fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Malik Ali letting Lawler take a breather here.
Malik Ali misses with a hook to the ribs.
The referee calls for Lawler to work.
Malik Ali swings wildly with an uppercut but Lawler uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawler lands with a right to the head.

Lawler has picked Malik Ali up - he's going for a ride! Lawler dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawler missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Malik Ali blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lawler.
Malik Ali is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lawler's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lawler's back!

Malik Ali gets back to his feet - a bit of a stange decision given the position he was in.
Lawler uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Malik Ali.
Malik Ali misses with a straight right.
Lawler lands the left hand.

Malik Ali rushes Lawler and presses him up against the cage.
Malik Ali is trying to maintain a safe position but Lawler gets an underhook and turns Malik Ali into the cage.
Lawler scores with a hook to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lawler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawler stalls.
Malik Ali misses with some punches.
Malik Ali misses with a hook to the ribs.
Malik Ali misses with the head strike.
Lawler stalling the fight.
Malik Ali pushes Lawler back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Lawler prevents a body shot from Malik Ali.
Lawler avoiding damage.
Come on Lawler - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Robbie Lawler has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Lawler stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawler misses with a short punch on the inside.
Malik Ali is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lawler is keeping busy.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Lawler.
Malik Ali wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lawler.
Lawler tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Malik Ali avoids it.
Malik Ali goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lawler stalling the fight.
Malik Ali can't find room to land a body shot as Lawler controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Malik Ali.
Lawler lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lawler blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Malik Ali doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Malik Ali working aggressively here.
Malik Ali takes a shot to the head.
Lawler misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lawler working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Lawler lands with a light punch inside.

Lawler wants the takedown. Malik Ali is fighting it off but Lawler persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Malik Ali's guard against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robbie Lawler dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lawler tries to bum rush Malik Ali with a series of wild strikes but Malik Ali uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sloppy strikes from Malik Ali. Those never looked like landing.
Lawler waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Malik Ali.
Malik Ali cracks Lawler with a right hand to the side of the head.
Lawler pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Malik Ali lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lawler misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lawler misses with a few strikes there.
Malik Ali is looking for the big counter here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawler keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Malik Ali.

Malik Ali clinches.
Malik Ali has a couple of punches blocked by Lawler.
Lawler is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Malik Ali is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawler slowing the pace effectively.
Malik Ali lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Malik Ali on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Malik Ali tries a body shot but Lawler blocks it.
Malik Ali blocks a body shot from Lawler.
Malik Ali has a couple of punches blocked by Lawler.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Malik Ali.
Malik Ali tries to circle away but Lawler has him pinned against the cage.
Lawler misses with a short punch on the inside.
Malik Ali can't find room to land a body shot as Lawler controls the action.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Malik Ali has a couple of punches blocked by Lawler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawler blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Lawler has Malik Ali pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Lawler pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Malik Ali tumbling to the mat - Lawler dives into Malik Ali's guard.
Lawler is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Malik Ali keeping moving, preventing Lawler from controlling successfully.
Lawler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Malik Ali trying to keep a closed guard but Lawler is proving a slippery customer.
Lawler is in close to Malik Ali's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Malik Ali preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Malik Ali 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.
Lawler controls from within his opponent's guard.
Lawler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Malik Ali is keeping the position for now.
Lawler throws a big right hand that misses.
Lawler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lawler trying to control but Malik Ali is working from the bottom.
Lawler throwing strikes from guard but Malik Ali blocks nicely.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Robbie Lawler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Malik Ali is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Malik Ali misses with a wild combination.
Malik Ali throws a hook but Lawler blocks it.
Malik Ali takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Malik Ali thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lawler wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Malik Ali might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Malik Ali takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Malik Ali keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Malik Ali is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

Lawler clinches.
Hasan Malik Ali has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A short body shot lands from Malik Ali as the two fighters clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Robbie Lawler.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lawler, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robbie Lawler!
A relieved looking Robbie Lawler thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.