PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bantoo Kumari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Lawler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kumari
vs
Lawler

185 cm
23
220 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

190 cm
25
260 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bantoo Kumari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gary Lawler!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kumari throws a nice looking combination but Lawler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lawler checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kumari misses with a looping left.
Kumari throws a hook to the side of Lawler's head but Lawler sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've been hearing reports that Kumari has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Kumari thows a leg kick but Lawler checks it
and Lawler counters with a nice uppercut.

Lawler gets a clinch.
Kumari is trying to pull guard but Lawler turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kumari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Lawler has Kumari pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kumari stops a takedown attempt from Lawler.
Lawler is trying to pull guard but Kumari turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Lawler wants a takedown but no success here.
Bantoo Kumari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Lawler.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawler pulls guard effortlessly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kumari trying to control but Lawler is working from the bottom.
Kumari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lawler can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kumari controls the pace.
Lawler trying to control the position.
Lawler keeping full guard, as Kumari tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kumari trying to control but Lawler is working from the bottom.
Kumari is breathing heavily.
Kumari showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kumari motions for Lawler to come forward. Kumari throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lawler has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Lawler instigates a clinch.
Kumari is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lawler to keep the fight standing.

Lawler pulls guard effortlessly.
Kumari stays in close to Lawler's body and controls the position.
Lawler trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawler has his foot on Kumari's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kumari works his way back into a safe position though.
Lawler wants to sweep but no luck.
Kumari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lawler is keeping the position for now.
Lawler can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kumari controls the pace.

Lawler working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kumari doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kumari manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kumari trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kumari misses with a straight left.

Kumari closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Lawler ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Lawler no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kumari trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lawler will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Lawler has his foot on Kumari's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kumari works his way back into a safe position though.
Kumari trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lawler's guard.

Lawler working for a triangle but Kumari defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Lawler dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kumari swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kumari lands a leg kick that knocks Lawler off balance momentarily.
Lawler shoots in looking for a takedown but Kumari manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lawler's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kumari feinted with a counter takedown.
Lawler moves out of range of the leg kick from Kumari.
Lawler shoots in for a takedown but Kumari shows good takedown defense.
Kumari tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lawler manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kumari misses with a body punch
enabling Lawler to counter with a crisp jab.
Jab from Kumari.

Kumari moves into the clinch.
Lawler trying to land knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kumari breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kumari forces Lawler back against the cage and clinches.
Lawler tries for a takedown but Kumari manages to get underhooks.
Bantoo Kumari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Lawler.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kumari pulls Lawler into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawler content to stall in guard here.
Lawler is looking to work some ground and pound but Kumari has wrist control.
Lawler controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Lawler looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lawler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kumari works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kumari working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lawler.
Lawler is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kumari stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kumari wants it to stay on the feet.
Kumari throws a right hand that Lawler ducks under and follows up with a left that Lawler also avoids with ease.
Kumari slaps away a takedown attempt from Lawler, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lawler shoots in for a double leg but Kumari sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawler shoots in looking for a takedown but Kumari manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lawler's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kumari fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lawler.
A head kick misses from Lawler.
Lawler looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kumari appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bantoo Kumari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kumari tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Lawler counters with a series of strikes. Kumari will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kumari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lawler was well out of range. Poor timing from Kumari.
Kumari lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lawler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kumari as he jumps to the side.
Kumari throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lawler throws a sloppy head kick and Kumari moves out of range easily.
Kumari looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bantoo Kumari is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kumari closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lawler circles away.
A low kick from Kumari misses
and Lawler counters with a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kumari tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Lawler is able to avoid easily.
Kumari tries a head kick but it misses.
Lawler tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lawler lands a two punch combo.
Bantoo Kumari is winning the standup battle so far.
Lawler shoots in but Kumari avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kumari throws a low kick, looking for Lawler's leg but Lawler calmly moves out of range.
Kumari fails with an attempt to clinch.
A countering left hand to the body from Lawler misses.
Kumari thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lawler throws a fast counter high kick but Kumari manages to duck under it in time.
Lawler shoots in and drives through. Kumari sprawls well.
Kumari tries to counter by clinching up but Lawler breaks away and moves out of range.
Lawler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kumari.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bantoo Kumari dominated that second round.
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!

Lawler lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Nice sprawl there from Kumari as Lawler shoots in.

Kumari looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kumari wants to free his trapped foot but Lawler is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Kumari moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Lawler.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Lawler's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kumari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lawler keeps working.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lawler is looking for a sweep.

Kumari decides to stand up, so the ref orders Lawler to his feet.
Lawler lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kumari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kumari throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lawler.
Despite the aggression on Lawler's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lawler dives in for a single leg takedown but Kumari sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Lawler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kumari.
Kumari is looking to counter the offense by Lawler and move into the clinch.
Kumari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lawler. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawler misses with a head kick.
Kumari closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lawler circles away.
Lawler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kumari swivels and escapes.
Bantoo Kumari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gary Lawler.
Kumari shoots in but Lawler avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Kumari moves into the clinch.
Lawler jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kumari walks away with a smile on his face. Lawler gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kumari looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lawler punishes Kumari's body with a nice straight punch.
Kumari fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawler connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kumari will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lawler tries a head kick but it misses.
Lawler is looking to score with low kicks.
Lawler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kumari tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kumari misses with a body punch
and Lawler counters with a three punch combo that has Kumari backing up. Kumari nods at Lawler to acknowledge the strikes.
Kumari throws a head kick that Lawler semi-blocks.
Kumari swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kumari throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Lawler has managed to clinch.

Lawler jumps guard.
Kumari trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lawler 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.
Kumari is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gary Lawler has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawler keeping moving, preventing Kumari from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gary Lawler.
I think Lawler 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gary Lawler!