PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Barry Lawrence (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Smithsgaurd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Lawrence
vs
Smithsgaurd

159 cm
18
278 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

215 cm
18
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Barry Lawrence!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mark Smithsgaurd!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Chris Dean and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lawrence dives in and scores a takedown into Smithsgaurd's guard.

Smithsgaurd has his feet on Lawrence's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Lawrence closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lawrence lands in his opponent's guard.

Smithsgaurd uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Smithsgaurd shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Smithsgaurd showed some decent athleticism there.

Smithsgaurd seems to be working for a kimura but Lawrence defends the submission attempt.
Smithsgaurd controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithsgaurd works his way into side control.
Smithsgaurd is looking to take a break and control but Lawrence is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawrence is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Smithsgaurd is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

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.
Smithsgaurd tries to control but Lawrence wriggling away.

Smithsgaurd goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Lawrence is on top in guard.

Smithsgaurd is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lawrence is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smithsgaurd is trying to keep Lawrence in close.
Lawrence sitting in guard here, content to control.
Smithsgaurd throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Smithsgaurd is controlling Lawrence's posture.
Smithsgaurd is looking to stand up but Lawrence isn't so interested in that idea.
Lawrence's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lawrence throws an elbow that misses. Smithsgaurd uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lawrence's guard. Nice move by Smithsgaurd!

Lawrence keeping moving, preventing Smithsgaurd from controlling successfully.

Smithsgaurd stands up from Lawrence's guard - Smithsgaurd perhaps looking for a knockout.

Lawrence scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Smithsgaurd is trying to escape back to his feet but Lawrence uses the scramble to pass into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smithsgaurd misses with a body punch

and Lawrence holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

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

Lawrence changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Smithsgaurd looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Smithsgaurd bucks up and tries to throw Lawrence off but instead Lawrence has got his back!
Lawrence doesn't have the hooks in and Smithsgaurd manages to turn into his guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smithsgaurd loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Lawrence working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Smithsgaurd doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Smithsgaurd manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Lawrence utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithsgaurd trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawrence is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smithsgaurd postures up in Lawrence's guard and throws a big left but Lawrence blocks it.
Lawrence throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Smithsgaurd looking to sit in guard and control but Lawrence gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Smithsgaurd controls Lawrence momentarily but Lawrence frees himself.

That's two 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.
Smithsgaurd is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lawrence might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smithsgaurd looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawrence won't allow Smithsgaurd to get back to his feet.
Lawrence stays in close to Smithsgaurd's body and controls the position.
Lawrence preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Smithsgaurd darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smithsgaurd is breathing heavily.
Smithsgaurd uses his free foot to push down on Lawrence's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lawrence.
Lawrence holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Smithsgaurd tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Smithsgaurd trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Lawrence is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Lawrence knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smithsgaurd on the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lawrence is squirming around, avoiding Smithsgaurd's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Smithsgaurd showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Lawrence scores with a takedown into Smithsgaurd's guard.

Smithsgaurd wriggles free and stands up.

Lawrence dives in and scores a takedown into Smithsgaurd's guard.
Smithsgaurd pulls Lawrence in close to his closed guard and prevents Lawrence from doing any damage or advancing position.
Smithsgaurd is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smithsgaurd has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Lawrence is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Smithsgaurd.
You can see the frustration on Smithsgaurd's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Smithsgaurd is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lawrence off and has taken his back!

Smithsgaurd tightening his grip on Lawrence, looking for the choke.
Lawrence is trying to get back to his feet but Smithsgaurd has full control of the position and if anything, Lawrence has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Lawrence could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is really stuck here.

Smithsgaurd working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Smithsgaurd takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smithsgaurd wants to control but Lawrence is keeping busy.

Smithsgaurd looking for the choke but no joy.
Lawrence trying to get back to his feet but Smithsgaurd is in full control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smithsgaurd throwing wild punches that miss their target.

Smithsgaurd working for the choke.
Smithsgaurd trying to control momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lawrence trying to get back to his feet but Smithsgaurd is in full control for now.

Lawrence defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Barry Lawrence has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mark Smithsgaurd is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lawrence wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Smithsgaurd comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smithsgaurd 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Smithsgaurd!