PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between David McDonald (ranked 2199 p4p, 258 weight class) and Malachi Lawrence (ranked 3091 p4p, 336 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.

McDonald
vs
Lawrence

180 cm
19
179 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
174 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, David McDonald!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Malachi Lawrence!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Lou da Vinci and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonald throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lawrence.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lawrence paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lawrence has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as McDonald is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Lawrence fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McDonald on the side of the head.
Lawrence looks to land a combination but McDonald avoids it well.
Lawrence misses with the combination.
Lawrence misses with the combination.
McDonald feinted with a counter takedown.
Lawrence misses with a wild combination.
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McDonald lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Lawrence takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lawrence misses with the combination.
We've been hearing reports that McDonald has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Lawrence avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lawrence is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lawrence needs to keep his hands up - McDonald had a free shot at his head there.
Lawrence swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McDonald misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald throws a leg kick
and McDonald takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A combination from Lawrence does no damage.
Lawrence displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Lawrence avoids a punch combination nicely.
Malachi Lawrence is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDonald wants to clinch up but Lawrence keeps it at a distance.
McDonald throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sloppy strikes from Lawrence. Those never looked like landing.
McDonald takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
McDonald feints a jab promting Lawrence to slip. McDonald then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Lawrence slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Malachi Lawrence has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald is looking to clinch but Lawrence is avoiding it.
Lawrence is looking for the big counter here.
Lawrence lands a two punch combo.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt.
McDonald has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald tries to clinch up.
McDonald lands a slapping body shot.
Lawrence misses with a few strikes there.
Lawrence uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lawrence throws a right and a left that both miss.
McDonald changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Lawrence misses with a wild combination.
McDonald blocks a head kick by Lawrence.
McDonald appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Lawrence feints a jab promting McDonald to slip. Lawrence then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McDonald slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
McDonald swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

McDonald gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lawrence wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McDonald tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lawrence just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald is trying to pull guard but Lawrence has him pressed against the cage.

Lawrence breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald moves in looking to clinch but Lawrence pushes him off.
McDonald takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Lawrence misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lawrence throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lawrence fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McDonald blocks a low kick nicely.
McDonald dodges the punch combination from Lawrence.
McDonald throws a big counter combination but Lawrence scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

McDonald drives through with a takedown into Lawrence's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
McDonald trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McDonald works a leg free and moves into half guard.

McDonald is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

McDonald wants to work for an arm triangle but Lawrence is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald is looking to take a break and control but Lawrence is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lawrence tries to kick McDonald off but McDonald keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
McDonald 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 is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
McDonald looking to control but Lawrence is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

McDonald working for a guillotine from mount but Lawrence is in no mood to give up.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McDonald jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Lawrence manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Lawrence wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malachi Lawrence dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Malachi Lawrence's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McDonald darts in trying to clinch
and Lawrence counters with a two punch combo.
Lawrence feints a jab promting McDonald to slip. Lawrence then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McDonald slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like David McDonald has been cut.
Malachi Lawrence seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lawrence throws a nice looking combination but McDonald bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McDonald tries to counter with a takedown but Lawrence is quick to defend against it.
McDonald lands a jab.

McDonald has Lawrence up against the cage in a clinch.

Lawrence breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McDonald tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lawrence throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McDonald scores with a nice strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

McDonald moves into the clinch.
McDonald is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lawrence to keep the fight standing.
McDonald jumps guard but Lawrence stands there with McDonald around his waist. McDonald gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawrence breaks the clinch.
Lawrence avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McDonald wants to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Lawrence's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lawrence looks to land a combination but McDonald avoids it well.
McDonald scores with a one two! Lawrence had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A combination from Lawrence does no damage.
McDonald misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lawrence is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McDonald with a body shot.
McDonald misses with a few strikes there.
McDonald is looking to clinch.
Lawrence cracks a nice hook into McDonald's ribs.
Lawrence ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lawrence showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McDonald.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence lands a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lawrence works over McDonald's head and body with a nice combination.
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McDonald tries to clinch but Lawrence is having none of it.
McDonald throws a head kick but Lawrence moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McDonald tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McDonald tries to clinch but Lawrence is having none of it.
As McDonald backs off Lawrence throws a huge counter combo but McDonald manages to avoid it all.
McDonald dodges the punch combination from Lawrence.
McDonald moves in looking to clinch but Lawrence pushes him off.
Lawrence throws a counter combo.
Lawrence lands with an overhand left.
McDonald tries to clinch but Lawrence is having none of it.
Lawrence throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lawrence misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence throws a series of punches but McDonald avoids them all with ease.
McDonald closes the distance and lands a one-two.
McDonald tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lawrence sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McDonald somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lawrence scores with a crisp jab that stopped McDonald in his tracks.
McDonald goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Lawrence throws out a loose jab but McDonald uses good head movement to avoid it.
A punch combination from McDonald misses.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown but Lawrence shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McDonald tries to clinch but Lawrence moves out of range.
Lawrence lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lawrence throws a combination that misses

and McDonald counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lawrence kicks off McDonald and gets to his feet.
Lawrence throws a nice looking combination but McDonald bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence tries to bum rush McDonald with a series of wild strikes but McDonald uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lawrence is breathing heavily.
McDonald tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McDonald looks for a takedown but Lawrence sprawls well.
Lawrence throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McDonald on the side of the head.

McDonald clinches with his opponent.

Lawrence breaks the clinch.
Lawrence leaves McDonald with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McDonald throws a head kick that misses
and Lawrence counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lawrence scores with a jab to the jaw.
McDonald lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lawrence circles away quickly and effectively.
Lawrence is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McDonald with a body shot.
A punch combination from Lawrence misses.
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
As Lawrence looks to move away, McDonald throws a big counter combo but Lawrence just gets out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malachi Lawrence showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Lawrence throws a nice looking combination but McDonald bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lawrence misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lawrence lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
McDonald fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lawrence swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lawrence circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lawrence dodges the punch combination from McDonald.
Lawrence throws a counter combo.
McDonald tries to clinch up.
As McDonald backs off Lawrence throws a huge counter combo but McDonald manages to avoid it all.
Lawrence lands with a nice body punch.
McDonald lands with a nice combination. Lawrence backs away looking to recover.
Nice uppercut lands for Lawrence. That snapped McDonald's head back.
Lawrence throws a combination that misses
and McDonald counters with a three punch combo that has Lawrence backing up. Lawrence nods at McDonald to acknowledge the strikes.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
McDonald lunges at Lawrence with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lawrence's hand.
Lawrence cracks McDonald with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
McDonald takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence misses with a few strikes there.
McDonald displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Lawrence breaks the clinch.
McDonald is looking to clinch but Lawrence is avoiding it.
Lawrence connects with a nice looking jab.
Lawrence throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McDonald.
McDonald fails in his attempt to clinch.
McDonald looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lawrence has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A left and a right from Lawrence both land. Nice combination.
McDonald shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lawrence eats them both and turns towards McDonald to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McDonald tries to clinch there but Lawrence circles away.
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lawrence throws a series of punches but McDonald avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lawrence misses with a body shot.
A little feinted left hand from McDonald on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A combination from Lawrence does no damage.
Lawrence keeps the fight on the outside.
McDonald lands a leg kick that knocks Lawrence off balance momentarily.
Lawrence takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
McDonald misses with a double jab.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lawrence paws at him with a jab and circles away.
David McDonald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

McDonald has taken the fight to the clinch.

Lawrence breaks from the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Lawrence. Those never looked like landing.
McDonald dodges the punch combination from Lawrence.
Lawrence throws a one two combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald closes the distance and clinches.
McDonald jumps guard but Lawrence turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lawrence blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Lawrence breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch but Lawrence swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McDonald doesn't manage to clinch there - Lawrence circles away.
Lawrence is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
McDonald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lawrence.
McDonald tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lawrence manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McDonald wants to clinch up but Lawrence keeps it at a distance.
Lawrence misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lawrence throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McDonald looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch but Lawrence swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McDonald throws a right and a left that both miss.
McDonald on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence dips to his left and cracks McDonald with an uppercut!
Lawrence throws a wild body kick that McDonald sees coming a mile off.
Lawrence keeps the fight on the outside.

McDonald instigates a clinch.
McDonald is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lawrence to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Lawrence breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lawrence tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lawrence feints a jab promting McDonald to slip. Lawrence then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McDonald slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch but Lawrence swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lawrence circles away from the clinch attempt
and Lawrence counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
David McDonald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Malachi Lawrence is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A lazy left from McDonald finds it's target.
Lawrence slips under a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malachi Lawrence comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lawrence 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 John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malachi Lawrence!
Malachi Lawrence is the new welterweight champion!