PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roger Savage (ranked 24531 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Lawrence (ranked 7191 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnny Lawrence will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Savage
vs
Lawrence

177 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

190 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Roger Savage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Johnny Lawrence!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Sosuke Kotani and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lawrence moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Savage shoots in looking for a takedown but Lawrence manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Savage's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Savage shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lawrence as he avoids it easily.
Lawrence throws a head kick that misses.

Savage throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lawrence tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Savage is in Lawrence's guard.
Lawrence wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Savage manages to pass to side control.
Lawrence really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Savage. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Savage prevents Lawrence from standing back up.
Savage trying to control the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savage has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Savage is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lawrence doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Savage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence wants to improve his position but Savage is controlling well.
Lawrence wants to get back to full guard but Savage has mounted him!
Lawrence manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Savage seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence wants to get back to full guard.

Savage is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Savage could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Lawrence is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Savage stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Savage slips a jab and a cross from Lawrence.
Savage throws a counter high kick but Lawrence was just alert enough to avoid it.
Savage shoots in for a takedown but Lawrence shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Savage. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence throws a leg kick but Savage checks it.
Lawrence swings and misses with a hook to the body.
No luck for Savage with that takedown attempt.
Lawrence misses with an attempted mid kick.
Savage tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lawrence swivels and escapes.
And Lawrence responds with a good body kick, but Savage manages to step out the way in time.
Savage takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lawrence pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Savage was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Lawrence ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lawrence misses with a double jab.
Savage is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Lawrence.
A head kick misses from Lawrence.
It looked like Savage was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Savage tries for a takedown but Lawrence sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lawrence pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A jab from Lawrence finds it's way through Savage's defenses.
Savage blocks a leg kick.
Lawrence looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lawrence tries to land a body kick

and Savage counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Lawrence looks winded!
Lawrence can't break the clinch.
Lawrence wants to break the clinch but can't.

Savage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Savage blocks a head kick by Lawrence.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Savage shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Lawrence feints the counter takedown.
Lawrence tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Lawrence dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Savage fails with a takedown attempt.
Lawrence thuds his shin into the meat of Savage's side.
Lawrence has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lawrence tries a head kick but it misses.
Savage appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Roger Savage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Savage gets a takedown into half guard.
Savage thows a huge punch but Lawrence dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Savage slows the pace down in half guard.
Savage blocks the strikes from Lawrence.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savage sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Savage is thwarting Lawrence's attempts to control the position.
Savage keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Lawrence tries to roll over but Savage keeps him under control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Savage content to control rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Savage moves out of range of the body kick.
Lawrence wants to slow Savage down by chopping away at his legs.
Lawrence tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Savage is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Lawrence.
Lawrence looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Savage darts in looking for a takedown but Lawrence gets double underhooks and turns Savage into the cage.
Lawrence is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Lawrence throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Savage avoids the head kick by Lawrence.
Lawrence lands a jab.
Lawrence throws a head kick that misses

and Savage holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Lawrence is breathing heavily.

Savage breaks from the clinch.
Lawrence connects with a leg kick. Savage looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lawrence fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Savage checks it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Savage. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Lawrence.
Lawrence throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Savage blocks the body kick.
Lawrence throws a head kick that misses.
Lawrence gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Savage counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Savage.

Savage pulls guard effortlessly.
Lawrence wants to control from the top but Savage keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Savage holds on and takes a little breather.
Lawrence trying to control the position from guard on top but Savage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Savage is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Lawrence stands and steps away. Savage gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Lawrence misses with a leg kick

and Savage counters by moving into the clinch.
Savage tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Savage breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lawrence throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Savage changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lawrence tries to avoid it but Savage manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lawrence to the ground. Lawrence escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lawrence catches Savage with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lawrence swings for the body but Savage moves out of range.
Lawrence scores with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Johnny Lawrence will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Lawrence shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
It looked like Savage was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Lawrence looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lawrence is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Savage rather than just go for the knockout.
Savage darts in looking for a takedown but Lawrence gets double underhooks and turns Savage into the cage.
Lawrence throws a head kick that misses.
Lawrence swings for the body but Savage moves out of range.
Johnny Lawrence seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lawrence scores with a head kick.
Savage shoots for a double leg takedown but Lawrence sprawls well. He's pushed Savage's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lawrence throws a head kick but Savage moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawrence thumps Savage with a low kick.
Lawrence misses with a head kick.
Lawrence misses the shot to the body.
Lawrence is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Lawrence throws a head kick that misses.
Lawrence takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence tries a head kick but it misses.
Lawrence misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Savage.
Savage attempts a counter takedown but Lawrence avoids it well and moves away.

Savage closes the distance and clinches.
Lawrence working hard to break the clinch.
Savage tries for a takedown but Lawrence manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Savage. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Savage escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lawrence misses with a kick to the body.
Lawrence throws a leg kick but Savage checks it.
Lawrence misses the shot to the body.
Savage misses with a head kick.
A head kick misses from Lawrence.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savage blocks a head kick by Lawrence.
Savage fails to land the takedown.
Lawrence misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lawrence tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Savage misses with a head kick.
Savage looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lawrence is fending him off so far but Savage persists. Nope, Lawrence circles away and we're back to standing.
Lawrence swinging wildly here.
Lawrence is looking to score with low kicks.
Savage half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Savage shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence trying to control here.
Savage slips a nice elbow through Lawrence's hands, connecting with Lawrence's forehead.
Lawrence tries to roll over but Savage keeps him under control.
Roger Savage overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Lawrence is defending against the submission attempts here by Savage.

Savage is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lawrence is just riding it out for now. Savage eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is looking to control Savage's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lawrence avoid being mounted?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Savage is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Lawrence!