PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Malachi Lawrence (ranked 1866 p4p, 239 weight class) and David McDonald (ranked 1717 p4p, 223 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lawrence
vs
McDonald

180 cm
20
174 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
179 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

UnderGround Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 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, Malachi Lawrence!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, David McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Columbo Gatti and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
McDonald with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lawrence counters with a left and a right that stings McDonald.
Lawrence misses with a two punch combination.
Lawrence scores with a jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McDonald is defended easily by Lawrence.
Lawrence lunges at McDonald with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McDonald's hand.
McDonald dodges the punch combination from Lawrence.
A head kick misses from McDonald.
Lawrence misses the shot to the body.
A lazy left from Lawrence finds it's target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McDonald looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawrence is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lawrence knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McDonald on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald content to stall in guard here.
McDonald slips nicely into half guard.

McDonald seems to be looking for submissions.
McDonald stops Lawrence from getting back to his feet.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Lawrence is defending well.
Lawrence wants to get back to his feet.

That's two 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.
McDonald is pressing down on Lawrence's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lawrence is holding on for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawrence is trying to stand up here but McDonald is controlling him well.

McDonald is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
McDonald wants to take a breather but Lawrence is having none of it.
Lawrence on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lawrence tries to get out of the position.

McDonald is working for a kimura but Lawrence is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald stops Lawrence from getting back to his feet.
McDonald wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lawrence keeps working.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
McDonald fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lawrence fails to land with a series of punches.
McDonald throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lawrence.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A punch combination from McDonald misses.
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McDonald tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lawrence takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Lawrence forces McDonald back against the cage and clinches.
McDonald tries a body shot but Lawrence blocks it.
Lawrence with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lawrence.
McDonald has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Lawrence avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Malachi Lawrence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David McDonald.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lawrence tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Lawrence breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice shot lands for McDonald.
McDonald misses with a straight left.
Lawrence stalks McDonald and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McDonald's face. McDonald staggers backwards, shaken.

McDonald moves into the clinch successfully.

McDonald's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lawrence tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McDonald was well out of range. Poor timing from Lawrence.
McDonald throws a wild body kick that Lawrence sees coming a mile off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malachi Lawrence dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lawrence misses with a wild body shot.
Lawrence is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McDonald throws a body kick that misses.
McDonald dodges the punch combination from Lawrence.
McDonald throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lawrence takes a swing at McDonald's ribcage but misses.
McDonald swats away the attempt to clinch by Lawrence.
McDonald avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
Malachi Lawrence is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawrence changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lawrence scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A thudding body kick lands there by McDonald!
Lawrence wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence throws a right hand that McDonald ducks under and follows up with a left that McDonald also avoids with ease.
McDonald tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McDonald misses with a double jab.
McDonald showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lawrence.
A big left from McDonald misses.
Malachi Lawrence is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lawrence fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McDonald on the side of the head.
McDonald throws a head kick that misses.
Lawrence swinging wildly here.
Lawrence takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lawrence throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McDonald.
McDonald gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Lawrence to counter with a crisp jab.
McDonald takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Lawrence throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonald uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lawrence.
Lawrence is looking to clinch.
Lawrence is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McDonald can do to turn this around?

Lawrence gets tackled into the cage by McDonald. McDonald maintains the clinch.

McDonald escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McDonald misses with an attempted mid kick.
McDonald takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Lawrence misses with a wild combination.
Lawrence tries to clinch but McDonald moves away
and McDonald counters with a lovely shot to the body.
McDonald looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lawrence swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Lawrence takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McDonald lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Lawrence takes the fight into the clinch.

McDonald breaks the clinch.
A head kick misses from Lawrence.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence throws a nice looking combination but McDonald bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lawrence scores with a jab to the jaw.
Lawrence keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McDonald throws a head kick but Lawrence moves out of range.
Lawrence scores with a sloppy right hand. McDonald should have avoided that one.
McDonald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
McDonald throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lawrence fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McDonald manages to avoid it.
McDonald fails to land with a series of punches.
Lawrence lands a two punch combo.
Lawrence is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Lawrence blocks a leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lawrence rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonald moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McDonald swings for the body but Lawrence moves out of range.
As McDonald looks to move away, Lawrence throws a big counter combo but McDonald just gets out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed McDonald momentarily.
Lawrence swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lawrence moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
McDonald avoids a punch combination nicely.
McDonald looks to land a combination. Lawrence sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
McDonald throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lawrence.
Lawrence swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McDonald lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
McDonald avoids a punch combination nicely.
McDonald fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lawrence wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malachi Lawrence dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lawrence misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McDonald keeps Lawrence at a distance using the push kick.
Lawrence looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
That kick from McDonald tenderised Lawrence's leg. Lawrence is trying to keep his angry face on.
McDonald throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It looked like Lawrence wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lawrence misses with a series of wild punches.
Good standup being displayed there by Lawrence as he connects with a hook.
Lawrence misses with a hook. McDonald ducked under it nicely.
It looks like Lawrence has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
McDonald shoots for a takedown but Lawrence saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McDonald uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lawrence.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bone on bone clash there as Lawrence blocks the leg kick.
McDonald scores with a jab.
McDonald showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lawrence.
McDonald scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence tries to clinch but McDonald moves out of range.
McDonald tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A punch combination from Lawrence misses.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt.
Lawrence throws a right hand that McDonald ducks under and follows up with a left that McDonald also avoids with ease.
A thudding body kick lands there by McDonald!
A combination from Lawrence does no damage.
A nice inside leg kick there by McDonald. That's going to slow Lawrence down.
A nice combination there by Lawrence.

Lawrence takes the fight into the clinch.
McDonald is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lawrence gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Malachi Lawrence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David McDonald.

McDonald escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Lawrence counters with a straight right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald chopping away at his opponent's legs.
McDonald throws a series of punches but Lawrence moves out of range.
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
McDonald turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Lawrence moves into the clinch successfully.
Lawrence is stalling here.

Lawrence breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lawrence swinging wildly here.
McDonald connects with a high kick.
McDonald lands a head kick!
McDonald misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lawrence throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lawrence misses with a two punch combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by McDonald!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Lawrence checks a leg kick.
Lawrence throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McDonald counters with an outside leg kick.
McDonald goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Lawrence looks to land a combination. McDonald sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lawrence tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Despite the aggression on McDonald's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lawrence on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
McDonald thuds a left hand into Lawrence's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lawrence with a hook.
Lawrence fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice body kick from McDonald.
Lawrence cracks a nice hook into McDonald's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McDonald closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McDonald lands in his opponent's guard.
Lawrence is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and McDonald dives into side control.
McDonald moves into full mount!
McDonald is looking to work his way around to Lawrence's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
McDonald won't let Lawrence get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

McDonald looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
McDonald tries to control but Lawrence wriggling away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lawrence bucks McDonald off and manages to get back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but David McDonald just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lawrence swinging wildly here.
McDonald goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
McDonald tries a head kick but it misses.
Lawrence lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
McDonald thumps Lawrence with a low kick.
McDonald attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lawrence wants to clinch up but McDonald keeps it at a distance.
Lawrence tries to clinch up.
McDonald swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lawrence.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawrence swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lawrence tries to bum rush McDonald with a series of wild strikes but McDonald uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McDonald is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A left and a right from Lawrence both land. Nice combination.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Nice uppercut lands for Lawrence. That snapped McDonald's head back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lawrence swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Malachi Lawrence is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence avoids the head kick by McDonald.
Lawrence tries to bum rush McDonald with a series of wild strikes but McDonald uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McDonald takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
McDonald connects with a crisp jab.

Lawrence clinches up with McDonald and pushes him back against the cage.

McDonald manages to break the clinch.
Lawrence will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Lawrence with a nice cross.
McDonald has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Lawrence misses with the combination.
McDonald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lawrence.
McDonald fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lawrence moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lawrence takes a swing at McDonald's ribcage but misses.
Danga de danga de dang - McDonald scores with a four punch combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lawrence is fending him off so far but McDonald persists. Nope, Lawrence circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McDonald sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lawrence uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McDonald.
Lawrence is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
McDonald connects with an inside leg kick.
Lawrence moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
McDonald doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McDonald slips a jab and a cross from Lawrence.
McDonald misses with a jab, cross combination.

Lawrence fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McDonald, pushing him back against the cage.

McDonald breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Lawrence, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A jab from McDonald finds it's way through Lawrence's defenses.
Lawrence is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Lawrence misses with a two punch combination.
McDonald shoots in but no luck this time.
McDonald scores with a leg kick.
McDonald throws a nice looking combination but Lawrence bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three 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.
McDonald showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lawrence.
Lawrence with a jab.

Lawrence gets caught napping as McDonald dives in and scores a takedown. Lawrence manages to retain guard.
Lawrence wants to stand but McDonald is controlling the position.

McDonald drops back looking for a leg! Lawrence is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lawrence manages to kick McDonald off! McDonald jumps back into Lawrence's guard.
McDonald looking to pass the guard.
McDonald keeps trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence wants to get back to his feet but McDonald is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McDonald is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
McDonald is pushing down on Lawrence's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lawrence is fighting to maintain full guard but McDonald has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lawrence is trying to stand back up but McDonald is controlling him

McDonald is working for a kimura but Lawrence is defending it quite comfortably.
McDonald works his way into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Malachi Lawrence will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Lawrence dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McDonald swinging wildly here.
Lawrence connects with the punch.
McDonald throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McDonald throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lawrence swings and misses with a hook to the body.

McDonald gets a takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawrence is trying to stand up here but McDonald is controlling him well.
McDonald slows the pace down in half guard.

McDonald is trying to work for a kimura but Lawrence is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McDonald is working for a submission of some sort.
Lawrence is not content to let McDonald control the position.
McDonald stops Lawrence from getting back to his feet.
McDonald wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lawrence keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
McDonald frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
McDonald won't let Lawrence get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

McDonald working for a guillotine from mount but Lawrence is in no mood to give up.

Lawrence somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Lawrence misses with the combination.
Lawrence wants to clinch up but McDonald keeps it at a distance.
Lawrence fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Lawrence gets in close and instigates a clinch.

McDonald breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence lands a lovely overhand right.
McDonald throws a head kick but Lawrence moves out of range.
McDonald moves out of range as Lawrence throws a body kick.
McDonald misses with a few strikes there.
Lawrence takes a jab right on the kisser.
A combination from Lawrence does no damage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McDonald! But no joy.
Lawrence wants to clinch up but McDonald keeps it at a distance.
Lawrence walks into a stiff left hand from McDonald.
Lawrence throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McDonald.
McDonald moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
McDonald moves in looking to clinch but Lawrence pushes him off.
Lawrence swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
McDonald lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
McDonald is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
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!
Lawrence misses with a looping right.
McDonald cracks Lawrence with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Lawrence lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lawrence.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence punishes McDonald's body with a nice straight punch.
Lawrence scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McDonald looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lawrence comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McDonald avoids the body shot from Lawrence.
McDonald throws a combination that misses
and Lawrence counters with a nice uppercut.
McDonald throws the kick towards the body but Lawrence avoids it.
Donk. Lawrence catches McDonald right on the button with a cross.
McDonald throws a head kick that misses.
Lawrence circles away from the clinch attempt.

Lawrence rushes McDonald and presses him up against the cage.

McDonald breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A left lands for Lawrence.
McDonald with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lawrence counters with a nice body shot.
David McDonald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Malachi Lawrence is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lawrence scores with a jab to the body.

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 Malachi Lawrence.
I think Lawrence has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 50:45
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Malachi Lawrence!
Malachi Lawrence retains his welterweight title!