PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Albert Lawrence (ranked 2702 p4p, 294 weight class) and JebacH Kevi (ranked 3602 p4p, 356 weight class). Albert Lawrence has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lawrence
vs
Kevi

180 cm
25
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

165 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Albert Lawrence!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, JebacH Kevi!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kevi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kevi misses with a takedown attempt - Lawrence sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lawrence will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kevi scores with a three punch combo!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lawrence.
Kevi shoots and misses
and Lawrence counters with a one-two to the body.
Kevi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lawrence swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've been told by Lawrence's head coaches at Blanc Fitness Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Lawrence dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kevi has a takedown stuffed.
Albert Lawrence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JebacH Kevi.

Kevi closes the distance and pushes Lawrence back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kevi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lawrence just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kevi blocks an elbow strike.
Kevi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kevi wants to break free but Lawrence has control.

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

Kevi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kevi prevents the takedown attempt.

Kevi decides to pull guard.
Lawrence trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Lawrence stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Lawrence tries a head kick but it misses.
Lawrence fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kevi avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kevi.
Kevi slips a jab and a cross from Lawrence.
A nice side step and Kevi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kevi shoots for a double leg takedown but Lawrence sprawls well. He's pushed Kevi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Kevi has managed to clinch.
Kevi avoiding damage.
Kevi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kevi should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Lawrence is breathing heavily.
Lawrence is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kevi is looking to break free of the clinch but Lawrence has double underhooks.

Lawrence's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kevi closes the distance and clinches.
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!
Kevi jumps guard but Lawrence stands there with Kevi around his waist. Kevi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lawrence tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kevi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kevi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lawrence sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kevi somewhat.
Lawrence tries to clinch but Kevi is having none of it.
Kevi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Nice takedown defense from Lawrence. No joy for Kevi on that attempt.
Lawrence tries to close the distance and clinch but Kevi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kevi shoots for a takedown but Lawrence saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kevi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lawrence keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lawrence seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Lawrence pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kevi fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Kevi. No joy for Lawrence on that attempt.
Lawrence tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kevi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kevi appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Lawrence tries to clinch up.
Kevi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lawrence.
Lawrence shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kevi counters with a three punch combo that has Lawrence backing up. Lawrence nods at Kevi to acknowledge the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Albert Lawrence will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kevi keeps the fight on the outside.
Kevi is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lawrence lands a head kick. Kevi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Kevi moves into the clinch successfully.

Kevi pulls guard effortlessly.
Kevi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Kevi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lawrence can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kevi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawrence sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kevi wants to stand up but Lawrence is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence being controlled here momentarily.
Kevi throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kevi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kevi keeping full guard, as Lawrence tries to pass.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kevi is defended easily by Lawrence.
Kevi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lawrence defends well and Kevi ends up having to push Lawrence into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Kevi closes the distance and clinches.

Lawrence manages to break the clinch.

Kevi moves into the clinch.
Kevi jumps guard but Lawrence turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Albert Lawrence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JebacH Kevi.
Lawrence is trying to break the clinch but Kevi has him pressed against the cage.
Kevi fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Lawrence manages to break the clinch.
Kevi shoots in and drives through. Lawrence sprawls well.

Kevi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Lawrence lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

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

Kevi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lawrence, pushing him back against the cage.
Kevi is struggling to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kevi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lawrence.

Lawrence manages to break the clinch.
Lawrence misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kevi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kevi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lawrence as he avoids it easily.
Lawrence tries to counter by clinching up but Kevi breaks away and moves out of range.
Kevi misses with a head kick.
Kevi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lawrence as he jumps to the side.
Lawrence is looking to counter punch.
Lawrence throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kevi.
Kevi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kevi.
Lawrence jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lawrence moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kevi fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kevi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lawrence.
Lawrence changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kevi tries to avoid it but Lawrence manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kevi to the ground. Kevi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kevi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lawrence throws a head kick that misses.
Despite the aggression on Kevi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lawrence leaves Kevi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kevi shoots in for a takedown but Lawrence shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kevi tries for a takedown but Lawrence circles away easily

and Lawrence counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Lawrence.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Lawrence dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Kevi dives in for a single leg takedown but Lawrence sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Lawrence. Kevi shrugs it off though.
A head kick by Kevi misses
enabling Lawrence to counter with a crisp jab.
Lawrence is looking to clinch but Kevi is avoiding it.
Lawrence will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Kevi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kevi being controlled against the cage.
Lawrence is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kevi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lawrence is pressed up against the cage. Kevi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lawrence down to the mat. Lawrence avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Lawrence, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kevi blocks the body kick.
Lawrence shoots in but Kevi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kevi shoots for a double leg takedown but Lawrence sprawls well. He's pushed Kevi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Albert Lawrence has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JebacH Kevi.
Lawrence tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kevi defends well and Lawrence ends up having to push Kevi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kevi.
Kevi shoots in looking for a takedown but Lawrence manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kevi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Albert Lawrence is winning the standup battle so far.
Kevi shoots in looking for a takedown but Lawrence manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kevi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice sprawl there from Lawrence as Kevi shoots in.
Lawrence moves in looking to clinch but Kevi pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kevi fails with a takedown attempt.
Lawrence tries to clinch but Kevi is having none of it.
Lawrence dives in and grabs Kevi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kevi pushes down on Lawrence's head and hops out.
Kevi fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Lawrence wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kevi fails with a takedown attempt.
Lawrence appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kevi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lawrence pinned against the cage. Lawrence gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kevi wants to clinch.
Kevi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lawrence tries to avoid it but Kevi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lawrence to the ground. Lawrence escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Lawrence as Kevi shoots in.

Kevi closes the distance and clinches.
Lawrence tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lawrence jumps guard but Kevi turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lawrence is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kevi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kevi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lawrence gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kevi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kevi jumps guard but Lawrence turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Lawrence breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kevi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lawrence throws a series of strikes that have Kevi backpedaling.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kevi shoots in looking for a takedown but Lawrence manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kevi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Kevi clinches with his opponent.
JebacH Kevi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Albert Lawrence is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lawrence blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Albert Lawrence showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lawrence, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:28

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