PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Albert Lawrence (ranked 3625 p4p, 3912 weight class) and Andrew Nichols (ranked 393 p4p, 416 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Lawrence
vs
Nichols

180 cm
27
160
4 - 3 - 0

179 cm
19
165
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Money Inc. (160Q with Proof ) 150$
Altitude Clothing

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 4 - 3 - 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 Montreal, Andrew Nichols!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Felipe Paraventi and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nichols blocks a head kick by Lawrence.
Lawrence tries to clinch up.
Lawrence pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Lawrence walks into a straight right hand from Nichols.
Nichols moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nichols's coach down at The Million Dollar Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Nichols's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Good leg kick by Nichols.
Lawrence misses with a takedown attempt
and Nichols counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nichols cracks Lawrence with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lawrence works Nichols's body with a nice hook.
Lawrence throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nichols sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lawrence misses with a double jab
and Nichols counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lawrence takes one to the chin there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nichols blocks a jab.
Lawrence walks into a straight right hand from Nichols.
Nichols tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lawrence looks to score with a jab to the body but Nichols is just out of range.
Nichols swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lawrence appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nichols lands with a cross.
Lawrence throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lawrence throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nichols's waist but Nichols gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lawrence off to one side.

Lawrence has Nichols up against the cage in a clinch.
I was talking to Lawrence's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Still in the clinch, Nichols scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nichols displaying some good clinch control by pressing Lawrence up against the cage.
Lawrence tries for a takedown but Nichols manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Albert Lawrence. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nichols scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lawrence wants to get back to striking at distance but Nichols won't allow it.
A body shot lands from Nichols.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Lawrence blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawrence breaks from the clinch.
Andrew Nichols is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lawrence takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lawrence has his takedown stuffed
and Nichols counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice straight punches there by Nichols. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nichols.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lawrence tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nichols looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lawrence walks forward, straight into a front kick from Nichols.
Nichols lands a nice looking body shot.
Lawrence moves in looking to clinch but Nichols pushes him off.
Lawrence tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nichols manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lawrence tries to clinch up
and Nichols counters with a stiff right hand.
Lawrence dives in for a single leg takedown but Nichols sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A countering left hand to the body from Nichols misses.
Nichols lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lawrence at a distance.
Nichols ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nichols.
Nichols waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lawrence.
Nichols is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Lawrence had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Nichols misses with a right hand
and Lawrence connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nichols lands with a cross.
Nichols throws a hook but Lawrence avoids it easily.
A jab from Nichols finds it's way through Lawrence's defenses.
Nichols cracks Lawrence with a good jab.
Nichols scores with a nice strike.
Nichols looks to land a right hand but Lawrence moved out of range.
Lawrence takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nichols lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice body punch from Nichols.
Nichols fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nichols misses with a wild combination.
Lawrence has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nichols.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nichols fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lawrence looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lawrence tries a head kick but it misses.
Nichols lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lawrence at a distance.
Lawrence wants to clinch up but Nichols keeps it at a distance.
Andrew Nichols seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nichols scores with a hook to the body. Lawrence takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nichols digs a good hook to Lawrence's body.
Lawrence slips a straight right by Nichols.
Lawrence is looking for a counter combo.
Nichols misses with a hook.
Nichols connects with a right hand. Lawrence shakes it off.
Nichols buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lawrence goes for a double leg but Nichols avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nichols continues to drive forward.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lawrence has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nichols finds it's way round the side to connect with Lawrence's head.
Lawrence gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nichols throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Nichols dominated that round.
That's time! Lawrence's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lawrence fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nichols connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nichols throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nichols cracks a nice hook into Lawrence's ribs.
Lawrence walks into a straight right hand from Nichols.
Nichols misses with an uppercut. Lawrence saw that one coming.
Lawrence takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nichols throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lawrence wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nichols lands with a right hand.
Albert Lawrence is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lawrence fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lawrence walks into a left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nichols 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.
Nichols wants to clinch.
Nichols with a nice calf kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nichols scores with a punch to the head.
Lawrence wants to clinch
and Nichols counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Lawrence shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Lawrence thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Lawrence with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lawrence trying to control but Nichols is working from the bottom.
Nichols keeping full guard, as Lawrence tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lawrence is working hard here to advance position.
Lawrence sitting in guard here, content to control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Lawrence is looking to work some ground and pound but Nichols has wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Andrew Nichols seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nichols dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lawrence. That did some damage!
Nichols cracks Lawrence with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lawrence slips a jab from Nichols.
Nichols scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nichols swings away with a body shot that misses
and Lawrence counters with a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nichols misses with a wild body shot.
Lawrence tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nichols swivels and escapes.
Nichols looks to clinch
and Lawrence counters with a series of strikes. Nichols will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nichols throws a nice looking combination but Lawrence bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lawrence takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nichols moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lawrence dodges the punch combination from Nichols.
Nichols checks a leg kick nicely.
Nichols throws out a counter right but Lawrence avoids it with no problem.
Lawrence takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Lawrence fails in his attempt to clinch.
A countering left hand to the body from Nichols misses.
Nichols's corner calls for a 1-2. Nichols obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nichols lands with a good body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nichols scores with a nice strike.
Nichols connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nichols.
Lawrence takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nichols lands with a nice combination. Lawrence backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Albert Lawrence has been cut.
Nichols thuds his right hand into Lawrence's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Lawrence is rocked!
Nichols 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.
That kick from Nichols tenderised Lawrence's leg. Lawrence is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lawrence stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nichols.
Nichols misses with a straight left.
Nichols moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nichols has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice defenses there by Lawrence.
Nichols takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nichols is looking to clinch.
Lawrence fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Nichols showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Albert Lawrence's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nichols throws a push kick but Lawrence slaps the foot to one side.
Lawrence looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Lawrence drives through and clinches with Nichols against the cage.
Nichols is working Lawrence over against the cage.
Nichols gets underhooks to prevent Lawrence's takedown attempt.
Nichols is trying to stall.
Nichols misses with a punch on the inside.
Lawrence wants to break free but Nichols has control.
Lawrence throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nichols goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lawrence tries to score a body lock takedown but Nichols shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nichols gets underhooks to prevent Lawrence's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Albert Lawrence. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nichols stalling in the clinch.
Nichols softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nichols softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nichols pressing his opponent against the cage.
Lawrence is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Lawrence goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nichols prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nichols makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nichols lands with a left to the head.
Nichols looking to stall.
Nichols prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lawrence wants a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nichols tries to stall but Lawrence uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lawrence jumps guard but Nichols stands there with Lawrence around his waist. Lawrence gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nichols misses with some punches.
Lawrence is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Nichols to keep the fight standing.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Andrew Nichols is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence working hard to break the clinch.
Lawrence is trying to break free.
A nice left hand lands by Nichols.
Nichols prevents the takedown attempt.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nichols prevents the takedown attempt.
Nichols scores with a shoulder strike.
Lawrence drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nichols gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lawrence jumps guard but Nichols turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nichols creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nichols misses with a punch on the inside.
Nichols lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Lawrence lands a damaging elbow.
Nichols scores with a shoulder strike.

Lawrence breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lawrence uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nichols.
Nice straight punches there by Nichols. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nichols.
Nichols bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Lawrence tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nichols manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lawrence swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nichols lands a right hook to the body.
Nichols lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nichols tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lawrence paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nichols with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nichols lands a leg kick that knocks Lawrence off balance momentarily.
Nichols scores with a punch to the head.
Nichols lunges at Lawrence with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lawrence's hand.

Nichols instigates a clinch.

Lawrence pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nichols dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lawrence throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nichols stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lawrence scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nichols throws out a powerful jab.
A big right from Nichols misses.
Nichols darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Albert Lawrence has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lawrence throws a leg kick
and Nichols cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nichols throws a nice inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew Nichols comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nichols 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew Nichols!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Andrew Nichols made sure he mentioned Money Inc. (160Q with Proof ) 150$ , along with how happy he was to win his fight.