PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rick Piano (ranked 900 p4p, 1122 weight class) and John Lawrence (ranked 136 p4p, 175 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Piano might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Rick Piano Man. Lawrence has chosen No Surrender as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Piano
vs
Lawrence

190 cm
36
199
45 - 19 - 0

180 cm
32
195
21 - 16 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 45 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rick Piano !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Lawrence!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Ren Mimura and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lawrence shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Piano eats them both and turns towards Lawrence to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A big right from Lawrence misses.
Piano has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Lawrence lands with a straight right. Piano didn't see that one coming.
Lawrence looks to land a combination but Piano avoids it well.
Lawrence uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Piano .
Lawrence throws a sloppy head kick and Piano moves out of range easily.
Piano takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lawrence has a takedown stuffed.
Lawrence's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Lawrence duly obliges.
Lawrence throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lawrence tries a head kick but it misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice shot by Piano .
Lawrence throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Piano .
Rick Piano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence lands the left hand.
Lawrence jabs Piano right on the nose. Piano blinks but takes it well.
Lawrence misses with a takedown
and Lawrence takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Piano lands a body shot.
John Lawrence seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Piano stuffs the takedown attempt from Lawrence. Lawrence gets slowly back to his feet.
Piano was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rick Piano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Lawrence.
Some wild striking there from Lawrence.
Lawrence with a lazy takedown attempt
and Piano counters with a head kick. That will keep Lawrence thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Piano staying out of range there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lawrence is defended easily by Piano .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Piano avoids a punch combination nicely.
It appears Piano was looking to counter with a kick there.

Piano tries to sprawl but Lawrence drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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 is nestled in close to Piano , controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Lawrence not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Lawrence is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Lawrence wants to lay and pray for a moment but Piano keeps working.
Piano wants to control but Lawrence is keeping busy.
Lawrence scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lawrence scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Piano wants to improve his position but Lawrence is controlling well.
Piano taking some punishment here, with Lawrence in his half guard.
Lawrence thows a huge punch but Piano dodges it nicely.
Piano moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lawrence throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lawrence trying to control the position from guard on top but Piano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lawrence being controlled here momentarily.
Lawrence throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence trying to control but Piano is working from the bottom.
Piano avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lawrence passes Piano 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Lawrence is looking to advance position but Piano won't allow it.
Lawrence thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lawrence missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lawrence trying to control the action but Piano is working from the bottom.
Piano trying to control here.
Lawrence takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Lawrence dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lawrence manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Piano on his heels. He'll look to pass Piano 's guard now, I'm sure.
Lawrence throwing strikes from guard but Piano blocks nicely.
Piano utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Piano working a defensive guard here.
Lawrence is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Lawrence throws a big elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawrence throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Piano works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lawrence with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lawrence controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Piano keeping moving, preventing Lawrence from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lawrence has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lawrence slips nicely into half guard.
Lawrence seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Piano does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lawrence thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Piano 's head.
Lawrence missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lawrence landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Piano is defending against the submission attempts here by Lawrence.
Lawrence wants to lay and pray for a moment but Piano keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lawrence throwing shots but Piano is blocking nicely.
Lawrence trying to control the pace.
Piano wants to control but Lawrence is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lawrence thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Piano 's head.
Piano is trying is best to control the position here.
Piano blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lawrence.
Lawrence working Piano over with strikes.
Lawrence throwing shots but Piano is blocking nicely.
Lawrence thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Piano 's head.
Lawrence is trying to control the action in half guard but Piano is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lawrence trying to control the pace.
Lawrence wants to lay and pray for a moment but Piano keeps working.
Lawrence sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Piano defending well though.
Lawrence thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Piano 's head.
Piano keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lawrence not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Piano keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Piano won't allow Lawrence to pass to mount.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Piano won't allow Lawrence to pass to mount.
Lawrence throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lawrence missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lawrence thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Piano 's head.
Lawrence missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lawrence throwing shots but Piano is blocking nicely.
John Lawrence has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lawrence working the head and body with strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lawrence slips a nice elbow through Piano 's hands, connecting with Piano 's forehead.

Lawrence is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Piano doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lawrence.
Lawrence is controlling the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Lawrence showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Piano walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lawrence shoots in looking for a takedown but Piano manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lawrence's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lawrence fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lawrence scores with a head kick. Piano tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Piano avoids the head kick by Lawrence.
An attempted straight right counter from Piano misses the target.
Lawrence looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Piano looks to throw the jab but Lawrence is out of range.
Lawrence loads up on a big right hand but Piano slips the punch.
Piano defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lawrence.
Lawrence shoots in looking for a takedown but Piano manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lawrence's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rick Piano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Lawrence.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Lawrence - just one landing.
Piano takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
John Lawrence seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lawrence goes for a double leg but Piano avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Piano continues to drive forward.
Piano is looking to counter with head kicks.
Piano misses with a kick to the body.
A little jabbing left from Lawrence on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Piano - that will leave a mark!
Lawrence has his takedown stuffed
and Piano counters with a body kick.
Lawrence takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lawrence gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Piano counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nice body kick from Piano .
Piano lands a body shot.
Rick Piano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Piano throws a body punch but Lawrence moves out of range.
Lawrence throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lawrence tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Piano counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Lawrence moves into the clinch.

Piano breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lawrence shoots in looking for a takedown but Piano manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lawrence's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lawrence tests Piano 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Piano steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lawrence.
Lawrence misses with a low kick.
Lawrence fails with a takedown attempt.
Lawrence tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Piano defends well and Lawrence ends up having to push Piano into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Piano was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence closes the distance and clinches up with Piano , looking for a takedown. Lawrence pushes Piano against the cage but Piano circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
John Lawrence is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lawrence rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Piano counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lawrence thinking.
Piano fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lawrence manages to avoid it.
Piano scores with a shot to the body.
Piano throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lawrence jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lawrence shoots in for a double leg but Piano sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lawrence just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromPiano .
Piano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lawrence swinging wildly here.
Piano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Piano looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence throws a big shot that misses.
Piano is looking to wear down Lawrence with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lawrence blocks a head kick by Piano .
No joy there for Lawrence, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
An attempted straight right counter from Piano misses the target.
Piano fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lawrence manages to avoid it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lawrence! But no joy.
Lawrence throws a body shot but no joy.
Lawrence looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Piano looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Lawrence swings for the body but Piano moves out of range.
Lawrence lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Piano leaves Lawrence with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Piano was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sloppy strikes from Lawrence. Those never looked like landing.

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 Rick Piano .
Well Lawrence has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Lawrence!
John Lawrence made sure to mention his sponsor, KOMBAT KLOTHING in his post fight interview.
The defeated Rick Piano had this to say: 'I need more roids!'.