PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Baki Hanma (ranked 4458 p4p, 3710 weight class) and Brendan Lawson (ranked 259 p4p, 221 weight class). Hanma comes into the arena with B-Complex - Beautiful Lies blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Hanma
vs
Lawson

175 cm
23
145
4 - 5 - 0

166 cm
22
140
4 - 5 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Good gas tank

Gonzasco Q160 (159.9)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baki Hanma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Brendan Lawson!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lawson ducks under a wild hook from Hanma.
Hanma misses with a hook. Lawson ducked under it nicely.
Hanma scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lawson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hanma throws a lazy right hand but Lawson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Baki Hanma seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lawson tries to clinch up.
Lawson works the jab nicely.

It looks like Baki Hanma has been cut.
Hanma misses with an uppercut. Lawson saw that one coming.
Lawson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lawson shoots in looking for a takedown but Hanma manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lawson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Lawson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hanma manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanma pulls Lawson in close to prevent any damage.
Lawson wants to control from the top but Hanma keeps moving.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Lawson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lawson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lawson wants to control from the top but Hanma keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hanma has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lawson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hanma working a defensive guard but Lawson manages to pass into side control anyway.
Lawson trying to control the action but Hanma is working from the bottom.
Hanma manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lawson's best efforts.
Hanma tries to get to full guard but Lawson has control of the leg.

Lawson is working for a kimura but Hanma is defending it quite comfortably.
Hanma is concentrating on defense, preventing Lawson from advancing position.
Hanma has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lawson is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hanma keeps working.

Lawson wants to work for an arm triangle but Hanma is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hanma trying to hold on to Lawson's head to control him but Lawson postures up.

Lawson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Lawson wants to work for an arm triangle but Hanma is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Lawson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hanma doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lawson.
Hanma trying to hold on to Lawson's head to control him but Lawson postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lawson is working for a kimura but Hanma is defending it quite comfortably.

Lawson is looking for a kimura here.
Well, if Lawson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Hanma looking for submissions off his back.
Lawson trying to control the action but Hanma is working from the bottom.
Hanma is trying to maintain the position but Lawson is very close to passing his half guard.

Hanma looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hanma wants to control but Lawson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hanma is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Lawson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Lawson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hanma trying to control but Lawson postures up.
Hanma is looking for a sweep. Lawson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lawson is looking for a kimura here.

Hanma looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Brendan Lawson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Baki Hanma's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lawson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Lawson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hanma tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Lawson easily slips into full mount!

Lawson has control of Hanma's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hanma regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Lawson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lawson avoids the attempt from Hanma to control.

Lawson jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Hanma manages to avoid the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hanma is trying to improve his position.
Hanma struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson wants to control but Hanma is keeping him busy.
Hanma is trying to improve his position.
Hanma is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lawson off and has taken his back!
Hanma not allowing Lawson to control his hands.

Hanma patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Hanma doesn't have the hooks in and Lawson manages to turn into his guard.

Hanma looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hanma has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lawson drops back looking for a leg! Hanma is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hanma manages to kick Lawson off! Lawson jumps back into Hanma's guard.
Lawson wants to control from the top but Hanma keeps moving.
Hanma is trying to keep Lawson in close.
Lawson trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lawson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Lawson won't allow Hanma to sweep him here.
Hanma pulls Lawson in close to prevent any damage.
Lawson trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Lawson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lawson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hanma managing to control the position.

Lawson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lawson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Hanma working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lawson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lawson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawson trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hanma looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hanma is controlling Lawson's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lawson wants to control from the top but Hanma keeps moving.

Lawson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Lawson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hanma has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lawson has managed to get both his arms back between Hanma's legs - danger averted.
Lawson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Hanma is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Lawson frees his head nicely. Oh but Hanma has switched to an armbar! Lawson is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Baki Hanma!
Baki Hanma was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.