PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abdullah Zaire (ranked 1746 p4p, 2941 weight class) and Malachi Lawrence (ranked 262 p4p, 415 weight class). Malachi Lawrence is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Zaire
vs
Lawrence

189 cm
36
206
14 - 10 - 1

180 cm
33
174
19 - 19 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer
Brooklyn Apothecary

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Abdullah Zaire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 19 - 0, fighting out of New York, Malachi Lawrence!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for Zaire.
Zaire lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zaire finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Lawrence shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zaire as he avoids it easily.
Lawrence has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Nice cross by Lawrence.
Zaire throws the left hand but Lawrence avoids the punch easily.
Zaire has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cope's in the buildup to the fight.
Lawrence walks into a jab.
Lawrence dives in for a single leg takedown but Zaire sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A little feinted left hand from Zaire on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lawrence stuns Zaire with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zaire digs a good hook to Lawrence's body.
Lawrence loads up on a big right hand but Zaire slips the punch.
Lawrence takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lawrence. Zaire does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lawrence looks to land a combination but Zaire avoids it well.
Zaire takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Zaire fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lawrence looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
No luck for Lawrence with that takedown attempt.
Abdullah Zaire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malachi Lawrence.
Lawrence throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zaire counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zaire lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Abdullah Zaire is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lawrence lands a body shot.
Lawrence fails to land the takedown.
Zaire takes a swing at Lawrence's ribcage but misses.
Zaire moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Lawrence has a takedown stuffed.
Lawrence throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Zaire counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Lawrence walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Lawrence takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice body punch from Zaire.
Abdullah Zaire seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lawrence looks to land a left hand but Zaire moved out of range nicely.
Zaire scores with a jab.
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!
Zaire dips to his left and cracks Lawrence with an uppercut!
Zaire throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Lawrence has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Zaire.
Lawrence tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zaire sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lawrence somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaire uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Lawrence has time to react.

Lawrence gets the takedown into side control.

Zaire sneaks out the side door and pushes Lawrence away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lawrence is defended easily by Zaire.
Zaire throws a quick inside leg kick.
That kick from Zaire tenderised Lawrence's leg. Lawrence is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zaire slips a jab and a cross from Lawrence.
Zaire moves into range and connects with a jab.

It looks like Malachi Lawrence has been cut.

Lawrence scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
An elbow from Lawrence crashes against the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaire wants to get back to his feet.
Lawrence misses with the ground and pound.
Lawrence misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Lawrence landing a few strikes.
Lawrence misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
An elbow from Lawrence crashes against the mat.
Lawrence fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Lawrence connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Zaire some visible discomfort.
Zaire defending against the ground and pound.
Lawrence working the ground and pound but Zaire is defending the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence tries to advance to mount but Zaire denies him.
Zaire is trying to buck Lawrence off.
An elbow from Lawrence crashes against the mat.
Lawrence looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Zaire is avoiding damage well.
Sloppy strikes there by Lawrence.
Zaire is pushing Lawrence's head away, looking to escape. Lawrence manages to hold on to the position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A lull in the action here.
Lawrence misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abdullah Zaire dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Malachi Lawrence's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lawrence throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zaire's waist but Zaire gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lawrence off to one side.
Lawrence lands with a nice body punch.
Lawrence ducks right into an uppercut from Zaire.
Lawrence takes a swing at Zaire's ribcage but misses.
Lawrence misses with a takedown attempt - Zaire sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zaire is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Zaire works the jab nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zaire.
Nice defenses there by Lawrence.
Lawrence connects with a looping right hand.
Zaire connects with a jab.
Zaire with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Zaire is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lawrence misses the body punch
and Zaire counters with an inside leg kick.
Lawrence looks to land a right hand but Zaire moved out of range.
Zaire scores with a hook to the body. Lawrence takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Zaire chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire misses with a jab to the body

and Lawrence moves into the clinch.
Zaire misses with a punch on the inside.
Zaire lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Zaire misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zaire swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Lawrence pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lawrence looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Abdullah Zaire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malachi Lawrence.
A solid leg kick lands there for Lawrence.
Zaire scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lawrence in his tracks.
Abdullah Zaire is winning the standup battle so far.
Zaire scores with a hook.
Zaire listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lawrence slips a jab from Zaire.
Some bone on bone action there as Lawrence checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zaire.
Zaire displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lawrence.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lawrence shoots in looking for a takedown but Zaire manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lawrence's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lawrence throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lawrence cracks Zaire with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lawrence. Zaire does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaire is looking to counter punch.
Zaire throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Lawrence misses with a takedown attempt - Zaire sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lawrence is breathing heavily.
Good leg kick by Zaire.
Zaire lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lawrence avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Both fighters circling a little - Zaire finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Zaire connects with an inside leg kick.
Lawrence looks to throw the jab but Zaire is out of range.
Jab by Zaire.
Zaire is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lawrence can do to turn this around?
Zaire connects with a body shot that sends Lawrence's belly button to the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaire throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lawrence sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zaire lands a jab to Lawrence's midsection.
Zaire misses the shot to the body.
Zaire moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lawrence on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nice uppercut lands for Zaire. That snapped Lawrence's head back.
Lawrence looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zaire swings for the body but Lawrence moves out of range.
Lawrence staying out of range there.
Lawrence swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Zaire lands with a nice body kick.
Good work by Lawrence as he checks the leg kick.
Lawrence shoots for a double leg takedown but Zaire sprawls well. He's pushed Lawrence's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lawrence tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Lawrence slips under a jab from Zaire.
A countering left hand to the body from Lawrence misses.
Zaire connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lawrence momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaire swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Lawrence counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Zaire.
Zaire slaps away a takedown attempt from Lawrence, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lawrence's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
An inside leg kick lands from Zaire.
Lawrence bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lawrence shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Zaire counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zaire throws the left hand but Lawrence avoids the punch easily.
Zaire throws a lazy right hand but Lawrence sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It seemed like Lawrence was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Zaire takes a swing at Lawrence's ribcage but misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lawrence is defended easily by Zaire.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lawrence misses with a takedown attempt
and Zaire counters with a right hand to the body.
Lawrence keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abdullah Zaire dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Malachi Lawrence's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lawrence uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaire.
Lawrence moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Zaire connects with a looping right hand.
Decent striking displayed by Zaire there.
Lawrence thuds his right hand into Zaire's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Zaire fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lawrence.
Lawrence takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Zaire misses with a lunging right hand
and Lawrence counters with a left and a right that stings Zaire.
Zaire with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lawrence misses with the combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lawrence shoots for a takedown but Zaire saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lawrence tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zaire sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lawrence somewhat.
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.
Lawrence takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
Lawrence walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Zaire thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lawrence if he has to take too many more of those.
Lawrence shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zaire defends it nicely.
Abdullah Zaire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malachi Lawrence.
Zaire throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Zaire sizes up Lawrence with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Lawrence tries for a takedown but Zaire circles away easily
and Zaire counters with a nice uppercut.
Zaire scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zaire digs a good hook to Lawrence's body.
Zaire wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zaire throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Lawrence on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaire lands with a good body shot.
Zaire swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zaire cracks Lawrence with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Lawrence shoots in looking for a takedown. Zaire tries to sprawl out of it but Lawrence keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zaire manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zaire. That's going to slow Lawrence down.
Lawrence uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zaire.
Zaire throws a quick inside leg kick.
Lawrence shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zaire dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zaire throws a quick inside leg kick.
Zaire fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Zaire scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Malachi Lawrence has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Zaire lands but Lawrence takes it in his stride.
Zaire lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Lawrence gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zaire.
Lawrence doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Zaire there.
Lawrence cracks Zaire with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lawrence looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lawrence takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lawrence on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Lawrence jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lawrence shoots in for a takedown but Zaire shows good takedown defense.
Zaire lands a body shot.
Lawrence swings for the body but Zaire moves out of range.
Zaire scores with a jab. Lawrence acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Lawrence takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lawrence darts in looking for a takedown but Zaire gets double underhooks and turns Lawrence into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaire throws a nice looking combination but Lawrence bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Zaire getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Zaire connects with a body shot.
Lawrence fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Zaire. That snapped Lawrence's head back.
Zaire goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Zaire throws a leg kick which misses Lawrence's front leg but catches the back leg as Lawrence tries to avoid it.
A left lands for Zaire.
Zaire buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lawrence looks for a takedown but Zaire sprawls well.
Lawrence has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zaire fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lawrence drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Zaire listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Abdullah Zaire is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lawrence checks a leg kick nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdullah Zaire showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zaire, 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Abdullah Zaire!
A very excited looking Abdullah Zaire made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.