PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lorenz Blackwater (ranked 1818 p4p, 1638 weight class) and Gabriel Lauzier (ranked 216 p4p, 195 weight class). Blackwater kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is A$AP Rocky - Everyday. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Blackwater
vs
Lauzier

185 cm
26
202
16 - 9 - 0

192 cm
29
198
15 - 13 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

⚔️Conquest Nutrition⚔️

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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lorenz Blackwater!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gabriel Lauzier!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lauzier tries to clinch but Blackwater moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Blackwater misses the target.
Lauzier misses with an uppercut.
Lauzier has a takedown stuffed.
Blackwater fires out a quick counter leg kick but Lauzier just manages to avoid it.
Blackwater connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Blackwater tries a low kick but Lauzier avoids it.
Lauzier moves out of range of the strikes.

Lauzier closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lauzier wants to break the clinch but can't.

Lauzier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blackwater scores with a spinning back kick!
We've been told by Blackwater's head coaches at California Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Blackwater steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lauzier.
Blackwater tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Lauzier manages to circle out of the way.
Blackwater throws a shot from downtown. Lauzier moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blackwater fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lauzier sprawls well initially but Blackwater persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Lauzier is staying active underneath Blackwater, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lauzier is looking to improve his position.
Blackwater throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Blackwater not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Blackwater controlling the action here.
Nice strikes from Blackwater there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lauzier can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lauzier pushes Blackwater off looking to stand but Blackwater dives back in and keeps control.
Lauzier taking some punishment here, with Blackwater in his half guard.

Blackwater is working for a kimura but Lauzier is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lauzier wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Lauzier tries to get to full guard but Blackwater has control of the leg.
Blackwater thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lauzier's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blackwater wants to take a breather but Lauzier is having none of it.
Blackwater is looking to stall here but Lauzier recovers full guard.
Lauzier looking to hit a scissor sweep but Blackwater is one step ahead there.
Lauzier really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Blackwater. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blackwater postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lauzier is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Blackwater, into his guard.

Blackwater has his feet on Lauzier's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lauzier.

Blackwater throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
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!
Good exchange - Blackwater coming out on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauzier misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A little feinted left hand from Blackwater on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Blackwater throws a lazy right hand but Lauzier sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A slow jab from Lauzier misses its intended target.
Lauzier ducks under a wild hook from Blackwater.
Blackwater tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lauzier throws a series of punches but Blackwater avoids them all with ease.
Blackwater throws a body kick that misses.

Blackwater drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Blackwater trying to control the position but Lauzier is working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lorenz Blackwater dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Lauzier misses with a takedown
and Blackwater counters with a nice uppercut.
A slow jab from Blackwater misses its intended target.
Blackwater tries for a takedown but Lauzier circles away easily
and Lauzier counters with a stiff right hand.
Lauzier tries to clinch but Blackwater is having none of it.
Lauzier fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No joy there for Blackwater, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lauzier fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Blackwater doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Lauzier counters with a stiff right hand.
Blackwater throws a body punch but Lauzier moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lauzier changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Blackwater tries to avoid it but Lauzier manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Blackwater to the ground. Blackwater escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lorenz Blackwater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Lauzier.
Lauzier misses with a hook.
Lauzier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blackwater.
Lorenz Blackwater is winning the standup battle so far.

Lauzier gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Blackwater is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lauzier to keep the fight standing.

Blackwater pulls guard effortlessly.
Blackwater has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lauzier in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Blackwater is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Blackwater is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lauzier can do to turn this around?
Blackwater avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Blackwater looking for a guillotine here but Lauzier defends easily.
Blackwater preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Lauzier working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Lauzier wants to control from the top but Blackwater keeps moving.
Blackwater not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lauzier throwing strikes but missing.
Blackwater is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lauzier must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lauzier in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Blackwater manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lauzier manages to get himself to full guard.

Lauzier looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blackwater postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lauzier manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Blackwater manages to get himself to full guard.

Lauzier is working Blackwater over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lauzier chips away with some ground and pound.
Lauzier throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lauzier throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauzier preventing the sweep.

Blackwater is looking for a triangle but Lauzier pushes his legs off easily.
Lauzier with a flurry of punches that miss.

Blackwater is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lauzier defends well.
Lauzier content to stall in guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lauzier throwing strikes but missing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gabriel Lauzier will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Blackwater uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lauzier.
A little feinted left hand from Blackwater on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Blackwater throws a lazy right hand but Lauzier sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Lauzier moves into range and clinches up with Blackwater.
Blackwater has Lauzier pressed against the cage, preventing Lauzier from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A shot in the inside from Blackwater.
Blackwater leaning against his opponent.

Lauzier is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Blackwater can't fight it off and eventually Lauzier manages to take the fight to the floor. Blackwater looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Lauzier postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lauzier trying to control the position from guard on top but Blackwater is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blackwater not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blackwater is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Blackwater has his foot on Lauzier's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lauzier works his way back into a safe position though.
Lauzier lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lauzier landing some decent shots from guard.
Blackwater trying to control the position.
Lauzier wants to control from the top but Blackwater keeps moving.

Blackwater is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lauzier wants to control from the top but Blackwater keeps moving.
Lauzier is looking to work some ground and pound but Blackwater has wrist control.
Blackwater not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Blackwater looking for a guillotine here but Lauzier defends easily.
Lauzier with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lauzier with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lauzier scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Blackwater working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lauzier.
Blackwater wants to sweep but no luck.
Lauzier postures up.
Lauzier landing with the ground and pound.
Lauzier throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Blackwater works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lauzier scoring with punches to the head and body.
Blackwater is trying to control the position but Lauzier postures up.
Lauzier is working Blackwater over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lauzier postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lauzier lands a couple of elbows.
Lauzier scoring with some ground and pound.

Blackwater is rocked!
Lauzier working some strikes from top position.
Oh Blackwater is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lauzier passes Blackwater's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Blackwater is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lauzier scores with a big shot! Blackwater's head bounced off the canvas with a huge thud! More strikes land and the referee has jumped in to save Blackwater! He was hurt real bad - good stoppage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gabriel Lauzier!
A very excited looking Gabriel Lauzier 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.