PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Karl Lawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Guillermo Castillo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Lawson
vs
Castillo

183 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
21
171 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Karl Lawson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Guillermo Castillo!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Paulo Santos and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castillo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Guillermo Castillo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lawson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Lawson rushes Castillo and presses him up against the cage.
Castillo tries to pull guard but Lawson won't allow it.
Lawson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Lawson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Lawson is pressed up against the cage. Castillo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lawson down to the mat. Lawson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Karl Lawson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Guillermo Castillo.
Castillo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lawson circles away.
Lawson moves in looking to clinch but Castillo pushes him off.
Lawson misses with a wild combination.
Castillo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Lawson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Lawson is looking to clinch.
A combination from Lawson does no damage.
Castillo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lawson.

Lawson has managed to clinch.
Castillo wants a takedown but no success here.
Lawson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lawson slowing the pace effectively.
Castillo wants a takedown.
Castillo takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castillo tries to land knees in the clinch but Lawson avoids the damage to the body.
Lawson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Castillo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lawson crunches a lovely knee into Castillo's ribcage.
Castillo looks gassed!
Castillo tries to pull guard but Lawson won't allow it.
Lawson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Castillo missing with knees to the body.
Lawson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Castillo trying to control the position but instead, Lawson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Castillo into the cage.
Lawson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Castillo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lawson avoids it.
Lawson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Castillo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lawson effectively controlling the action here.
Castillo takes an elbow to the temple.
Knees to the body from Lawson.
Lawson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Lawson lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Lawson.
Lawson lands a knee to the body.
Nice elbow from Lawson.
Lawson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Lawson lands a nice elbow.
Lawson connects with a knee to the head.
Lawson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lawson working Castillo over with knees to the body.
Lawson stalling in the clinch.
Lawson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Castillo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lawson lands a nice knee to the body.
Lawson with a knee to the head.
Lawson lands an elbow inside.
Lawson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lawson connects with a knee to the head.
Lawson has Castillo pressed against the cage.
Lawson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson is struggling to control the position.
Castillo fails to pull guard.
Lawson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Karl Lawson.
Lawson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Castillo.

Lawson rushes Castillo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Lawson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lawson stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Lawson landing knees to the head.
Lawson slowing the pace effectively.
Castillo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lawson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Castillo looking to throw knees to the head but Lawson is blocking nicely.
Lawson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Lawson works on Castillo's body with a couple of short punches.
Lawson with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Castillo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Castillo blocks a body shot from Lawson.
Lawson lands an elbow inside.
Lawson scores a nice knee to the body.
Lawson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Castillo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Lawson lands a knee to the body.
Lawson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Castillo's face.
The referee calls for Lawson to work.
Castillo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lawson avoids it.
Lawson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Lawson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Lawson.
A bit of stalling here from Lawson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castillo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lawson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lawson lands a damaging elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lawson is looking to clinch.
Lawson is looking to clinch.
Lawson moves in looking to clinch but Castillo pushes him off.
Lawson moves in looking to clinch but Castillo pushes him off.
Lawson tries to clinch up.
Lawson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Castillo throws a head kick but Lawson moves out of range.
Castillo tries to score with a low kick but Lawson moves his leg out of the way.
Castillo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lawson tries to avoid it but Castillo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lawson to the ground. Lawson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lawson tries to clinch but Castillo is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawson is looking to clinch.
Lawson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lawson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Castillo is breathing heavily.
Castillo throws a leg kick but Lawson sees it coming and moves out of range.

Lawson darts in and clinches Castillo up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson scores a nice knee to the body.
Castillo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Castillo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Lawson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lawson lands a damaging elbow.
Lawson is looking to control Castillo's arms but Castillo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Lawson has his back to the cage.
Lawson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Lawson managing to block the knees to the body from Castillo.
Knees in the clinch landing for Lawson.
Lawson prevents the takedown attempt.
Castillo takes a knee right on the jaw!
The is referee keeping an eye on Lawson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Lawson working Castillo over with knees to the body.
Lawson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Castillo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Lawson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Karl Lawson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Guillermo Castillo.
Lawson working Castillo over with knees to the body.
Lawson lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Lawson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Castillo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nice elbow from Lawson.
Castillo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lawson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Lawson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lawson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lawson obliges.
Lawson with a knee to the head.
Lawson scores a nice knee to the body.
Lawson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Lawson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Castillo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Castillo wants a takedown but no success here.
Lawson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Castillo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lawson blocks it with crossed arms.
Lawson is pushing Castillo up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Lawson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson leaning against his opponent.
Karl Lawson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Castillo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lawson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lawson lands a knee to the head.
Lawson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Castillo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Castillo has Lawson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lawson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lawson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Castillo in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Castillo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Castillo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lawson blocks it with crossed arms.
Castillo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Lawson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Castillo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Castillo tries for a takedown. No joy.
Castillo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lawson slows down the pace here.
Castillo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lawson lands a nice elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lawson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Lawson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Lawson lands a damaging elbow.
Castillo wants a takedown.
Lawson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Castillo's face.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Lawson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Castillo wants a takedown but no success here.
Lawson lands a nice elbow.
Lawson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Lawson lands a knee to the body.
Castillo missing with knees to the body.
Lawson scores a nice knee to the body.
Castillo takes a knee right on the jaw!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Castillo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Lawson avoids it.
Castillo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lawson is defending well for now.
Castillo is trying to drag Lawson to the mat but Lawson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Lawson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Lawson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lawson closes the distance but Castillo moves to the side

and Castillo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Castillo is looking to advance position but Lawson won't allow it.
Lawson is trying to control but can't.
Castillo working Lawson over with strikes.
Castillo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lawson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Castillo uses his free foot to push down on Lawson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lawson.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castillo controlling from the full mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Castillo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lawson is looking to escape.
Lawson is desperately trying to improve his position but Castillo has a good base and remains in mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson wants to hold on but Castillo pushes him away.

Castillo looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Castillo with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Castillo throws a sloppy strike and Lawson uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Lawson has ended up in Castillo's guard.
Lawson passes Castillo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Castillo is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Lawson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Castillo trying to control here.
Lawson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Guillermo Castillo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lawson prevents Castillo from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Karl Lawson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Castillo keeping control of the position.
Castillo is looking to control Lawson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Castillo avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lawson wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lawson darts in trying to clinch

and Castillo counters with a takedown into side control.
Lawson is trying to buck Castillo off.
Lawson dodges the ground and pound from Castillo.

And that's the end of the fight!
Guillermo Castillo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lawson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karl Lawson!