PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Lawal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esteban Cordoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lawal kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Chocolate Salty Balls. Lawal has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Jon Lawal has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lawal
vs
Cordoza

185 cm
19
201 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
204 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jon Lawal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esteban Cordoza!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cordoza is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cordoza needs to keep his hands up - Lawal had a free shot at his head there.

It looks like Esteban Cordoza has been cut.
Cordoza tries to clinch up but Lawal circles away and keeps his distance.
Cordoza tries to clinch up.
Lawal misses with a hook.
Lawal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lawal wants it to stay on the feet.

Cordoza moves into the clinch.
Cordoza content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Esteban Cordoza.

Cordoza moves into range and clinches up with Lawal.
Cordoza lands a good knee to the midsection. Lawal won't want to take too many of those.
Lawal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cordoza tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lawal wants to get back to striking at distance but Cordoza won't allow it.
Lawal is breathing heavily.
Cordoza stalling.
Lawal tries to circle away but Cordoza has him pinned against the cage.
Cordoza unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lawal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawal working hard to break the clinch.
Cordoza using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lawal has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cordoza taking a breather.
Lawal can't break the clinch.
Cordoza stalling.
Lawal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lawal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cordoza just leaning against Lawal, taking a breather.
Cordoza continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Lawal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cordoza looking to throw knees to the head but Lawal is blocking nicely.
Lawal is trying to force a seperation but Cordoza has the dominant position.
Lawal managing to block the knees to the body from Cordoza.
Lawal can't break the clinch.
The referee calls for Cordoza to work.
Cordoza has Lawal pressed against the cage, preventing Lawal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cordoza goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lawal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lawal is trying to break the clinch but Cordoza has him pressed against the cage.
Lawal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Cordoza tries a knee to the head but Lawal blocks it.
Cordoza scores with a knee to the head.
Cordoza prevents Lawal from breaking the clinch.
Cordoza keeps control of Lawal as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cordoza stalling in the clinch.
Lawal working hard to break the clinch.
Cordoza has Lawal pressed against the cage, preventing Lawal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lawal is trying to force a seperation but Cordoza has the dominant position.
Cordoza leaning his opponent against the cage.
Cordoza scores with a knee to the head.
Cordoza missing with knees to the body.
Lawal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lawal is trying to force a seperation but Cordoza has the dominant position.
Cordoza landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lawal is looking to break free of the clinch but Cordoza has double underhooks.
Lawal wants to get back to striking at distance but Cordoza won't allow it.
Cordoza utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cordoza with a knee to the head.
Cordoza using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lawal has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A frustrated look appears on Lawal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lawal has had enough of the clinch but Cordoza keeps him there for the moment.
Cordoza prevents Lawal from breaking the clinch.
Come on Cordoza - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Lawal can't break the clinch.
Cordoza is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lawal tries to break free but Cordoza pushes him back against the cage.
Lawal wants to break free but Cordoza has control.
Cordoza taking a breather.
Cordoza scores with a knee to the head.
Cordoza throws a knee to the head but misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Cordoza tries to stall but Lawal uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lawal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cordoza with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lawal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lawal tries to circle away but Cordoza has him pinned against the cage.
Cordoza connects with a knee to the head.
Lawal is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A frustrated look appears on Lawal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cordoza pressing his opponent against the cage.
Lawal is trying to break the clinch but Cordoza has him pressed against the cage.
Lawal is looking to break free of the clinch but Cordoza has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Lawal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cordoza leaning against his opponent.
Lawal is trying to break the clinch but Cordoza has him pressed against the cage.
Cordoza stalling.
Cordoza with a knee to the head.
Cordoza misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lawal.
Cordoza lands a good knee to the midsection. Lawal won't want to take too many of those.
Cordoza stalls.
Cordoza is trying to maintain a safe position but Lawal gets an underhook and turns Cordoza into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jon Lawal will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Esteban Cordoza's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cordoza tries to close the distance and clinch but Lawal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lawal uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cordoza has time to react.

Cordoza gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cordoza unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Lawal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cordoza lands a body punch in the clinch.
Cordoza connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lawal's face.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cordoza takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A knee to the head by Cordoza.
Cordoza connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lawal's face.
Come on Cordoza - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Cordoza has Lawal pressed against the cage, preventing Lawal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cordoza creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Lawal tries to circle away but Cordoza has him pinned against the cage.
Lawal working hard to break the clinch.
Cordoza with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cordoza stalling against the cage.
Lawal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cordoza pressing his opponent against the cage.
Lawal is trying to force a seperation but Cordoza has the dominant position.
Cordoza landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Cordoza tries a knee to the head but Lawal blocks it.
A frustrated look appears on Lawal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cordoza tries to stall but Lawal uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lawal tries to pull guard but Cordoza won't allow it.
Cordoza stalling.
Lawal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lawal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lawal tries to break free but Cordoza pushes him back against the cage.
Cordoza is trying to maintain a safe position but Lawal gets an underhook and turns Cordoza into the cage.
Lawal can't break the clinch.
Cordoza content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Esteban Cordoza.
Lawal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cordoza sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cordoza looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lawal is fending him off so far but Cordoza persists. Nope, Lawal circles away and we're back to standing.
Jon Lawal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lawal connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Danga de danga de dang - Lawal scores with a four punch combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cordoza keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lawal.
Lawal misses with a wild body shot.

Cordoza pushes Lawal up against the cage in a clinch.
Lawal wants to get back to striking at distance but Cordoza won't allow it.
Cordoza lands a nice knee to the body.
Cordoza gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cordoza connects with a knee to the head.
Lawal takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cordoza prevents Lawal from breaking the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Cordoza - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Lawal has had enough of the clinch but Cordoza keeps him there for the moment.
Cordoza tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lawal is trying to break free.
Lawal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lawal tries to break the clinch but Cordoza is controlling the position.
Cordoza lands a nice knee to the body.
Cordoza content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cordoza looking to throw knees to the head but Lawal is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cordoza missing with knees to the body.
Lawal tries to break free but Cordoza pushes him back against the cage.
Lawal tries to break the clinch but Cordoza is controlling the position.
Cordoza dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Lawal on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cordoza misses with a knee to the head.
Cordoza unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lawal lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lawal wants to break free but Cordoza has control.
Cordoza is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lawal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lawal is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cordoza gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cordoza content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cordoza lands a damaging elbow.
Lawal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lawal blocking some punches.
Cordoza tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cordoza is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Lawal tries to circle away but Cordoza has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lawal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cordoza stalling against the cage.
Lawal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cordoza stalling against the cage.
Lawal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lawal is looking to break free of the clinch but Cordoza has double underhooks.
Cordoza is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lawal is trying to break the clinch but Cordoza is controlling him.
Cordoza tries to land knees in the clinch but Lawal avoids the damage to the body.
Cordoza tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cordoza has Lawal pressed against the cage, preventing Lawal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lawal working hard to break the clinch.
Cordoza manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cordoza misses with a knee to the head.
Lawal letting Cordoza take a breather here.
Lawal tries to break the clinch but Cordoza is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esteban Cordoza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Esteban Cordoza's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cordoza tries to clinch up.
Lawal fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cordoza on the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Lawal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Cordoza forces Lawal back against the cage and clinches.
Cordoza utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lawal is looking to break free of the clinch but Cordoza has double underhooks.
Cordoza lands a knee to the head.
Cordoza has Lawal pushed against the cage.
Lawal has had enough of the clinch but Cordoza keeps him there for the moment.
Cordoza is struggling to control the position.
Lawal wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cordoza has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cordoza slowing the pace effectively.
Lawal is looking to break free of the clinch but Cordoza has double underhooks.
Cordoza displaying some good clinch control by pressing Lawal up against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Cordoza's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lawal tries to break free but Cordoza pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cordoza misses with a punch to the body.
Cordoza content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Esteban Cordoza.
Left hook, right uppercut from Lawal.
Cordoza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lawal's waist but Lawal gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cordoza off to one side.
Cordoza shoots in looking for a takedown. Lawal tries to sprawl out of it but Cordoza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lawal manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cordoza takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Lawal throws a jab when Cordoza was well out of range.
Cordoza tries to close the distance and clinch but Lawal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lawal swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cordoza.
Cordoza avoids the body shot from Lawal.
Lawal is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Cordoza clinches up with Lawal and pushes him back against the cage.
Lawal tries to break the clinch but Cordoza is controlling the position.
Lawal tries to circle away but Cordoza has him pinned against the cage.
Lawal wants to break the clinch but can't.
The referee calls for Cordoza to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lawal can't break the clinch.
Lawal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lawal has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cordoza prevents Lawal from breaking the clinch.
Cordoza connects with a knee to the head.
Cordoza effectively controlling the action here.
Lawal is trying to break free.
Cordoza has Lawal pressed against the cage, preventing Lawal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cordoza stalling the fight.
Cordoza with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lawal is trying to break the clinch but Cordoza is controlling him.
Cordoza tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lawal is looking to break free of the clinch but Cordoza has double underhooks.
Cordoza pushes off an throws an elbow but Lawal leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Lawal goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cordoza prevents it.
Cordoza holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lawal as Cordoza tries to tie him up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawal has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cordoza is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cordoza lands an elbow just above Lawal 's eye.
Cordoza prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Lawal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cordoza taking a breather.
Lawal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cordoza with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Lawal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cordoza is stalling here.
Cordoza looking to slow down the pace here.
Lawal working hard to break the clinch.
Cordoza stalling the fight.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Esteban Cordoza.
Cordoza is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Lawal fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Lawal swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lawal. Cordoza does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lawal swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Cordoza fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lawal, pushing him back against the cage.
Lawal is trying to break free.
Cordoza connects with a knee to the head.
Lawal is trying to break free.
Cordoza tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cordoza lands a knee to the head.
Cordoza stalling against the cage.
Lawal wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cordoza is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Lawal is defending well for now.
Cordoza is stalling here.
Lawal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lawal working hard to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cordoza lands a knee to the head.
Lawal tries to break free but Cordoza pushes him back against the cage.
Cordoza prevents Lawal from breaking the clinch.
Cordoza content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Lawal has had enough of the clinch but Cordoza keeps him there for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esteban Cordoza comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cordoza has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esteban Cordoza!