PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ronnie Lawrence (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Pettis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pettis has chosen Showtime- Tum Tum Ft. Jim Jones as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Anthony Pettis enters the cage!

Lawrence
vs
Pettis

204 cm
24
162 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

179 cm
24
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

LAUNDERING! The real deal homies.
Bad Man Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ronnie Lawrence!
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, Anthony Pettis!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Emerson Jorge and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pettis closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lawrence did well to prevent Pettis getting side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Lawrence keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Pettis uses his free foot to push down on Lawrence's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lawrence.
Lawrence is working to get back to half guard.

Pettis looking to secure an arm triangle but Lawrence defends it well.
Pettis throws some wild stikes that Lawrence manages to avoid easily.
Lawrence can't escape the position.
Pettis tries to control but Lawrence wriggling away.
Lawrence really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lawrence working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettis throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Pettis throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Pettis is working for a guillotine from mount but Lawrence frees his head quite easily.
Lawrence working to try and regain half guard.
Lawrence is working hard here to advance position.
Lawrence tries to hold on but Pettis pushes him away.
Pettis thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Lawrence is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pettis thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Lawrence sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lawrence avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pettis.

Pettis is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lawrence sees it coming and defends easily.
Pettis is taking a breather. Lawrence says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Pettis wants to pass to mount but Lawrence is defending the position.
Lawrence tries to get to full guard but Pettis has control of the leg.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pettis not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence wants to get back to full guard.
Pettis throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pettis not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pettis is trying to control the action in half guard but Lawrence is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawrence is looking to improve his position.
Pettis wants to take a breather but Lawrence is having none of it.

Pettis is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lawrence sees it coming and defends easily.
Pettis prevents Lawrence from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is refusing to be controlled, as Pettis sits in half guard.
Pettis trying to mount his opponent but Lawrence defends it.
Lawrence tries to get to full guard but Pettis has control of the leg.
Pettis performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Lawrence is staying active underneath Pettis, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Anthony Pettis hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Lawrence tries to sprawl but Pettis drives through with a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Pettis dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pettis throws a head kick that misses.

Pettis forces Lawrence back against the cage and clinches.

Pettis pulls guard successfully.
Lawrence won't allow Pettis to get back to his feet.

Pettis looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Pettis has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lawrence can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lawrence lands a couple of elbows.
Lawrence missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Pettis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lawrence is looking to stand up but Pettis won't let him.
Pettis is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Lawrence gets to his feet. Pettis looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Pettis darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Lawrence missing with punches from the bottom.
Pettis thows a huge punch but Lawrence dodges it nicely.
Pettis is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Lawrence!
Lawrence is looking to improve his position but Pettis isn't that keen on the idea.

Pettis goes for an armbar but Lawrence turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Lawrence.

Lawrence stands and steps away. Pettis gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Pettis blocks a head kick by Lawrence.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lawrence.
Lawrence tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Pettis gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Lawrence manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Pettis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pettis trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawrence is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lawrence keeping full guard, as Pettis tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pettis being controlled here momentarily.

Pettis stands and steps away. Lawrence gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Pettis closes the distance and clinches.
Pettis wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pettis lands a knee to the body.

Pettis gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Lawrence tries to roll over but Pettis keeps him under control.
Lawrence trying to get back to full guard but Pettis takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Pettis misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pettis throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Pettis unloads with some shots from mount but Lawrence bucks and avoids them well.
Pettis connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Pettis is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Lawrence to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Lawrence shrugs it off.
Pettis throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Lawrence because Pettis loaded up on that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pettis controlling from the full mount.
Pettis throws some wild stikes that Lawrence manages to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Pettis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lawrence misses with a head kick.

Lawrence gets caught flat footed, as Pettis shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Pettis trying to control but Lawrence is working from the bottom.
Lawrence trying to control the position.
Lawrence looking for a sweep. Not yet Lawrence, not yet.
Pettis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pettis advances to half guard.
Lawrence tries to get to full guard but Pettis has control of the leg.
Lawrence trying to control from the bottom.
Pettis thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lawrence's head.
Lawrence blocking the ground and pound attempt from Pettis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettis wants to pass to mount but Lawrence is defending the position.
Pettis missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lawrence wants to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pettis thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lawrence's head.
Lawrence is looking for a sweep. Pettis is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pettis tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lawrence knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Lawrence tries to roll over but Pettis keeps him under control.

Pettis decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Pettis scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Lawrence is rocked!
Pettis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pettis misses with a leg kick
and Lawrence counters with a body kick that stops Pettis in his tracks momentarily.
Anthony Pettis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence tries a head kick but it misses.
Pettis avoids the head kick by Lawrence.
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.
Pettis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Lawrence gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Pettis to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pettis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pettis postures up in Lawrence's guard and throws a big left but Lawrence blocks it.
Pettis is looking to work some ground and pound but Lawrence has wrist control.
Pettis preventing the sweep.
Pettis postures up.
Lawrence is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pettis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lawrence.
Pettis keeping control of the position.
Lawrence wants to stand up but Pettis is controlling the position.

Lawrence is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pettis defends it well.
Pettis gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pettis looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Pettis has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Lawrence off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Lawrence connects with a high kick.
Ronnie Lawrence is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Pettis closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Lawrence tries to buck Pettis off but Pettis is having none of it.
Anthony Pettis has got the better of the ground game so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pettis wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lawrence keeps working.
Pettis throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Pettis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pettis has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Pettis!
Anthony Pettis thanked the fans post fight for their support.