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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Solomon Lawal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jarko Vatanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lawal comes to the cage accompanied by Beds Are Burning. Vatanen comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Uber Everywhere kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 193 cm
26
215 lbs
3 - 3 - 0 |
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190 cm
28
210 lbs
8 - 6 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine |
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BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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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
3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Solomon Lawal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jarko Vatanen!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Alan Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vatanen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lawal sets himself, and Vatanen steps forward looking for the clinch! Lawal avoids it this time.
Jarko Vatanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lawal circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lawal appears to be looking for a big counter.
Lawal fails with the takedown.
Lawal shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Vatanen's guard.
Lawal scoring with some ground and pound.
Lawal lands a couple of elbows.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Vatanen can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vatanen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lawal.
Vatanen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lawal. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Vatanen controls Lawal momentarily but Lawal frees himself.
Lawal makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen working a defensive guard here.
Vatanen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Vatanen is trying to control the position but Lawal postures up.
Lawal is working Vatanen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lawal postures up and lands a big shot to Vatanen's brow.
Lawal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lawal throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lawal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vatanen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lawal stands up from Vatanen's guard - Lawal perhaps looking for a knockout.
Lawal throws a right hand that Vatanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Vatanen also avoids with ease.
We've been told by Lawal's head coaches at KNOCKOUT KINGS MMA (500$ for Elite Training) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Vatanen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Vatanen darts in looking for a takedown but Lawal gets double underhooks and turns Vatanen into the cage.
Lawal throws a big counter combination but Vatanen scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Lawal will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Solomon Lawal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lawal throws a big counter combination but Vatanen scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Vatanen shoots in looking for a takedown but Lawal manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vatanen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vatanen fails to land the takedown.
Vatanen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lawal pinned against the cage. Lawal gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Vatanen fails with the takedown.
Vatanen scores with a takedown into Lawal's guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lawal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lawal 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.
Lawal pushes Vatanen off and scrambles back to his feet.
Lawal fails to land the takedown.
Lawal feints and as Vatanen raises his hands in defense, Lawal changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Lawal is in close to Vatanen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawal landing with the ground and pound.
Lawal scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lawal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vatanen is trying to control the position but Lawal postures up.
Vatanen tries to strike from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawal chips away with some ground and pound.
Lawal postures up and lands a big shot to Vatanen's brow.
Lawal is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
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!
Lawal is in close to Vatanen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lawal scoring with some ground and pound.
Vatanen working a defensive guard here.
Lawal makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lawal thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Solomon Lawal dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Vatanen fails with a takedown attempt.
Vatanen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lawal defends it nicely.
Lawal throws a counter high kick but Vatanen was just alert enough to avoid it.
Lawal wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lawal dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen throws a right hand that misses
and Lawal counters with a two punch combo.
Vatanen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Solomon Lawal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jarko Vatanen.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vatanen.
Lawal stuffs the takedown attempt from Vatanen. Vatanen gets slowly back to his feet.
Vatanen dives in and grabs Lawal's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lawal pushes down on Vatanen's head and hops out.
Vatanen has closed the distance and engaged Lawal in a clinch.
Lawal has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vatanen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Lawal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vatanen tries to clinch there but Lawal circles away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawal takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Lawal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice takedown defense from Vatanen. No joy for Lawal on that attempt.
Vatanen throws a series of punches but Lawal avoids them all with ease.
Solomon Lawal is winning the standup battle so far.
Vatanen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lawal.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vatanen moves into range and clinches up with Lawal.
A right hook to the body lands for Vatanen.
Vatanen gets underhooks to prevent Lawal's takedown attempt.
Vatanen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lawal is keeping busy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen tries to pull guard but Lawal won't allow it.
Vatanen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lawal's efforts to push away.
Vatanen is trying to pull guard but Lawal has him pressed against the cage.
Vatanen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lawal after a bit of a struggle.
Lawal keeps control of Vatanen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lawal tries to land knees in the clinch but Vatanen avoids the damage to the body.
Lawal is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Vatanen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Lawal fails to pull guard.
Vatanen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lawal backwards.
Lawal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vatanen tries to clinch but Lawal moves out of range.
Lawal circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lawal is looking for a counter combo.
Vatanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen shoots in looking for a takedown. Lawal tries to sprawl out of it but Vatanen 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.
Lawal shoots in for a takedown but Vatanen shows good takedown defense.
Vatanen scores with a spinning back kick!
Vatanen doesn't manage to clinch there - Lawal circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vatanen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lawal pinned against the cage. Lawal gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Solomon Lawal will probably get the nod.
That's time! Lawal's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!
Vatanen has a takedown stuffed.
Lawal throws a big counter combination but Vatanen scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Lawal is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vatanen can do to turn this around?
Lawal throws a body kick that misses.
Vatanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Vatanen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lawal but Lawal pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lawal appears to be looking for a big counter.
A telegraphed right hand from Lawal misses the target.
Lawal looks for a takedown but Vatanen sprawls well.
Solomon Lawal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vatanen darts in looking for a takedown but Lawal gets double underhooks and turns Vatanen into the cage.
Solomon Lawal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jarko Vatanen.
Vatanen fails with a takedown attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawal shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vatanen as he jumps to the side.
Lawal tries for a takedown but Vatanen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vatanen scores with a decent looking hook.
Vatanen shoots in and drives through. Lawal sprawls well.
Lawal misses with a low kick.
Vatanen is looking for the big counter here.
Lawal leaves Vatanen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lawal went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen shoots in for a takedown but Lawal shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vatanen tries to clinch up.
Lawal misses with a low kick as Vatanen jumps back.
Lawal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lawal.
Vatanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
It looked like Lawal was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Lawal moves out of range of the body kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen fails with the takedown.
Vatanen tries to clinch up.
As Vatanen looks to move away, Lawal throws a big counter combo but Vatanen just gets out of the way.
Vatanen throws a sloppy head kick and Lawal moves out of range easily.
Nice sprawl there from Lawal as Vatanen shoots in.
Lawal throws a quick counter head kick but Vatanen was just out of range.
Jarko Vatanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lawal darts in looking for a takedown but Vatanen gets double underhooks and turns Lawal into the cage.
Vatanen misses with a body shot.
Lawal shoots in for a takedown but Vatanen shows good takedown defense.
Vatanen shoots and misses
and Lawal counters with a left and a right that stings Vatanen.
Vatanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vatanen tries to clinch
enabling Lawal to counter with a crisp jab.
Solomon Lawal is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Lawal. No joy for Vatanen on that attempt.
Lawal appears to be looking for a big counter.
Lawal drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lawal is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lawal passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that's the end of the fight!
Solomon Lawal showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lawal, 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Solomon Lawal!
After winning the bout, Solomon Lawal thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
37% |
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