PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Linwood Lawrence (ranked 25245 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conor Mcgregor (ranked 5785 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Lawrence
vs
Mcgregor

190 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

175 cm
23
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Linwood Lawrence!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Conor Mcgregor!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mcgregor decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Mcgregor is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lawrence is just riding it out for now. Mcgregor eventually gives up the hold.
Lawrence has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mcgregor is working away from the top position though.
Mcgregor lands with a punch from half guard.
Mcgregor looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawrence wants to sweep but Mcgregor has passed to side control!
Mcgregor slows the pace down.

Mcgregor looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Lawrence prevents Mcgregor from moving into mount.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mcgregor is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lawrence knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

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.
Mcgregor taking a breather here.
Lawrence is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mcgregor's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mcgregor takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Lawrence looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lawrence wants to control but Mcgregor is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lawrence tries to roll over but Mcgregor keeps him under control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor lands with a punch from half guard.
Lawrence is trying to get back to full guard.
Mcgregor controlling the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Mcgregor closes the distance and pushes Lawrence back into the cage.
Lawrence throws an elbow that misses.

Mcgregor ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mcgregor no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence trying to control but Mcgregor is working from the bottom.
Lawrence seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Mcgregor lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mcgregor decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lawrence, up you get!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mcgregor looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mcgregor engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor Mcgregor dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mcgregor shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lawrence manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Lawrence has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Mcgregor is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Lawrence tries to pull guard but Mcgregor won't allow it.
Lawrence is trying to pull guard but Mcgregor has him pressed against the cage.

Mcgregor has hold of one of Lawrence's legs. Lawrence is fighting the takedown attempt but Mcgregor gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Lawrence will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lawrence is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mcgregor tries to free his leg and advance position but Lawrence is retaining full guard.
Mcgregor sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mcgregor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mcgregor with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgregor is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mcgregor looking to pass the guard.
Lawrence looking for a sweep. Not yet Lawrence, not yet.
Mcgregor is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Lawrence throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two 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.
Mcgregor is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Mcgregor drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Mcgregor tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Mcgregor staying calm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor wants to stand but Lawrence has his arm trapped.
Mcgregor controlling the position from side mount.
Mcgregor tries to stand but Lawrence is controlling his head.
Mcgregor taking a breather here.
Mcgregor tries to stand but Lawrence is controlling his head.

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.
Lawrence is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Mcgregor has just dragged him back down to the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mcgregor closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lawrence quickly recovers to half guard.
Well, if Mcgregor is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Mcgregor drops an elbow to the side of Lawrence's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mcgregor trying to control the pace.
Mcgregor working Lawrence over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor Mcgregor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mcgregor looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Mcgregor is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mcgregor trying to control the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcgregor working the head and body with strikes.

Mcgregor seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgregor 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.

Mcgregor is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lawrence sees it coming and defends easily.
Mcgregor works his way into side control.
Mcgregor controls the position.
Lawrence is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mcgregor's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mcgregor with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Conor Mcgregor has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mcgregor seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Mcgregor in particular looking to stall.
Mcgregor lands with a punch from half guard.
Lawrence is trying to stand back up but Mcgregor is controlling him
Mcgregor tries to stand but can't do so whilst Lawrence controls his leg.
Lawrence has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mcgregor is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lawrence tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mcgregor manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mcgregor tries a head kick but it misses.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Lawrence enables Mcgregor to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Lawrence manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawrence 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.
Lawrence is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Mcgregor sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lawrence's guard.
Mcgregor tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Lawrence.
Mcgregor not doing much here.
Lawrence taking some punishment here, with Mcgregor in his half guard.

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.
Lawrence trying to control here.
Mcgregor with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Lawrence works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mcgregor controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mcgregor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lawrence swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lawrence not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conor Mcgregor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mcgregor 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conor Mcgregor!