Kunle Lawal gets decision in battle of ground control

Desmond Tamungang has had a solid start to his professional MMA career, going 5-0 with three finishes. The grappling specialist has three finishes to his name, including a pair of first-round submissions. Tamungang, who says fight IQ is his greatest strength, last fought at an event held by the Francis Ngannou Foundation in November 2023, defeating Ibrahima Dosso by decision.

Kunle Lawal went 12-7 as an amateur, which included a welterweight tournament and lightweight title, before making his professional MMA debut last year. He’s 2-1 thus far, which includes a knockout victory in his debut. The Scottish native, also a grappling specialist, scored a decision win over Haraldur Arnarson in March.

Which of these two men will be victorious in this Welterweight alternate bout that kicks off the action in Johannesburg?

Round 1

Tamungang comes forward. Lawal flashes the jab. High kick and a low one from Tamungang. Right hand and a kick from Lawal. Jab by Tamungang. Right hand from Tamungang. Right hand from Lawal. Body kick by Tamungang. Lawal with another kick to the body. Right hand from Lawal, but Tamungang stops his attempt at a body lock. Exchange from the two. Low kicks from both men. One-two by Tamungang, and Lawal presses him to the SmartCage. Tamungang trying to pummel his way off the fence. Tamungang’s efforts are decent but for naught, as Lawal manages to take him down with some struggle. Lawal nearly gets to mount.

Lawal hunts for a choke, nearly getting to Tamungang’s back. Tamungang gets his back back on the ground, but Lawal continues to work him over. Lawal nearly finishes Tamungang with a series of right hands, but Tamungang gets back to his feet. Lawal gets him back down and continues to control from the top. A series of left hands from Lawal. He moves into mount! Right hands by Lawal! Lawal now on the back, but he’s too high, and Tamungang returns the fight to a standing battle. Front kick by Lawal. Right hands from both men. Tamungang misses a punch, and Lawal locks him up before the bell.

Round 2

Tamungang misses a right and gets hit with a one-two. Takedown attempt by Lawal is shoved off. Combination by Tamungang. Right straight from Tamungang. Low kicks from both men. Lawal goes for another body lock, but Tamungang counters and now he has Lawal down. Lawal tries to sit himself against the fence, but Tamungang has him down. Lawal reverses the position, but Tamungang has a hold of an arm, potentially threatening a kimura. Tamungang gets back on top. Tamungang gets into side control and lands some shot elbows. Now Tamungang gets on Lawal’s back. Series of right hands from Tamungang as Lawal tries to get back to his feet. Lawal survives the ambush. Tamungang gets Lawal down again and lands a series of right hands, with Lawal at one point flattened.

Tamungang works his way back to Lawal’s back and threatens a choke. Lawal escapes and now he’s back on top again. Right hand from Lawal after doing some time pressing. Another right hand by Lawal. Left hand by Lawal. Tamungang responded with strikes from the bottom. Lawal ends the round on top, trying to work in Tamungang’s guard.

Round 3

Lawal flashes the right. Low kick from Tamungang. Right hand by Tamungang. Tamungang pressures, nearly getting Lawal to the fence. Another body lock, and Lawal presses him to the fence. Lawal scores the takedown. Lawal gets in half-guard, working Tamungang over with his right hand. Tamungang tries to get to his feet, but Lawal tries to get to his back. Tamungang gets to his feet, but Lawal has a hold of him until Tamungang lands a right hand. Lawal presses Tamungang again, getting him back to the fence and briefly landing another takedown.

Tamungang gets to his feet but is still against the fence, with Lawal landing a knee before separation. Right hand by Tamungang. Another right hand. And again. One-two by Tamungang, but Lawal answers with a left hand and another body lock – before executing another takedown. Tamungang gets back to his feet. Lawal gets to the back. Lawal with a right hand. Tamungang with an elbow. Lawal presses Tamungang into the fence. Lawal with another takedown. Tamungang has an arm around the head of Lawal and lands a couple of punches, but the guillotine isn’t tight. Lawal ends the fight on top.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Kunle Lawal def. Desmond Tamungang via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)