Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza survives early blitz from Lawler to pull off third round submission win in the cage

Strikeforce middleweight champion, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza proved why he’s considered one of the best submission fighters in the game today, defeating heavy hitting veteran, Robbie Lawler in the third round with a rear-naked choke in San Jose, California.
Lots of movement from Lawler as Souza takes the center of the cage. Body kick misses from Souza. Flying knee misses from Lawler before Souza pushes him up against the fence and gains the takedown. Souza moves quickly to side control with plenty of time remaining in the round. Souza has a hold of an arm and uses it to keep control on the ground. Lawler manages to get back to his knees and then his feet and separates. Souza with a nice right but Lawler lands a knee. Lawler follows up with another and pours it on, scoring with a right hand which drops Souza to the canvas. Lawler follows Souza to the ground and he’s soon tied up. Souza seems to have weathered the storm well but he didn’t like the power. The referee stands the pair up with seconds remaining and Lawler lands a nice kick. Souza goes for the takedown and can’t get it so he pushes his opponent up against the fence. Souza gains a takedown of sorts as time runs out.
Slower start to the second round from both men before Lawler throws a kick. Souza shoots in and pins Lawler up against the fence, scooting him to the canvas. Souza mounts but Lawler is sat up against the fence. Lawler recovers half guard as Souza puts him firmly on his back. Effective ground and pound from Souza before he looks for an arm triangle. Souza lets go of it and moves to side control where he looks to go to work. More punches land from Souza and momentarily looks to move to the mount. He doesn’t get it and moves back to side control before posturing up and throwing down. Souza secures a nice armbar but Lawler somehow escapes. Souza takes his back and attacks with another armbar but once again he can’t get it. Lawler lands on top but there’s little he can do before the bell. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Souza.
Souza stalks to begin the third and ties Lawler up in the Muay Thai clinch and delivers a series of knees. The Brazilian goes for a single leg up against the cage before delivering more knees from the clinch. Souza gains the takedown and goes to work with punches and knees. Lawler looks to get back to his feet but gives up his back where Souza attacks with a rear-naked choke. The Brazilian squeezes and eventually forces Lawler to tap out.