INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Light heavyweight prospect Deron Winn (5-0) kept his professional record perfect with a comprehensive decision win over veteran Tom Lawlor (10-7), who was returning to action after more than two years on the sidelines.

Winn stalked from the opening bell, moving forward and looking to set up his powerful right hand. For his part, Lawlor kept his hands high and circled on the outside. Winn did land a right hand early, and a surprising high kick flew over Lawlor’s head shortly after. Lawlor was respectful of his opponent’s power, constantly retreating and refusing to open himself up to a powerful counter. Nevertheless, Winn was able to cut Lawlor under both eyes.

As blood began to stream down Lawlor’s face, Winn continued to be the aggressor, walking forward and throwing everything at full speed.

Lawlor looked to be busier to open the second, but a Winn left hand dropped him to a knee in early going. Lawlor popped immediately back to his feet, but tasting his opponent’s power certainly didn’t encourage him to open up on the feet. As time wore on, though, Lawlor knew he had to get busy and did land a few crisp strikes if his own. Winn swung back with big power, and Lawlor dropped his hands to goad him in for more.

Lawlor continued swinging late in the frame, busting up Winn’s mouth and nose a bit. However, it came at a cost, and Lawlor had blood streaming down his face, as well, trickling down to his chest. A late leaping knee saw Lawlor land accidentally to the cup, and a brief timeout was given just before the end of the frame.

The third started with Winn accidentally poking the eye, but Winn didn’t bother with much of a break. Both men were aggressive on the restart, but it was Winn who changed levels and brought the action to the canvas. Lawlor was patient in his counters, working his way back to his feet, but Winn again shot forward and brought the action to the floor, briefly holding side control.

Lawlor again was slick in getting back to his feet, and they again started swinging on the restart. Lawlor tried to grab the neck and fall to guard, and the guillotine did look briefly tight, but Winn was able to pop his head free and take top position. Lawlor did his best to try and work back to his feet, getting his back to the fence in a seated position, but Winn refused to allow him up, adjusting to drag his opponent back to the floor and finishing with punches, cruising to the decision win, 30-27 on all three cards.

Up-to-the-minute results include:

Deron Winn def. Tom Lawlor via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gleison Tibau def. Efrain Escudero via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Ricky Palacios def. Walel Watson via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:56 James Barnes def. Alberto Morales via submission (armbar) – Round 3, 4:09 Jay Silva def. Oscar Cota via technical submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 3, 2:13 Johnny Cisneros def. Dave Terrel via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) Fernie Garcia def. Joe Roye via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:48 Francisco Estrada def. Jose Huerta via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:47

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