PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luther Jackson (ranked 1020 p4p, 19341 weight class) and Mako Akumba (ranked 138 p4p, 653 weight class). Jackson comes to the cage accompanied by Would by Alice in Chains. Mako Akumba will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Jackson
vs
Akumba

185 cm
34
212
28 - 12 - 0

199 cm
35
206
11 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

The Dirty Needle Project
HELLBENT

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 28 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luther Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mako Akumba!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Jackson misses.
It seemed like Akumba was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Jackson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akumba.
Jackson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Akumba slips under a jab.
And Akumba responds with a good body kick, but Jackson manages to step out the way in time.
Akumba walks into a jab.
Jackson tries to clinch up but Akumba circles away and keeps his distance.
Akumba misses with a straight left.
Jackson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jackson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jackson takes one to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice jab there from Jackson.
Akumba buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Akumba bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Jackson's head backwards.
Luther Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Jackson gets a double leg takedown into Akumba's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akumba working a defensive guard here.
Akumba looking for a sweep. Not yet Akumba, not yet.
Akumba is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jackson works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Jackson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Akumba sees it coming and defends easily.
Still in half guard, Jackson seems content to control.

Jackson is trying to work for a kimura but Akumba is defending well.
Akumba is trying to control but can't.
Jackson throwing shots but Akumba is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Jackson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Akumba knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Akumba keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Jackson trying to control the action but Akumba is working from the bottom.
Jackson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Akumba is controlling Jackson's trapped leg to prevent Jackson from advancing to side control.
Jackson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jackson winds up and cracks Akumba with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Akumba is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Jackson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Akumba for as long as he can get away with.
Jackson is looking to take a break and control but Akumba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Akumba blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jackson.

Jackson seems to be working for a kimura but Akumba defends the submission attempt.
Jackson wants to pass to mount but Akumba is defending the position.

Jackson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Akumba defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Akumba regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jackson stands and throws Akumba's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Akumba struggling a bit here.
Akumba is working to avoid the ground and pound but Jackson connects with a decent elbow.
Jackson is looking to take a break and control but Akumba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akumba tries to improve position but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luther Jackson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akumba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Jackson misses the target.
Jackson lands a really nice looking cross but Akumba seems unphased.
Akumba connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Akumba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jackson.
Akumba throws the left hand but Jackson avoids the punch easily.
Akumba misses the shot to the body.
Jackson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Akumba counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Luther Jackson has been cut.
Akumba takes a jab right on the kisser.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akumba cracks a nice hook into Jackson's ribs.
Jackson avoids the body shot from Akumba.
Jackson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Akumba throws a right hand that misses
and Jackson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mako Akumba seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akumba throws a hook to the side of Jackson's head but Jackson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jackson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Akumba can do to turn this around?
The fighters circling - Jackson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Akumba is trying to counter with his kicks.
Jackson scores with a nice right hand.
Akumba shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A telegraphed right hand from Jackson misses the target.
Jackson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Akumba scores with a sloppy right hand. Jackson should have avoided that one.
Jackson works Akumba's body with a nice hook.

Jackson gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akumba tries to bench press Jackson off him but Jackson keeps the position.
Jackson wants to take a breather but Akumba manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Jackson.
Jackson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akumba swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Akumba is trying to control the position but Jackson postures up.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akumba is keeping the position for now.
Jackson 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.
Akumba can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jackson controls the pace.
Jackson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Akumba keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Akumba keeps moving.
Akumba not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Jackson sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Akumba swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.
Akumba follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Jackson looks for a takedown but Akumba sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jackson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akumba.
Jackson looks to land a right hand but Akumba moved out of range.
Akumba throws a hook to the side of Jackson's head but Jackson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jackson throws a jab but it's blocked by Akumba.
Akumba was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Jackson throws an overhand right that lands on Akumba's shoulder, as Akumba tries to avoid the shot.
Akumba connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Akumba keeps the fight on the outside.
Akumba tries to work over Jackson's front leg with a kick but Jackson checks it.
Akumba looks for the body kick but Jackson saw that one coming.
Akumba misses with a hook to the body
and Jackson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luther Jackson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Luther Jackson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Akumba ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab from Jackson finds it's way through Akumba's defenses.
Jackson throws a hook to the side of Akumba's head but Akumba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Akumba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jackson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jackson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Akumba uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Akumba.
Jackson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Akumba counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Akumba staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson loads up on a big right hand but Akumba slips the punch.
Akumba is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Jackson with a body shot.
Akumba misses with a right hand
and Akumba takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Akumba throws a body punch but Jackson moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akumba moves forwards but Jackson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jackson. Akumba does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akumba throws a counter combo.
Jackson checks the leg kick nicely there.

Jackson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Akumba to the ground. Jackson is now in Akumba's guard.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Akumba is keeping the position.
Jackson is working hard here to advance position.
Jackson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Akumba is controlling Jackson's posture.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Akumba is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akumba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jackson manages to get himself to full guard.

Luther Jackson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Akumba trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jackson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Akumba doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Akumba manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mako Akumba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Jackson working for submissions but it's allowed Akumba to get to half guard.
Jackson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Jackson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Akumba pulls his head out easily.
Luther Jackson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Jackson is not content to let Akumba control the position.
Jackson is trying to control but can't.
Jackson manages to get to full guard.
Akumba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jackson controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Akumba trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson trying to keep a closed guard but Akumba is proving a slippery customer.

Jackson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Akumba looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Jackson throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Akumba escapes and throws Jackson's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Jackson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Luther Jackson.
Well Jackson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luther Jackson!
An out of breath Luther Jackson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.