PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Atherton (ranked 3218 p4p, 5368 weight class) and Akilli Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akilli Jackson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Michael Atherton's chin.

Atherton
vs
Jackson

183 cm
25
204
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
218
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michael Atherton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Akilli Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atherton blocks a head kick by Jackson.

Atherton has Jackson up against the cage in a clinch.
Atherton wants to take the fight to the mat but Jackson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Jackson lands a hook to the side of the head.

Jackson drags the fight down to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson is trying to control the position but Atherton postures up.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Atherton from controlling successfully.
Atherton scoring with punches to the head and body.
Atherton keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jackson's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atherton throws a big elbow that misses.
Atherton stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.
Atherton connects with a couple of short punches.
Atherton lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atherton wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Atherton lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Atherton stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.
Atherton content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Atherton trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Atherton distracts Jackson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Atherton with a nice head shot there.
Atherton landing with the ground and pound.
Atherton lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Atherton with a nice head shot there.
Jackson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Atherton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atherton is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jackson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Atherton. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Atherton lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Atherton working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Jackson's head.
Atherton keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jackson's head.
Jackson being controlled here, momentarily.
Jackson wants to sweep but no luck.
Atherton looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Atherton sitting in guard here, content to control.
Atherton lands a couple of digs.
Atherton lands a couple of digs.
Atherton wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Atherton is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Jackson trying to control the position.
Atherton landing some decent shots from guard.
Atherton trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Atherton lands a couple of digs.
Atherton lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Jackson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Atherton wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.

That's four 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.
Atherton lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jackson wants to stand but Atherton is controlling the position.
Atherton connects with a couple of short punches.
Atherton scoring with punches to the head and body.
Atherton content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Atherton got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jackson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Atherton has managed to get both his arms back between Jackson's legs - danger averted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Atherton connects with a couple of short punches.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Atherton from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Atherton dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jackson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Atherton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Jackson pushes Atherton up against the cage in a clinch.
Atherton is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jackson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Atherton tries for a takedown but Jackson manages to get underhooks.
Jackson has Atherton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Atherton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atherton is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jackson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Atherton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson is pressed up against the cage. Atherton has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jackson down to the mat. Jackson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jackson with a poor takedown

and Atherton counters by moving into the clinch.
Atherton changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jackson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Atherton leaves Jackson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Atherton clinches up with Jackson and pushes him back against the cage.
Jackson tries to pull guard but Atherton holds him up against the cage and eventually Jackson drops back down to his feet.
Atherton changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jackson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Atherton fails in his attempt to clinch.
Atherton tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jackson swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Jackson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Atherton tries to score a body lock takedown but Jackson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jackson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Atherton gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jackson is trying to pull guard but Atherton has him pressed against the cage.
Atherton wants to take the fight to the mat but Jackson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Jackson has managed to clinch.
Atherton has Jackson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jackson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Jackson looking for a takedown.
Jackson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Jackson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Atherton after a bit of a struggle.
Jackson tries to score a body lock takedown but Atherton shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Atherton has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jackson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Atherton prevents the takedown attempt.
Akilli Jackson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Jackson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Atherton prevents the takedown attempt.
Jackson prevents the takedown attempt.

Jackson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Atherton sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Atherton appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Atherton tries to clinch but Jackson is having none of it.

Jackson clinches up against the cage.
Jackson looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atherton stops a takedown attempt from Jackson.

Jackson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Atherton tries to clinch there but Jackson circles away.
Atherton looks to clinch
and Jackson counters with a two punch combo.
Jackson connects with a body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Jackson.
Jackson lands with a right that hurts Atherton. Atherton looks to clinch but Jackson throws a short knee that drops Atherton. This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch and Knee). Akilli Jackson!