PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sufjan Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kilo Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Stevens might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to They Are Zombies. Jackson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Inspectah Deck - Friction kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Stevens
vs
Jackson

176 cm
25
143 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

170 cm
19
144 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sufjan Stevens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kilo Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Joseph Jones and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stevens shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Jackson's guard.

Jackson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Stevens throws and elbow that misses. Jackson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stevens's guard. Nice move by Jackson!
Stevens is trying to control the position but Jackson postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Jackson postures up.
Stevens manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jackson manages to get himself to full guard.
Jackson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens trying to move into half guard but instead Jackson has managed to sweep!
Stevens pulls Jackson in to control the position.

Jackson stands up from Stevens's guard - Jackson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Jackson throws a sloppy head kick and Stevens moves out of range easily.
Jackson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stevens.
Jackson throws the kick towards the body but Stevens avoids it.
A head kick misses from Jackson.
Stevens avoids the head kick by Jackson.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Jackson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jackson tries a head kick but it misses.
Jackson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Jackson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jackson avoids the head kick by Stevens.
Jackson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Stevens tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jackson throws a sloppy head kick and Stevens moves out of range easily.
Kilo Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Stevens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stevens blocks a head kick by Jackson.
A head kick by Jackson misses

and Stevens counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Jackson is defending against the submission attempts here by Stevens.
Stevens missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stevens is breathing heavily.
Stevens not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jackson wants to control but Stevens is keeping busy.
Jackson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Stevens.
Jackson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Stevens lands a couple of elbows.
Stevens working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jackson throws a sloppy head kick

so Stevens counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Stevens throws and elbow that misses. Jackson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stevens's guard. Nice move by Jackson!
Stevens looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jackson is one step ahead there.
Stevens working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sufjan Stevens dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jackson throws a lazy head kick
and Stevens counters with a two punch combo.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses
and Stevens makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Jackson really felt that one!
Jackson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Stevens dives in and grabs Jackson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jackson pushes down on Stevens's head and hops out.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses.
Nice takedown defense from Jackson. No joy for Stevens on that attempt.
Stevens takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses.
Jackson throws a sloppy head kick

and Stevens counters with a takedown into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Stevens.
Stevens 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.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stevens throws a strike aimed at the side of Jackson's head but Jackson avoids it well.
Sloppy strikes there by Stevens.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson is looking for a sweep.
Stevens looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Jackson is avoiding damage well.
Jackson tries to buck Stevens off but Stevens is having none of it.
Stevens creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Jackson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Stevens with the ground and pound but Jackson regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jackson misses with the body kick

and Stevens counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stevens working some strikes from top position.

Jackson is looking for a triangle but Stevens pushes his legs off easily.
Stevens content to stall in guard here.
Sufjan Stevens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stevens in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens postures up in Jackson's guard and throws a big left but Jackson blocks it.

Stevens is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Jackson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stevens throws a big right hand that misses.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jackson throws a lazy head kick

and Stevens counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Stevens is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Jackson to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Jackson is trying to control the position but Stevens postures up.
Jackson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.
Stevens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jackson keeping full guard, as Stevens tries to pass.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Stevens throws a head kick but Jackson moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jackson lands a head kick!
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Stevens. Jackson shrugs it off though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sufjan Stevens dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Jackson lands with a slapping head kick.
Jackson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stevens moves out of range of the body kick.
Jackson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Jackson. That's going to slow Stevens down.
Stevens throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jackson's waist but Jackson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stevens off to one side.
Jackson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Stevens closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Stevens lands in his opponent's guard.
Jackson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stevens.
Stevens throwing strikes from guard but Jackson blocks nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Jackson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stevens.
Stevens slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses.

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 throws a wild body kick that Stevens sees coming a mile off.
Jackson throws a head kick that half lands.
Stevens shoots for a double leg takedown but Jackson sprawls well. He's pushed Stevens's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jackson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Jackson throws a front kick that sends Stevens stumbling back into the cage.
Jackson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses

and Stevens counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stevens postures up in Jackson's guard and throws a big left but Jackson blocks it.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Jackson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson pulls Stevens in close to his closed guard and prevents Stevens from doing any damage or advancing position.
Stevens trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Stevens missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stevens accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stevens throwing strikes from guard but Jackson blocks nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jackson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stevens checks it well.
Stevens misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stevens misses with the combination.
Stevens fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sufjan Stevens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson scores with a nice body kick.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stevens moves out of range of the body kick.
Stevens blocks a head kick by Jackson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jackson misses with the body kick
and Stevens counters with a head kick. That will keep Jackson thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Sufjan Stevens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jackson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kilo Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stevens has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight for Sufjan Stevens!
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight for Sufjan Stevens!
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight for Sufjan Stevens!

Sufjan Stevens wins by unanimous decision!