PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Connor Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gonzo Rawlings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gonzo Rawlings has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Jackson
vs
Rawlings

175 cm
22
159 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

168 cm
20
159 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Connor Jackson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gonzo Rawlings!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rawlings shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Rawlings passes the guard and advances to mount!
Jackson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson tries to improve his position but instead Rawlings has taken his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rawlings looking for the choke from the back.

Rawlings is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Jackson defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Jackson defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Rawlings's arms.

Rawlings is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Jackson rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Jackson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rawlings is working for a kimura but Jackson is defending it quite comfortably.
Rawlings looks gassed!
Jackson tries to get to full guard but Rawlings has control of the leg.
Jackson moves into full guard.

Rawlings drops back looking for a leg! Jackson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jackson manages to kick Rawlings off! Rawlings jumps back into Jackson's guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rawlings trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jackson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Rawlings from controlling successfully.

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 working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rawlings doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rawlings manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Rawlings drops back looking for a leg! Jackson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jackson manages to kick Rawlings off! Rawlings jumps back into Jackson's guard.

Jackson has his foot on Rawlings's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rawlings works his way back into a safe position though.

Jackson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Rawlings is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Jackson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Rawlings's back instead.

Jackson looking for the choke but no joy.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Jackson working for the choke.
You can see the frustration on Rawlings's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Rawlings is in bad spot here.

Jackson working for the rear naked choke here. He's got one arm under but Rawlings is defending well. A couple of punches soften him up though and Jackson has tightened the hold! This one could be all over! It is! Rawlings taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Connor Jackson!
Connor Jackson retains his lightweight title!