PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jack Newport (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Newport comes into the arena with Slipknot-Psychosocial blaring out of the sound system. Jackson has chosen Michael Jackson and Too Many DJs - Rock with you as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Newport
vs
Jackson

175 cm
20
150 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

170 cm
23
149 lbs
6 - 6 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Royalty Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Newport!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Michael Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Paulsen Ambrosius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson throws an overhand right that lands on Newport's shoulder, as Newport tries to avoid the shot.
Newport takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jackson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Newport darts in and clinches Jackson up against the cage.

Newport's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jackson looks to land a right hand but Newport moved out of range.
Newport comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Jackson gets a takedown into half guard.
Newport is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Newport is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Jackson jumps into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson working away.
Newport manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Newport thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jackson's head.
Newport wants to take a breather but Jackson is having none of it.
Jackson keeping control of the position.
Newport throwing shots but Jackson is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newport missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Newport lands a nice short elbow.
Newport looks to land a strike but Jackson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Newport trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Newport connects with a couple of short punches.
Newport preventing the sweep.
Newport trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Newport passes into half guard.
Newport thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Jackson to regain full guard.
Newport throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jackson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jackson can't keep his opponent in guard - Newport advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Newport throwing shots but Jackson is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newport performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Jackson regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Newport.
Jackson trying to keep a closed guard but Newport is proving a slippery customer.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Newport from controlling successfully.
Newport is really struggling to control Jackson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Jackson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Newport stands up over Jackson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Jackson keeping full guard, as Newport tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newport working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Newport is pushing down on Jackson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jackson is fighting to maintain full guard but Newport has managed to sneak the leg through.
Jackson is pressing down on Newport's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Newport with a flurry of punches that miss.
Newport postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Newport preventing the sweep.
Newport trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jackson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Jackson looking for a guillotine here but Newport defends easily.
Jackson looks gassed!
Newport chips away with some ground and pound.
Newport thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newport thows a big elbow that misses.
Newport trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Newport trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Newport trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Newport throws and elbow that misses. Jackson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Newport's guard. Nice move by Jackson!
Newport preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Newport is trying to control the position from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jackson lands a head shot.
A jab from Jackson misses.
Jackson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Newport throws a shot to the body.
Jackson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Jack Newport is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Newport slips a straight right by Jackson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Newport dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jackson takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Michael Jackson has been cut.
Nice body punch from Newport.
Jackson throws a shot from downtown. Newport moves away and avoids it.
Newport connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Newport throws a body punch but Jackson moves out of range.
Newport lunges at Jackson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Jackson's hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Newport throws a hook to the side of Jackson's head but Jackson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jack Newport is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Newport fails with an attempt to clinch.
Newport tries to clinch up but Jackson circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice defenses there by Newport.
Jackson has a takedown stuffed.
Newport connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Jackson moves out of range as Newport strikes.
Newport scores with a leg kick.
Newport throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jackson throws a hook but Newport avoids it easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Newport.
Jackson is breathing heavily.
Newport throws a shot to the body.
Newport tries to score with a low kick but Jackson moves his leg out of the way.

Newport gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Newport's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newport paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jackson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jackson defending well as Newport loads up on a big left hand.
Newport throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Newport misses with a jab, cross combination.
Newport misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The fighters circle momentarily. Newport darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Newport throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jackson misses with an uppercut. Newport saw that one coming.
Jackson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
A nice leg kick lands there from Newport.

Newport clinches up against the cage.
A short right from Newport on the inside.
Newport misses with a hook from the clinch.
Newport throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Newport tries a knee to the head but Jackson blocks it.
Newport is leaning against Jackson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Newport lands a hook to the side of the head.
Newport works on Jackson's body with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newport lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Newport misses with a body punch.
Newport connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jackson's face.
Jackson blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Newport.
Newport using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Newport works on Jackson's body with a couple of short punches.

Newport breaks the clinch.
Newport misses with a two punch combination.
Jackson throws a jab when Newport was well out of range.
A cross from Jackson lands.
Newport tries to clinch there but Jackson circles away.
Newport misses the shot to the body.
Jackson throws an overhand right that lands on Newport's shoulder, as Newport tries to avoid the shot.
A jab lands there for Newport.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Newport connects with the punch.
Newport fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jack Newport is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Newport circles away.
Newport throws a head kick but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Newport sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Michael Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson blocks a jab.
Jackson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Newport scores with a jab. Jackson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Newport swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A jab from Jackson finds it's way through Newport's defenses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Newport darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Jackson checks a leg kick.
Jackson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Newport.
Newport goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jackson cracks Newport with a good jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Jackson misses with a looping left.

Jackson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jackson working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newport trying to strike off his back.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Newport is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Newport looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Jackson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Newport has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Jackson has managed to get both his arms back between Newport's legs - danger averted.
Newport keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
Newport controls Jackson momentarily but Jackson frees himself.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Jackson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jackson thuds his right hand into Newport's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Newport dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Michael Jackson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Newport throws a head kick that misses.
Jackson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Jackson scores with a takedown into Newport's guard.
Jackson passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Newport slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Newport is on top in guard.
Jackson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Newport controls the pace.
Jackson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jackson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Newport from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newport working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jackson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Newport trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Newport missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jackson has control of Newport's left arm, preventing Newport from doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Newport smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Newport slips under a jab.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.
Newport has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Newport there as he acknowledges the shot.
Newport misses with a series of wild punches.
Newport throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Michael Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson misses with an uppercut. Newport saw that one coming.
Newport turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Newport as he avoids it easily.
Newport misses with a hook. Jackson ducked under it nicely.
Newport tries to bum rush Jackson with a series of wild strikes but Jackson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Newport misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jackson.
Newport closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That has opened up Michael Jackson's cut even more.
Newport looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Jackson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jackson wants to get back to striking at distance but Newport won't allow it.
Jackson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jackson is trying to break free.

Newport breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Newport throws a nice outside leg kick.
Newport just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newport walks into a stiff left hand from Jackson.
Jackson walks into a jab.
Newport tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Newport throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Newport bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Some wild striking there from Newport.
Newport misses with a wild body shot.
Newport moves out of range of the strikes.
Jackson throws a lazy right hand but Newport sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jackson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jackson misses with a straight left.
Newport stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Newport wants it to stay on the feet.
Jack Newport has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Jackson.
Newport tries to clinch up but Jackson circles away and keeps his distance.
Jackson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Newport pushes Jackson up against the cage in a clinch.
Newport throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Newport lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Newport throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newport lands a knee to the head.

Newport breaks from the clinch.
Jackson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Newport ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jackson moves away.
Jackson throws out a loose jab but Newport uses good head movement to avoid it.
Newport throws a lazy right hand but Jackson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Newport is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jackson can do to turn this around?

Newport clinches with his opponent.
Newport misses with a punch to the body.

Newport breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Newport wants to clinch up but Jackson keeps it at a distance.
Jackson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Newport.
Jackson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Newport fails with an attempt to clinch.

Newport rushes Jackson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Newport pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Newport closes the distance and clinches.

Newport's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Newport showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Newport, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Newport!