PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taka Yoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rolf Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rolf Jackson told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Yoshi
vs
Jackson

190 cm
25
220 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

183 cm
26
198 lbs
14 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Taka Yoshi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rolf Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson blocks a leg kick.
Jackson misses with a hook.
Jackson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yoshi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Jackson to score with a decent uppercut.
Jackson looks to score with a jab to the body but Yoshi is just out of range.
Yoshi throws a right hand that Jackson ducks under and follows up with a left that Jackson also avoids with ease.
Jackson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Yoshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Yoshi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jackson throws a body punch but Yoshi moves out of range.
Yoshi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body kick from Yoshi.
An inside leg kick from Yoshi misses.

Jackson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Yoshi is looking to improve his position.
Yoshi is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Yoshi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
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.

Yoshi actively working from the bottom here.
Yoshi wants to control but Jackson is keeping busy.
Yoshi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jackson stalling.
Jackson wants to take a breather but Yoshi is having none of it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Jackson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Jackson cracks Yoshi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jackson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Jackson lands a nice shot to the body.
Jackson lands a jab to the head.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown but Yoshi shows good takedown defense.
Jackson lands with a good body shot.

Jackson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Jackson won't allow Yoshi to sweep him here.
Jackson stands and throws Yoshi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Yoshi avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Jackson.
Jackson tries to move to mount but Yoshi blocks the move with his legs.
You can see the frustration on Yoshi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Yoshi tries to bench press Jackson off him but Jackson keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi taking punishment in the form of punches.
Jackson cracks Yoshi with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Jackson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yoshi keeps working.
Yoshi managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Jackson.
Yoshi tries to improve position but can't.
Check out the look on Jackson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Yoshi is looking to regain half guard here but Jackson keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson controls the position.
Yoshi is looking for a sweep.
Yoshi regains half guard.
Jackson trying to control the action but Yoshi is working from the bottom.
Yoshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Jackson wants to control but Yoshi is keeping him busy.
Jackson passes to side control.
Jackson is chipping away with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Yoshi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jackson.
Jackson takes a swing at Yoshi's ribcage but misses.

Jackson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Jackson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Jackson. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Jackson working Yoshi over with strikes here.
Jackson prevents Yoshi from getting the reversal.
Jackson putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Jackson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jackson controlling his opponent.
Jackson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Yoshi is looking to escape.
Yoshi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshi tries to reverse the position but Jackson maintains control.
Jackson content just to control the position here.
Yoshi tries to hold on but Jackson pushes him away.
Jackson landing punches.

Yoshi defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Jackson.
Yoshi is bucking up trying to escape but Jackson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson trying to control but Yoshi is having none of it.
Jackson raining down shots from the mount!
Jackson tries to control but Yoshi wriggling away.
Jackson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Yoshi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Yoshi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Yoshi takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi is looking to get to half guard.
Jackson controlling the pace for now.
Yoshi tries to lock up and control but Jackson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Jackson trying to control but Yoshi is having none of it.
Yoshi tries to hold on but Jackson pushes him away.
Jackson lands a big elbow.
Yoshi sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Jackson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jackson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Jackson drops an elbow to the side of Yoshi's head.
Yoshi is trying to get back to full guard.
Yoshi is pressing down on Jackson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Jackson is stalling in the full guard.
Yoshi is trying to keep Jackson in close.
Jackson throws a big right hand that misses.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Yoshi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolf Jackson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jackson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Yoshi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Jackson feints and as Yoshi raises his hands in defense, Jackson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Yoshi is pulling down on Jackson's head to control his posture.
Jackson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Jackson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yoshi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yoshi keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.

Yoshi throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Jackson escapes and throws Yoshi's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Yoshi gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Jackson seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Yoshi has recovered full guard.
Jackson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Yoshi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yoshi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Yoshi keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.
Yoshi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jackson manages to get himself to full guard.
Jackson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jackson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jackson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rolf Jackson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yoshi wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.
Jackson wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson working a defensive guard here.
Jackson wants to sweep here but Yoshi controlling him for the moment.
Yoshi tries to free his leg and advance position but Jackson is retaining full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jackson misses with a shot to the body
and Yoshi counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Yoshi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Jackson bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Yoshi's head.
Yoshi misses with a double jab.

Jackson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshi tries to improve position but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Jackson is trying to get an arm triangle but Yoshi is defending well.
Jackson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
You can see the frustration on Yoshi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Jackson cracks Yoshi with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Jackson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Yoshi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Jackson off and has taken his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolf Jackson really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yoshi.
Jackson lands a nice looking body shot.
Jackson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Yoshi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jackson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Yoshi throws a leg kick which misses Jackson's front leg but catches the back leg as Jackson tries to avoid it.
Yoshi shoots in for a takedown but Jackson shows good takedown defense.
Yoshi connects with a solid leg kick.
Jackson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Yoshi rather than just go for the knockout.
Jackson blocks a head kick by Yoshi.

Jackson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Yoshi's guard.
Jackson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Yoshi looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Jackson puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Yoshi wants to sweep but Jackson has passed to side control!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Jackson controls the position from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson working the ground and pound.
Yoshi can't do much from the bottom here.
Jackson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yoshi keeps working.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Yoshi is looking for a sweep.
Jackson controlling the position from side mount.
Jackson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Yoshi manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Jackson trying to hold on to Yoshi's head to control him but Yoshi postures up.
Jackson manages to get to full guard.
Yoshi stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.
Jackson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is trying to control the position but Yoshi postures up.
Yoshi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Yoshi throws a big right hand that misses.
Jackson keeping full guard, as Yoshi tries to pass.
Jackson trying to keep a closed guard but Yoshi is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Yoshi wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Jackson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Yoshi's guard.
Jackson with a nice head shot there.
Jackson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Jackson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Yoshi manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Jackson has Yoshi in his guard.
Jackson controls Yoshi momentarily but Yoshi frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolf Jackson dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Jackson.
Jackson working the ground and pound.
Yoshi is looking for a sweep.
Yoshi is trying to control Jackson's posture but Jackson avoids it.
Jackson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Yoshi tries to bench press Jackson off him but Jackson keeps the position.
Jackson is looking to take a break and control but Yoshi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jackson lands a nice forearm strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Yoshi has escaped the position, nice work there.
Yoshi manages to get back to half guard.
Jackson drops an elbow to the side of Yoshi's head.
Yoshi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Yoshi moves into full guard.
Jackson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Jackson trying to control but Yoshi is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yoshi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Jackson throwing strikes from guard but Yoshi blocks nicely.
Yoshi has momentary wrist control but Jackson slips an elbow through the middle.
Jackson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yoshi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yoshi working a defensive guard here.
Jackson postures up in Yoshi's guard and throws a big left but Yoshi blocks it.
Taka Yoshi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yoshi being controlled here, momentarily.
Jackson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Jackson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Yoshi keeps moving.
Yoshi trying to keep a closed guard but Jackson is proving a slippery customer.
Yoshi keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.

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.
Jackson looking to pass the guard.
Jackson's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Yoshi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jackson is aware though and is defending well.

Yoshi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jackson is aware though and is defending well.
Yoshi is trying to keep Jackson in close.
Rolf Jackson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Yoshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson with a nice cross.
Jackson walks into a straight right hand from Yoshi.

Jackson shoots in and bounces Yoshi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rolf Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jackson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 45:50
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 45:50
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rolf Jackson!
Rolf Jackson is the new light heavyweight champion!