PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lance Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Great Rider (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lance Jackson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Jackson
vs
Rider

195 cm
24
250 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

184 cm
21
250 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lance Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Great Rider!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Emerson Jorge and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rider throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Jackson pushes Rider up against the cage in a clinch.
Rider missing with knees to the body.

Rider's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rider tries to score with a low kick but Jackson moves his leg out of the way.
Jackson avoids the head kick by Rider.
Great Rider seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rider moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Jackson tries to clinch up.
Jackson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rider tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rider.

Jackson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Jackson avoids a wild elbow strike from Rider.
Jackson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rider using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jackson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jackson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rider pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rider tries to break the clinch but Jackson is controlling the position.
Rider has had enough of the clinch but Jackson keeps him there for the moment.
Rider lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rider is trying to break free.
Rider tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rider blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jackson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Jackson.
Jackson lands a good knee to the midsection. Rider won't want to take too many of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rider can't break the clinch.
Rider takes a shot to the head.
Jackson lands a nice elbow.
Rider tries to break free but Jackson pushes him back against the cage.
Jackson pushes Rider back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jackson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rider.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jackson.
Rider is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Jackson - that landed with a thud.
Rider looks gassed!
Jackson landing knees to the head.
Jackson is trying to drag Rider to the mat but Rider just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Jackson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lance Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right handed body shot lands from Jackson.
Jackson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Jackson landing knees to the body.
Rider working hard to break the clinch.
Rider pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Jackson has picked Rider up - he's going for a ride! Jackson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rider trying to hold on to Jackson's head to control him but Jackson postures up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Jackson is trying to control the action in half guard but Rider is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Jackson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rider!
Jackson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Rider bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Rider from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rider trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rider trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Rider pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rider looking to sit in guard and control but Jackson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four 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.

Rider is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rider can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jackson controls the pace.

Rider working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jackson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jackson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rider can't keep his opponent in guard - Jackson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jackson is looking for a kimura but Rider is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Jackson to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Jackson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rider misses with a head kick.
Jackson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rider avoids it really well and circles away.
Jackson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rider. Rider obviously looking to wear him down.
Rider throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jackson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rider tries to clinch there but Jackson circles away.
Rider loads up on a big right hand but Jackson slips the punch.
Jackson wants to clinch.
A head kick misses from Rider.
Rider swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.
Jackson blocks a head kick by Rider.
A head kick misses from Rider.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rider wants to clinch.
Jackson tries to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rider tries to bum rush Jackson with a series of wild strikes but Jackson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lance Jackson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rider misses the jab.
Jackson slips under a jab.

Jackson closes the distance and pushes Rider back into the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Jackson misses with an elbow strike.

Rider breaks the clinch.
Rider misses with the combination.
Rider tries a low kick but Jackson avoids it.
Rider circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.
Rider throws a low kick but Jackson avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson moves in looking to clinch but Rider pushes him off.
Jackson blocks a head kick by Rider.
Jackson avoids the head kick by Rider.
Jackson is looking to clinch but Rider is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jackson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Jackson drives through and clinches with Rider against the cage.
Rider tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A shot in the inside from Jackson.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Jackson cracks Rider with a nice body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Jackson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rider lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Jackson has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Rider clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson tries to get the hooks in deep but Rider pushed the leg off.
Jackson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rider trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson has the hooks in. Rider is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
What can Rider do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Jackson is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Rider defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Rider is trying to break free.
Rider trying to control the position but Jackson manages to sink in the hooks.
Jackson trying to control.
Jackson just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Rider just trying to survive but Jackson is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

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.
Jackson trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Rider turns into Jackson and is now in his guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lance Jackson.
Rider throws a sloppy head kick and Jackson moves out of range easily.
Jackson tries to clinch there but Rider circles away.
Jackson is looking to clinch but Rider is avoiding it.
Rider tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rider swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Jackson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rider, pushing him back against the cage.
Rider throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rider has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Jackson is working for takedown but Rider is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lance Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rider looking to throw knees to the head but Jackson is blocking nicely.
Rider pushes off an throws an elbow but Jackson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Knees to the body from Rider.
Lance Jackson has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Jackson scores with a shot to the side of Rider's head.
A frustrated look appears on Rider's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jackson scores with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Jackson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rider swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jackson tries to clinch up but Rider circles away and keeps his distance.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rider swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rider swinging wildly here.
Jackson clinches but Rider breaks the clinch
and Rider counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rider as he avoids it easily.
Jackson checks the leg kick nicely there.

Rider gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rider pushes off an throws an elbow but Jackson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Jackson lands an elbow inside.
Jackson lands a damaging elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jackson.
Jackson lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rider misses with a knee to the head.
Jackson lands a shot to the body.
Jackson is working for takedown but Rider is calmly controlling the position for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jackson lands a damaging elbow.
Jackson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rider pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lance Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson goes for a takedown attempt but Rider pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rider will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Jackson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rider using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jackson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rider.
Rider has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Jackson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rider is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

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

Jackson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rider sprawls well initially but Jackson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rider wants to get back to full guard.
Jackson wants to pass to mount but Rider is defending the position.
Jackson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rider keeps working.

Rider kicks Jackson off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Jackson closes the distance and pushes Rider back into the cage.

Rider manages to break the clinch.
Rider looks to land a right hand but Jackson moved out of range.

Jackson rushes Rider and presses him up against the cage.
Rider has a couple of punches blocked by Jackson.
Jackson can't get the takedown.
Rider with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jackson landing knees to the head.
Rider wants to break free but Jackson has control.
Rider dodges an elbow strike from Jackson.
Rider scores with a shoulder strike.
Jackson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rider prevents it.

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

Jackson has managed to clinch.
Rider tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Jackson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Jackson working Rider over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rider's efforts to push away.
Rider wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jackson lands a good knee to the midsection. Rider won't want to take too many of those.
Rider tries to land a knee to the head but Jackson blocks with his arms.
Rider gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jackson.
Rider throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jackson blocks it with crossed arms.
Good body shot from Jackson.
Jackson gets through Rider's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rider looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rider can't break the clinch.
Rider is pressed up against the cage. Jackson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rider down to the mat. Rider avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rider moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A head kick misses from Rider.

Rider has Jackson up against the cage in a clinch.
Jackson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson blocks an elbow strike.
Rider tries a knee to the head but Jackson blocks it.
Rider has had enough of the clinch but Jackson keeps him there for the moment.
Jackson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Rider using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jackson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jackson scores a nice knee to the body.
Still in the clinch, Jackson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jackson lands with a short shot to the head.
Jackson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rider is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jackson obliges.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jackson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rider has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Jackson landing knees to the head.
Jackson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Jackson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rider in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rider with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jackson blocks an uppercut.
Jackson managing to block the knees to the body from Rider.
Rider gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jackson.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lance Jackson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jackson, 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight for Lance Jackson!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Lance Jackson!
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight for Lance Jackson!

Lance Jackson wins by unanimous decision!