PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luiz Oliveira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Oliveira
vs
Jackson

200 cm
21
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Luiz Oliveira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rashad Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Paulo Santos and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oliveira shoots in and drives through. Jackson sprawls well.
Luiz Oliveira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Oliveira with that takedown attempt.
Oliveira fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luiz Oliveira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Oliveira throws a head kick but Jackson moves out of range.
Oliveira looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jackson is fending him off so far but Oliveira persists. Nope, Jackson circles away and we're back to standing.
Jackson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Jackson scores with a takedown into Oliveira's guard.
Jackson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oliveira swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Oliveira really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Jackson stopping the sweep attempt from Oliveira.
Oliveira keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliveira trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Oliveira is keeping the position for now.
Jackson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Oliveira doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Oliveira shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Jackson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Oliveira won't be happy with that.
Oliveira is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira can't do much from the bottom here.
Oliveira prevents Jackson from moving into mount.
Jackson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Oliveira is looking for a sweep.
Jackson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Oliveira. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Oliveira stops Jackson from passing to mount.

Jackson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Oliveira has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira prevents Jackson from moving into mount.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

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!

Jackson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Jackson looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Jackson is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Oliveira to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Oliveira shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson wants to finish this one by submission but Oliveira is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Jackson.

Jackson looking for a guillotine from mount but Oliveira is having none of it.
Oliveira tries to hold on but Jackson postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Oliveira defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Jackson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Jackson dominated that round.
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 feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oliveira swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Oliveira tries for a takedown but Jackson circles away easily

and Jackson counters with a takedown into side control.

Jackson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Oliveira prevents Jackson from moving into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Jackson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Oliveira knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Oliveira prevents Jackson from moving into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Oliveira gets caught flat footed, as Jackson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Jackson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oliveira swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Oliveira is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Oliveira will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four 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.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Oliveira is retaining full guard.
Jackson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Oliveira's guard.

Jackson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Oliveira doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Jackson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Oliveira has his takedown stuffed

and Jackson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Oliveira's guard.

Jackson drops back looking for a leg! Oliveira is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Oliveira manages to kick Jackson off! Jackson jumps back into Oliveira's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Jackson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Jackson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Jackson showed some decent athleticism there.
Oliveira tries to get to full guard but Jackson has control of the leg.
Oliveira trying to control but Jackson postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson wants to free his trapped foot but Oliveira is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Oliveira wants to control but Jackson is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Jackson is looking for a kimura here.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but Oliveira defending well.

That's two 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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Oliveira gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Jackson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Oliveira is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Oliveira is keeping the position for now.
Jackson won't allow Oliveira to sweep him here.
Jackson passes Oliveira's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Jackson wants to work for an arm triangle but Oliveira is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jackson tries to pass to full mount but Oliveira defends it.

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

Jackson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Jackson wants to finish this one by submission but Oliveira is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Jackson.
Oliveira working to try and regain half guard.

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.
Oliveira is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Jackson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Oliveira tries to lock up and control but Jackson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Oliveira is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Luiz Oliveira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rashad Jackson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Jackson is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Oliveira to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Oliveira shrugs it off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashad 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashad Jackson!