PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cody Harlow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Justin Jackson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Harlow
vs
Jackson

175 cm
22
180 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

173 cm
21
174 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

S.W.A.T.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cody Harlow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Justin Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harlow will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jackson moves in looking to clinch but Harlow pushes him off.

Harlow drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Harlow looking to pass the guard.
Harlow with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harlow seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Jackson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Harlow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlow looking to pass the guard.
Harlow trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jackson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Harlow.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Harlow shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jackson pinned against the cage. Jackson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Harlow changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jackson tries to avoid it but Harlow manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jackson to the ground. Jackson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Harlow shoots for a takedown but Jackson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cody Harlow. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harlow is breathing heavily.
Harlow shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jackson but Jackson pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Jackson clinches up with Harlow and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jackson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Jackson.
Jackson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Jackson lands an elbow that stopped Harlow in his tracks for a moment.
Jackson landing knees to the body.
Jackson lands a knee to the body.
Jackson landing knees to the head.
Jackson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Jackson lands a nice knee to the body.
Jackson lands a knee to the head.
Harlow has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jackson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Jackson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jackson prevents the takedown attempt.
Harlow is working for takedown but Jackson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Harlow looking for a takedown.
Harlow tries to pull guard but Jackson won't allow it.
Jackson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Harlow lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jackson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Harlow jumps guard but Jackson stands there with Harlow around his waist. Harlow gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Harlow tries for a takedown but Jackson manages to get underhooks.
Harlow takes an elbow to the forehead.
Harlow changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jackson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Harlow shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jackson as he avoids it easily.

Jackson has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harlow avoiding damage as Jackson throws knees to the body.
Jackson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Harlow lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jackson landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Jackson with a knee to the head.
Jackson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Harlow lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Harlow manages to pull guard.
Jackson content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Harlow wants to hit a switch here but Jackson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Harlow there!
Harlow working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Harlow looks a forlorn figure.
Harlow wants to control but Jackson is having none of it.
Jackson controlling the position easily from mount.
Harlow tries to hold on but Jackson pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Jackson 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.

Jackson clinches up with Harlow and pushes him back against the cage.

Harlow has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Jackson is trying to keep an underhook but Harlow manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Harlow tries to pass to full mount but Jackson defends it.
Harlow is working hard here to advance position.
Well, if Harlow is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Jackson trying to control but Harlow postures up.
Harlow controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlow passes the guard and advances to mount!
Harlow raining down shots from the mount!
Harlow can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Jackson is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Harlow is really struggling to control Jackson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Harlow fails to take his opponent's back.
Harlow trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Harlow goes for an armbar but Jackson turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Jackson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harlow is looking for a triangle but Jackson pushes his legs off easily.
Harlow wants to sweep but no luck.
Harlow trying to keep a closed guard but Jackson is proving a slippery customer.
Harlow 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 four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Harlow is trying to control the position but Jackson postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Harlow shoots for a double leg takedown but Jackson sprawls well. He's pushed Harlow's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Harlow swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.
Harlow closes the distance but Jackson moves to the side

and Jackson moves into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harlow has Jackson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jackson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Knees to the body from Jackson.
Harlow wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cody Harlow. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Harlow tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jackson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Harlow lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Harlow drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Harlow is working for takedown but Jackson is calmly controlling the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cody Harlow will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Harlow looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Jackson!
Harlow trying to control but Jackson is having none of it.
Harlow sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Harlow is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Jackson has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Jackson!
Jackson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Harlow's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlow wants to improve his position but instead Jackson has moved into half guard.
Harlow is pressing down on Jackson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Harlow is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Harlow throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Jackson escapes and throws Harlow's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

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.

Jackson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Harlow sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Harlow wants to get back to full guard but Jackson has mounted him!
Jackson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Harlow is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harlow tries to hold on but Jackson pushes him away.
Harlow is trying desperately to improve position.
Harlow regains half guard.
Harlow moves into full guard.
Harlow is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Harlow is on top in guard.
Harlow wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Harlow forces his way into half guard.

Harlow is looking for a kimura but Jackson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Harlow to get the leverage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cody Harlow showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Harlow has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Cody Harlow!