PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kareem al Rashid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jackson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Wu Tang - Triumph kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

al Rashid
vs
Jackson

178 cm
23
167 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

175 cm
24
165 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Punishment Nutrition - New products in stock!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kareem al Rashid!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rashad Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around al Rashid's waist but al Rashid gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jackson off to one side.
Jackson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A low kick from al Rashid misses
and Jackson counters with an inside leg kick.
al Rashid scores with a nice head shot.
Jackson slips under a jab.
Jackson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by al Rashid.
A low kick from al Rashid misses
and Jackson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
al Rashid slips under a jab.
al Rashid throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Jackson counters by moving into the clinch.
Jackson leaning against his opponent.
al Rashid tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
al Rashid has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Jackson has al Rashid pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. al Rashid manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
al Rashid is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
al Rashid is working Jackson over against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
al Rashid lands a shot to the body.
al Rashid gets underhooks to prevent Jackson's takedown attempt.
Kareem al Rashid has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashad Jackson.

Jackson has al Rashid pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Jackson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending al Rashid tumbling to the mat - Jackson dives into al Rashid's guard.
Jackson working some strikes from top position.

al Rashid throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jackson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
al Rashid looking for a sweep. Not yet al Rashid, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. al Rashid is keeping the position for now.
Jackson postures up in al Rashid's guard and throws a big left but al Rashid blocks it.
Jackson trying to control but al Rashid is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
al Rashid tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jackson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as al Rashid holds on and takes a little breather.
Jackson won't allow al Rashid to sweep him here.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but al Rashid is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson forces his way into half guard.
al Rashid is looking for a sweep. Jackson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
al Rashid is controlling Jackson's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson content to control rather than advance.

Jackson is looking for a kimura here.
Jackson trying to control the pace.
al Rashid slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

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 trying to control the position from guard on top but al Rashid is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but al Rashid is keeping the position.
Jackson is stalling in the full guard.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
al Rashid is trying to keep Jackson in close.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nice body punch from Jackson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Jackson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jackson throws a series of punches but al Rashid moves out of range.
al Rashid scores with a push kick.
Jackson with a nice cross.

Jackson closes the distance and clinches.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from al Rashid fails to land.
al Rashid working aggressively here.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
al Rashid lands a nice shot to the body.
Jackson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. al Rashid fights it off and pushes away nicely.
al Rashid ducks under a wild hook from Jackson.
Jackson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from al Rashid.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson closes this distance looking for a takedown but al Rashid circles away.
Jackson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jackson swinging wildly here.
al Rashid takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
al Rashid throws out a leg kick but Jackson moves out of range and al Rashid only half commits.
Sloppy strikes from al Rashid. Those never looked like landing.
al Rashid circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jackson sizes up al Rashid with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Jackson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson working the ground and pound.
Jackson working away.
Jackson is looking to take a break and control but al Rashid is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jackson working away.
Jackson cracks al Rashid with a big right hand but al Rashid just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Jackson cracks al Rashid with a big right hand but al Rashid just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Jackson is trying to ground and pound but al Rashid uses the momentary lack of control by Jackson to regain half guard.
Jackson is looking to advance position but al Rashid won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
al Rashid is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jackson is looking to advance position but al Rashid won't allow it.
al Rashid wants to get back to full guard.
Jackson controlling the action here.
Jackson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Jackson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
al Rashid is trying to control but can't.
Jackson controlling the pace.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
al Rashid is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

It looks like Rashad Jackson has been cut.
Jackson lands a jab to the head.
al Rashid misses with a low kick.
al Rashid misses with a right hand

and Jackson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
al Rashid keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
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 cut man is working on Rashad Jackson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jackson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
al Rashid throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
al Rashid thows a leg kick but Jackson checks it
and Jackson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps al Rashid thinking.
al Rashid ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
al Rashid misses with a body punch
and al Rashid takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
al Rashid throws a low kick but it's checked well by Jackson.
Jackson lands a slapping body shot.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from al Rashid - that will leave a mark!
Jackson is trying hard to land a takedown here. al Rashid sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
al Rashid loads up on a big right hand but Jackson slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
al Rashid misses with a looping right.
al Rashid throws a body punch but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but al Rashid moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Jackson.
Jackson misses with a hook
and al Rashid counters with a stiff right hand.
A jab from al Rashid misses.
Jackson misses with a double jab
and al Rashid counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
al Rashid misses with an uppercut

and Jackson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Jackson not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
al Rashid trying to hold on to Jackson's head to control him but Jackson postures up.
Jackson working the head and body with strikes.
Jackson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jackson works his way into side control.
al Rashid struggling a bit here.
al Rashid takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
al Rashid is not content to let Jackson control the position.
Jackson is trying to ground and pound but al Rashid uses the momentary lack of control by Jackson to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks al Rashid with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Jackson wants to control but al Rashid is keeping him busy.
Jackson trying to mount his opponent but al Rashid defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
al Rashid slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Jackson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jackson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson stopping the sweep attempt from al Rashid.
Jackson stands up over al Rashid, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but al Rashid is keeping the position.
al Rashid keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
al Rashid is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. al Rashid is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Jackson really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rashad Jackson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jackson lands with a straight right. al Rashid didn't see that one coming.
al Rashid throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
al Rashid fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jackson throws a hook but al Rashid blocks it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Jackson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from al Rashid - the referee stops the clock and Jackson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says al Rashid. Jackson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
al Rashid misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Jackson shoots in and gets a takedown into al Rashid's guard.
Jackson won't allow al Rashid to sweep him here.
Jackson connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson is in close to al Rashid's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Jackson postures up and lands a big shot to al Rashid's brow.

al Rashid looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
al Rashid looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
al Rashid keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
Jackson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
al Rashid keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jackson is looking to work some ground and pound but al Rashid has wrist control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Jackson wants to control from the top but al Rashid keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rashad Jackson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
al Rashid waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jackson.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but al Rashid paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from al Rashid. Jackson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jackson throws a shot from downtown. al Rashid moves away and avoids it.
Jackson misses with a body kick.
Rashad Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
al Rashid misses with a body shot
and Jackson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson scores with a decent looking hook.
Jackson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from al Rashid.
Jackson lands with a hook. al Rashid tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Jackson connects with a body shot.
Jackson thows a body shot but no joy.
Jackson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jackson moves out of range as al Rashid throws a body kick.
Jackson lands a nice looking body shot.
al Rashid gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
al Rashid thuds a left hand into Jackson's body.
Kareem al Rashid is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
al Rashid throws a leg kick that is checked
and Jackson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
al Rashid ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jackson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but al Rashid manages to avoid it.
al Rashid slips a jab from Jackson.
al Rashid fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jackson manages to avoid it.
al Rashid slips a straight right by Jackson.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as al Rashid sprawls well. al Rashid wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jackson gets slowly back to his feet.
al Rashid misses with an uppercut
and Jackson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
al Rashid throws a low kick but Jackson moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Jackson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Rashad Jackson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Jackson throws a right hand that al Rashid ducks under and follows up with a left that al Rashid also avoids with ease.
Jackson takes one on the button.
al Rashid stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and al Rashid wants it to stay on the feet.
Jackson checks a leg kick.
al Rashid throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
al Rashid throws a lazy head kick

and Jackson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Jackson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
al Rashid working a defensive guard but Jackson manages to pass into side control anyway.
Jackson trying to control the action but al Rashid is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused al Rashid some visible discomfort.
Jackson has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for al Rashid!
Jackson unloads with some shots from mount but al Rashid bucks and avoids them well.
Jackson lands a heavy elbow.
Jackson unloading with bombs!
Jackson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as al Rashid is looking to escape.
Jackson lands a nice shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Jackson throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Jackson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as al Rashid is looking to escape.
al Rashid wants to control but Jackson is having none of it.
al Rashid is squirming around, avoiding Jackson's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
al Rashid is desperately trying to improve his position but Jackson has a good base and remains in mount.
Jackson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
al Rashid tries to reverse the position but Jackson maintains control.
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.
al Rashid wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Jackson.
Jackson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Kareem al Rashid has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jackson drops a big elbow. That's hurt al Rashid! More shots from Jackson and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rashad Jackson! Rashad Jackson retains his lightweight title!