PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Blake Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaak Jaakson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jaak Jaakson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Howard
vs
Jaakson

179 cm
22
192 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blake Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jaak Jaakson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howard keeps the fight on the outside.
Jaakson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jaakson shoots in but no luck this time.

Howard closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Jaakson to the mat! Jaakson manages to get full guard.
Howard preventing the sweep.
Howard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Howard working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Howard preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howard tries to free his leg and advance position but Jaakson is retaining full guard.
Jaakson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Howard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jaakson is on top in guard.
Howard tries to strike from the bottom.
Howard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jaakson won't allow Howard to sweep him here.
Howard is working hard here to advance position.
Howard doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Jaakson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jaakson tries to stand but Howard is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jaakson's guard.

Howard drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Jaakson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Howard has Jaakson in his guard.

Jaakson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Howard has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jaakson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jaakson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Howard wants to sweep but no luck.

Howard is looking for a triangle but Jaakson pushes his legs off easily.
Howard is breathing heavily.
Jaakson preventing the sweep.
Howard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Howard bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jaakson's guard.

Howard is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard preventing the sweep.
Howard wants to pass the guard but Jaakson is keeping the position.
Howard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Howard postures up.
Jaakson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Jaakson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Howard's guard.

Howard has his foot on Jaakson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jaakson works his way back into a safe position though.
Howard has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Howard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jaakson.

Howard escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jaakson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Jaakson won't allow Howard to sweep him here.

Howard looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howard will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Jaakson looking to pass the guard.
Howard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Howard working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jaakson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jaakson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Howard is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Howard wants to sweep here but Jaakson controlling him for the moment.
Jaakson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Howard swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jaakson preventing the sweep.

Jaakson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jaakson throwing strikes from guard but Howard blocks nicely.

Howard working for a triangle but Jaakson defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaakson throws a big right hand that misses.

Howard working for a triangle but Jaakson defends it easily.
Howard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jaakson chips away with some ground and pound.
Jaakson trying to control the position from guard on top but Howard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Howard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Howard throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Howard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jaakson is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Howard fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Howard dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jaakson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Howard counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Howard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jaakson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Howard sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Jaakson's guard.
Howard scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Howard is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Jaakson is just riding it out for now. Howard eventually gives up the hold.
Howard is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Howard passes to side control.
Howard working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Howard working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Howard lands an elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Howard wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Jaakson, who protects the arm well.
Howard lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaakson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Howard is controlling him well.
Jaakson is breathing heavily.
Howard has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Jaakson!
Jaakson is trying to escape the mount.
Howard landing strikes, looking to finish!
Howard putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Howard working the ground and pound effectively.

Jaakson is rocked!
Howard unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Jaakson wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Howard celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Blake Howard!