PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kingdom Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommi Kauri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jackson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Darkthrone - Under a Funeral Moon. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Jackson
vs
Kauri

183 cm
25
209 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

194 cm
26
217 lbs
18 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kingdom Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tommi Kauri!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Kauri checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Jackson swings widly with a right hand

and Kauri counters with a single leg into guard. Jackson didn't expect that.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Kauri from controlling successfully.

Jackson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kauri passes into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kauri has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Jackson tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Kauri has the hooks in. Jackson is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Kauri wants to control but Jackson is keeping busy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson trying to control the position but Kauri manages to sink in the hooks.
Jackson looking very determined here, making life difficult for Kauri.
Jackson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kauri is punishing Jackson with some ground and pound.
Kauri tries to get the hooks in deep but Jackson pushed the leg off.
Jackson is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Kauri scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Jackson is looking for a way out.
Kauri cracks Jackson with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Jackson from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Jackson is in bad spot here.
Jackson trying to control the action but Kauri just sinks the hooks in.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Kauri. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Kauri is punishing Jackson with some ground and pound.
Kauri is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson turns into Kauri and is now in his guard.
Jackson preventing the sweep.
Kauri keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
Kauri is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kauri wants to stand up but Jackson is controlling him.
Kauri is controlling Jackson's posture.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kauri is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kingdom Jackson.
Jackson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Tommi Kauri has been cut.
Jackson throws a series of punches but Kauri avoids them all with ease.
A right-left combo lands from Jackson.
Jackson misses with a wild combination.
Kingdom Jackson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jackson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jackson wants it to stay on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson swings for the body but Kauri moves out of range.
Kauri sizes up Jackson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jackson throws a right and a left that Kauri avoids nicely.
Kingdom Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jackson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kauri is able to avoid easily.
Kauri checks a leg kick.
Jackson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kauri counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jackson missing with a left hand there. Kauri was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No joy there for Jackson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jackson scores with a three punch combo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kauri tries to bum rush Jackson with a series of wild strikes but Jackson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kauri takes one to the chin there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson misses with a straight right.
A big right from Jackson misses.
A punch combination from Jackson misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kauri.
Kauri is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jackson.
Kauri slips under a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jackson tries a low kick but Kauri avoids it.
No joy there for Jackson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kauri misses with a lunging right hand
and Jackson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kauri's knee momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kingdom Jackson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tommi Kauri's cut.
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 misses with a low kick.
Kauri looks to land a right hand but Jackson moved out of range.
Jackson thuds a left hand into Kauri's body.
Jackson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kauri jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jackson drops his hands momentarily and Kauri takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jackson misses with a hook
and Kauri counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kauri thuds a left hand into Jackson's body.
Kauri showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jackson.
Jackson is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Kauri's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Jackson throws a right hand that Kauri ducks under and follows up with a left that Kauri also avoids with ease.
Jackson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kauri lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson throws a right and a left that Kauri avoids nicely.
A jab lands there for Jackson.
Jackson misses with a head kick.
Jackson moves out of range as Kauri strikes.
Kingdom Jackson is winning the standup battle so far.
Kauri looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kauri on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kauri paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jackson looks to land a right hand but Kauri moved out of range.
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.

Kauri shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kauri works over Jackson with some ground and pound from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kauri pushes down on Jackson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kauri prevents Jackson from improving his position.
Jackson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kauri.
Jackson wants to get back to full guard.
Jackson moves into full guard.
Kauri slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Jackson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kauri can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Jackson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kauri doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kauri manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kauri landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson has his foot on Kauri's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kauri works his way back into a safe position though.

Jackson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kauri is aware though and is defending well.

Jackson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kauri is in close to Jackson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kauri passes into half guard.
Kauri scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kauri is trying to control the action in half guard but Jackson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kauri missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kauri is pressing down on Jackson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Jackson is holding on for now.
Kauri is keen to just control but Jackson is a slippery customer.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kauri in particular looking to stall.
Jackson is looking for a sweep. Kauri is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kauri seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kauri is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Jackson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Jackson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kauri scores with a couple of nice shots.
Jackson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Jackson wants to control but Kauri is keeping busy.
Jackson won't allow Kauri to pass to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kauri is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Jackson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kauri scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kauri wants to pass to mount but Jackson is defending the position.
Kauri scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommi Kauri showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tommi Kauri's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kauri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jackson manages to avoid it.
Kauri on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Jackson tries to clinch but Kauri is having none of it.
Kauri scores with a shot to the body.
Jackson thows a body shot but no joy.
Jackson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A punch combination from Jackson misses.
Kauri stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Jackson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kauri sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kauri misses with a body shot.
A head kick misses from Jackson.
Kauri scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Jackson.

Kauri drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kauri in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tommi Kauri has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Kauri from controlling successfully.
Kauri has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Jackson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kauri defends it easily.

Jackson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kauri doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kauri manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jackson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Jackson working for a triangle but Kauri defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson wants to stand but Kauri is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kauri trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jackson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kauri is aware though and is defending well.
Kauri throws a big right hand that misses.
Kauri scoring with some ground and pound.
Kauri with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kauri connects with a couple of short punches.
Kauri postures up and lands a big shot to Jackson's brow.
Kauri prevents Jackson from getting back to his feet.
Kauri looking to pass the guard.

Jackson working for a triangle but Kauri defends it easily.
Kauri trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kauri controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jackson is on top in guard.
Kauri has Jackson pulled in close to control his posture.
Kauri avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jackson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kauri wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Tommi Kauri.

Jackson rushes Kauri and presses him up against the cage.
Jackson letting Kauri take a breather here.
Kauri is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jackson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jackson is trying to break free.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kauri is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Jackson is keeping busy.
Kauri blocks an elbow strike 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 Kingdom Jackson.
I think Jackson 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kingdom Jackson!
After winning the bout, Kingdom Jackson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.