PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dan Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Sabaton- Metal machine. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Smith
vs
Jackson

175 cm
27
162 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

183 cm
21
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

160!

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Dan Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jackson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Smith, pushing him back against the cage.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jackson trying to control the position but instead, Smith has worked for underhooks and has pushed Jackson into the cage.
Smith is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jackson to keep the fight standing.
Jackson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.

Jackson has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jackson looking to stall.

Jackson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jackson throws a lazy right hand but Smith sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Jackson moves into the clinch.
Smith fails to pull guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Smith is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A right hook to the body lands for Jackson.
Jackson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Jackson scores with a shoulder strike.
Smith is trying to pull guard but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson lands with a left to the head.
Smith tries to pull guard but Jackson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jackson tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Jackson back against the cage.
Jackson taking a breather.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Jackson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Jackson gets underhooks to prevent Smith's takedown attempt.
Smith fails to pull guard.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jackson.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson lands a right hook to the body.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Jackson clinches with his opponent.
Smith is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Jackson is defending well.
Jackson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith blocks a body shot from Jackson.
Jackson leaning against his opponent.
Jackson lands with a right to the head.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jackson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jackson is stalling here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Jackson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jackson.
Jackson taking a breather.
Jackson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Jackson avoids it by throwing Smith back against the cage.
Smith is trying to pull guard but Jackson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Smith prevents a body shot from Jackson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jackson's elbow.
Smith is trying to pull guard but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Jackson.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Jackson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jackson stuffs the takedown.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Smith misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Smith sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Jackson is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jackson regains half guard.
Jackson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jackson moves away.
Jackson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Smith takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nice cross by Jackson.

Jackson clinches up with Smith and pushes him back against the cage.
Jackson scores with a shoulder strike.
Jackson effectively controlling the action here.
Smith goes for a takedown attempt but Jackson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Horrible takedown by Smith or perhaps it was just good defense by Jackson which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith gets a double leg takedown into Jackson's guard.
Smith trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Smith slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Smith's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith is trying to control. Jackson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Jackson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Jackson is working away.
Jackson controlling the position for now.
Jackson is not content to let Smith control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dan Smith just wasn't active enough.
Smith throws a hook but Jackson avoids it easily.
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jackson but Jackson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Dan Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith takes a swing at Jackson's ribcage but misses.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Jackson sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smith throws a body punch but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smith stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
A head kick misses from Jackson.
Dan Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Jackson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Jackson drives through and clinches with Smith against the cage.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jackson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jackson struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jackson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Jackson tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jackson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Jackson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Smith, pushing him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ben Jackson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smith throws a lazy right hand but Jackson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jackson slips a straight right by Smith.

Jackson closes the distance and clinches.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jackson.
Jackson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Smith up against the cage.
Jackson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Good body shot from Jackson.
Jackson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jackson lands with a light punch inside.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Smith is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jackson to keep the fight standing.
Ben Jackson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Jackson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jackson smiles and moves away.
Jackson misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Jackson, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Jackson against the cage but Jackson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson lands a leg kick that knocks Smith off balance momentarily.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jackson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Smith is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Jackson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jackson stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Jackson clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Jackson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Smith is landing with strikes from the back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith wants to control but Jackson manages to buck him off and is now in Smith's guard! Nice work there by Jackson!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Smith trying to control the position.
Jackson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jackson's guard.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jackson pulls Smith in to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Smith is working Jackson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Smith trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Smith is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Smith trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dan Smith wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Smith fails with the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Dan Smith did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
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 throws a front kick that sends Smith stumbling back into the cage.
A head kick misses from Jackson.

Jackson takes the fight into the clinch.

Smith manages to pull guard.

Smith looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Jackson passes into side control.
Jackson controls the position from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.
Smith is looking for a sweep.
Jackson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.

Ben Jackson has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Jackson stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
That kick from Jackson tenderised Smith's leg. Smith is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jackson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith misses with a left hand
and Jackson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jackson.

Jackson clinches with his opponent.
Jackson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jackson lands a nice uppercut.
Smith tries for a takedown but Jackson manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson lands an elbow inside.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Jackson lands a right hand.
Jackson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Smith.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson slowing the pace effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson scores with a shoulder strike.
Nice elbow from Jackson.
Smith goes for a takedown attempt but Jackson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jackson slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Smith tries to keep at a distance but Jackson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smith takes an elbow to the temple.
Smith has Jackson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jackson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jackson to keep the fight standing.
Smith takes an elbow to the forehead.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jackson.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Jackson controls his hands.
Jackson is working Smith over against the cage.
Jackson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Jackson lands a shot to the body.
Still in the clinch, Jackson scores with a nice short uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jackson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jackson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Jackson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jackson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Jackson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Jackson dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Smith fails with the takedown
and Jackson counters with a low kick, right behind Smith 's knee.
Smith drops his hands momentarily and Jackson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Smith manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Jackson on his heels. He'll look to pass Jackson's guard now, I'm sure.
Jackson 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.
Smith wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Jackson is retaining full guard.
Smith is working hard here to advance position.
Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jackson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jackson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Smith trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Smith looks for a takedown but Jackson sprawls well.

Smith looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
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.
Smith won't allow Jackson to sweep him here.
Ben Jackson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Jackson is adopting a defensive guard.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jackson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Smith is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson wants to take Smith's back here but Smith is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Jackson prevents Smith from getting the reversal.
Smith tries to improve his position but instead Jackson has taken his back!
Jackson really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Smith.
Smith trying to control the hands but Jackson won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Jackson controlling the positon.
Smith tries to break free.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jackson keeps control of the position easily here as Smith tries to buck him off.
Dan Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Jackson is trying to stick to Smith's back but Smith is turning into Jackson. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Jackson's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Smith.

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 Dan Smith.
I think Jackson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 48:48
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 47:48
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ben Jackson!
Ben Jackson is the new lightweight champion!
Ben Jackson took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'So to win the title I had to beat the org owners fighter? whatever man, its done and I'm the champ.So you carry on booking your fighters in the Main Event and making this org more bent then the WWE! Fuck this man, whatever'.