PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matthew Apacz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vio Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Apacz
vs
Jackson

167 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

176 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matthew Apacz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Vio Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Jackson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Jackson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Apacz is just riding it out for now. Jackson eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Jackson is looking for a kimura here.

Apacz actively working from the bottom here.
Jackson throws a strike but Apacz avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Apacz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jackson defends well.
Jackson wants to stand but Apacz has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Jackson stopping the sweep attempt from Apacz.
Apacz trying to keep a closed guard but Jackson is proving a slippery customer.
Jackson won't allow Apacz to sweep him here.
Apacz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jackson looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Apacz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Jackson is looking to stand up but Apacz won't let him.
Apacz working a defensive guard here.
Jackson preventing the sweep.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Apacz is keeping the position for now.
Jackson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Jackson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Apacz is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Apacz has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Apacz from controlling successfully.
Apacz advances position into side control!
You can see the frustration on Jackson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Apacz looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Jackson is avoiding damage well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apacz working away.
Jackson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Apacz trying to control the position but Jackson is working away.

Apacz is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Jackson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Jackson tries to control but Apacz manages to take his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jackson trying to control but not successfully.

Apacz has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Jackson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vio Jackson will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Apacz doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Apacz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Apacz darts in and clinches Jackson up against the cage.

Apacz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matthew Apacz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Apacz tries to clinch up but Jackson circles away and keeps his distance.
Jackson shoots in for a double leg but Apacz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Apacz wants to land a leg kick but Jackson is out of range.

Apacz has closed the distance and engaged Jackson in a clinch.

Jackson pulls guard successfully.

Jackson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Jackson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Apacz trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.

Apacz 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.
Apacz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jackson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vio Jackson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Apacz from controlling successfully.

Jackson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Apacz is aware though and is defending well.
Apacz trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Jackson is looking to sweep but instead, Apacz has passed into half guard.

Jackson actively working from the bottom here.
Jackson regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Apacz controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Apacz's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Jackson looking for a guillotine here but Apacz defends easily.

Apacz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jackson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Apacz has managed to get both his arms back between Jackson's legs - danger averted.
Jackson is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Apacz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Apacz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jackson circles away quickly and effectively.
Apacz fails with a takedown attempt.

Jackson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Apacz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jackson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Apacz gets back to half guard.
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 Matthew Apacz will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Jackson slips a jab and a cross from Apacz.
Jackson misses with a few strikes there.
Apacz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jackson circles away.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt

and Jackson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Apacz!
Jackson fails to take his opponent's back.

Jackson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Apacz is now in Jackson's guard. A big mistake from Jackson there, giving up the dominant position!
Jackson wants to sweep here but Apacz controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jackson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Apacz kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Jackson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Apacz is aware though and is defending well.
Jackson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jackson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Apacz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Apacz seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Jackson for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jackson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Apacz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jackson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Apacz circles away quickly and effectively.
Apacz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Apacz doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Apacz shoots in looking for a takedown. Jackson tries to sprawl out of it but Apacz 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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matthew Apacz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Apacz tries for a takedown but Jackson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Apacz as Jackson shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apacz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jackson.
Apacz lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Apacz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Apacz shoots in looking for a takedown. Jackson tries to sprawl out of it but Apacz 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.
Jackson swats away the attempt to clinch by Apacz.
Apacz misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apacz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Apacz sprawls well. Apacz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jackson gets slowly back to his feet.

Jackson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Jackson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Apacz defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Jackson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Apacz working to try and regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vio Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vio Jackson!
Vio Jackson thanked the fans post fight for their support.