PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Anton Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Wessel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Jackson
vs
Wessel

171 cm
22
173 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
180 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anton Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eric Wessel!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Russell Pearce and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wessel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jackson.
Wessel takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Wessel shoots for a double leg takedown but Jackson sprawls well. He's pushed Wessel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A combination from Wessel does no damage.
Wessel avoids the body shot from Jackson.
Wessel shoots in for a takedown but Jackson shows good takedown defense.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jackson stalks Wessel and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Wessel's face. Wessel staggers backwards, shaken.
Wessel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Wessel closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Jackson to the mat! Jackson manages to get full guard.

Jackson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Jackson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Anton Jackson has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wessel misses with a few strikes there.
Wessel throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

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!
Wessel really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson with shots to the head and body - Wessel looks very uncomfortable down there.
Wessel really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Jackson goes for an armbar but Wessel turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Wessel.
Jackson is breathing heavily.
Wessel working some strikes from top position.

Jackson is looking for a triangle but Wessel pushes his legs off easily.

Wessel stands and steps away. Jackson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Wessel gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Wessel manages to break the clinch.
Jackson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Eric Wessel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Wessel gets a clinch.

Wessel manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wessel paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wessel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Jackson counters with a left and a right that stings Wessel.
Anton Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Wessel.

Jackson tries to keep at a distance but Wessel has taken the fight into the clinch.

Wessel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson connects with a body shot.
Wessel takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice uppercut lands for Jackson. That snapped Wessel's head back.
Nice sprawl there from Jackson as Wessel shoots in.
Wessel misses with a straight right.
Wessel shoots in and drives through. Jackson sprawls well.
Jackson misses with a series of wild punches.
Wessel sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Wessel fails in his attempt to clinch.

Wessel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Wessel prevents the takedown attempt.

Wessel breaks from the clinch.
Wessel tries to clinch but Jackson is having none of it.
Jackson swats away the attempt to clinch by Wessel.
Some wild striking there from Wessel.
Wessel is looking to clinch.
Wessel avoids the body shot from Jackson.
Jackson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wessel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Wessel fails to land the takedown.
Wessel scores with a leg kick.

Wessel clinches.
Wessel lands a shoulder strike.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Wessel forces Jackson back against the cage and clinches.
Jackson wants to break free but Wessel has control.

Wessel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson throws a body punch but Wessel moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jackson misses with a wild body shot.
Wessel jabs Jackson right on the nose. Jackson blinks but takes it well.
Wessel shoots in but Jackson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wessel tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Wessel dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anton Jackson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wessel closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Wessel lands in his opponent's guard.
Wessel wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Jackson wants to get back to his feet but Wessel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Wessel wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.

Wessel stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Jackson is looking to wear down Wessel with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Wessel blocks a leg kick.
Wessel shoots in for a takedown but Jackson shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wessel misses with a wild combination.
Jackson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Wessel drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson throws his legs up looking for a submission but Wessel uses it to pass to side control.
Wessel trying to control the position but Jackson is working away.
Wessel lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Wessel lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Jackson is trying to improve his position.
Jackson wants to get back to his feet.
Jackson is trying to improve his position.
Wessel cracks Jackson with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Wessel!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt.

Wessel has closed the distance and engaged Jackson in a clinch.
Wessel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Jackson gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Wessel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wessel misses with the combination.
Wessel misses with a few strikes there.
Jackson scores with a sloppy right hand. Wessel should have avoided that one.
Jackson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Wessel pinned against the cage. Wessel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A left and a right from Wessel both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson swings for the body but Wessel moves out of range.
Anton Jackson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wessel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice cross by Wessel.
Wessel tries for a takedown but Jackson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Anton Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Wessel.
Wessel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jackson misses with a combination
and Wessel counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Wessel tries to bum rush Jackson with a series of wild strikes but Jackson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wessel swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jackson blocks a low kick nicely.
Wessel misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jackson lands with a straight right. Wessel didn't see that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wessel misses with a takedown attempt - Jackson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jackson lands a right hook to the body.
Wessel shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jackson but Jackson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jackson closes the distance and clinches up with Wessel, looking for a takedown. Jackson pushes Wessel against the cage but Wessel circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wessel with a poor takedown
and Jackson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Wessel misses with a double jab
and Jackson counters with a nice uppercut.

Wessel feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Jackson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jackson can't keep his opponent in guard - Wessel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Wessel seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Wessel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Anton Jackson's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Wessel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jackson.
Jackson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jackson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wessel.
Jackson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Wessel momentarily.
Wessel throws a quick inside leg kick.
Wessel fails with the takedown
letting Jackson counter with a right hand.
Wessel changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jackson tries to avoid it but Wessel manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jackson to the ground. Jackson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wessel misses with a takedown attempt
and Jackson counters with a left to the body.
Anton Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Wessel.
Wessel lands a with a good body shot.
Jackson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Jackson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jackson cracks Wessel with a good jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wessel throws a combination that misses
and Jackson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Wessel clinches up with Jackson and pushes him back against the cage.
Jackson has had enough of the clinch but Wessel keeps him there for the moment.
Wessel pressing his opponent against the cage.
Wessel is pressed up against the cage. Jackson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wessel down to the mat. Wessel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Wessel feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jackson's calf.
Jackson throws a looping overhand right but Wessel ducks down to avoid it.

Wessel clinches up with Jackson and pushes him back against the cage.
Wessel has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jackson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wessel prevents the takedown attempt.

Wessel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wessel sizes up Jackson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Wessel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jackson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wessel.
Wessel closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jackson circles away.
Wessel takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Wessel looks to land a combination. Jackson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wessel walks into a stiff left hand from Jackson.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Left hook, right uppercut from Wessel.
Wessel stalks Jackson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Jackson's face. Jackson staggers backwards, shaken.
Wessel rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Jackson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jackson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Wessel looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wessel closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jackson circles away.
Jackson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wessel falls off balance throwing a combination

and Jackson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Jackson.
Jackson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Wessel uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Eric Wessel seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Jackson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wessel is looking to reverse the position.
Wessel takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Jackson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Jackson cracks Wessel with a big right hand but Wessel just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Jackson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Jackson stands up.
Wessel stuffs the takedown attempt from Jackson. Jackson gets slowly back to his feet.
Wessel clobbers Jackson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Wessel scores with a one two! Jackson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Wessel fails to land with a series of punches.
Wessel connects with the punch.
Wessel misses with a series of wild punches.

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 Anton Jackson.
Well Wessel has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight for Eric Wessel!
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight for Eric Wessel!
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight for Eric Wessel!

Eric Wessel wins by unanimous decision!