PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandr Loshkarev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Jackson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Pink Floyd - Money. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jackson
vs
Loshkarev

180 cm
23
180 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

165 cm
25
185 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite 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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Franklin Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexandr Loshkarev!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Loshkarev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jackson swivels and escapes.
Jackson stuffs the takedown.
Loshkarev shoots in but Jackson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Franklin Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandr Loshkarev.
Loshkarev staying out of range there.
Loshkarev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jackson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Loshkarev goes for a double leg but Jackson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jackson continues to drive forward.
Loshkarev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Loshkarev moves out of range as Jackson throws a body kick.
Loshkarev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jackson defends well and Loshkarev ends up having to push Jackson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Alexandr Loshkarev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Loshkarev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Loshkarev misses with a takedown attempt
and Jackson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Loshkarev 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.
Loshkarev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jackson pulls Loshkarev in close to his closed guard and prevents Loshkarev from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson'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.
Loshkarev preventing the sweep.
Loshkarev trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Jackson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

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

Loshkarev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jackson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jackson stays in close to Loshkarev's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Loshkarev for as long as he can get away with.
Loshkarev wants to sweep but no luck.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Loshkarev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Loshkarev looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Jackson has picked Loshkarev up and slammed him! Loshkarev can't keep hold of the triangle and Jackson manages to pass to side control!
Jackson trying to control the action but Loshkarev is working from the bottom.
Loshkarev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jackson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Loshkarev felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Loshkarev manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Loshkarev is working for a kimura but Jackson is defending it quite comfortably.
Jackson keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Further stalling from Jackson.

Loshkarev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jackson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jackson is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Loshkarev seems to be looking for submissions.

Loshkarev seems to be working for a kimura but Jackson defends the submission attempt.

Jackson is defending against the submission attempts here by Loshkarev.

Loshkarev is trying to work for a kimura but Jackson is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Franklin Jackson will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jackson lands a glancing blow to the side of Loshkarev's head.
Loshkarev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jackson circles away.
Loshkarev shoots in but no luck this time.
Loshkarev with a poor takedown
and Jackson counters with a nice uppercut.
Franklin Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandr Loshkarev.
Jackson scores with the left hand. Loshkarev knows he should have avoided that one.
Loshkarev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jackson defends it nicely.

Loshkarev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jackson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Jackson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Loshkarev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Jackson dives on top into guard.

Loshkarev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jackson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson landing with the ground and pound.

Loshkarev looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Jackson passes into side control.
Loshkarev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jackson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Loshkarev can do to turn this around?
Jackson taking a breather here.
Loshkarev tries to buck Jackson off but Jackson is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Jackson politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Jackson prefers to stall for the moment though.
Loshkarev gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Jackson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Jackson is controlling the pace.

Loshkarev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Jackson prevents Loshkarev from improving his position.

Loshkarev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is controlling the pace.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Jackson is stinking the place up with his stalling.

Loshkarev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Loshkarev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but Loshkarev defending well.
Loshkarev wants to improve his position but Jackson is controlling well.
Jackson is controlling the pace.

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.
Loshkarev tries to get to full guard but Jackson has control of the leg.

Loshkarev actively working from the bottom here.
Jackson content to control rather than advance.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Alexandr Loshkarev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jackson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Loshkarev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Loshkarev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franklin Jackson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jackson misses with a body shot.
Jackson slaps away a takedown attempt from Loshkarev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jackson stuffs the takedown attempt from Loshkarev. Loshkarev gets slowly back to his feet.
Jackson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Franklin Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandr Loshkarev.
Loshkarev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jackson defends well and Loshkarev ends up having to push Jackson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Loshkarev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jackson's waist but Jackson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Loshkarev off to one side.
Loshkarev shoots in and drives through. Jackson sprawls well.
Jackson scores with a jab. Loshkarev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Good work by Loshkarev as he checks the leg kick.
Loshkarev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jackson circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Loshkarev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Loshkarev misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Jackson to counter with a crisp jab.
Jackson connects with the punch.
Jackson connects with a crisp jab.
Loshkarev looks to land a left hand but Jackson moved out of range nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Loshkarev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson thumps Loshkarev with a low kick.
Jackson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Loshkarev.
Loshkarev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Jackson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Loshkarev's guard.
Jackson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Jackson controls from within his opponent's guard.

Loshkarev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jackson is aware though and is defending well.
Alexandr Loshkarev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franklin Jackson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Loshkarev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jackson is aware though and is defending well.
Jackson 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 stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Loshkarev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jackson works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Loshkarev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Jackson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Loshkarev is looking to improve his position.
Jackson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Jackson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Loshkarev fails with a takedown attempt.
Loshkarev misses with a body shot

and Jackson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Loshkarev!
Jackson slows the pace down.
Jackson continues to stall.
Loshkarev tries to bench press Jackson off him but Jackson keeps the position.
Loshkarev is letting Jackson control him for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loshkarev is trying to improve his position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Jackson.
More hug and hope from Jackson.
Loshkarev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jackson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Loshkarev is being controlled here.
Franklin Jackson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franklin Jackson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Jackson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franklin Jackson!
Franklin Jackson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.