PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Max Matthews (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shawn Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jackson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Hustlin. Shawn Jackson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Max Matthews's chin.

Matthews
vs
Jackson

195 cm
33
263 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

215 cm
37
265 lbs
26 - 19 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Max Matthews!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 19 - 1, fighting out of London, Shawn Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Atkins and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson tries for a takedown but Matthews sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Matthews throws a right hand that Jackson ducks under and follows up with a left that Jackson also avoids with ease.
Matthews looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Matthews throws a shot from downtown. Jackson moves away and avoids it.
Jackson shoots for a takedown but Matthews saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
It looked like Matthews was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

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

Jackson breaks the clinch.
Jackson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jackson wants it to stay on the feet.
Jackson feints the counter takedown.

Matthews shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Matthews thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jackson's head.

Matthews is trying to work for a kimura but Jackson is defending well.
Matthews tries to pass the half guard into mount. Jackson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Matthews has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson pushes Matthews off looking to stand but Matthews dives back in and keeps control.
Matthews wants to free his trapped foot but Jackson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Matthews throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Matthews trying to control the action 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.
Matthews is just content to waste time from the top position. Jackson takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Matthews trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Matthews chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Matthews works over Jackson with some ground and pound from guard.
Matthews wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Matthews is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Jackson is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Matthews throwing strikes from guard but Jackson blocks nicely.
Matthews might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Jackson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Matthews misses with a takedown attempt - Jackson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jackson.
Max Matthews has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn Jackson.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Matthews sprawls well. Matthews wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jackson gets slowly back to his feet.
Matthews 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 Matthews off to one side.
Jackson shoots in and drives through. Matthews sprawls well.
Jackson tries to bum rush Matthews with a series of wild strikes but Matthews uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jackson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matthews tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jackson swivels and escapes.

Matthews is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Jackson's half guard.
Matthews is looking to take a break and control but Jackson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jackson keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matthews slips a nice elbow through Jackson's hands, connecting with Jackson's forehead.
Matthews trying to control from half guard but Jackson is working away.
Matthews misses with a head shot. Jackson uses the momentum to regain guard.
Matthews is looking to work some ground and pound but Jackson has wrist control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matthews throws a big elbow that misses.
Matthews wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jackson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Matthews is trying to drag Jackson to the mat but Jackson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Matthews ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Matthews no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Matthews is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jackson is aware though and is defending well.
Jackson throws a strike but Matthews rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Matthews is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jackson can do to turn this around?
Matthews looking to sit in guard and control but Jackson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matthews is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson controlling from the top position.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Matthews keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matthews tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Matthews is keeping the position for now.
Jackson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Matthews wants to stand and escape but Jackson is having none of it.
Matthews keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.
Jackson throws a strike but Matthews rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Matthews stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jackson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jackson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jackson keeping full guard, as Matthews tries to pass.
Max Matthews overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Matthews working some strikes from top position.
Jackson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jackson can't keep his opponent in guard - Matthews advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Jackson wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matthews wants to pass to mount but Jackson is defending the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Matthews trying to control the action but Jackson is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Matthews blocks a low kick nicely.
Matthews defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jackson.
Matthews lands a leg kick that knocks Jackson off balance momentarily.

Matthews shoots in and gets a takedown into Jackson's guard.
Matthews looking to sit in guard and control but Jackson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Jackson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jackson throws a strike but Matthews rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Jackson wants to stand and escape but Matthews is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Matthews from controlling successfully.
Matthews looking to sit in guard and control but Jackson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Matthews keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Matthews is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Jackson throws a strike but Matthews rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Matthews dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Jackson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Matthews pushes Jackson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Jackson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Jackson taking a breather here.
Jackson connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Matthews some visible discomfort.
Jackson scoring with punches from side control.
Jackson in side control, throwing shots but Matthews defends.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matthews can't do much from the bottom here.
Matthews is not content to let Jackson control the position.
Jackson wants to stand but Matthews is controlling his arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson cracks Matthews with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Jackson wants to control but Matthews is keeping him busy.
Jackson is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Matthews's shoulder. That is not cool.
Jackson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
An elbow from Jackson crashes against the mat.
Jackson prevents Matthews from escaping the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Matthews fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Matthews darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jackson is looking to improve his position.
Matthews wants to pass the guard but Jackson is defending well.
Matthews works his foot free and advances to mount.
Jackson is bucking up trying to escape but Matthews cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Shawn Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

It looks like Shawn Jackson has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson avoids a series of strikes thrown by Matthews.
Matthews putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Matthews misses with a head shot.
Matthews throwing strikes here but Jackson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Matthews looking to control but Jackson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Max Matthews is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jackson is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson wants to control but Matthews is having none of it.
Matthews controlling from the full mount.
Jackson wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Jackson throwing hammer fists to the chest of Matthews. What's that going to do exactly?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson tries to lock up and control but Matthews gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Jackson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Matthews tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Matthews showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Matthews, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Matthews!
During a confident post fight interview, Max Matthews thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.