PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darius Tulauskas (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
Tulauskas

187 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Michael Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Darius Tulauskas!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Sandra Marshall and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jackson takes the fight into the clinch.
Tulauskas is trying to push Jackson away but Jackson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jackson has a couple of punches blocked by Tulauskas.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jackson.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tulauskas throws a head punch that misses.
Jackson presses Tulauskas against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tulauskas 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.
Jackson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
Jackson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jackson.
Tulauskas blocks a body shot from Jackson.
Jackson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tulauskass head.
A short right from Jackson on the inside.
Tulauskas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jackson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jackson misses with some punches.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Tulauskas.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jackson holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Jackson lands a left hand.
Tulauskas missing with knees to the body.
Jackson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Come on Tulauskas - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Tulauskas uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Jackson tries a body shot but Tulauskas blocks it.
Jackson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Jackson blocks an elbow strike from Tulauskas.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Tulauskas's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jackson scores with a nice hook to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Tulauskas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Jackson uses from the top position.
Tulauskas is controlling Jackson's posture.

Tulauskas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tulauskas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tulauskas is trying to keep Jackson in close.
Tulauskas 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.
Tulauskas striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Tulauskas is looking for a triangle but Jackson pushes his legs off easily.
Tulauskas keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tulauskas is keeping the position for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tulauskas tries for a takedown but Jackson circles away easily
and Jackson counters with a nice uppercut.
Michael Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Tulauskas.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tulauskas dives in for a single leg takedown but Jackson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Jackson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tulauskas doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Jackson jabs Tulauskas right on the nose. Tulauskas blinks but takes it well.

It looks like Darius Tulauskas has been cut.
Tulauskas shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jackson pinned against the cage. Jackson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tulauskas is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Tulauskas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Jackson counters by clinching up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tulauskas has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Jackson after a bit of a struggle.
Michael Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Tulauskas.
Jackson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jackson has a couple of punches blocked by Tulauskas.
Jackson lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson presses Tulauskas against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Jackson taking a breather.
Tulauskas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jackson walks away with a smile on his face. Tulauskas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jackson throws a right hand that Tulauskas ducks under and follows up with a left that Tulauskas also avoids with ease.
Tulauskas with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tulauskas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tulauskas misses with a leg kick.

Jackson closes the distance and pushes Tulauskas back into the cage.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson misses with the head strike.
Tulauskas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jackson stalling against the cage.
A short right from Jackson.
Tulauskas tries to stall but Jackson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Jackson digs a right hand into Tulauskas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tulauskas's gas tank.
Jackson lands with a short shot to the head.
Tulauskas is trying to break the clinch but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tulauskas is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tulauskas tries to score a body lock takedown but Jackson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Tulauskas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tulauskas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tulauskas can do to turn this around?
Jackson pushes Tulauskas back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jackson.
Jackson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jackson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tulauskas swings wildly with an uppercut but Jackson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jackson taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Jackson gets through Tulauskas's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Jackson lands with a light punch inside.
Jackson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tulauskas backwards.
Jackson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tulauskas taking a breather.
Tulauskas is trying to pull guard but Jackson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Jackson scores with a shoulder strike.
Jackson lands a hook that snaps the head of Tulauskas backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tulauskas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tulauskas blocking some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Tulauskas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jackson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Jackson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jackson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tulauskas wants to break free but Jackson has control.
Tulauskas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jackson walks away with a smile on his face. Tulauskas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tulauskas tries for a takedown but Jackson circles away easily
and Jackson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Jackson instigates a clinch.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Tulauskas uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Jackson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Darius Tulauskas's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Tulauskas takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Tulauskas dives in for a single leg takedown but Jackson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Darius Tulauskas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Tulauskas with that takedown attempt.
Jackson looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Tulauskas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Michael Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Tulauskas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tulauskas misses with a takedown attempt
and Jackson counters with a stiff right hand.
Jackson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tulauskas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tulauskas tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Jackson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tulauskas with a lazy takedown attempt
and Jackson counters with a stiff right hand.
Michael Jackson is winning the standup battle so far.

Jackson clinches with his opponent.
A short right from Jackson.
Tulauskas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jackson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jackson taking a breather.
Jackson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tulauskas backwards.
Tulauskas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jackson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Jackson scores with a shot to the side of Tulauskas's head.
Jackson is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Jackson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Tulauskas up against the cage.
Jackson lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Jackson to work.
Jackson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Jackson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jackson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Tulauskas decides to pull guard.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Tulauskas keeps moving.
Tulauskas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tulauskas 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tulauskas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tulauskas looking to control.
Tulauskas looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Michael Jackson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tulauskas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Jackson counters with a straight right hand.

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.

Jackson closes the distance and pushes Tulauskas back into the cage.
Still in the clinch, Jackson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jackson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tulauskas backwards.
Jackson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Jackson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tulauskass head.
Tulauskas prevents a body shot from Jackson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tulauskas wants to get back to striking at distance but Jackson won't allow it.
Darius Tulauskas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tulauskas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Jackson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jackson, 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 Franklin scores the fight 30:26
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:25
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Jackson!