PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Patrick Hager (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steve Jackson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hager
vs
Jackson

183 cm
21
224 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

198 cm
28
220 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Patrick Hager!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hager manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hager.
Hager definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hager paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hager fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Jackson instigates a clinch.

Hager breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Hager gets tackled into the cage by Jackson. Jackson maintains the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Jackson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Jackson slows down the pace here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hager blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jackson lands an elbow that stopped Hager in his tracks for a moment.
Jackson crunches a lovely knee into Hager's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hager pulls guard effortlessly.
Hager keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
Jackson being controlled here momentarily.
Hager wants to sweep but no luck.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Hager keeps moving.
Hager is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two 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.
Hager looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jackson is one step ahead there.
Hager keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.

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

Jackson pushes Hager up against the cage in a clinch.
Hager can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patrick Hager. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson lands an elbow just above Hager 's eye.
Jackson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hager has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jackson gets underhooks to prevent Hager's takedown attempt.

Hager works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Hager lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hager is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hager missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Hager thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hager wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Jackson is looking to stand back up but Hager counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Jackson.
Hager looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hager sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Jackson defending well though.
Jackson is trying to control but Hager passes into side control!
Hager controlling the position from side mount.
Hager in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hager takes a little break here. Jackson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson bucks up and tries to throw Hager off but instead Hager has got his back!
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 Patrick Hager will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jackson takes the fight into the clinch.

Hager manages to break the clinch.
Patrick Hager is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hager fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hager avoids the head kick by Jackson.
Hager is looking for a counter combo.

Jackson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jackson lands an elbow just above Hager 's eye.
Hager blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hager drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A knee to the head by Jackson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Jackson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jackson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jackson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hager in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hager jumps guard.
Hager trying to control the position.
Jackson looking to sit in guard and control but Hager gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hager pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hager stays in close to Jackson's body and controls the position.
Hager 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.
Hager trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hager accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hager accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hager throwing strikes from guard but Jackson blocks nicely.
Jackson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hager controls the pace.
Hager trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jackson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hager. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is looking to stand up but Hager isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hager shoots in for a double leg but Jackson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patrick Hager. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Jackson forces Hager back against the cage and clinches.
Hager is trying to break free.
Hager avoids the elbow strike from Jackson, against the cage.

Hager gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Jackson is wriggling around but Hager manages to pass to half guard.
Hager prevents Jackson from improving his position.
Hager wants to control but Jackson is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hager stalling.
Hager continues to stall.

Hager is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hager sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hager.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Steve Jackson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hager scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hager tries for a kimura but Jackson is defending well.
Hager trying to control the action but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Hager working the head and body with strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson bucks up and tries to throw Hager off but instead Hager has got his back!

Hager working for the choke.
Hager is punishing Jackson with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hager is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Jackson knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Jackson for a finish.

Hager is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Jackson is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Patrick Hager!
Patrick Hager made sure to mention his sponsor, Arcticus University: London in his post fight interview.