PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Jackson (ranked 729 p4p, 118 weight class) and Rick James (ranked 733 p4p, 120 weight class). Jackson comes to the cage accompanied by Black Sabbath - Children of the Sea. James has chosen I Love the Cocaine as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Jackson
vs
James

187 cm
29
180 lbs
20 - 6 - 0

180 cm
32
184 lbs
24 - 11 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

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 20 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rick James!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
James scores with a three punch combo!
Jackson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
James throws a right and a left that both miss.

Jackson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
James is trying to maintain a safe position but Jackson gets an underhook and turns James into the cage.
Jackson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of James backwards.
Jackson lands a left hand that snaps the head of James backwards.
Jackson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jackson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Jackson managing to block the knees to the body from James.
Jackson tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jackson.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jackson misses with a hook to the ribs.
James swings wildly with an uppercut but Jackson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jackson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
James swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The referee calls for James to work.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jackson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from James - that landed with a thud.
James lands a left hand.
James lands a body punch in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, James throws an elbow but misses.
Nice body punch from James - that landed with a thud.
James lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
James can't find room to land a body shot as Jackson controls the action.
A short left from James.
James slows down the pace here.
James blocks a body shot from Jackson.
Jackson tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Still in the clinch, James scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, James scores with a nice short uppercut.
James lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James can't find room to land a body shot as Jackson controls the action.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
James displaying some good clinch control by pressing Jackson up against the cage.
Jackson misses with the head strike.
Jackson has a couple of punches blocked by James.
James lands a hook that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
James misses with a body punch.
Jackson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A shot in the inside from James.
James blocks an uppercut.
James misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from James fails to land.
Jackson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a short shot to the head.
James lands a body punch in the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from James.
James misses with a body punch.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Good standup being displayed there by James as he connects with a hook.
James uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jackson.
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
James swings for the body but Jackson moves out of range.

Jackson darts in and clinches James up against the cage.
Jackson avoiding damage as James throws knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by James.
James lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
Jackson avoids the elbow strike from James, against the cage.
Jackson misses with some punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch on the inside from James fails to land.
Jackson misses with a punch on the inside.
James lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Michael Jackson has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson scores with a hook to the body.
James pushes off an throws an elbow but Jackson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
James lands a hook to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by James.
Jackson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Jackson gets through James's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
James misses with some punches.
James lands a hook that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
James misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jackson lands with a right to the head.
James lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
With the fighters up against the cage, James throws an elbow but misses.
James comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Jackson wants to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jackson misses with a hook to the ribs.
James swings wildly with an uppercut but Jackson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jackson tries to throw a body punch but James avoids it by throwing Jackson back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jackson is looking to clinch.
James lands with a nice body punch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from James in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Jackson tries to clinch there but James circles away.
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jackson walks into a stiff left hand from James.
Jackson moves away from the strike by James.
James tries to bum rush Jackson with a series of wild strikes but Jackson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rick James seems to be getting the better of the standup.
James lands a nice looking body shot.
James thows a left - swing and a miss!
James has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch but James swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
James misses with a body shot.
Jackson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. James manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A nice inside leg kick there by Jackson. That's going to slow James down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left lands for James.
Jackson slips a jab from James.
Jackson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
James looks to land a left hand but Jackson moved out of range nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson is looking to clinch but James is avoiding it.
James misses with an uppercut. Jackson saw that one coming.
Jackson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
James lands a nice hook to Jackson's body. Jackson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A right-left combo lands from James.
James waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jackson.
Jackson feinted there with a counter leg kick.
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
James misses with a looping right.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but James paws at him with a jab and circles away.
James swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.
Jackson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. James manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rick James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James scores with a decent looking hook.
Nice body punch from James.
Jackson fails with an attempt to clinch.
James looks to score with a jab to the body but Jackson is just out of range.
Jackson tries to clinch but James is having none of it.
James rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Jackson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James misses with an uppercut.
Jackson wants to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Jackson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Jackson.
James fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
James keeps the fight on the outside.
James throws out a counter right but Jackson avoids it with no problem.
Jackson staying out of range there.
Jackson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jackson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jackson avoids the body shot from James.
Jackson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Jackson tries to clinch there but James circles away.

Jackson gets a clinch.
James makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
James misses with the head strike.
Jackson misses with a body punch.
James misses with a body punch.
A short right from Jackson.
James digs a right hand underneath Jackson's ribcage. Jackson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Jackson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from James.
Jackson misses with a punch on the inside.
Jackson tries a body shot but James blocks it.
James has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Jackson seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if James can turn it around.
James lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
James gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson throws a head punch that misses.
James throws an elbow that misses.
James pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
James misses with some punches.
A shot in the inside from James.
Jackson misses with some punches.
James lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
Jackson throws a head punch that misses.
Nice elbow from James.
Jackson blocks an uppercut.
James tries a body shot but Jackson blocks it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
James swings wildly with an uppercut but Jackson uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Jackson.
James blocks an uppercut.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from James fails to land.
James lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Michael Jackson's cut.
That's time! Jackson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Jackson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
James circles away from the clinch attempt.
James swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
James avoids the body shot from Jackson.
James swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
James throws a series of punches but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson is looking to counter with a body kick.
Jackson dodges the punch combination from James.
Jackson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jackson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James throws a body shot but no joy.
Jackson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
James throws a hook but Jackson avoids it easily.
Jackson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but James manages to avoid it.
Jackson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jackson avoids the body shot from James.
James keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James misses with a looping right.
James dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jackson ducks under a wild hook from James.
James throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James misses with an uppercut. Jackson saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from James misses the target.
Sloppy strikes from James. Those never looked like landing.
Jackson is looking to clinch.
James throws a shot from downtown. Jackson moves away and avoids it.
James lands with a good body shot.
Jackson tries to clinch up but James circles away and keeps his distance.
Jackson tries to clinch but James moves out of range.
James swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Jackson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
James digs a good body shot into Jackson's ribs.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jackson moves out of range as James strikes.

Jackson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jackson throws a head punch that misses.
Jackson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Jackson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
James misses with the head strike.
James softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
James scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A nice right hand lands inside from James.
James wants to stall.
Nice body punch from Jackson.
Jackson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by James.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jackson.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
James misses with a body punch.
James presses Jackson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for James.
James misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
James holding his opponent close, against the cage.
James blocks a body shot from Jackson.
A short uppercut from James.
Jackson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
James is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jackson is defending well for now.
James lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Jackson lands a left hand.
Rick James is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jackson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but James is keeping busy.
James lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short left from James.
James works on Jackson's body with a couple of short punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jackson.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
James lands a shoulder strike.
James has a couple of punches blocked by Jackson.
Michael Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James can't find room to land a body shot as Jackson controls the action.
James scores with a nice hook to the head.
James gets through Jackson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
James lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jackson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jackson misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick James comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well James 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick James!
In his post fight interview, Rick James started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
Michael Jackson spoke after the fight, saying 'Well... He got me... In the misty morning...'.