PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Samak Ruenroeng (ranked 775 p4p, 88 weight class) and Randall Jackson (ranked 1247 p4p, 143 weight class). Jackson has chosen Waiting around to die? as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ruenroeng
vs
Jackson

170 cm
23
144 lbs
10 - 6 - 1

173 cm
22
157 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

IniTech Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Samak Ruenroeng!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Randall Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruenroeng bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ruenroeng seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Jackson dives in and grabs Ruenroeng's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ruenroeng pushes down on Jackson's head and hops out.
An inside leg kick lands from Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ruenroeng cracks the inside of Jackson's front leg.
Jackson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ruenroeng throws a right hand that Jackson ducks under and follows up with a left that Jackson also avoids with ease.
Ruenroeng closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jackson looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruenroeng is just out of range.
Ruenroeng avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jackson throws a jab when Ruenroeng was well out of range.
The fighters circling - Ruenroeng throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A slow jab from Jackson misses its intended target.
Ruenroeng scores with a leg kick.
That kick from Ruenroeng tenderised Jackson's leg. Jackson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jackson misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruenroeng ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jackson moves away.
Jackson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jackson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ruenroeng feints and then cracks Jackson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Jackson down.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch there but Jackson circles away.
Samak Ruenroeng is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Ruenroeng drives through and clinches with Jackson against the cage.
Jackson cracks Ruenroeng with a nice body shot.
Ruenroeng throws a punch but it's blocked by Jackson.
Jackson misses with a punch to the body.
Ruenroeng tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ruenroeng missing with knees to the body.

Jackson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Ruenroeng on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ruenroeng tries to get out of the position.
Ruenroeng tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jackson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ruenroeng works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ruenroeng looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jackson is one step ahead there.
Ruenroeng preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jackson content to stall in guard here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ruenroeng is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ruenroeng in particular looking to stall.
Jackson tries to get to full guard but Ruenroeng has control of the leg.
Jackson wants to control but Ruenroeng is keeping busy.
Jackson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jackson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ruenroeng sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Jackson is refusing to be controlled, as Ruenroeng sits in half guard.
Jackson wants to improve his position but Ruenroeng is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Jackson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ruenroeng pulls his head out easily.
Jackson gets back to full guard.
Ruenroeng content to stall in guard here.
Jackson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ruenroeng stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.
Ruenroeng content to stall in guard here.
Ruenroeng wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four 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.
Jackson wants to sweep here but Ruenroeng controlling him for the moment.
Ruenroeng postures up.
Ruenroeng advances position into side control!
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.
Jackson can't do much from the bottom here.
Jackson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ruenroeng is trying to control. Jackson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Jackson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Jackson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Jackson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ruenroeng defends it easily.
Jackson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ruenroeng controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jackson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ruenroeng defends well and Jackson ends up having to push Ruenroeng into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jackson moves out of range as Ruenroeng strikes.
Ruenroeng throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
letting Jackson counter with a right hand.

Ruenroeng gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jackson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Ruenroeng.
Jackson's coach down at Temple of Cloud Warriors-youth was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Jackson's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Jackson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ruenroeng blocks an uppercut.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ruenroeng goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson misses with some punches.
Ruenroeng landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A short left from Jackson.
Ruenroeng misses with the head strike.
Ruenroeng misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jackson.
Ruenroeng trying to land knees to the body.
Ruenroeng misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jackson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Jackson jumps into guard, dragging Ruenroeng to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruenroeng content to stall in guard here.
Jackson trying to keep a closed guard but Ruenroeng is proving a slippery customer.
Ruenroeng content to stall in guard here.
Jackson looking for a sweep. Not yet Jackson, not yet.
Ruenroeng slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Ruenroeng here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Jackson keeping full guard, as Ruenroeng tries to pass.
Ruenroeng controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Jackson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

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.
Ruenroeng engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Jackson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jackson wants to sweep but no luck.
Ruenroeng stays in close to Jackson's body and controls the position.

Jackson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ruenroeng controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jackson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch but Jackson is having none of it.
Ruenroeng tries to move into range but Jackson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ruenroeng ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jackson moves away.
Some bone on bone action there as Jackson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Jackson throws a lazy right hand but Ruenroeng sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Jackson misses the target.
Ruenroeng blocks a jab.
Samak Ruenroeng seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ruenroeng on the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jackson. Ruenroeng does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ruenroeng misses with a low kick.
Jackson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ruenroeng moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ruenroeng is looking to clinch.

Ruenroeng clinches up with Jackson and pushes him back against the cage.
Ruenroeng throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Ruenroeng scores with a nice short uppercut.

Jackson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ruenroeng goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ruenroeng lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ruenroeng tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Jackson is able to avoid easily.
Jackson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Jackson throws a shot from downtown. Ruenroeng moves away and avoids it.
Ruenroeng ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jackson moves away.
Jackson misses with a hook.
A big right from Jackson misses.
Ruenroeng blocks a jab.
Randall Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ruenroeng lands a nice looking body shot.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ruenroeng throws a low kick but it's checked well by Jackson.
Jackson throws a body punch but Ruenroeng moves out of range.
Jackson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Jackson just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Samak Ruenroeng will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ruenroeng doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Samak Ruenroeng is winning the standup battle so far.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch but Jackson is having none of it.
Ruenroeng moves out of range of the strikes.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch up.
Ruenroeng looks to throw the jab but Jackson is out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ruenroeng.

Ruenroeng clinches.
Jackson dodges an elbow strike from Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Jackson avoids it.
Ruenroeng can't find room to land a body shot as Jackson controls the action.

Jackson is trying to trip Ruenroeng. He has hold of a leg but Ruenroeng is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Jackson persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Ruenroeng keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ruenroeng's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Randall Jackson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jackson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ruenroeng working a defensive guard here.
Ruenroeng is pulling down on Jackson's head. It's preventing any offense from Jackson, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson stopping the sweep attempt from Ruenroeng.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Ruenroeng keeps moving.
Ruenroeng wants to sweep here but Jackson controlling him for the moment.
Ruenroeng not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jackson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jackson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ruenroeng 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.
Jackson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ruenroeng lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Jackson keeping moving, preventing Ruenroeng from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng preventing the sweep.
Jackson being controlled here, momentarily.
Ruenroeng stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.
Jackson keeps trying to improve his position.
Ruenroeng content to stall in guard here.
Ruenroeng trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Jackson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Ruenroeng controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Ruenroeng pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.
Ruenroeng won't allow Jackson to sweep him here.
Ruenroeng trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Jackson has his foot on Ruenroeng's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ruenroeng works his way back into a safe position though.
Jackson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ruenroeng's guard.

Jackson wants to control from the top but Ruenroeng keeps moving.
Jackson scoring with some ground and pound.
Jackson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ruenroeng's head.
Jackson controlling from the top position.
Ruenroeng not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Ruenroeng is retaining full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ruenroeng holds on and takes a little breather.
Ruenroeng bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jackson's guard.

Ruenroeng not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Jackson wants to hit a switch here but Ruenroeng passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Jackson there!
Jackson is squirming around, avoiding Ruenroeng's attempts to control the action.
Ruenroeng controlling his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson is working to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Samak Ruenroeng.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ruenroeng, 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Samak Ruenroeng!