PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luther Jackson (ranked 171 p4p, 28 weight class) and John Edmonds (ranked 1707 p4p, 229 weight class). Edmonds has chosen Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Jackson
vs
Edmonds

185 cm
26
197 lbs
13 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
190 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Luther Jackson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, John Edmonds!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Bart Greer and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Edmonds moves away.
Edmonds fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jackson manages to avoid it.
Jackson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Edmonds avoids it really well and circles away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Edmonds.
Jackson with a poor takedown
and Edmonds counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Jackson seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

Jackson drives through with a takedown into guard.
Jackson looking to pass the guard.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Edmonds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Edmonds is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jackson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edmonds wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Jackson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Edmonds dives on top into guard.

Jackson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Edmonds wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Edmonds is pushing down on Jackson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jackson is fighting to maintain full guard but Edmonds has managed to sneak the leg through.

Edmonds seems to be looking for submissions.

Jackson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Jackson actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Edmonds seems to be looking for submissions.
Jackson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Edmonds pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.
Edmonds slips nicely into half guard.
Jackson regains full guard. Nicely done.

Jackson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Edmonds defends well.

Jackson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Edmonds can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Edmonds looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson working for a triangle but Edmonds defends it easily.

Jackson is looking for a triangle but Edmonds pushes his legs off easily.

Jackson throws his legs up looking for a submission but Edmonds uses it to pass to side control.

Edmonds is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Jackson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Jackson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Edmonds wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Edmonds's best efforts.
Jackson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Edmonds slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Jackson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Edmonds defends well.
Jackson looking to control.

Jackson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Edmonds is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Jackson.

Edmonds is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Jackson has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson is trying to improve his position.
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 Luther Jackson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Edmonds dips to his left and cracks Jackson with an uppercut!

It looks like Luther Jackson has been cut.
We've been informed that Edmonds has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Jackson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Edmonds's guard.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Edmonds is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Edmonds 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 passes into half guard.
Jackson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson is thwarting Edmonds's attempts to control the position.

Jackson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edmonds blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jackson.
Jackson is pressing down on Edmonds's thigh, looking to free his foot. Edmonds is holding on for now.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jackson connects with a nice short shot to Edmonds's temple.
Edmonds avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jackson.
Jackson wants to pass to mount but Edmonds is defending the position.

Edmonds looking for a kimura from the bottom but Jackson passes into side control!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Edmonds can do anything to dispel that myth.
The ground and pound from Jackson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Edmonds is looking to regain half guard here but Jackson keeps moving and retains side control.
Edmonds takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson cracks Edmonds with a big elbow.
Edmonds looking for a sweep but Jackson has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Jackson thowing shots but they're missing.
Jackson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Jackson goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Edmonds turns into him and now he's in Jackson's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson controls Edmonds momentarily but Edmonds frees himself.

Jackson looking for a guillotine here but Edmonds defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson working for a triangle but Edmonds defends it easily.
Edmonds won't allow Jackson to sweep him here.
Edmonds wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.
Jackson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Jackson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Edmonds forces his way into half guard.
Jackson wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is staying active underneath Edmonds, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Edmonds in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Jackson tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Edmonds!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). John Edmonds!
John Edmonds is the new middleweight champion!
An out of breath John Edmonds thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Luther Jackson had this to say: 'See you in the season finals'.