PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luther Jackson (ranked 80 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi (ranked 853 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Jackson
vs
Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi

185 cm
27
197 lbs
19 - 1 - 0

190 cm
27
190 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Luther Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jackson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Di Betto Bardi's guard.
Jackson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Di Betto Bardi controls Jackson momentarily but Jackson frees himself.
Jackson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jackson throws a big elbow that misses.

Jackson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jackson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Jackson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Di Betto Bardi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jackson stops Di Betto Bardi from standing up.

Jackson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Di Betto Bardi is trying to keep Jackson in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Di Betto Bardi is retaining full guard.
Di Betto Bardi 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.
Di Betto Bardi keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.
We've been hearing that Jackson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Di Betto Bardi trying to keep a closed guard but Jackson is proving a slippery customer.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
That kick from Di Betto Bardi tenderised Jackson's leg. Jackson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jackson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Di Betto Bardi defends well and Jackson ends up having to push Di Betto Bardi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jackson shoots in looking for a takedown but Di Betto Bardi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jackson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jackson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Di Betto Bardi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jackson somewhat.
Di Betto Bardi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luther Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Di Betto Bardi.
Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Di Betto Bardi tries to land a leg kick but Jackson saw it coming and moves away.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.
Jackson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Jackson rushes Di Betto Bardi and presses him up against the cage.
Jackson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Di Betto Bardi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Di Betto Bardi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jackson's elbow.
Di Betto Bardi misses with a body punch.
Di Betto Bardi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Di Betto Bardi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson tries to clinch there but Di Betto Bardi circles away.
Jackson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Di Betto Bardi's waist but Di Betto Bardi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jackson off to one side.
Di Betto Bardi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Di Betto Bardi thinks about the counter body kick.

Jackson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Di Betto Bardi is defending well.
Di Betto Bardi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Di Betto Bardi has his hands clasped together around Jackson's back. He's all about the action.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Di Betto Bardi tries to roll over but Jackson keeps him under control.
Jackson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Di Betto Bardi's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Di Betto Bardi is refusing to be controlled, as Jackson sits in half guard.
Jackson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Di Betto Bardi trying to control but Jackson postures up.
Jackson lands strikes from half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Di Betto Bardi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Di Betto Bardi pulls Jackson in close to his closed guard and prevents Jackson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Di Betto Bardi keeps moving.

Jackson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jackson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Di Betto Bardi being controlled here, momentarily.
Di Betto Bardi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
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.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jackson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jackson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Jackson closes the distance and clinches.
Jackson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Di Betto Bardi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Di Betto Bardi stops a takedown attempt from Jackson.
Jackson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Di Betto Bardi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luther Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Di Betto Bardi can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Di Betto Bardi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Jackson looking for a takedown.
Di Betto Bardi 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.
Jackson wants a takedown.
Jackson is trying to drag Di Betto Bardi to the mat but Di Betto Bardi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Jackson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Di Betto Bardi is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Di Betto Bardi misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Di Betto Bardi fails to land.

Di Betto Bardi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Jackson pushes Di Betto Bardi up against the cage in a clinch.

Di Betto Bardi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Di Betto Bardi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Di Betto Bardi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Jackson shoots in but Di Betto Bardi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Di Betto Bardi throws a fast counter high kick but Jackson manages to duck under it in time.
Jackson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Di Betto Bardi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Luther Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Di Betto Bardi. That one must have hurt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Di Betto Bardi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jackson. That did some damage!
Di Betto Bardi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jackson tries to clinch up.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Di Betto Bardi paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jackson moves into the clinch successfully.
Jackson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Di Betto Bardi prevents a takedown attempt there.
Di Betto Bardi prevents the takedown attempt.
Jackson avoiding damage as Di Betto Bardi throws knees to the body.
Jackson has Di Betto Bardi pressed against the cage, preventing Di Betto Bardi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Jackson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Di Betto Bardi throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Di Betto Bardi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Di Betto Bardi scores with a nice body kick.
Di Betto Bardi throws a head kick that misses.
Jackson avoids the head kick by Di Betto Bardi.
An inside leg kick lands from Di Betto Bardi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson tries to clinch but Di Betto Bardi moves out of range.
Di Betto Bardi throws a big counter head kick but Jackson avoids it with no problem.
Jackson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Di Betto Bardi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A head kick misses from Di Betto Bardi.
Nice takedown defense from Di Betto Bardi. No joy for Jackson on that attempt.
Jackson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Di Betto Bardi.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Di Betto Bardi as he jumps to the side.
Di Betto Bardi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jackson. That did some damage!
Jackson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Di Betto Bardi is looking to slow Jackson down with leg kicks.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jackson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Di Betto Bardi raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Di Betto Bardi steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Jackson.
Jackson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Jackson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Jackson is working for takedown but Di Betto Bardi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Di Betto Bardi using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jackson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Jackson is working for takedown but Di Betto Bardi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Jackson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jackson's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Di Betto Bardi has had enough of the clinch but Jackson keeps him there for the moment.
Di Betto Bardi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jackson is working for takedown but Di Betto Bardi is calmly controlling the position for now.
Di Betto Bardi is pressed up against the cage. Jackson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Di Betto Bardi down to the mat. Di Betto Bardi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jackson wants to clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Di Betto Bardi moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Di Betto Bardi misses with a head kick.
Di Betto Bardi is looking to land body kicks.
Di Betto Bardi throws a head kick that misses.
Jackson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A clash of legs there as Jackson blocks the low kick.
Jackson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jackson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jackson doesn't manage to clinch there - Di Betto Bardi circles away.
Di Betto Bardi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Jackson takes a step back to recover.
Jackson doesn't manage to clinch there - Di Betto Bardi circles away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Di Betto Bardi, right into the meat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson tries to clinch up.
Di Betto Bardi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Di Betto Bardi as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Di Betto Bardi pushes Jackson away with a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luther Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That kick from Di Betto Bardi tenderised Jackson's leg. Jackson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jackson is looking to clinch.
Di Betto Bardi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Jackson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Di Betto Bardi.

Di Betto Bardi lands a big head kick that sends Jackson tumbling to the mat! Di Betto Bardi takes a step backwards and waves Jackson back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Luther Jackson has been cut.
Jackson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Di Betto Bardi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Di Betto Bardi lands with a thumping leg kick.

Jackson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Luther Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Di Betto Bardi trying to control here.
Di Betto Bardi is looking for a sweep. Jackson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jackson wants to free his trapped foot but Di Betto Bardi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Di Betto Bardi trying to control from the bottom.
Di Betto Bardi won't allow Jackson to pass to mount.
Jackson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Di Betto Bardi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Di Betto Bardi wants to get back to his feet.

Jackson seems to be working for a kimura but Di Betto Bardi defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Di Betto Bardi trying to control but Jackson postures up.

Jackson is working for a submission of some sort.
Di Betto Bardi is looking for a sweep. Jackson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Di Betto Bardi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Jackson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Jackson's back!
Di Betto Bardi is trying to stick to Jackson's back but Jackson is turning into Di Betto Bardi. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Di Betto Bardi's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Jackson.
Di Betto Bardi is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Jackson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Di Betto Bardi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jackson.
Jackson postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Di Betto Bardi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Di Betto Bardi working a defensive guard but Jackson passes into half guard.

Jackson wants to work for an arm triangle but Di Betto Bardi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Di Betto Bardi wants to control but Jackson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jackson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Jackson is trying to work for a kimura but Di Betto Bardi is defending well.
Di Betto Bardi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jackson.
Jackson drops an elbow to the side of Di Betto Bardi's head.

Jackson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Di Betto Bardi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight for Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi!
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight for Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi!

Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Donato Di Niccolo Di Betto Bardi thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Luther Jackson spoke after the fight, saying 'See you in the season finals'.