PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sebastian Halstenberg (ranked 1451 p4p, 190 weight class) and Mujahid Jackson (ranked 6742 p4p, 508 weight class). Halstenberg comes to the ring accompanied by Bring Me The Horizon - Can You Feel My Heart. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Halstenberg
vs
Jackson

172 cm
31
185 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

190 cm
33
187 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sebastian Halstenberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mujahid Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halstenberg throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jackson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Halstenberg.
Halstenberg misses with a hook.
Halstenberg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jackson.

Halstenberg gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Halstenberg wants to stand and escape but Jackson is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halstenberg preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jackson throws a big right hand that misses.
Halstenberg avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson looking to pass the guard.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Halstenberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Halstenberg knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jackson on the ground.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jackson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jackson chips away with some ground and pound.
Jackson throwing strikes but missing.
Jackson works over Halstenberg with some ground and pound from guard.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Halstenberg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Halstenberg wants to stand but Jackson is controlling the position.
Halstenberg is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Touch Of Death Combat Academy that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Halstenberg working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jackson.
Halstenberg might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Jackson landing with the ground and pound.
Halstenberg on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Halstenberg tries to get out of the position.
Halstenberg wants to stand and escape but Jackson is having none of it.
Jackson throws an elbow that misses. Halstenberg uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jackson's guard. Nice move by Halstenberg!

Jackson is looking for a triangle but Halstenberg pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Halstenberg is looking to stand up but Jackson won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mujahid Jackson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jackson takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Halstenberg throws a body punch but Jackson moves out of range.
Halstenberg loads up on a big right hand but Jackson slips the punch.
Despite the aggression on Jackson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Halstenberg throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Jackson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jackson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Halstenberg backing away here, and Jackson unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jackson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Halstenberg manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mujahid Jackson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jackson works over Halstenberg with some ground and pound from guard.
Jackson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halstenberg is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Halstenberg pushes Jackson off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Jackson is looking to clinch but Halstenberg is avoiding it.
Jackson shoots in and drives through. Halstenberg sprawls well.
Halstenberg misses the shot to the body.
No luck for Jackson with that takedown attempt.
Halstenberg appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halstenberg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Halstenberg misses with a straight left.
Halstenberg lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jackson circles away quickly and effectively.
A jab from Halstenberg finds it's way through Jackson's defenses.
Halstenberg connects with a nice looking jab.
Halstenberg uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jackson.
Jackson takes one on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sebastian Halstenberg dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab, jab by Halstenberg - just one landing.
Sebastian Halstenberg is winning the standup battle so far.
Halstenberg misses with a straight left.
Halstenberg throws the left hand but Jackson avoids the punch easily.
Halstenberg stuffs the takedown.
A quick step to the side and Halstenberg tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Halstenberg misses with a looping left.
Jackson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halstenberg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Halstenberg sets himself, and Jackson steps forward looking for the clinch! Halstenberg avoids it this time.
Nice sprawl there from Halstenberg as Jackson shoots in.
Halstenberg swings for the body but Jackson moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson slips a jab from Halstenberg.
Jackson unleashes a big counter combination but Halstenberg bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Halstenberg misses with a hook to the body
and Jackson counters with a head kick.
Jackson scores with a decent looking hook.
Jackson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Halstenberg defends well and Jackson ends up having to push Halstenberg into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sebastian Halstenberg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mujahid Jackson.
Halstenberg throws a body punch but Jackson moves out of range.
Sebastian Halstenberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Jackson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Halstenberg looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Jackson fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Halstenberg defending against the ground and pound.
Jackson prevents Halstenberg from escaping the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Halstenberg taking a bit of punishment here - Jackson scoring with strikes.
Mujahid Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson is working Halstenberg over with some ground and pound from side control.
Jackson scoring with punches and elbows.
Jackson is working Halstenberg over with some ground and pound from side control.
Jackson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Halstenberg is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Jackson is chipping away with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mujahid Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jackson 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight for Sebastian Halstenberg!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Sebastian Halstenberg!

Sebastian Halstenberg wins by majority decision!
A victorious Sebastian Halstenberg thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Mujahid Jackson spoke after the fight, saying 'As this is my final fight, I want to thank the fans who have been with me my entire career. I want to thank this company for allowing me to retire at home. I owe so much to all my fight teams. Although I lost tonight, I do not see any of this as a loss. I am so grateful, and love you all. Goodbye. '.