PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jordan Jackson (ranked 1509 p4p, 197 weight class) and Luke Neil (ranked 2196 p4p, 263 weight class). Jackson's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Puff Daddy-Victory (ft. Notorious B.I.G & Busta Rhymes). Neil has chosen Linkin Park - In the end as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jackson
vs
Neil

186 cm
20
200 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

182 cm
27
192 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jordan Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Luke Neil!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Neil tries to sprawl but Jackson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Jackson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Neil wants to get back to his feet.
Jackson is keen to just control but Neil is a slippery customer.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but Neil defending well.
Neil pushes Jackson off looking to stand but Jackson dives back in and keeps control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson shoots and misses
and Neil cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Neil bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jordan Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson misses with a straight left.
Neil throws out a counter right but Jackson avoids it with no problem.
Jackson scores with the left hand. Neil knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neil steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jackson.
Neil throws out a counter right but Jackson avoids it with no problem.
Decent striking displayed by Neil there.
Jackson throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Neil to counter with a crisp jab.
A left and a right from Neil both land. Nice combination.
Jackson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jackson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Neil counters with a one-two to the body.
Jackson misses with a hook. Neil ducked under it nicely.
Despite the aggression on Neil's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Neil displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jackson throws out the jab.
Jackson throws a combination that misses
and Neil counters with a left and a right that stings Jackson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some wild striking there from Jackson.
Neil throws a counter combo.
Jackson shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neil walks into a jab.
Jackson throws a jab but it's blocked by Neil.
Despite the aggression on Neil's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Jackson dives in and scores a takedown into Neil's guard.
Jackson passes Neil's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Neil has one foot on Jackson's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Jackson throws a hook but Neil blocks it.
A little jabbing left from Neil on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Neil displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jackson throws out the jab.
It seemed like Neil was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Jackson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Neil tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Jackson is in Neil's guard.
Neil avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jackson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jackson is standing up over Neil. Neil looks to escape but Jackson dives into side control.
Jackson tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson prevents Neil from escaping the position.
Jackson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Jackson controls the position.
Neil tries to escape but Jackson is in control.

Jackson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Neil, who protects the arm well.
Neil taking a bit of punishment here - Jackson scoring with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neil tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Neil is trying to get back to his feet but Jackson has full control of the position and if anything, Neil has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Jackson is looking for a choke. Neil gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Neil manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Neil must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Neil tries to free his leg and advance position but Jackson is retaining full guard.
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 Jordan Jackson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Neil misses with a two punch combination.
Jackson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Neil sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Neil misses with a hook. Jackson ducked under it nicely.
Jackson throws an off balance right hand
and Neil counters with a nice uppercut.
Jackson slips a jab and a cross from Neil.

Jackson looking to score a takedown here. Neil is defending well but Jackson drives through and ends up in Neil's guard.
Jackson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Neil's guard.
Jackson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Neil wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Jackson stops Neil from getting back to his feet.
Jackson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Jordan Jackson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson is nestled in close to Neil, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Jackson working over Neil with some ground and pound. Neil looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Neil can do anything to dispel that myth.
Jackson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Jackson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Jackson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Neil sees it coming and defends easily.
Neil is staying active underneath Jackson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

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

Neil kicks off Jackson and gets to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Jackson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Jackson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Neil bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson dodges the punch combination from Neil.
Luke Neil is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A slow jab from Jackson misses its intended target.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Neil sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Neil slips under a jab from Jackson.
Jackson throws a hook but Neil blocks it.
Jackson misses with a looping right.
The fighters circling - Jackson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws out a loose jab but Neil uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jackson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Neil ducks under a wild hook from Jackson.
Neil is looking for the big counter here.
Jab by Jackson.
Jackson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As Jackson backs off Neil throws a huge counter combo but Jackson manages to avoid it all.
Luke Neil seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Jackson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Neil tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Jackson is in Neil's guard.
Neil is looking to stand up but Jackson isn't so interested in that idea.
Jackson chips away with some ground and pound.
Jackson stands and throws Neil's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neil is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Jackson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Jackson taking a breather here.
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.
Jackson tries to advance to mount but Neil denies him.
Jackson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Jackson working the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jordan Jackson dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jackson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Jackson lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neil is looking to stand up but Jackson isn't so interested in that idea.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Neil keeps moving.
Neil wants to stand up but Jackson is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Neil wants to stand but Jackson is controlling the position.
Jackson distracts Neil with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Neil wants to stand but Jackson is controlling the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Jackson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Jackson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Jackson drops back looking for a leg! Neil is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Neil manages to kick Jackson off! Jackson jumps back into Neil's guard.
Neil wants to stand up but Jackson is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two 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.
A left and a right from Neil both land. Nice combination.
No joy there for Neil, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jackson ducks under a wild hook from Neil.
A jab from Neil misses.
It looked like Jackson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Neil walks into a jab.
No luck for Jackson with that takedown attempt.
Neil throws a counter combo.
Jackson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Neil has time to react.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson missing with a left hand there. Neil was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jackson misses with a takedown
and Neil counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Neil looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A slow jab from Jackson misses its intended target.
Neil unleashes a big counter combination but Jackson bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Jackson misses with an uppercut. Neil saw that one coming.
Neil moves out of range of the strikes.
Neil misses with a series of wild punches.
Jackson drops down looking for a counter takedown but Neil sprawls and moves away.
Jackson misses with a straight right.
Jackson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jackson throws an off balance right hand
and Neil cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neil displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jackson throws out the jab.
Jackson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Neil defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jordan Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jackson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Neil circles away quickly and effectively.
Neil paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jackson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Neil counters with a straight right hand.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Neil tries to move into range but Jackson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson throws an off balance right hand
and Neil connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jackson misses with a hook.
Neil throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Jackson counters with a shoot takedown. Neil fights it but they end up in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jordan Jackson did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Neil defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jackson.
Neil tries to score with a low kick but Jackson moves his leg out of the way.
Neil moves out of range of the strikes.
Neil connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Jackson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Neil misses with a low kick.
Jackson tries to counter with a takedown but Neil is quick to defend against it.
Jackson works the jab nicely.
Neil ducks under a wild hook from Jackson.
Jackson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Jackson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jackson misses with an uppercut.
Jackson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Neil counters with a three punch combo that has Jackson backing up. Jackson nods at Neil to acknowledge the strikes.
Neil cracks Jackson with an open hand slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson checks a leg kick.
Neil bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Jackson's head backwards.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jackson.
Jackson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Neil counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Neil stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Neil wants it to stay on the feet.
Neil is looking for the big counter here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jordan Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Neil enables Jackson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Neil manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Jackson is looking to work some ground and pound but Neil has wrist control.
Jackson throws a big elbow that misses.

Neil pushes Jackson off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Jackson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
It seemed like Neil was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Neil scores with a four punch combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Neil will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jackson throws a shot from downtown. Neil moves away and avoids it.
Jackson lands a head shot.
Neil works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Neil jabs Jackson right on the nose. Jackson blinks but takes it well.
Neil ducks under a wild hook from Jackson.

Jackson looking to score a takedown here. Neil is defending well but Jackson drives through and ends up in Neil's guard.
Neil is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jackson stands up over Neil, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jackson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Jackson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Jackson throws an elbow that misses. Neil uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jackson's guard. Nice move by Neil!

Jackson pulls Neil in to control the position.
Neil controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neil trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Neil controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Jackson 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 keeping full guard, as Neil tries to pass.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Neil dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Jackson throws a lazy right hand but Neil sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Neil is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Neil has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Neil there as he acknowledges the shot.
Neil wants to land a leg kick but Jackson is out of range.
Jackson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Neil is fending him off so far but Jackson persists. Nope, Neil circles away and we're back to standing.
Good shot there by Neil.
Neil tried to score with a low kick but Jackson checks it.
Jackson loads up on a big right hand but Neil slips the punch.
Jackson misses with a left hand
letting Neil counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson sizes up Neil with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nice shot lands for Neil.
Jackson throws a jab but it's blocked by Neil.
Jackson lands a glancing blow to the side of Neil's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neil throws a right and a left that both miss.
A right-left combo lands from Jackson.
Jackson lands a nice shot that snaps Neil's head back.
Jackson shoots and misses
and Neil counters with a series of strikes. Jackson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Neil throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Jackson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jackson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Jackson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Neil sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jackson somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jordan Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jackson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Neil.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neil moves out of range of the strikes.
Jackson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Neil counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Jackson closes the distance and clinches up with Neil, looking for a takedown. Jackson pushes Neil against the cage but Neil circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A slow jab from Jackson misses its intended target.
As Jackson backs off Neil throws a huge counter combo but Jackson manages to avoid it all.
Neil throws a right and a left that Jackson avoids nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Jackson.
Neil lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Luke Neil is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jackson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jackson misses with a lunging right hand
and Neil counters with a three punch combo that has Jackson backing up. Jackson nods at Neil to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Neil to the ground. Jackson is now in Neil's guard.
Jackson throws an elbow that misses. Neil uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jackson's guard. Nice move by Neil!

Jackson is pulling down on Neil's head. It's preventing any offense from Neil, at least for the moment.
Jackson working a defensive guard but Neil manages to pass into side control anyway.
Jackson is not content to let Neil control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Jackson struggling a bit here.
Luke Neil has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jackson trying his best to control but Neil has mounted him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Neil comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jackson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 48:47
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 46:49
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Luke Neil!
A relieved looking Luke Neil thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.