PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luther Jackson (ranked 1151 p4p, 1496 weight class) and Osama Akharraz (ranked 164 p4p, 208 weight class). Jackson comes to the cage accompanied by Would by Alice in Chains. 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.

Jackson
vs
Akharraz

185 cm
33
212
27 - 11 - 0

225 cm
37
215
26 - 30 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

The Dirty Needle Project
HELLBENT

Core Combat

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luther Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 30 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Osama Akharraz!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jackson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Akharraz's half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Akharraz is looking to escape.

Jackson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Akharraz sees it coming and defends easily.
Jackson is looking to advance position but Akharraz won't allow it.
Jackson prevents Akharraz from standing back up.

Jackson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Akharraz wants to get back to his feet.
Akharraz is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
We've been hearing good reports from Jackson's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Akharraz manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Akharraz throws a nice looking combination but Jackson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Akharraz misses with a wild combination.
Akharraz throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Luther Jackson has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Akharraz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Akharraz misses with a body shot.
Jackson was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Jackson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akharraz was well out of range. Poor timing from Jackson.
A countering left hand to the body from Akharraz misses.
Osama Akharraz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jackson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akharraz manages to avoid it.
Jackson misses with a straight left.
Akharraz tries to bum rush Jackson with a series of wild strikes but Jackson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Akharraz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A head kick from Akharraz lands but Jackson takes it in his stride.
Jackson lands a body shot.
Jackson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Akharraz fails to land with a series of punches.

Akharraz gets tackled into the cage by Jackson. Jackson maintains the clinch.
Akharraz throws a head punch that misses.
Akharraz lands a left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akharraz misses with an elbow strike.
Jackson digs a right hand into Akharraz's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Akharraz's gas tank.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akharraz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Jackson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jackson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jackson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jackson blocks an uppercut.
Jackson tries to score a body lock takedown but Akharraz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Jackson misses with a punch to the body.
Akharraz has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Jackson seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Akharraz can turn it around.
A short uppercut from Jackson.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Akharraz tries to work over Jackson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jackson looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luther Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson blocks an uppercut.
Jackson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Jackson decides to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson pulls Akharraz in close to his closed guard and prevents Akharraz from doing any damage or advancing position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Jackson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Akharraz stands up from Jackson's guard - Akharraz perhaps looking for a knockout.
Akharraz throws a right hand that Jackson ducks under and follows up with a left that Jackson also avoids with ease.
An attempted straight right counter from Jackson misses the target.
Jackson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Jackson moves into the clinch successfully.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jackson.
Jackson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Akharraz to keep the fight standing.
Jackson can't find room to land a body shot as Akharraz controls the action.
Jackson can't find room to land a body shot as Akharraz controls the action.
Akharraz is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nice body punch from Akharraz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akharraz lands with a right to the head.
Akharraz is struggling to control the position.
Akharraz has a couple of punches blocked by Jackson.
Akharraz is looking to control Jackson's arms but Jackson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Akharraz has his back to the cage.
Akharraz creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Jackson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jackson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akharraz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Good body shot from Jackson.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akharraz.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jackson is stalling here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akharraz.
Akharraz is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Jackson lands a hook that snaps the head of Akharraz backwards.
Jackson tries to work over Akharraz's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jackson tries to pull guard but Akharraz holds him up against the cage and eventually Jackson drops back down to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Osama Akharraz will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Luther Jackson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Akharraz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jackson tries to clinch there but Akharraz circles away.
Jackson avoids the body shot from Akharraz.
Jackson throwing a counter right hand but Akharraz manages to avoid it.
Akharraz misses with a two punch combination.
Jackson takes a swing at Akharraz's ribcage but misses.
Osama Akharraz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Jackson shoots in and gets a takedown into Akharraz's guard.
Jackson forces his way into half guard.
Akharraz tries to kick Jackson off but Jackson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Jackson trying to control the pace.
Akharraz pushes Jackson off looking to stand but Jackson dives back in and keeps control.
Luther Jackson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson trying to control the action but Akharraz is working from the bottom.

Jackson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Akharraz sees it coming and defends easily.

Jackson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson stops Akharraz from getting back to his feet.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but Akharraz defending well.

Akharraz makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Jackson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Jackson moves into range and clinches up with Akharraz.
Jackson avoids a wild elbow strike from Akharraz.
Jackson looking for a takedown.
Jackson can't find room to land a body shot as Akharraz controls the action.
Jackson prevents a body shot from Akharraz.
Akharraz misses with a knee strike.
Jackson managing to block the knees to the body from Akharraz.
Jackson scores with a shot to the side of Akharraz's head.

Jackson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Akharraz is trying to keep an underhook but Jackson manages to get the takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson trying to control the pace.

Jackson wants to work for an arm triangle but Akharraz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Akharraz is trying to stand up here but Jackson is controlling him well.

Akharraz is defending against the submission attempts here by Jackson.

Akharraz manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Jackson has Akharraz up against the cage in a clinch.
Jackson lands with a right to the head.
Akharraz missing with knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Akharraz.
Akharraz has a couple of punches blocked by Jackson.
Jackson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akharraz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Akharraz.
Jackson tries to pull guard but Akharraz forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luther Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson tries to throw a body punch but Akharraz avoids it by throwing Jackson back against the cage.
Akharraz lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Akharraz lands a nice uppercut.
Akharraz lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Akharraz misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akharraz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Akharraz trying to land knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Jackson as Akharraz tries to tie him up.
Still in the clinch, Akharraz scores with a nice short uppercut.
Akharraz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
Jackson has a couple of punches blocked by Akharraz.
Osama Akharraz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Jackson is trying to pull guard but Akharraz has him pressed against the cage.
Akharraz softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Jackson misses with a body punch.
Jackson is pushing Akharraz up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akharraz lands a left 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!
Jackson avoids the elbow strike from Akharraz, against the cage.
Akharraz with a knee to the head.
Jackson blocks the elbow strike.
Jackson lands a body shot.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Jackson.
Jackson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akharraz's elbow.
Jackson avoids a wild elbow strike from Akharraz.
A right handed body shot lands from Akharraz.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.
Jackson lands a right hand.

Jackson jumps guard.
Jackson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Osama Akharraz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Luther Jackson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Akharraz moves away from the strike by Jackson.
A nice side step and Akharraz releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Jackson fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Jackson throws a body punch but Akharraz moves out of range.
Jackson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Akharraz looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Osama Akharraz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akharraz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Jackson.
Akharraz is looking to clinch.
Akharraz connects with a single shot there.
Akharraz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Akharraz throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Jackson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Akharraz thuds his right hand into Jackson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Jackson blocks a jab.

Jackson gets the takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akharraz tries to escape but Jackson is in control.
Akharraz tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akharraz is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Jackson working for a choke but Akharraz is defending well.

Jackson is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Akharraz is defending well though. Jackson let's go of the attempt for now.

Jackson working for the choke.
Akharraz wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Jackson's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akharraz is trying to stand back up.
Jackson trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Akharraz is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Jackson is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Akharraz has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akharraz staying busy and making it hard for Jackson to control.
Akharraz is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Jackson off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Akharraz is trying to stand back up.

Akharraz defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Jackson's arms.
Akharraz is trying to get back to his feet but Jackson has full control of the position and if anything, Akharraz has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Jackson trying to control.

Jackson is persistently looking for the submission but Akharraz is defending it well.
Luther Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Jackson working for a choke but Akharraz is defending well.
Akharraz trying to get back to his feet but Jackson is in full control for now.

Jackson is persistently looking for the submission but Akharraz is defending it well.

Akharraz manages to escape to his feet.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Akharraz.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luther Jackson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Akharraz 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Osama Akharraz!