PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jack Jackson (ranked 24238 p4p, 24030 weight class) and Gunars Zonbergs (ranked 277 p4p, 281 weight class). Gunars Zonbergs is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Jackson
vs
Zonbergs

180 cm
19
135
1 - 1 - 0

183 cm
20
132
1 - 5 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gunars Zonbergs!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Anthony Taglia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zonbergs changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jackson tries to avoid it but Zonbergs manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jackson to the ground. Jackson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zonbergs shoots in looking for a takedown but Jackson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zonbergs's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jackson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Jackson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Jackson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jackson trying to control but Zonbergs is working from the bottom.
Zonbergs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jackson is looking to work some ground and pound but Zonbergs has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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.
Zonbergs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jackson with a nice head shot there.

Jackson has gone for a leg lock! Zonbergs slips out almost immediately though and dives into Jackson's guard.

Zonbergs with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zonbergs wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Jackson wants to stand and escape but Zonbergs is having none of it.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Zonbergs from controlling successfully.
Zonbergs won't allow Jackson to get back to his feet.
Zonbergs sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Jackson wants to stand but Zonbergs is controlling the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Zonbergs shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jackson as he jumps to the side.
As Zonbergs tries to get set, Jackson tries to push him back and clinch up but Zonbergs manages to avoid the attempt.
Jack Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunars Zonbergs.

Zonbergs shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Zonbergs won't allow Jackson to get back to his feet.

Jackson pushes Zonbergs off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Jackson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Zonbergs napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Jackson fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Jackson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Zonbergs, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson working away.
Jackson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Jackson tries for a kimura but Zonbergs is defending well.
Zonbergs looking for a sweep but Jackson has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Zonbergs is in all sorts of trouble here.
Zonbergs gets back to half guard.

Jackson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson trying to mount his opponent but Zonbergs defends it.

Jackson seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Zonbergs has recovered full guard.
Jackson throws an elbow that misses. Zonbergs uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jackson's guard. Nice move by Zonbergs!

Jackson pushes Zonbergs off and gets back to his feet.

Jackson rushes Zonbergs and presses him up against the cage.

Zonbergs pulls guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Jackson dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice sprawl there from Jackson as Zonbergs shoots in.
Jackson is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Zonbergs.

Jackson has managed to clinch.

Zonbergs manages to pull guard.
Jackson trying to control but Zonbergs is working from the bottom.
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.
Zonbergs trying to control the position.
Jackson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Zonbergs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Jackson landing with the ground and pound.
Zonbergs controls Jackson momentarily but Jackson frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Zonbergs is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Jackson, into his guard.

Zonbergs trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Jackson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zonbergs is controlling him.
Jackson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Zonbergs sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zonbergs postures up and lands a big shot to Jackson's brow.
Jackson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zonbergs can do to turn this around?
Zonbergs landing some decent shots from guard.
Zonbergs stops Jackson from standing up.
Zonbergs stands and throws Jackson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Jackson wants to get back to his feet.
Zonbergs is putting a hurting on Jackson here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Zonbergs trying to control the position but Jackson is working away.
Jackson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Zonbergs is putting a hurting on Jackson here, landing some big shots from side control.
Jackson is not content to let Zonbergs control the position.
Jackson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Zonbergs takes a little break here. Jackson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Jackson is pushing Zonbergs's head away, looking to escape. Zonbergs manages to hold on to the position though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Jackson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zonbergs is pushing down on Jackson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jackson is fighting to maintain full guard but Zonbergs has managed to sneak the leg through.
Zonbergs stops Jackson from getting back to his feet.
Jack Jackson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zonbergs content to control rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Zonbergs is working for a submission of some sort.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gunars Zonbergs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Zonbergs bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Jackson bucks up and tries to throw Zonbergs off but instead Zonbergs has got his back!
Jackson wants to get back to his feet.
Jackson grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Jackson is trying to get back to his feet but Zonbergs has full control of the position and if anything, Jackson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zonbergs is working for a rear naked choke. Jackson is not defending it well and Zonbergs has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Jackson refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Jackson's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Gunars Zonbergs!