PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anton Antonovic (ranked 4694 p4p, 4785 weight class) and Johhny Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 602 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Antonovic
vs
Jackson

190 cm
18
187
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
23
184
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anton Antonovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Johhny Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jackson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Antonovic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Antonovic blocks an elbow strike from Jackson.
Antonovic misses with the head strike.
Antonovic misses with a punch on the inside.
Jackson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Antonovic prevents it.

Jackson jumps guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Jackson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Antonovic wants to get up but he can't break Jackson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Antonovic stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.
Jackson has a closed guard, preventing Antonovic from standing up.

Antonovic stands up from Jackson's guard - Antonovic perhaps looking for a knockout.
Antonovic tries to clinch up but Jackson circles away and keeps his distance.
Jackson tries to counter with a clinch but Antonovic shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Antonovic is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Jackson closes the distance and clinches up with Antonovic, looking for a takedown. Jackson pushes Antonovic against the cage but Antonovic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Antonovic tries to clinch but Jackson is having none of it.
Jackson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Antonovic moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Antonovic fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Antonovic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Antonovic moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.
Jackson keeps the fight on the outside.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jackson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jackson throws a counter combo.
Anton Antonovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Jackson takes the fight into the clinch.
Antonovic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Antonovic misses with some punches.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Antonovic misses with the head strike.
Jackson stalling against the cage.

Jackson decides to pull guard.
Antonovic wants to get up but he can't break Jackson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Jackson working for a triangle but Antonovic defends it easily.

Jackson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Antonovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Antonovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson managing to control the position.

Antonovic gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Antonovic crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Jackson - the referee stops the clock and Antonovic gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Jackson. Antonovic manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Jackson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Antonovic avoids it really well and circles away.
Anton Antonovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johhny Jackson.

Jackson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Antonovic's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Antonovic is looking to stand up but Jackson isn't so interested in that idea.
Jackson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Antonovic. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Jackson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Antonovic, up you get!
Antonovic tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Antonovic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jackson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jackson keeps the fight on the outside.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Jackson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Antonovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Antonovic. No joy for Jackson on that attempt.
Jackson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Antonovic tries to avoid it but Jackson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Antonovic to the ground. Antonovic escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Jackson looks winded!
Antonovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson rushes Antonovic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Antonovic misses with a punch on the inside.
Jackson goes for a takedown attempt but Antonovic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Antonovic is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Jackson counters with a three punch combo that has Antonovic backing up. Antonovic nods at Jackson to acknowledge the strikes.
Antonovic tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Antonovic circles away.
Jackson keeps the fight on the outside.
Antonovic tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson tries to counter by closing the distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Antonovic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Antonovic tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Antonovic is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jackson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Anton Antonovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Antonovic throws a head punch that misses.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.
Johhny Jackson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jackson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Antonovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Antonovic tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson throws a big counter head kick but Antonovic avoids it with no problem.
Antonovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Antonovic wants to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Jackson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Antonovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Anton Antonovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson scores with a jab to the body.
Antonovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antonovic is looking to clinch.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jackson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jackson swats away the attempt to clinch by Antonovic.
Jackson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Antonovic defends it well.
Antonovic is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Jackson goes for a double leg but Antonovic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Antonovic continues to drive forward.
Antonovic throws a quick counter head kick but Jackson was just out of range.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jackson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jackson misses with a series of wild punches.

Jackson moves into the clinch.
Antonovic takes a knee to the side of the body.

Jackson breaks from the clinch.
Antonovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Antonovic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jackson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Antonovic tries to clinch up but Jackson circles away and keeps his distance.
Antonovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson is trying to counter with his kicks.
Jackson swats away the attempt to clinch by Antonovic.
Antonovic tries to clinch up.
Jackson is looking for the big counter here.
Antonovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Antonovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Antonovic slips a jab and a cross from Jackson.

Jackson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Jackson breaks the clinch.
Jackson shoots for a double leg takedown but Antonovic sprawls well. He's pushed Jackson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Anton Antonovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johhny Jackson.
Jackson is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Jackson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jackson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Antonovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Jackson moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Antonovic fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Antonovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jackson shoots in but no luck this time.
Antonovic is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Jackson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jackson keeps the fight on the outside.
Antonovic tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Antonovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Antonovic wants to clinch up but Jackson keeps it at a distance.
Jackson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Antonovic defends it well.
Antonovic wants to clinch up but Jackson keeps it at a distance.
Antonovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Antonovic moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Antonovic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Jackson does no damage.
Antonovic wants to clinch
and Jackson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Antonovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Antonovic on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Johhny Jackson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jackson.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jackson.

Jackson gets control of Antonovic's arms and successfully pulls guard. Jackson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Antonovic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Jackson's guard.
Antonovic being controlled here momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johhny Jackson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Jackson swats away the attempt to clinch by Antonovic.
Antonovic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Jackson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Antonovic wants to clinch.
Antonovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Jackson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Antonovic as he avoids it easily.
Antonovic moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.
Antonovic is looking to clinch.
And Jackson responds with a good body kick, but Antonovic manages to step out the way in time.
Antonovic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jackson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jackson or perhaps it was just good defense by Antonovic, which made it look bad.
Antonovic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jackson connects with an inside leg kick.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown but Antonovic shows good takedown defense.
Anton Antonovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johhny Jackson.
Antonovic wants to clinch up but Jackson keeps it at a distance.
Jackson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antonovic moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.
Jackson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Antonovic with a body shot.
Antonovic doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Antonovic wants to clinch.

Jackson has Antonovic up against the cage in a clinch.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson blocks an uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Jackson.
Antonovic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jackson slowing the pace effectively.
Antonovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jackson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Antonovic is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Antonovic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Antonovic is looking to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Antonovic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Antonovic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson keeps the fight on the outside.
Jackson throws out a counter right but Antonovic avoids it with no problem.
Antonovic is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Antonovic closes the distance but Jackson moves to the side
and Jackson counters with a three punch combo that has Antonovic backing up. Antonovic nods at Jackson to acknowledge the strikes.
Jackson swats away the attempt to clinch by Antonovic.

Antonovic tries to keep at a distance but Jackson has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Antonovic prevents it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Antonovic.
Jackson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Antonovic just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jackson is struggling to control the position.
Antonovic tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.
Jackson has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Antonovic. No joy for Jackson on that attempt.
Jackson fails with the takedown.
Anton Antonovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Antonovic is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Antonovic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jackson throws a big counter head kick but Antonovic avoids it with no problem.
Antonovic tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.

Jackson tries to keep at a distance but Antonovic has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jackson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Antonovic to keep the fight standing.
Antonovic has a couple of punches blocked by Jackson.
Antonovic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Antonovic swings wildly with an uppercut but Jackson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Antonovic misses with some punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson blocks an uppercut.
Antonovic has a couple of punches blocked by Jackson.
Antonovic misses with the head strike.
Johhny Jackson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Antonovic.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Johhny Jackson.
Well Jackson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johhny Jackson!