PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Jackson (ranked 5454 p4p, 4415 weight class) and Maxwell Thorington (ranked 0 p4p, 478 weight class). 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
Thorington

178 cm
18
163
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
21
160
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anthony Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxwell Thorington!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson throws a lazy head kick
and Thorington counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Jackson gets caught napping as Thorington dives in and scores a takedown. Jackson manages to retain guard.

Jackson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thorington defends well.
Jackson trying to control the position.

Jackson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
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.
Thorington looking to pass the guard.
Thorington trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorington pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.
Jackson is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Jackson trying to control the position.
Thorington wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Thorington gets a takedown into half guard.
Jackson trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Thorington decides to stand and escape the position.
Thorington throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jackson's waist but Jackson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thorington off to one side.
Jackson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thorington sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jackson somewhat.
Thorington closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.

Thorington looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Jackson has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Thorington has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Jackson tries to pull guard but Thorington holds him up against the cage and eventually Jackson drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Jackson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jackson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Jackson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thorington pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Thorington drags the fight down to the ground.
Jackson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thorington is looking for a triangle but Jackson pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Thorington uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jackson.
Thorington lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch but Thorington swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Jackson - that will leave a mark!
Jackson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thorington defends it nicely.
Thorington let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Jackson clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson working hard to break the clinch.

Thorington drags the fight down to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thorington has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Jackson has managed to get both his arms back between Thorington's legs - danger averted.
Jackson slips nicely into half guard.
Thorington tries to get to full guard but Jackson has control of the leg.
Jackson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Jackson misses with a head shot. Thorington uses the momentum to regain guard.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Thorington is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thorington escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jackson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Thorington has his foot on Jackson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jackson works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thorington escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jackson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Jackson wants to stand and escape but instead Thorington has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Thorington wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Jackson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jackson is pulling down on Thorington's head to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Jackson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jackson working a defensive guard but Thorington manages to pass into side control anyway.

Thorington is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Jackson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Jackson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Thorington on the ground.
Jackson is looking to regain half guard here but Thorington keeps moving and retains side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maxwell Thorington 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!

Thorington checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Thorington changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Jackson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Thorington has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thorington presses Jackson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Jackson wants a takedown.
Thorington is looking for a takedown.
Thorington avoids the elbow strike from Jackson, against the cage.
Jackson throws an elbow but it misses.
Jackson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Thorington after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thorington gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Jackson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorington fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jackson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thorington tries to avoid it but Jackson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thorington to the ground. Thorington escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jackson shoots for a takedown but Thorington saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Thorington closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Jackson quickly recovers to half guard.

Jackson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thorington slaps away a takedown attempt from Jackson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jackson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Thorington counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Thorington clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Thorington pulls guard.
Thorington bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jackson's guard.

Jackson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Thorington controls the pace.
Thorington postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Jackson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thorington gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Thorington's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thorington decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Jackson, up you get!
Anthony Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Thorington closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Jackson to the mat! Jackson manages to get full guard.
Jackson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Thorington gets to his feet - Jackson follows without any prompting.

Thorington fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Jackson to the ground. Thorington is now in Jackson's guard.

Jackson wants to reverse the position here. Thorington has hold of a leg though and he's dropped back looking for a kneebar! The fighters roll across the mat but Jackson is forced to tap! Jackson looks devastated but at least his leg points in the right direction.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Maxwell Thorington!