PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anton Ilmarinen (ranked 1331 p4p, 2877 weight class) and KoolAID Jackson (ranked 211 p4p, 388 weight class). KoolAID Jackson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ilmarinen
vs
Jackson

186 cm
26
198
4 - 0 - 0

200 cm
19
194
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Fantasy Threads
The Natural Order

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anton Ilmarinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, KoolAID Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jackson gets caught napping as Ilmarinen dives in and scores a takedown. Jackson manages to retain guard.
Ilmarinen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Jackson looking for a guillotine here but Ilmarinen defends easily.

Jackson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Ilmarinen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Our spies down at at Next Level MMA inform us that Jackson has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ilmarinen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jackson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ilmarinen has managed to get both his arms back between Jackson's legs - danger averted.
Jackson wants to sweep here but Ilmarinen controlling him for the moment.
Ilmarinen trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Jackson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Ilmarinen keeps moving.
Ilmarinen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ilmarinen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ilmarinen 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 is stalling in the full guard.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Ilmarinen keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ilmarinen 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jackson is stalling in the full guard.
Jackson trying to control but Ilmarinen is working from the bottom.
Jackson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ilmarinen has Jackson pulled in close to control his posture.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Ilmarinen keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jackson but Jackson pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Ilmarinen gets a takedown into half guard.

Jackson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ilmarinen pulls his head out easily.
Ilmarinen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ilmarinen stalling.
Jackson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Jackson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ilmarinen is one step ahead there.

Jackson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jackson is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ilmarinen defends well.
Ilmarinen chips away with some ground and pound.

Jackson looking for subs off his back but Ilmarinen has passed one foot through into half guard.

Jackson looking for submissions off his back.
Jackson works his way to full guard. Good work.

Jackson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ilmarinen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen stays in close to Jackson's body and controls the position.
Ilmarinen is pushing down on Jackson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jackson is fighting to maintain full guard but Ilmarinen has managed to sneak the leg through.

Jackson looking for subs from the bottom but Ilmarinen mounts him!
Ilmarinen scoring with strikes but Jackson is staying in there.
Ilmarinen landing shots from mount.

Jackson is rocked!
Ilmarinen postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Jackson badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Ilmarinen around the waist but Ilmarinen pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Ilmarinen is the winner by TKO! Ilmarinen jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Anton Ilmarinen!
Anton Ilmarinen retains his middleweight title!
After winning the bout, Anton Ilmarinen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.