PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Makai Calhoun (ranked 5054 p4p, 5150 weight class) and Clifford Jackson (ranked 475 p4p, 480 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Calhoun
vs
Jackson

191 cm
20
235
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
25
264
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Makai Calhoun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Clifford Jackson!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Russell Pearce and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Calhoun tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Calhoun tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jackson with the counter takedown but Calhoun avoids it easily.
Calhoun is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Calhoun is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
We've been told by Calhoun's head coaches at Cozad Amsterdam that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Calhoun gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Jackson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Calhoun after a bit of a struggle.
Jackson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Calhoun tries to circle away but Jackson has him pinned against the ropes.

Jackson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Calhoun regains guard.
Jackson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Calhoun working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jackson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jackson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Calhoun being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jackson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Calhoun manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jackson manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calhoun 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.
Calhoun wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Jackson holds on and takes a little breather.
Jackson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jackson is controlling Calhoun's posture.
Calhoun in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Calhoun wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Calhoun being controlled here momentarily.
Jackson is continuing to stall.
Calhoun wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Calhoun preventing the sweep.
Jackson pulls Calhoun in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Jackson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jackson controlling Calhoun's posture.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Calhoun trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Calhoun is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jackson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Calhoun fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Calhoun moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.

Calhoun darts in and clinches Jackson up against the ropes.

Jackson turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Jackson content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Jackson tries to advance to mount but can't.
Jackson content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Calhoun struggling a bit here.
Calhoun tries to escape but Jackson is in control.
Calhoun tries to bench press Jackson off him but Jackson keeps the position.
Jackson working away.
Jackson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Calhoun. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
A lull in the action here as Jackson stalls from top position.
Jackson tries to advance to mount but can't.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
The referee asks Jackson politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Jackson prefers to stall for the moment though.
Calhoun is trying to control Jackson's posture but Jackson avoids it.
Jackson tries to advance to mount but Calhoun denies him.
The referee asks Jackson politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Jackson prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun wants to control but Jackson postures up.
Jackson controlling the position from side mount.
Calhoun is looking to regain half guard here but Jackson keeps moving and retains side control.
Jackson controlling the position.
Jackson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Calhoun's legs.
Calhoun tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jackson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've been informed that Jackson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's six 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.
Calhoun is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Jackson asserts his dominance and retains side control.
A lull in the action here.
It looks like Jackson might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Calhoun manages to work his way to half guard, despite Jackson's best efforts.
Jackson is controlling the pace.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Jackson wants to pass to mount but Calhoun is defending the position.
Jackson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Jackson tries to pass to full mount but Calhoun defends it.
Calhoun is trying to maintain the position but Jackson is very close to passing his half guard.
Jackson wants to free his trapped foot but Calhoun is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Jackson controlling the action here.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Calhoun is trying to maintain the position but Jackson is very close to passing his half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Jackson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Calhoun is trying to get back to full guard.
Jackson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Calhoun has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Jackson is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Calhoun tries to clinch but Jackson is having none of it.
Calhoun tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Jackson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Calhoun's guard.
Jackson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Calhoun is breathing heavily.
Jackson's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Jackson postures up.

Calhoun is looking for a triangle but Jackson pushes his legs off easily.
Calhoun can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jackson controls the pace.
Let's hope that Jackson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Calhoun is keeping the position for now.
Calhoun being controlled here, momentarily.

Calhoun 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jackson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Jackson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Clifford Jackson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Calhoun tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Jackson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Jackson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Calhoun's guard.
Jackson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Jackson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jackson stays in close to Calhoun's body and controls the position.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Calhoun is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Calhoun looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Calhoun keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Calhoun is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calhoun keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.
Jackson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Calhoun looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Jackson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Calhoun keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.
Jackson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Jackson stays in close to Calhoun's body and controls the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jackson tests Calhoun's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Calhoun gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Jackson connects with a looping right hand.
Calhoun closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Jackson clinches up against the ropes.
Jackson managing to block the knees to the body from Calhoun.

Jackson has picked Calhoun up - he's going for a ride! Jackson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Jackson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Calhoun is trying to maintain the position but Jackson is very close to passing his half guard.
Jackson content to control rather than advance.
Jackson's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Calhoun is retaining full guard.
Jackson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Jackson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Calhoun swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Calhoun being controlled here, momentarily.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jackson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Calhoun wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Jackson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Makai Calhoun is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Calhoun defending well as Jackson loads up on a big left hand.
Calhoun seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Calhoun takes a jab right on the kisser.
Calhoun on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Jackson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Calhoun throws an elbow but misses.
Jackson is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jackson taking a breather.
Jackson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Calhoun pulls his leg out and moves away.
Calhoun tries to clinch up but Jackson circles away and keeps his distance.
Jackson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Calhoun.

Calhoun tries to sprawl but Jackson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Jackson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Calhoun is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jackson pulls his head out easily.
Jackson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Jackson wants to free his trapped foot but Calhoun is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Calhoun tries to kick Jackson off but Jackson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Jackson wants to free his trapped foot but Calhoun is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Clifford Jackson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Calhoun wants to control but Jackson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jackson sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun is trying to stand up here but Jackson is controlling him well.
Jackson controlling the action here.
Calhoun wants to get back to his feet.
Jackson sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jackson moves into range and connects with a jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Jackson.
Jackson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Jackson catches Calhoun with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Calhoun bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jackson throws a hook but Calhoun avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson misses with a hook.
Calhoun throws a counter high kick but Jackson was just alert enough to avoid it.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Calhoun drops his hands momentarily and Jackson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jackson connects with a jab.
Jackson scores with a jab. Calhoun acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Jackson connects with a jab.
Jackson with a jab.
Calhoun tries to clinch but Jackson is having none of it.
Calhoun shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Calhoun looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Calhoun ducks under a wild hook from Jackson.
Calhoun tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Calhoun fails with an attempt to clinch.
Clifford Jackson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Calhoun walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Jackson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Calhoun is looking to clinch.
Jackson with the counter takedown but Calhoun avoids it easily.
Calhoun takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jackson keeps the fight on the outside.
Calhoun takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Jackson throws a big shot that misses.
Calhoun is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Jackson.
Calhoun slips under a jab from Jackson.
Jackson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Jackson lands a jab.
Calhoun walks into a left hand.
Calhoun walks into a stiff left hand from Jackson.
Jackson throws a jab when Calhoun was well out of range.
The fighters circling - Jackson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Calhoun wants to clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Calhoun slips a straight right by Jackson.
A jab lands there for Jackson.
Clifford Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Calhoun closes the distance and clinches up with Jackson, looking for a takedown. Calhoun pushes Jackson against the ropes but Jackson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A big left from Jackson misses.
Calhoun fails with an attempt to clinch.
Calhoun moves out of range as Jackson strikes.
Calhoun takes one to the chin there.
Jackson throws a hook but Calhoun blocks it.
Calhoun displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jackson throws out the jab.
Calhoun tries to counter by clinching up but Jackson breaks away and moves out of range.
Jackson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A slow jab from Jackson misses its intended target.
Calhoun on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Makai Calhoun has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jackson throws a lazy right hand but Calhoun sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Jackson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Calhoun - the referee stops the clock and Jackson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Calhoun. Jackson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Clifford Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jackson 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 18:20
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 18:20
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 18:20

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