PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jackson Oliveira (ranked 4289 p4p, 24491 weight class) and Timur Xhekaj (ranked 244 p4p, 282 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Oliveira
vs
Xhekaj

180 cm
25
143
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
24
145
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jackson Oliveira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Timur Xhekaj!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jorge Garcia and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oliveira stuffs the takedown attempt from Xhekaj. Xhekaj gets slowly back to his feet.
Oliveira misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xhekaj.
Oliveira connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A slapping body kick lands there for Oliveira.
Oliveira with a hook.
Xhekaj takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Xhekaj fails with a takedown attempt.
Xhekaj shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Xhekaj falls off balance throwing a combination
and Oliveira counters with a left and a right that stings Xhekaj.
Oliveira throws an overhand right that lands on Xhekaj's shoulder, as Xhekaj tries to avoid the shot.
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!
Oliveira digs a good hook to Xhekaj's body.
Xhekaj takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xhekaj will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jackson Oliveira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timur Xhekaj.
Oliveira is looking to land body kicks.
Xhekaj takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Xhekaj moves out of range as Oliveira throws a body kick.
Xhekaj is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Xhekaj looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Oliveira swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Xhekaj moves out of range of the strikes.
Xhekaj dives in and grabs Oliveira's left leg, looking for a takedown. Oliveira pushes down on Xhekaj's head and hops out.
Oliveira ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xhekaj moves away.
A nice side step and Xhekaj releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Oliveira darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Xhekaj ducks under a wild hook from Oliveira.
Xhekaj is looking for the big counter here.
Oliveira lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Xhekaj circles away quickly and effectively.
Xhekaj tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Oliveira defends well and Xhekaj ends up having to push Oliveira into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Oliveira gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Xhekaj to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Xhekaj drops back looking for a leg! Oliveira is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Oliveira manages to kick Xhekaj off! Xhekaj jumps back into Oliveira's guard.
Oliveira really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xhekaj throws an elbow that misses. Oliveira uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Xhekaj's guard. Nice move by Oliveira!

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oliveira controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Xhekaj controls Oliveira momentarily but Oliveira frees himself.
Oliveira is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xhekaj 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.
Xhekaj has Oliveira pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oliveira showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Xhekaj bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Oliveira's guard.

Xhekaj working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four 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.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Xhekaj postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Oliveira is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Xhekaj, into his guard.

Oliveira stands and throws Xhekaj's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Oliveira trying to control the action but Xhekaj is working from the bottom.
Xhekaj is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Xhekaj's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Oliveira dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Oliveira closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Timur Xhekaj is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Oliveira throws a hook but Xhekaj avoids it easily.
Oliveira cracks Xhekaj with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A looping hook to the body misses from Oliveira. Xhekaj does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xhekaj looks to throw the jab but Oliveira is out of range.
Xhekaj tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Oliveira swivels and escapes.
Oliveira misses with a straight left.
Xhekaj shoots in for a double leg but Oliveira sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Xhekaj shoots for a takedown but Oliveira saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Oliveira on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jackson Oliveira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timur Xhekaj.
Oliveira throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xhekaj looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Oliveira just misses with a punch to the body.
Oliveira lands a glancing blow to the side of Xhekaj's head.
Xhekaj takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xhekaj fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliveira catches Xhekaj with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Oliveira swings away with a body shot that misses
and Oliveira takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Xhekaj fails with the takedown
and Oliveira counters with a stiff right hand.
Xhekaj fails with the takedown
and Oliveira counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Xhekaj closes this distance looking for a takedown but Oliveira circles away.
Xhekaj takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Xhekaj scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Xhekaj lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xhekaj not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Xhekaj seems to be working for a kimura but Oliveira defends the submission attempt.
Oliveira is looking to control Xhekaj's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Oliveira avoid being mounted?
Oliveira blocking the ground and pound attempt from Xhekaj.
Xhekaj is looking to take a break and control but Oliveira is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Oliveira misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Oliveira is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Oliveira keeping moving, preventing Xhekaj from controlling successfully.
Oliveira wants to stand up but Xhekaj is controlling him.
Xhekaj is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Xhekaj tries to score a power double leg takedown but Oliveira sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Xhekaj somewhat.
Oliveira jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Oliveira with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Xhekaj shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Oliveira pinned against the cage. Oliveira gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Good shot there by Oliveira.
Xhekaj with a poor takedown
and Xhekaj takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Xhekaj slips a jab and a cross from Oliveira.
Oliveira will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jackson Oliveira is winning the standup battle so far.
Xhekaj shoots in but Oliveira avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Oliveira fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Timur Xhekaj seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Xhekaj gets a double leg takedown into Oliveira's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Xhekaj changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Oliveira tries to avoid it but Xhekaj manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Oliveira to the ground. Oliveira escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Xhekaj walks into a jab.
Oliveira tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xhekaj was well out of range. Poor timing from Oliveira.
Oliveira is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Xhekaj can do to turn this around?
Crunch! Oliveira slams his shin into Xhekaj's torso.
The fighters circling - Oliveira throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Oliveira throws a shot to the body.

Xhekaj closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Oliveira to the mat! Oliveira manages to get full guard.
Xhekaj landing some decent shots from guard.
Oliveira not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oliveira seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Xhekaj throws a big elbow that misses.
Xhekaj is looking to stand up but Oliveira won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliveira is trying to control the position but Xhekaj postures up.
Oliveira throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

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

Xhekaj looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Oliveira puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Xhekaj is refusing to be controlled, as Oliveira sits in half guard.
Xhekaj is positioning himself well to prevent Oliveira advancing to mount.
Xhekaj wants to control but Oliveira is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Xhekaj keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Xhekaj is looking to improve his position.
Oliveira is trying to control the action in half guard but Xhekaj is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Oliveira is just content to waste time from the top position. Xhekaj takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Xhekaj trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Xhekaj fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Oliveira works the jab nicely.
Oliveira stuffs the takedown attempt from Xhekaj. Xhekaj gets slowly back to his feet.
Oliveira quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Jackson Oliveira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timur Xhekaj.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Xhekaj.
Some wild striking there from Oliveira.
Oliveira leaves Xhekaj with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Xhekaj with a poor takedown
and Oliveira counters with a nice low kick that buckles Xhekaj's knee momentarily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Xhekaj.
Xhekaj takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Xhekaj has a takedown stuffed.
Jackson Oliveira is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Xhekaj on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Oliveira fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Xhekaj takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Xhekaj is trying hard to land a takedown here. Oliveira sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Xhekaj feints and as Oliveira raises his hands in defense, Xhekaj changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oliveira controlling Xhekaj's posture.
Timur Xhekaj has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xhekaj throwing strikes from guard but Oliveira blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jackson Oliveira showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Oliveira, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jackson Oliveira!
Jackson Oliveira was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.