PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Les Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franklin Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jackson has chosen Franklin's Theme Song as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. This should be a great matchup!

Paul
vs
Jackson

160 cm
22
153 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

163 cm
25
152 lbs
7 - 7 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Les Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Franklin Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, William Peck and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jackson throws a body kick that misses.
Jackson slips under a jab.
Nice body kick from Jackson.
Franklin Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Paul shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jackson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Paul passes Jackson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Paul thows a huge punch but Jackson dodges it nicely.
Paul has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Paul is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jackson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paul.
Paul seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jackson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Paul looking for a submission but Jackson manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Jackson pulls Paul in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul thows a big elbow that misses.
Jackson trying to strike off his back.
Paul trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.

Paul is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Jackson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Jackson has escaped and now he's on top!
Jackson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Jackson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paul works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Jackson throwing strikes but missing.

Paul looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Jackson has picked Paul up and slammed him! Paul can't keep hold of the triangle and Jackson manages to pass to side control!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Paul misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Jackson working away.
Jackson fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Jackson throwing shots but missing, from side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A head kick from Jackson lands but Paul takes it in his stride.
Jackson dips to his left and cracks Paul with an uppercut!
Franklin Jackson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jackson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Jackson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jackson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jackson wants it to stay on the feet.
Jackson moves out of range as Paul throws a body kick.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses.
Paul changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jackson tries to avoid it but Paul manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jackson to the ground. Jackson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Paul feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Paul drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Jackson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Paul has Jackson in his guard.
Paul is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Paul keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
Paul wants to sweep but no luck.
Jackson throwing strikes from guard but Paul blocks nicely.
Paul wants to sweep but no luck.
Jackson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Paul looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Paul is retaining full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jackson misses with a body kick.
Paul is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jackson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Les Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Paul fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Paul looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jackson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Paul blocks a head kick by Jackson.
Paul fails with the takedown.
Jackson scores with a jab to the head.
Jackson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jackson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jackson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Paul shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Paul from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paul tries to free his leg and advance position but Jackson is retaining full guard.
Paul is pushing down on Jackson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jackson is fighting to maintain full guard but Paul has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franklin Jackson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Paul avoids the head kick by Jackson.
Jackson lands a two punch combo.
Jackson throws a sloppy head kick and Paul moves out of range easily.
Jackson stuffs the takedown attempt from Paul. Paul gets slowly back to his feet.
Jackson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Paul fails with a takedown attempt.
Jackson swings for the body but Paul moves out of range.
Jackson throws a head kick but Paul moves out of range.
Paul will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Les Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Jackson.

Paul fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Jackson sprawls well initially but Paul persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Paul is working for a submission of some sort.

Paul is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jackson has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Paul avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Paul drops back looking for a leg! Jackson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jackson manages to kick Paul off! Paul jumps back into Jackson's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jackson wants to sweep but no luck.
Jackson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Paul postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jackson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Paul, into his guard.
Jackson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Paul wants to sweep here but Jackson controlling him for the moment.
Jackson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson slips nicely into half guard.
Paul gets back to full guard.
Paul is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jackson is working Paul over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Jackson slips nicely into half guard.
Jackson is looking to advance position but Paul won't allow it.
Paul is trying to get back to full guard.
Paul is trying to maintain the position but Jackson is very close to passing his half guard.
Paul is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul tries to roll over but Jackson keeps him under control.
Paul keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Paul works his way to full guard. Good work.
Paul trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jackson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Paul shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jackson manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Paul has gone for a leg lock! Jackson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Paul's guard.
Jackson looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Franklin Jackson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Paul swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.
Paul circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jackson misses with a low kick.
Paul looks for a takedown but Jackson sprawls well.
Jackson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Paul tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jackson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Paul somewhat.
Jackson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paul throws a low kick but it's checked well by Jackson.
Jackson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Paul shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jackson defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Les Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paul lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Jackson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Jackson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Jackson looking for a sweep. Not yet Jackson, not yet.
Jackson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Paul.
Paul prevents Jackson from getting back to his feet.

Paul is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Paul looking to pass the guard.

Paul drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Jackson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Paul has Jackson in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Paul is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson throwing strikes from guard but Paul blocks nicely.
Paul bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jackson's guard.
Paul works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Paul thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jackson's head.

Jackson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Jackson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Franklin Jackson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson wants to improve his position but Paul is controlling well.
Paul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Paul missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Paul looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jackson avoids the body shot from Paul.
Paul changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jackson tries to avoid it but Paul manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jackson to the ground. Jackson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Paul swings for the body but Jackson moves out of range.
Paul misses with a wild body shot.
Paul moves out of range as Jackson throws a body kick.

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.
Some wild striking there from Jackson.
Paul misses with a kick to the body.
Les Paul is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paul throws a left and a right that both miss
and Jackson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Paul is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Paul digs a good body shot into Jackson's ribs.
Paul misses with a low kick.
Jackson throws a head kick but Paul moves out of range.
Paul is looking to slow Jackson down with leg kicks.
Paul tries to land a body kick
and Jackson counters with a head kick. That will keep Paul thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Paul shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Paul is thwarting Jackson's attempts to control the position.
Les Paul has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paul thows a huge punch but Jackson dodges it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Les Paul showed his dominance in that final round.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29

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