PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and gracie barra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). barra is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by rock with you. Michael Jackson looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Jackson
vs
barra

185 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

183 cm
18
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Attliction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, gracie barra!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson tries to clinch but barra is having none of it.
Jackson looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
barra avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
barra swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.
Jackson misses with a looping right.

barra clinches.
Jackson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. barra fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Horrible takedown by barra or perhaps it was just good defense by Jackson which made him look bad.

barra rushes Jackson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

barra is trying to trip Jackson. He has hold of a leg but Jackson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. barra persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
barra scoring with punches to the head and body.
Jackson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jackson wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and barra manages to pass to side control.

barra stands up out of the half guard.
Jackson misses with a hook. barra ducked under it nicely.

barra fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jackson, pushing him back against the cage.
barra can't get the takedown.

barra escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.

barra has Jackson up against the cage in a clinch.
barra with a knee to the head.

barra escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jackson tries to clinch but barra moves out of range.

barra fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jackson, pushing him back against the cage.
Jackson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but barra has him pressed against the cage.

Jackson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Jackson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Jackson pushes barra off and gets back to his feet.
Michael Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

barra closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
barra lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jackson is looking to break free of the clinch but barra has double underhooks.
barra lands an elbow that stopped Jackson in his tracks for a moment.
Jackson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
barra is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Michael Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of gracie barra.
barra will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Jackson up against the cage.
barra tries to land a knee to the head but Jackson blocks with his arms.
Jackson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jackson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
barra is looking to control Jackson's arms but Jackson gets an underhook and turns him. Now barra has his back to the cage.
Jackson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but barra pulls him back up using the underhooks.
barra stalls.
barra lands a knee to the body.
barra lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
barra is pressed up against the cage. Jackson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag barra down to the mat. barra avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

barra moves into range and clinches up with Jackson.
barra wants to stall.

Jackson tightens his grip and picks barra up, before dumping him to the ground. barra manages to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jackson stands and steps away. barra gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Jackson tries to clinch up but barra circles away and keeps his distance.

barra gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
barra wants to get back to his feet.

Jackson manages to escape and get back to his feet!

barra clinches up against the cage.

barra gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
barra pushing down on Jackson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
barra working the head and body with strikes.
Jackson is trying to stand up here but barra is controlling him well.

Jackson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
barra throws a one two combo.

barra has closed the distance and engaged Jackson in a clinch.
barra scores with a shot to the side of Jackson's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
barra lands a nice elbow.
barra prevents the takedown attempt.

barra drags the fight down to the ground.

barra pushes Jackson off and scrambles back to his feet.

barra gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
barra with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jackson is working for takedown but barra is calmly controlling the position for now.
barra landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
barra gets through Jackson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
barra gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
barra landing some nice looking knees to the body.

barra works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Jackson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
barra trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson wants to get back to his feet but barra passes into half guard.

Jackson kicks off barra and gets to his feet.
barra fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

barra gets a clinch.
barra with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jackson drops down looking for an ankle pick but barra pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

barra has managed to clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for barra.

Jackson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Jackson scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson doesn't succeed with the takedown

and barra holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A body shot lands from barra.
Nice body punch from barra - that landed with a thud.
barra landing knees to the head.

barra manages to break the clinch.
Jackson keeps the fight on the outside.
barra is looking to clinch.
barra is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
barra will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
barra wants to clinch.
barra fails to land the takedown.

barra clinches with his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
barra crunches a lovely knee into Jackson's ribcage.
Jackson is trying to break the clinch but barra has him pressed against the cage.
barra looking to slow down the pace here.
Jackson tries to break the clinch but barra is controlling the position.
barra looking to slow down the pace here.
Jackson takes a knee right on the jaw!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch but barra swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

barra forces Jackson back against the cage and clinches.
Jackson gets underhooks to prevent barra's takedown attempt.
barra stalling the fight.
Jackson tries to pull guard but barra won't allow it.

barra breaks from the clinch.
barra moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.

Jackson tries to keep at a distance but barra has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jackson tries to score a body lock takedown but barra shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
barra connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jackson's face.
barra throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jackson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. barra avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but barra gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jackson throws a knee to the head but misses.
barra landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

barra breaks the clinch.
Jackson tries to clinch up.
barra looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jackson is looking to clinch but barra is avoiding it.
barra circles away from the clinch attempt.
A head kick misses from Jackson.

barra clinches.

barra breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
barra circles away from the clinch attempt

and barra counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Jackson!
Jackson is trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson bucks up and throws barra to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

barra gets in close and instigates a clinch.

barra manages to break the clinch.

barra forces Jackson back against the cage and clinches.

barra is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Jackson can't fight it off and eventually barra manages to take the fight to the floor. Jackson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Jackson wants to stand up but barra is controlling him.
barra looking to pass the guard.
barra with a flurry of punches that miss.

Jackson is working an open guard so barra takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Jackson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming barra to the mat! barra manages to get full guard.
barra manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Jackson squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jackson bucks up and throws barra to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jackson.

barra clinches.
Jackson can't get the takedown.

Jackson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
barra looks like he's trying to stand up.
barra is pressing down on Jackson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
barra controls Jackson momentarily but Jackson frees himself.
barra wants to stand and escape but Jackson is having none of it.

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

barra has Jackson up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
barra holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Jackson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but barra regains guard immediately.
Jackson trying to stand up but can't free himself from barra's guard.
Jackson preventing the sweep.

Jackson stands and steps away. barra gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Jackson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
gracie barra seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Jackson has dropped down and is working for a takedown. barra is trying to keep an underhook but Jackson manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Jackson decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
barra throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

barra clinches up with Jackson and pushes him back against the cage.
barra prevents Jackson from breaking the clinch.

barra breaks the clinch.

barra has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
barra has Jackson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jackson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
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!
barra is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jackson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
barra tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
barra unloads a knee to the mid-section. Jackson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
barra prevents Jackson from breaking the clinch.
barra lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Jackson has barra pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. barra manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
barra has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jackson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

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

Jackson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Jackson tries to clinch but barra moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jackson.

barra has Jackson up against the cage in a clinch.
barra tries to stall but Jackson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Jackson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but barra is keeping busy.
barra goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jackson prevents it.

barra gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Jackson regains guard.
barra stops Jackson from standing up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
barra pushing down on Jackson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Jackson is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but gracie barra will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

barra closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jackson circles away.
Jackson tries to clinch up but barra circles away and keeps his distance.

Jackson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
barra crunches a lovely knee into Jackson's ribcage.
barra wants a takedown.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, Jackson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Jackson tries to clinch there but barra circles away.
Jackson darts in trying to clinch

and barra holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Jackson goes for a takedown attempt but barra pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Jackson.

Jackson decides to stand back up. Jackson steps back and let's barra get back to his feet.

barra closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Michael Jackson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
barra wants to take a breather but Jackson is having none of it.

barra is looking for a kimura here.
barra wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson manages to escape and get back to his feet!
barra keeps the fight on the outside.
Jackson moves in looking to clinch but barra pushes him off.

Jackson clinches up with barra and pushes him back against the cage.
barra leaning against his opponent.
barra goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jackson prevents it.
Michael Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of gracie barra.
Jackson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but barra pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jackson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. barra fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jackson misses with a double jab

and barra counters by moving into the clinch.
barra throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jackson blocks it with crossed arms.

Jackson breaks the clinch.
Jackson looks to clinch
and barra counters with a straight right hand.
Jackson tries to clinch up.
barra keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Jackson.

Jackson rushes barra and presses him up against the cage.
Jackson tries for a takedown. No joy.

barra escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Jackson darts in and clinches barra up against the cage.

Jackson has picked barra up - he's going for a ride! Jackson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Jackson decides to return to a standing position.
Michael Jackson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
barra blocks a head kick by Jackson.
barra throws a one two combo.

barra gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
barra is trying to maintain a safe position but Jackson gets an underhook and turns barra into the cage.
barra lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
barra slows down the pace here.
barra lands a knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

barra drags the fight down to the ground.

barra is working an open guard so Jackson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

barra forces Jackson back against the cage and clinches.
barra landing some nice looking knees to the body.
barra with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jackson has barra pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. barra manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
barra manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
barra tries to score a body lock takedown but Jackson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Jackson has barra pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Jackson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending barra tumbling to the mat - Jackson dives into barra's guard.
Jackson preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Jackson gets to his feet - barra follows without any prompting.
barra shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jackson as he jumps to the side.

barra gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
barra scores with a knee to the head.

barra breaks from the clinch.

barra gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
barra scores with a knee to the head.
with the fighters clinched against the cage, barra creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

barra gets a clinch.
barra with a knee to the head.
barra gets underhooks to prevent Jackson's takedown attempt.
barra landing knees to the head.
barra tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Jackson wants a takedown.
barra is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jackson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Jackson looking for a takedown.
barra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
barra lands a knee to the body.
barra misses with a knee strike.
barra scores a nice knee to the body.
Jackson throws an elbow but it misses.
barra using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jackson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
barra gets underhooks to prevent Jackson's takedown attempt.
Jackson tries to score a body lock takedown but barra shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
barra lands a damaging elbow.
Jackson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
barra looking to throw knees to the head but Jackson is blocking nicely.
Nice elbow from barra.

barra manages to break the clinch.
Jackson wants to clinch

and barra counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
barra wants to stall.
barra lands a nice elbow.

Jackson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. barra can't fight it off and eventually Jackson manages to take the fight to the floor. barra looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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!
Jackson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson gets to his feet - barra follows without any prompting.
barra is looking to clinch.
barra wants to clinch.
barra fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jackson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

barra gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Jackson tries to pull guard but barra holds him up against the cage and eventually Jackson drops back down to his feet.
barra goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jackson prevents it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
barra gets through Jackson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
barra connects with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from barra.
Michael Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

barra breaks the clinch.
Jackson tries a low kick but barra avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to gracie barra.
I've got barra winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... gracie barra!