PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gang Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Jackson
vs
Li

175 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joe Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gang Li!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson fails with the takedown

and Li counters with a single leg into guard. Jackson didn't expect that.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Li throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jackson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Li throws a strike but Jackson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Jackson passes into half guard.
Li tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Jackson manages to move to mount!

Jackson goes for an armbar but Li turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Li.
Jackson trying to control the position.
Jackson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Li lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jackson looking to control.
Li loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Li won't allow Jackson to sweep him here.
Li postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jackson keeping full guard, as Li tries to pass.
Li really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jackson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Li trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Li looking to sit in guard and control but Jackson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jackson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jackson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Li can do anything to dispel that myth.

Jackson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Li dives on top into guard.
Li working some strikes from top position.
Li trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Li throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li works over Jackson with some ground and pound from guard.
Li postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Jackson is breathing heavily.
Li is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Li must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Li trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.

Jackson working for submissions but it's allowed Li to get to half guard.
Li controlling the pace.
Jackson is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Li thows a huge punch but Jackson dodges it nicely.
Li looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jackson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Li lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Li is trying to control. Jackson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Li lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jackson moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gang Li dominated that round.
That's time! Jackson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jackson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Li counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Jackson's guard now.
Jackson controls Li momentarily but Li frees himself.
Jackson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Jackson is looking for submissions but instead, Li has regained full guard.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Li is adopting a defensive guard.
Jackson trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Li is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Jackson, into his guard.
Jackson has momentary wrist control but Li slips an elbow through the middle.

Jackson working for a triangle but Li defends it easily.
Jackson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Jackson looking to control.
Jackson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Li with a nice head shot there.
Li working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Li postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Li wants to stand and escape but instead Jackson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Jackson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Li is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Li has escaped and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Li landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li connects with a couple of short punches.
Li tries to free his leg and advance position but Jackson is retaining full guard.
Li throws a strike but Jackson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Jackson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Li is pulling down on Jackson's head. It's preventing any offense from Jackson, at least for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jackson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Li manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Jackson has Li in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gang Li showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Li has managed to clinch.

Li has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Jackson is trying to keep an underhook but Li manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Gang Li has got the better of the ground game so far.

Jackson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Li pulls his head out easily.
Li is nestled in close to Jackson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Li tries to stand and escape but Jackson actually recovers to full guard.
Jackson controls Li momentarily but Li frees himself.
Li content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Li throws a big elbow that misses.
Liis looking to pass into half guard but Jackson pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Jackson is in guard.
Li keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
Jackson won't allow Li to sweep him here.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Li keeps moving.
Li controlling Jackson's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Jackson trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.
Li wants to sweep here but Jackson controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Joe Jackson.

Jackson clinches up with Li and pushes him back against the cage.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Jackson trying to stall but Li improves his position.
Li gets underhooks to prevent Jackson's takedown attempt.
Jackson wants a takedown but no success here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Jackson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Li is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee calls for Li to work.
Joe Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Li has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Jackson regains guard immediately.
Jackson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Li lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Li doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Jackson is tightening it up a little... Li has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Li reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Li taps out! Nice BJJ there by Jackson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Joe Jackson!