PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Paru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paru is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Tropa de Elite, osso duro de roer. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jackson
vs
Paru

180 cm
30
210 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

185 cm
26
200 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thomas Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jose Paru!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson misses with a combination

so Paru counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Jackson is trying to control the position but Paru postures up.
Paru throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Jackson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Paru doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Paru manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Paru from controlling successfully.
Paru stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jackson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Paru throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jackson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Paru trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.

Jackson looking for a guillotine here but Paru defends easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Paru.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Paru from controlling successfully.

Jackson working for submissions but it's allowed Paru to get to half guard.

Jackson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Paru pulls his head out easily.
Jackson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Jackson gets full guard.
Paru lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jackson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Jackson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Paru defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Paru wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.

Jackson working for a triangle but Paru defends it easily.
Paru postures up in Jackson's guard and throws a big left but Jackson blocks it.
Jackson keeping full guard, as Paru tries to pass.
Paru pushes down on Jackson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Jackson is looking to improve his position.
Jackson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Paru.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paru is looking for a kimura but Jackson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Paru to get the leverage.
Paru missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jackson moves into full guard.
Paru must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Paru landing some decent shots from guard.
Paru pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.

Jackson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Paru is aware though and is defending well.
Jackson tries to strike from the bottom.

Jackson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jackson 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.
Paru works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Jackson trying to control but Paru postures up.
Paru thows a huge punch but Jackson dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 works his way to full guard. Good work.
Paru throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Paru accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Paru stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.
Paru with a flurry of punches that miss.

Jackson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Jackson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Paru is aware though and is defending well.
Paru stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.
Paru is looking to work some ground and pound but Jackson has wrist control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jackson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Jackson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Paru gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jose Paru will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jackson closes the distance but Paru moves to the side

and Paru counters with a takedown into side control.
Jackson is looking to regain half guard here but Paru keeps moving and retains side control.
Jackson takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Jackson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Paru's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Paru sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Jackson defending well though.

Paru is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jackson defends it well.
Paru blocks the strikes from Jackson.
Jackson tries to roll over but Paru keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Jackson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paru trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jackson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Paru gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Paru can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Jackson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Paru works over Jackson with some ground and pound from guard.
Jackson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Paru with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jackson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Paru is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Paru missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Paru wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.

Jackson has his foot on Paru's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Paru works his way back into a safe position though.
Jackson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paru throws an elbow that misses. Jackson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Paru's guard. Nice move by Jackson!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Paru throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Paru bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jackson's guard.

Jackson looking for subs off his back but Paru has passed one foot through into half guard.
Jackson holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Jackson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Paru is trying to control the action in half guard but Jackson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Paru wants to free his trapped foot but Jackson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Jackson trying to control here.

Jackson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson wants to control but Paru is keeping busy.
Jackson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Jose Paru has got the better of the ground game so far.

Jackson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Paru is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Paru throws a big elbow that misses.
Paru trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.

Jackson is looking for a triangle but Paru pushes his legs off easily.

Jackson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Paru is aware though and is defending well.

Jackson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Paru trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paru is looking to work some ground and pound but Jackson has wrist control.
Paru trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paru pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.

Jackson has his foot on Paru's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Paru works his way back into a safe position though.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Paru from controlling successfully.
Paru scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paru tries to free his leg and advance position but Jackson is retaining full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Paru distracts Jackson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Paru passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Jackson is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Paru showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Jackson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Jackson throws a strike aimed at the side of Paru's head but Paru avoids it well.
Jackson works to advance to full mount. Paru defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Paru is working to get back to half guard.
Jackson avoids the attempt from Paru to control.
Paru regains half guard.
Paru is not content to let Jackson control the position.
Paru trying to control but Jackson postures up.
Jackson trying to control from half guard but Paru is working away.

Jackson is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson trying to mount his opponent but Paru defends it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jackson prevents Paru from improving his position.
Jackson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Paru is trying to escape the mount.
Jackson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Paru is looking to escape.
Jackson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Jackson looking to secure an arm triangle but Paru defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paru tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Paru is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Paru is bucking up trying to escape but Jackson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Jackson raining down shots from the mount!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Jackson wants to finish this one by submission but Paru is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Jackson.

Jackson is working for a guillotine from mount but Paru frees his head quite easily.
Jackson prevents Paru from getting the reversal.
Jackson controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paru is trying desperately to improve position.
Paru tries to lock up and control but Jackson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Jackson tries to control but Paru wriggling away.
Paru is trying to escape the mount.
Paru is squirming around, avoiding Jackson's attempts to control the action.
Jackson is really struggling to control Paru but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Paru working to try and regain half guard.
Paru wants to hold on but Jackson pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paru working to try and regain half guard.
Jackson lands a nice shot to the head.
Jackson scoring with strikes but Paru is staying in there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson tries to control but Paru wriggling away.
Paru is trying to escape the mount.
Jackson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Jackson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Paru tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Paru is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Paru is bucking up trying to escape but Jackson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Thomas Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jose Paru is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jackson landing strikes from the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Jackson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Paru 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jose Paru!