PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Omar Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Norman Hartnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jackson
vs
Hartnell

162 cm
26
150 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

175 cm
26
153 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Omar Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Norman Hartnell!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A telegraphed right hand from Hartnell misses the target.
Nice jab there from Jackson.

Jackson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Jackson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jackson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hartnell stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Hartnell struggling a bit here.
Jackson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartnell manages to work his way to half guard, despite Jackson's best efforts.
Hartnell is refusing to be controlled, as Jackson sits in half guard.
Jackson throwing shots but Hartnell is blocking nicely.
Jackson is thwarting Hartnell's attempts to control the position.
Jackson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jackson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hartnell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a series of punches but Hartnell moves out of range.
Hartnell lands with an overhand left.
Danga de danga de dang - Hartnell scores with a four punch combination!
Jackson fails to land with a series of punches.
Hartnell lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hartnell.
Jackson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hartnell counters with a one-two to the body.
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!
Hartnell misses with the combination.
Nice shot by Hartnell.
Jackson shoots in for a double leg but Hartnell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jackson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartnell looks to land a combination but Jackson avoids it well.
Jackson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hartnell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jackson.
Norman Hartnell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jackson misses with a straight left.
Jackson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jackson lands with a hook. Hartnell tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nice takedown defense from Hartnell. No joy for Jackson on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Omar Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson throws a body kick that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hartnell. Jackson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Jackson is defended easily by Hartnell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hartnell counters with a two punch combo.
Jackson lands an overhand right.
Jackson sizes up Hartnell with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Omar Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A combination from Hartnell does no damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hartnell tests Jackson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hartnell throws a left and a right that both miss
and Jackson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hartnell thinking.
Jackson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hartnell circles away quickly and effectively.
Hartnell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jackson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jackson walks into a left hand.
Some wild striking there from Jackson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Omar Jackson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A telegraphed right hand from Hartnell misses the target.
Jackson drops his hands momentarily and Hartnell takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jackson shoots for a takedown but Hartnell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hartnell looks to land a combination but Jackson avoids it well.
Jackson fails to land the takedown.
Jackson scores with a nice head shot.
Hartnell has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hartnell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jackson.
Jackson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jackson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jackson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hartnell counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartnell takes one to the side of the head.
Jackson misses with a series of wild punches.
Jackson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Jackson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Jackson throws a series of punches but Hartnell avoids them all with ease.
Jackson scores with a one two! Hartnell had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Norman Hartnell has been cut.
Hartnell lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Jackson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hartnell misses with a combination
and Jackson counters with a nice uppercut.
A shot to the body from Jackson misses
and Hartnell counters with a three punch combo that has Jackson backing up. Jackson nods at Hartnell to acknowledge the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a combination that misses

and Hartnell counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hartnell.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hartnell is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hartnell looking to stall.
Hartnell wants to take the fight to the mat but Jackson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Jackson goes for a takedown attempt but Hartnell pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Omar Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson has a takedown stuffed.
Hartnell thows a body shot but no joy.
Jackson throws a combination that misses
and Hartnell counters with a stiff right hand.
Jackson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hartnell counters with a three punch combo that has Jackson backing up. Jackson nods at Hartnell to acknowledge the strikes.
Hartnell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jackson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hartnell might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Jackson fails to land with a series of punches.
Jackson throws a lazy uppercut
and Hartnell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hartnell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartnell stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hartnell wants it to stay on the feet.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hartnell but Hartnell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jackson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hartnell moves away.
Hartnell feints a jab promting Jackson to slip. Hartnell then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Jackson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Jackson.
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!
Hartnell is trying to buck Jackson off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jackson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Omar Jackson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Norman Hartnell's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Jackson shoots in but no luck this time.
Hartnell swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hartnell stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hartnell wants it to stay on the feet.
Jackson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hartnell manages to avoid it.
Omar Jackson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jackson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jackson misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch combination from Jackson misses.
Jackson misses with a combination
and Hartnell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jackson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hartnell.
Jackson scores with a one two! Hartnell had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hartnell counters with a nice uppercut.
Omar Jackson is winning the standup battle so far.
Jackson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hartnell sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jackson somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Omar Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hartnell misses with a two punch combination.
Hartnell ducks under a wild hook from Jackson.
Jackson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jackson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hartnell stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hartnell wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hartnell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jackson.
Hartnell on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartnell clobbers Jackson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hartnell takes one on the button.
Hartnell ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jackson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hartnell circles away quickly and effectively.
Jackson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Hartnell lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jackson circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson misses with a hook.
Jackson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hartnell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hartnell getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Jackson cracks Hartnell with an open hand slap.
Jackson jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson shoots in and drives through. Hartnell sprawls well.
Hartnell is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Jackson misses with a series of wild punches.
Hartnell slips under a jab.
Jackson has a takedown stuffed.
No joy there for Hartnell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jackson moves away from the strike by Hartnell.

Jackson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Jackson throwing shots but Hartnell is blocking nicely.
Norman Hartnell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartnell trying to hold on to Jackson's head to control him but Jackson postures up.
Hartnell is looking to improve his position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Hartnell actively working from the bottom here.
Jackson is trying to control. Hartnell wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Jackson in particular looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Omar Jackson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jackson, 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Omar Jackson!
A relieved looking Omar Jackson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.