PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rocky Johnson had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 266.9lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Rocky Johnson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Johnson
vs
Jackson

197 cm
26
280 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

182 cm
21
249 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Self confident

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Cynical Truth Vegas

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rocky Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steven Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson thows a body shot but no joy.
Johnson throws out a leg kick but Jackson moves out of range and Johnson only half commits.

Johnson closes the distance and pushes Jackson back into the cage.

Johnson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Johnson passes to side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Jackson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Jackson is looking to regain half guard here but Johnson keeps moving and retains side control.
Johnson scores with punches from side control.

Johnson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Johnson throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Jackson works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jackson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jackson trying to control but Johnson postures up.
Jackson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Johnson.
Johnson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Jackson to regain full guard.
Johnson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jackson is controlling Johnson's posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jackson is on top in guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jackson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Johnson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jackson swivels and escapes.
Johnson is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Jackson counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Johnson!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Jackson stands up.
Rocky Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Johnson dives in and grabs Jackson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jackson pushes down on Johnson's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rocky Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson tries to work over Johnson's front leg with a kick but Johnson checks it.

Jackson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Jackson is looking to stand up but Johnson won't let him.

Jackson stands and steps away. Johnson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Jackson gets the takedown into side control.

Jackson stands up and beckons Johnson to his feet.

Jackson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Johnson quickly recovers to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jackson pulls his head out easily.
Jackson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Johnson controls his leg.

Johnson looking for submissions off his back.

Jackson gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Jackson throws a hook but Johnson blocks it.
Johnson throws a chopping leg kick but Jackson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Johnson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Jackson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Johnson to the ground. Jackson is now in Johnson's guard.

Jackson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Jackson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
My spies in Full Affliction Fight Team inform me that Jackson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Jackson postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Johnson to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Johnson's guard.

Johnson looking for subs off his back but Jackson has passed one foot through into half guard.

Jackson stands up and beckons Johnson to join him on the feet.

Jackson dives in and scores a takedown into Johnson's guard.

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

Johnson closes the distance and pushes Jackson back into the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jackson is looking for a takedown.
Johnson stops a takedown attempt from Jackson.

Johnson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jackson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Johnson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Jackson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Johnson takes a swing at Jackson's ribcage but misses.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Jackson. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Johnson dives in for a single leg takedown but Jackson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jackson wants a takedown but no success here.
Johnson gets underhooks to prevent Jackson's takedown attempt.
Johnson prevents the takedown attempt.
Rocky Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Jackson.

Johnson pulls guard successfully.
Jackson wants to stand but Johnson is controlling his posture from full guard.

Johnson is working an open guard so Jackson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Johnson gets caught flat footed, as Jackson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Jackson misses with a wild body shot.
Johnson shoots in looking for a takedown but Jackson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Johnson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jackson jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

Jackson drives through with a takedown into Johnson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Jackson stands up and waves to Johnson to follow him.
Jackson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jackson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Johnson was well out of range. Poor timing from Jackson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Jackson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Jackson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Johnson quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Jackson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Johnson to get to his feet.

Johnson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Jackson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Johnson manages to get underhooks.
Johnson looking for a takedown.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Johnson manages to get underhooks.
Jackson is working for takedown but Johnson is calmly controlling the position for now.
Johnson jumps guard but Jackson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson looking for a takedown.
Jackson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Johnson.
Jackson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Johnson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Jackson can't get the takedown.
Johnson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Jackson after a bit of a struggle.
Jackson is looking for a takedown.
Johnson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Johnson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jackson.
Jackson is pressed up against the cage. Johnson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jackson down to the mat. Jackson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.

Jackson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Johnson regains guard.

Johnson isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Jackson stacks Johnson on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Jackson!

Jackson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Johnson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Johnson closes the distance and clinches.
Jackson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Johnson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jackson to keep the fight standing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jackson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Johnson after a bit of a struggle.
Johnson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jackson.

Johnson ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Johnson no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Jackson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Johnson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

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

Jackson stands and steps away. Johnson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Johnson forces Jackson back against the cage and clinches.

Johnson pulls guard successfully.

Jackson stands up and waves to Johnson to follow him.

Johnson clinches with his opponent.
Jackson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Johnson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Johnson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Jackson is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Johnson to the mat. Johnson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Jackson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Jackson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Jackson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Johnson controls his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Jackson decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Jackson feints and as Johnson raises his hands in defense, Jackson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Jackson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Johnson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Jackson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Jackson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rocky Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Johnson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jackson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Johnson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jackson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Johnson, up you get!
Johnson shoots in but Jackson avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Jackson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Johnson to the mat! Johnson manages to get full guard.

Jackson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Jackson scores with a takedown into Johnson's guard.
Johnson throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Johnson throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Johnson is working an open guard so Jackson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Johnson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Jackson counters with a takedown into side control.
Johnson is looking for a sweep.

Jackson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Johnson to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Johnson sprawls well initially but Jackson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Johnson throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Jackson manages to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnson is looking to reverse the position.
Jackson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Jackson stands up and beckons Johnson to his feet.

Jackson scores with a takedown into Johnson's guard.

Johnson is working an open guard so Jackson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Johnson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jackson moves away.

Jackson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Jackson lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson wants to stand but Johnson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Johnson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Johnson drives through and clinches with Jackson against the cage.
Johnson tries to pull guard but Jackson holds him up against the cage and eventually Johnson drops back down to his feet.
Jackson is trying to drag Johnson to the mat but Johnson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Jackson has picked Johnson up - he's going for a ride! Jackson dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Jackson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Rocky Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steven Jackson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nice defenses there by Johnson.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steven Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jackson 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steven Jackson!
Steven Jackson gave a mention to Untouchable Fight Nutrition Q160 $125 in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).