PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sean Mess (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dom Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jackson has chosen Slayer - War Ensamble as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mess
vs
Jackson

180 cm
19
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sean Mess!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dom Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson tries to clinch there but Mess circles away.
Jackson doesn't manage to clinch there - Mess circles away.
Mess looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Jackson lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Jackson successfully pulls guard.
Mess has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Jackson is proving hard to escape from.
Mess wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.
Jackson controls Mess momentarily but Mess frees himself.

Jackson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Mess is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Jackson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Mess's back instead.
Mess tries to escape the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jackson is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Mess knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Mess for a finish.
Mess rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mess wants to improve his position but Jackson is controlling well.
Jackson wants to take a breather but Mess is having none of it.
Jackson trying to pass the guard but Mess defending well.
Mess is positioning himself well to prevent Jackson advancing to mount.
Mess tries to roll over but Jackson keeps him under control.

Jackson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mess tries to work over Jackson's front leg with a kick but Jackson checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Jackson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Jackson gets caught flat footed, as Mess shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Mess is breathing heavily.

Jackson keeping busy on the bottom but Mess has passed one foot through into half guard.

Mess stands up out of the half guard.
Mess throws the kick towards the body but Jackson avoids it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mess.
Mess circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mess throws a body punch but Jackson moves out of range.

Jackson has closed the distance and engaged Mess in a clinch.
Mess wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson lands an elbow that stopped Mess in his tracks for a moment.
Mess tries for a takedown but Jackson manages to get underhooks.
Jackson avoiding damage.

Mess successfully pulls guard.
Jackson pushing down on Mess's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mess kicks Jackson off and gets back to his feet.
A head kick misses from Mess.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Jackson lands a right hand.
Come on Mess - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Mess breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mess darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mess working Jackson over with strikes.
Mess winds up and cracks Jackson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Jackson is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Mess pulls his head out easily.
Mess passes to side control.
Mess tries to advance to mount but can't.
Jackson is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson gets back to half guard.
Mess 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.
Jackson trying to hold on to Mess's head to control him but Mess postures up.

Jackson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Jackson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mess wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jackson keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Mess circles away easily

and Mess counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Jackson working for a triangle but Mess defends it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jackson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mess!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Mess dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mess scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jackson throws a lazy body kick
and Mess connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jackson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mess moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sean Mess is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mess clinches up with Jackson and pushes him back against the cage.
Mess is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jackson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mess prevents Jackson from breaking the clinch.
Jackson has had enough of the clinch but Mess keeps him there for the moment.
Jackson lands with a short shot to the head.
Jackson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mess has him pressed against the cage.
Mess wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jackson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jackson lands a knee to the head.
Jackson is trying to break free.
Jackson is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson wants to break free but Mess has control.
Jackson gets underhooks to prevent Mess's takedown attempt.
Jackson avoids the elbow strike from Mess, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Jackson - that landed with a thud.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mess circles away from the clinch attempt.
A low kick from Jackson is predictable there

and Mess counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Jackson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mess passes Jackson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Jackson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mess moves into full mount! Jackson won't be happy about that!

Mess gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Mess shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Mess was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Jackson is trying to reverse the position but instead Mess has taken his back - oops!
Jackson rolls, trying to escape but Mess keeps control of the position.
Jackson turns into Mess and is now in his guard.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Mess is retaining full guard.

Mess uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Jackson misses with a takedown attempt

and Mess counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Jackson!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Jackson defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Mess.
Jackson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Jackson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Jackson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mess is keeping the position for now.
Mess trying to keep a closed guard but Jackson is proving a slippery customer.
Mess wants to sweep but no luck.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Mess is retaining full guard.
Jackson passes Mess's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Jackson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Jackson wants to take a breather but Mess is having none of it.
Mess is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Mess won't allow Jackson to pass to mount.

Jackson is working for a submission of some sort.
Jackson is trying to control the action in half guard but Mess is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mess is positioning himself well to prevent Jackson advancing to mount.

Mess looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Jackson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Mess trying to control but Jackson postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mess avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No joy there for Jackson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jackson looks to land a combination. Mess sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Dom Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Mess counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Jackson manages to get to full guard.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Mess from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mess with a flurry of punches that miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Jackson is looking for a triangle but Mess pushes his legs off easily.
Mess trying to move into half guard but instead Jackson has managed to sweep!
Jackson preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Mess dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Jackson.
Jackson tries to clinch up but Mess circles away and keeps his distance.
Jackson wants to clinch up but Mess keeps it at a distance.
Mess stuffs the takedown attempt from Jackson. Jackson gets slowly back to his feet.
Jackson misses with a double jab.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mess.
Jackson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mess's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mess prevents Jackson from improving his position.
Jackson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mess's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mess's back!
Jackson not allowing Mess to control his hands.

Mess is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Jackson gets his way!
Sean Mess overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson tightening his grip on Mess, looking for the choke.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Jackson is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Mess defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Jackson's arms.
Jackson is not going to allow Mess to sit and survive in this position.

Mess is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Jackson gets his way!

Mess fending off the submission attempt from Jackson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson has the hooks in. Mess is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Mess manages to escape to his feet.

Mess shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mess showed some decent athleticism there.
Mess takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Mess wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jackson keeps working.
Jackson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mess is tying to control. Jackson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Jackson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Jackson actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is staying active underneath Mess, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mess not landing any meaningful shots this time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Jackson cracks the inside of Mess's front leg.
Mess tries to land a front kick but Jackson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice straight punches there by Jackson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Jackson.
Jackson scores with a leg kick.
Jackson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mess moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jackson doesn't manage to clinch there - Mess circles away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Jackson.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Mess circles away easily
and Mess counters with a head kick.
Sean Mess has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom Jackson.

Mess looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Jackson!

Mess is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Jackson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jackson throws a series of punches but Mess moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson scores with a jab.
Mess closes the distance but Jackson moves to the side

and Jackson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Mess wants to stall.
A nice left hand lands by Jackson.
Mess tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jackson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jackson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jackson lands a left hand.
Jackson wants to get back to striking at distance but Mess won't allow it.
A short right from Jackson on the inside.
Mess takes an elbow to the temple.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.

Jackson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mess is trying to control Jackson's posture but Jackson avoids it.
Dom Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mess gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Jackson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Mess gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dom Jackson.
I think Mess has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean Mess!