PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saku Sammakko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Jackson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Wu Tang - Triumph. Sammakko has chosen Saku Sammakko as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Jackson
vs
Sammakko

175 cm
31
165 lbs
26 - 10 - 1

171 cm
31
168 lbs
20 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

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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 26 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Rashad Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Saku Sammakko!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sammakko takes the fight into the clinch.
Jackson is trying to break the clinch but Sammakko is controlling him.
Jackson tries to score a body lock takedown but Sammakko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sammakko unloads a knee to the mid-section. Jackson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jackson prevents the takedown attempt.
Sammakko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jackson.
Sammakko wants a takedown.
Sammakko throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Still in the clinch, Jackson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jackson tries to circle away but Sammakko has him pinned against the cage.
Sammakko tries a body shot but Jackson blocks it.
Sammakko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Jackson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sammakko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jackson is defending well for now.

Jackson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jackson misses with a straight left.

Jackson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Jackson is working for a kimura but Sammakko is defending it quite comfortably.
Sammakko is looking to control Jackson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sammakko avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammakko is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson lands with a punch from half guard.
Sammakko is looking to improve his position.
Sammakko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Jackson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jackson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sammakko desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Jackson controlling the action here.
Sammakko works his way to full guard. Good work.

Sammakko 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.
Jackson tries to free his leg and advance position but Sammakko is retaining full guard.
Jackson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sammakko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Sammakko keeps moving.

Jackson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sammakko manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Jackson has Sammakko in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammakko looking to sit in guard and control but Jackson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Sammakko seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Jackson postures up and lands a big shot to Sammakko's brow.
Jackson advances position into side control!
Jackson cracks Sammakko with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sammakko wants to control but Jackson postures up.
Jackson works to advance to full mount. Sammakko defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson with shots to the head and body - Sammakko looks very uncomfortable down there.
Sammakko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jackson with shots to the head and body - Sammakko looks very uncomfortable down there.
Jackson dominating with strikes here.
Sammakko is trying to escape the mount.
Jackson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sammakko looks a forlorn figure.

Jackson looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Jackson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jackson working Sammakko over with strikes here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson wants to control the pace but Sammakko is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Jackson dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sammakko throws out a powerful jab.
Jackson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Jackson throws a body kick that misses
and Jackson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jackson misses with a wild combination.
Sammakko throws a right hand that misses
and Jackson counters with a head kick. That will keep Sammakko thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Jackson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sammakko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sammakko misses with a straight left.
Sammakko scores with a head kick.
Sammakko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sammakko looks for the body kick but Jackson saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Sammakko misses.
Jackson misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sammakko counters with a nice body kick.
Sammakko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sammakko digs a good body shot into Jackson's ribs.
Jackson lands with a nice body kick.
Jackson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sammakko swings for the body but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson takes a swing at Sammakko's ribcage but misses.
Sammakko avoids the head kick by Jackson.
Sammakko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jackson moves away.
Jackson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a right and a left that Sammakko avoids nicely.
Sammakko clobbers Jackson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sammakko tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Jackson leaves Sammakko with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sammakko is breathing heavily.

Sammakko closes the distance and pushes Jackson back into the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sammakko.

It looks like Rashad Jackson has been cut.
Sammakko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sammakko lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
Jackson avoids a wild elbow strike from Sammakko.
A head punch on the inside from Sammakko fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson blocks a body shot from Sammakko.
Jackson can't find room to land a body shot as Sammakko controls the action.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jackson.
A short uppercut from Jackson.
Sammakko throws an elbow that misses.

Jackson breaks the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Jackson.
Sammakko misses with a wild body shot.
Jackson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Jackson with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Jackson feints and as Sammakko raises his hands in defense, Jackson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson advances to half guard.
Sammakko wants to get back to his feet.
Sammakko is trying to maintain the position but Jackson is very close to passing his half guard.

Jackson is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammakko won't allow Jackson to pass to mount.
Sammakko regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jackson stands and throws Sammakko's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Jackson is working Sammakko over with some ground and pound from side control.
Jackson working the ground and pound.
Sammakko on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sammakko manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Jackson tries to get to full guard but Sammakko has control of the leg.
Jackson trying to control from the bottom.
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 Rashad Jackson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rashad Jackson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sammakko connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Jackson momentarily.
Sammakko checks a leg kick nicely.
Sammakko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jackson as he avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Jackson misses the target.
Sammakko misses with a right hand
and Jackson counters with a good low kick that Sammakko was not able to check.
Sammakko moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Jackson!
Horrible takedown by Jackson or perhaps it was just good defense by Sammakko which made him look bad.
Sammakko moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.
Sammakko thows a body shot but no joy.
Sammakko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Sammakko finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Jackson throws a body kick that misses.
Sammakko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sammakko tries to clinch there but Jackson circles away.
Sammakko throws a looping overhand right but Jackson ducks down to avoid it.
A combination from Jackson does no damage.
Jackson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sammakko circles away quickly and effectively.
No luck for Jackson with that takedown attempt.
Sammakko throws out a loose jab but Jackson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body kick from Sammakko.
Saku Sammakko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sammakko takes the fight into the clinch.
Jackson wants to get back to striking at distance but Sammakko won't allow it.
Jackson has had enough of the clinch but Sammakko keeps him there for the moment.
Sammakko misses with some punches.
Sammakko wants to take the fight to the mat but Jackson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sammakko throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Jackson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rashad Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saku Sammakko.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Sammakko as Jackson shoots in.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson blocks the body kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Jackson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sammakko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jackson lands a jab.
Sammakko lands an overhand right.
Sammakko is looking to clinch.
Sammakko leaves Jackson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jackson lands a nice looking body shot.
Sammakko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jackson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jackson just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sammakko fails to land the takedown.
A jab from Sammakko does it's job there.
Jackson connects with a body shot that sends Sammakko's belly button to the back.
Sammakko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sammakko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jackson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sammakko throws the left hand but Jackson avoids the punch easily.
Jackson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Jackson throws a front kick that sends Sammakko stumbling back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashad 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashad Jackson!
Rashad Jackson decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.