PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steven Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephane Chen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stephane Chen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Jackson
vs
Chen

182 cm
20
230 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

187 cm
21
272 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steven Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stephane Chen!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Chen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chen shoots for a double leg takedown but Jackson sprawls well. He's pushed Chen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Jackson shoots in and gets a takedown into Chen's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Chen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Jackson stands up from Chen's guard - Jackson perhaps looking for a knockout.

Chen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jackson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Chen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Chen wants a takedown.
Jackson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Chen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson avoiding damage as Chen throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Chen turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Chen manages to end up in side control.
Jackson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Chen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chen working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
The ground and pound from Chen seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Jackson tries to improve position but can't.
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!
Chen postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Chen creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Jackson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Jackson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Jackson pushes Chen away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Chen gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Chen cracks Jackson with a big elbow.

It looks like Steven Jackson has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jackson keeps working.
Chen postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Jackson keeping his opponent close.
Jackson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Chen throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Jackson to regain full guard.
Chen postures up in Jackson's guard and throws a big left but Jackson blocks it.
Jackson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Chen trying to control from the bottom.

Jackson decides to return to a standing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Chen is trying to defend but Jackson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Chen tries to kick Jackson off but Jackson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Jackson decides to return to a standing position.

Jackson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Chen to the ground. Jackson is now in Chen's guard.
Jackson wants to get up but he can't break Chen's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've been informed that Chen has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Jackson stopping the sweep attempt from Chen.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Chen can do anything to dispel that myth.
Jackson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chen is proving hard to escape from.
Chen wants to stand and escape but Jackson is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jackson gets to his feet - Chen follows without any prompting.
Steven Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jackson tries to avoid it but Chen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jackson to the ground. Jackson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jackson looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Chen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Chen with the ground and pound but Jackson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Chen from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jackson is trying to control the position but Chen postures up.
Chen throws an elbow that misses. Jackson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chen's guard. Nice move by Jackson!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Stephane Chen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Steven Jackson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Chen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Chen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Chen lands in his opponent's guard.
Jackson wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Chen from controlling successfully.
Chen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jackson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Jackson working for a triangle but Chen defends it easily.
Chen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Steven Jackson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jackson is on top in guard.

Jackson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Chen, up you get!
Chen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown but Chen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Chen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Chen connects with a nice looking jab.
Chen scores with a jab. Jackson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Chen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chen scoring with punches from side control.
Jackson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chen thows a huge punch but Jackson dodges it nicely.
Jackson is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Jackson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Chen is trying to control. Jackson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Chen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Chen thows a huge punch but Jackson dodges it nicely.
Jackson gets full guard.
Jackson working a defensive guard here.
Chen trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Jackson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Jackson's head.
Chen preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Jackson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Jackson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Jackson!
Chen tries to bench press Jackson off him but Jackson keeps the position.

Jackson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jackson has his takedown stuffed

and Chen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Jackson's guard.
Chen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jackson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chen manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Jackson stands up and waves to Chen to follow him.
Jackson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Chen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephane Chen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Steven Jackson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Jackson with a poor takedown

so Chen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Chen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jackson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Chen controls the pace.
Chen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Jackson is on top in guard.
Jackson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chen is proving hard to escape from.
Chen is looking to stand up but Jackson isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chen wants to sweep but no luck.
Jackson wants to stand but Chen is controlling his posture from full guard.

Jackson gets to his feet. Chen looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Jackson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Jackson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Jackson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice takedown defense from Chen. No joy for Jackson on that attempt.
Jackson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Chen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Jackson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Chen there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson misses with a takedown attempt
and Chen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Steven Jackson's cut is getting worse.
Stephane Chen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jackson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Chen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Chen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Jackson backs up against the cage.

Chen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Jackson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Jackson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Chen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Chen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Jackson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson wants to control but Chen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Chen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jackson keeps working.
Chen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jackson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Jackson trying to keep a closed guard but Chen is proving a slippery customer.
Chen trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Chen wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chen is still trying to improve position.
Jackson has control of Chen's left arm, preventing Chen from doing any damage.
Chen throws a big right hand that misses.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Jackson fails with the takedown
and Chen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stephane Chen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jackson misses with a takedown
and Chen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Chen shoots in and gets a takedown into Jackson's guard.
Steven Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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 looking for a sweep. Not yet Jackson, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephane Chen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Chen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephane Chen!
During a confident post fight interview, Stephane Chen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.