PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Juan Garza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dio Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Garza
vs
Jackson

188 cm
25
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Juan Garza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dio Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Micheangelo Fripello and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson dives in for a single leg takedown but Garza sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jackson tries to pull guard but Garza won't allow it.
Jackson keeps control of Garza as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Jackson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Juan Garza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dio Jackson.
Jackson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garza's efforts to push away.
Garza wants to break free but Jackson has control.
Garza really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Garza is looking to break free of the clinch but Jackson has double underhooks.
Jackson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Garza is defending well for now.
Jackson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Garza to keep the fight standing.
Jackson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Garza walks away with a smile on his face. Jackson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Jackson rushes Garza and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Garza is trying to break the clinch but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Garza wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Garza tries to break free but Jackson pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Garza.
Jackson tries to pull guard but Garza won't allow it.
Garza is looking to break free of the clinch but Jackson has double underhooks.
Garza wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jackson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garza's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garza is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Garza gets underhooks to prevent Jackson's takedown attempt.
Jackson has Garza pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Garza manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Jackson wants to break free but Garza has control.
Garza wants to break free but Jackson has control.
Jackson keeps control of Garza as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Garza is looking to break free of the clinch but Jackson has double underhooks.
Garza gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jackson.
Garza looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Jackson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Garza just stands there and leans against the cage.
Garza wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jackson can't get the takedown.
A frustrated look appears on Garza's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Garza wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garza tries to break the clinch but Jackson is controlling the position.
Jackson is trying to break the clinch but Garza is controlling him.
Garza wants to break the clinch but can't.

Jackson pulls guard successfully.
Jackson looking to control.

Jackson is working an open guard so Garza takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jackson fails to land the takedown.
Juan Garza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jackson looks winded!
Garza shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Jackson eats them both and turns towards Garza to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Garza is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Jackson.
Jackson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Garza's waist but Garza gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jackson off to one side.
Jackson goes for a double leg but Garza avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Garza continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Garza breaks from the clinch.

Garza gets a clinch.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Garza misses with a jab, cross combination.
Garza misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jackson shoots for a takedown but Garza saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jackson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Garza pinned against the cage. Garza gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jackson slips a jab and a cross from Garza.
Garza misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jackson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Garza sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Garza gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jackson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Garza is pressed up against the cage. Jackson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Garza down to the mat. Garza avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Garza gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Garza wants to get back to striking at distance but Jackson won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garza tries to break the clinch but Jackson is controlling the position.
Garza is trying to push Jackson away but Jackson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jackson prevents Garza from breaking the clinch.

Garza breaks from the clinch.
Jackson fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Garza throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jackson shoots in but no luck this time.
Garza tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jackson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jackson explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch but Garza swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Garza sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jackson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Garza manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Garza misses with the combination.
Horrible takedown by Jackson or perhaps it was just good defense by Garza which made him look bad.
Garza misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Garza dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jackson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A punch combination from Garza misses.

Garza gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jackson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jackson has Garza pressed against the cage, preventing Garza from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Jackson jumps guard but Garza stands there with Jackson around his waist. Jackson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Garza tries to break the clinch but Jackson is controlling the position.
Jackson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Juan Garza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dio Jackson.
Jackson tries to break free but Garza pushes him back against the cage.
Garza wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Garza prevents Jackson from breaking the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jackson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Garza after a bit of a struggle.
Jackson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Garza has Jackson pressed against the cage, preventing Jackson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garza is trying to break the clinch but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson can't break the clinch.
Garza is pressed up against the cage. Jackson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Garza down to the mat. Garza avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jackson shoots in for a double leg but Garza sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jackson misses with a head kick.

Garza pushes Jackson up against the cage in a clinch.
Jackson is trying to stall.
Jackson is trying to pull guard but Garza turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Garza has Jackson pressed against the cage, preventing Jackson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Garza gets underhooks to prevent Jackson's takedown attempt.
Garza working hard to break the clinch.
Garza wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jackson has had enough of the clinch but Garza keeps him there for the moment.
Garza is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Garza is looking to break free of the clinch but Jackson has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garza is trying to push Jackson away but Jackson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jackson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garza's efforts to push away.
Garza has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Garza has had enough of the clinch but Jackson keeps him there for the moment.
Garza wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Garza is trying to force a seperation but Jackson has the dominant position.
Jackson is trying to pull guard but Garza turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Jackson is trying to pull guard but Garza has him pressed against the cage.
Garza tries to circle away but Jackson has him pinned against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garza wants to break free but Jackson has control.
Juan Garza has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Garza is trying to break free.
Jackson tries to break the clinch but Garza is controlling the position.
Jackson tries to score a body lock takedown but Garza shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jackson is trying to push Garza away but Garza has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garza wants to break free but Jackson has control.
Garza tries to break free but Jackson pushes him back against the cage.
Garza is looking to break free of the clinch but Jackson has double underhooks.
Jackson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Garza after a bit of a struggle.
Garza is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jackson is trying to break free.
Garza looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Garza has had enough of the clinch but Jackson keeps him there for the moment.
Garza is trying to push Jackson away but Jackson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Garza is trying to break the clinch but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Garza wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jackson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Garza smiles and moves away.
Jackson swats away the attempt to clinch by Garza.
Jackson shoots in but Garza avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Garza pinned against the cage. Garza gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jackson throws a series of punches but Garza moves out of range.
Jackson throws a series of punches but Garza moves out of range.

Garza clinches up with Jackson and pushes him back against the cage.
Jackson prevents Garza from breaking the clinch.
Jackson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Garza gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Garza is trying to break the clinch but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson has had enough of the clinch but Garza keeps him there for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Garza keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jackson's efforts to push away.
Garza wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Garza dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Jackson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Garza!
Jackson is looking to take a break and control but Garza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jackson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Garza. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Garza manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Garza is pressing down on Jackson's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Garza is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Jackson presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Jackson tries to stall but Garza uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Garza is trying to break free.
Garza on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Garza is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jackson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Garza tries to circle away but Jackson has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garza looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jackson wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Garza's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Garza has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Jackson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Garza pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jackson tries to clinch up.

Jackson tries to keep at a distance but Garza has taken the fight into the clinch.
Garza is trying to break the clinch but Jackson is controlling him.
Jackson looking to stall.
Garza has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Jackson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garza wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jackson prevents Garza from breaking the clinch.
Jackson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Juan Garza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dio Jackson.
Jackson jumps guard but Garza turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Garza is trying to break the clinch but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Garza just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jackson jumps guard but Garza stands there with Jackson around his waist. Jackson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Garza has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Garza wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Garza can't break the clinch.
Garza looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Garza is trying to break the clinch but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson is trying to force a seperation but Garza has the dominant position.
Jackson wants to get back to striking at distance but Garza won't allow it.
Jackson misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson has Garza pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Garza manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Garza has had enough of the clinch but Jackson keeps him there for the moment.
Garza has had enough of the clinch but Jackson keeps him there for the moment.
Jackson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Garza pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jackson is trying to break the clinch but Garza is controlling him.
Garza wants to break free but Jackson has control.
Garza is trying to break free.
Garza wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Garza avoids it.
Jackson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jackson wants to break free but Garza has control.
Garza wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jackson has him pressed against the cage.
Jackson has Garza pressed against the cage, preventing Garza from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Jackson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jackson lands with a slapping head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garza misses with a few strikes there.
Jackson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Garza tries to avoid it but Jackson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Garza to the ground. Garza escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Garza scores with a four punch combination!
The fight stays on the outside here - Jackson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jackson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Juan Garza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Garza avoids a punch combination nicely.
Garza misses with the combination.
Garza avoids the head kick by Jackson.
Garza swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Garza takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Jackson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Garza swivels and escapes.
Dio Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Juan Garza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jackson throws a sloppy head kick and Garza moves out of range easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Juan Garza.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Garza, 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:28

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