PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Batistuta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Batistuta comes to the cage accompanied by Deftones - You've Seen The Butcher. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Batistuta
vs
Jackson

182 cm
29
205 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

190 cm
29
220 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Fury Nutrition Inc.
AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Carlos Batistuta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ben Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Taro Takaoka and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batistuta checks the leg kick nicely there.
Batistuta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Batistuta takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Jackson misses with a hook. Batistuta ducked under it nicely.
No joy there for Batistuta, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jackson moves out of range of the body kick from Batistuta.
Batistuta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Jackson! But no joy.

Batistuta closes the distance and clinches.
Jackson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Jackson throws an elbow but misses.
Jackson prevents a takedown attempt there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batistuta lands a body punch.
Batistuta misses with a body punch.
Jackson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Batistuta lands with a left to the head.
Jackson blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Batistuta doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Batistuta tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jackson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Batistuta content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Batistuta fails to land.
Batistuta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Batistuta working aggressively here.
Batistuta working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Batistuta misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Batistuta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Batistuta misses with a punch on the inside.
Jackson struggles to land a body shot inside as Batistuta controls his hands.
Batistuta lands with a light punch inside.
Batistuta misses with some punches.
Jackson blocks an uppercut.
Batistuta lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batistuta is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jackson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Batistuta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Batistuta has picked Jackson up - he's going for a ride! Batistuta dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jackson trying to control but Batistuta postures up.
Batistuta wants to free his trapped foot but Jackson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson tries to roll over but Batistuta keeps him under control.
We've been hearing that Batistuta has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Batistuta thows a huge punch but Jackson dodges it nicely.
Jackson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Jackson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Batistuta.
Jackson is trying to control but can't.
Batistuta not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jackson felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is trying to control but can't.
Batistuta is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Jackson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Batistuta postures up.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Batistuta from controlling successfully.
Jackson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Batistuta trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Jackson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Batistuta.
Batistuta postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Jackson looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jackson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Batistuta looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batistuta has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Jackson.
Jackson looks to land a left hand but Batistuta moved out of range nicely.
Batistuta lands a really nice looking cross but Jackson seems unphased.
Jackson looks to land a combination but Batistuta avoids it well.
Batistuta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jackson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Batistuta scores with a leg kick.
Jackson scores with a punch to the head.
Batistuta wants to clinch up but Jackson keeps it at a distance.
Jackson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Batistuta.
Batistuta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Batistuta throws the left hand but Jackson avoids the punch easily.
Jackson scores with a body shot.
Jackson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Batistuta on the side of the head.
A head kick by Batistuta misses
and Jackson counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jackson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Jackson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Batistuta sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Batistuta on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jackson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Jackson! But no joy.
Batistuta is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
Batistuta misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jackson.
Jackson stuffs the takedown attempt from Batistuta. Batistuta gets slowly back to his feet.
A swing and a miss from Jackson.

Jackson tries to sprawl but Batistuta drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Batistuta is thwarting Jackson's attempts to control the position.
Batistuta seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jackson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batistuta sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Batistuta is keen to just control but Jackson is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batistuta is controlling the pace.
Jackson is concentrating on defense, preventing Batistuta from advancing position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Batistuta connects with a nice short shot to Jackson's temple.
Batistuta trying to control from half guard but Jackson is working away.
Batistuta has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Jackson tries to roll over but Batistuta keeps him under control.
Jackson trying to control from the bottom.
Batistuta is pressing down on Jackson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Jackson is holding on for now.
Jackson tries to roll over but Batistuta keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Jackson is doing well to control the position and prevent Batistuta from advancing to side control.
Jackson is continuing to stall.
Batistuta is stalling here. Jackson is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Batistuta seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Jackson has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Batistuta tries to buck Jackson off but Jackson is having none of it.
Batistuta wants to control but Jackson postures up.
Batistuta is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Jackson wants to control but Batistuta is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batistuta tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jackson has control of an arm but Batistuta manages to advance to Jackson's back!
Batistuta keeps control of the position as Jackson tries to break free.

Batistuta is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Jackson has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Batistuta not allowing Jackson to control his hands.
Carlos Batistuta overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Batistuta is punishing Jackson with strikes - can he finish him?!
Batistuta controlling well, preventing Jackson from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
What can Jackson do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Batistuta is punishing Jackson with some ground and pound.
Batistuta wants to control but Jackson is keeping busy.
Jackson wants to control his opponent's hands but Batistuta gets his hands free.
Batistuta tries to get the hooks in deep but Jackson pushed the leg off.
Jackson is covering up but some of the strikes from Batistuta are getting through and doing damage.
Batistuta struggling to keep hold of the position.
Batistuta is really struggling to control Jackson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Batistuta is not going to allow Jackson to sit and survive in this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Batistuta keeps control of the position as Jackson tries to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Batistuta dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Batistuta pushes Jackson away with a front kick.
Batistuta throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jackson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A head kick misses from Batistuta.
Batistuta pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jackson blocks a head kick by Batistuta.
Batistuta is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Jackson.

It looks like Carlos Batistuta has been cut.
Batistuta goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jackson thuds a left hand into Batistuta's body.
Batistuta scores with a three punch combo!

Batistuta takes the fight into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.
Jackson lands with a left to the head.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike.
Jackson scores with a shot to the side of Batistuta's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Batistuta.
Carlos Batistuta has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Jackson lands an uppercut.
Batistuta lands with a right to the head.
Batistuta trying to stall but Jackson improves his position.
Batistuta swings wildly with an uppercut but Jackson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Batistuta blocking some punches.
Jackson can't break the clinch.
Jackson tries to work over Batistuta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Batistuta tries to work over Jackson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Batistuta tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jackson smiles and moves away.
Batistuta throws a shot from downtown. Jackson moves away and avoids it.
A little jabbing left from Jackson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Batistuta shoots in and drives through. Jackson sprawls well.
Jackson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jackson connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson lands an overhand right.
Batistuta tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Batistuta takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Carlos Batistuta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson looks to score with a jab to the body but Batistuta is just out of range.
Batistuta tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson looks like he wants to counter punch 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!
Nice cross by Batistuta.
Batistuta tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jackson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Batistuta tries to clinch up but Jackson circles away and keeps his distance.
Jackson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Batistuta looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Jackson!
Batistuta working away.
Jackson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Batistuta thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ben Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Jackson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Batistuta is working away from the top position though.
Jackson tries to get to full guard but Batistuta has control of the leg.
Batistuta not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Batistuta is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Jackson holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Batistuta not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Jackson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Jackson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Batistuta missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jackson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Batistuta wants to take a breather but Jackson is having none of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Jackson misses with a wild body shot.
Batistuta is looking to counter the offense by Jackson and move into the clinch.
Batistuta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Jackson! But no joy.
Jackson misses with a body shot.
Jackson blocks a head kick by Batistuta.
Jackson appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Batistuta uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jackson.
Batistuta chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Batistuta connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Jackson misses with a series of wild punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ben Jackson.
I think Batistuta 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Batistuta!
Carlos Batistuta bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.