PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roman Grates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malik Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Grates
vs
Jackson

182 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Roman Grates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Malik Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grates gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Jackson counters with a nice body shot.
Grates is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jackson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice cross by Jackson.
Roman Grates seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Jackson enables Grates to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Jackson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Grates stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jackson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jackson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Grates is one step ahead there.
Grates trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Jackson trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson pulls Grates in close to prevent any damage.
Jackson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grates not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Grates looking to sit in guard and control but Jackson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Grates pulls Jackson in to control the position.
Jackson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Jackson stopping the sweep attempt from Grates.
Grates on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Grates tries to get out of the position.
Jackson trying to control but Grates is working from the bottom.
Grates tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grates wants to hit a switch here but Jackson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Grates there!
Grates is desperately trying to improve his position but Jackson has a good base and remains in mount.
Grates tries to hold on but Jackson pushes him away.
Grates is looking to improve his position but Jackson isn't that keen on the idea.
Jackson trying to control but Grates is having none of it.
Grates really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grates is working hard here to advance position.
Grates manages to control the position for a moment.
Jackson wants to stand but Grates is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Grates tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grates is squirming around, avoiding Jackson's attempts to control the action.
Grates is trying desperately to improve position.
Grates tries to lock up and control but Jackson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Grates really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Grates knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jackson on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson wants to control the pace but Grates is squirming around nicely.
Jackson thowing shots but they're missing.
Jackson tries to control but Grates wriggling away.
Grates is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grates is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malik Jackson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jackson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Grates fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jackson avoids it really well and circles away.
Grates takes one on the button.

It looks like Roman Grates has been cut.
Grates tries for a takedown but Jackson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Grates misses with a takedown attempt - Jackson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Grates. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Grates darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson wants to get back to full guard.
Jackson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Grates is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grates tries to free his leg and advance position but Jackson is retaining full guard.
Grates not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Grates seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Jackson for as long as he can get away with.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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 works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Grates tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jackson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Grates somewhat.
Jackson lands a nice shot that snaps Grates's head back.
Grates takes one to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jackson. Grates does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jackson cracks Grates with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Grates loads up on a big right hand but Jackson slips the punch.
Grates has his takedown stuffed

and Jackson counters with a crisp right hand that drops Grates! Jackson lets Grates back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Grates is rocked!
Grates circles to his right, straight into a beautiful hook by Jackson. Grates falls face first into the canvas - great knockout victory for Jackson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Malik Jackson!