PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Corbin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Jackson
vs
Corbin

187 cm
26
180 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

178 cm
26
160 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Michael Jackson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, William Corbin!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Winston Alpacca and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson is looking to clinch.
Jackson tries to clinch but Corbin is having none of it.
Corbin tries to counter by closing the distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jackson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Michael Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Corbin looks to score with a jab to the body but Jackson is just out of range.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Corbin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jackson staying out of range there.
Jackson slips under a jab from Corbin.
Corbin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jackson seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Jackson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Corbin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Corbin tries to counter with a clinch but Jackson shakes him off and moves away.

Corbin has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson stalling.
Jackson digs a right hand into Corbin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Corbin's gas tank.
Corbin pressing his opponent against the cage.
A short uppercut from Jackson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson misses with some punches.
A short right from Jackson.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Corbin uses good head movement to avoid it.
A shot in the inside from Jackson.
Corbin looking to stall.
Jackson looking to stall.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Jackson.
The referee calls for Jackson to work.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Jackson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Jackson lands a body punch.
Corbin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Corbin.
Corbin tries to stall but Jackson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Corbin takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Corbin stalling the fight.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Corbin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Corbin as Jackson tries to tie him up.
Jackson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Corbin backwards.
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!
Corbin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Jackson up against the cage.
Jackson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Corbin.
Corbin taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by William Corbin.
Jackson is looking to clinch.
Jackson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Corbin swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.

Jackson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Corbin blocking some punches.
Corbin's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Corbin throws a punch but it's blocked by Jackson.
Corbin has Jackson pushed against the cage.
Corbin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Corbin taking a breather.
Corbin blocking some punches.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Corbin.
Corbin stalling against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Corbin turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Jackson can't do much from the bottom here.
Corbin lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Corbin working the ground and pound but Jackson is defending the strikes.
Corbin works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Corbin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Corbin in side control lands a decent elbow.
Jackson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Corbin working the ground and pound from side control.
Corbin scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Jackson to see if he's OK.
Corbin creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Corbin looks up at the clock and then as Jackson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Corbin smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but William Corbin will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jackson has managed to clinch.

Corbin decides to pull guard.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Corbin keeps moving.
Corbin wants to sweep but no luck.
Corbin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Corbin wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Jackson stopping the sweep attempt from Corbin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Corbin trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson fails with an attempt to clinch.

Jackson closes the distance and clinches.
Jackson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Jackson stalling the fight.
Jackson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jackson misses with a punch on the inside.
Jackson letting Corbin take a breather here.
Corbin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Corbin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
Corbin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Corbin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Corbin is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by William Corbin.
Jackson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Corbin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Corbin slows down the pace here.
Corbin stalling the fight.
Corbin's coach down at Island Top Team was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Corbin's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Corbin.
The referee calls for Corbin to work.
The crowd are getting on Corbin's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Corbin is pushing Jackson up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by William Corbin.

Corbin moves into range and clinches up with Jackson.
Corbin effectively controlling the action here.
A body shot lands from Jackson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson lands an uppercut.
Corbin controlling the action here for a moment.
A short right from Jackson.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Corbin.
A hook to the body from Jackson.
Jackson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Corbin slowing the pace effectively.
Jackson struggles to land a body shot inside as Corbin controls his hands.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jackson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jackson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Corbin has Jackson pushed against the cage.
Jackson scores with a hook to the body.
Corbin trying to stall but Jackson improves his position.
Corbin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Corbin seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Jackson lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Corbin tries to pull guard but Jackson won't allow it.
Jackson working aggressively here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jackson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Corbin backwards.
Corbin looking to slow down the pace here.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Corbin.
A short right from Jackson on the inside.
Jackson struggles to land a body shot inside as Corbin controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Corbin stalling.
Corbin receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Jackson gets through Corbin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Corbin.
Jackson lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jackson pushes Corbin up against the cage in a clinch.
Corbin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Corbin is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jackson misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short body shot lands from Jackson as the two fighters clinch.
Corbin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Corbin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Jackson is keeping busy.
Corbin looking to slow down the pace here.
Corbin wants to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by William Corbin.

Corbin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Jackson sprawls well initially but Corbin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Corbin seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Jackson wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corbin looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Corbin 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.
Jackson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jackson tries to get out of the position.
Corbin controlling the action here.
Jackson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Corbin.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Corbin lands a nice short elbow.
Corbin has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Corbin prevents Jackson from getting the reversal.
Corbin scoring with strikes but Jackson is staying in there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corbin with a couple of short strikes.
Corbin lands a nice shot to the head.
Corbin scoring with strikes but Jackson is staying in there.
Corbin punishing his opponent with strikes.
Corbin postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Jackson looks a forlorn figure.
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!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Corbin cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Corbin with a couple of short strikes.
Corbin has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Jackson's face.
Corbin putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The referee warns Jackson that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corbin lands a big elbow.
Jackson tries to hold on but Corbin pushes him away.
Corbin looking to finish Jackson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Jackson!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson is desperately trying to improve his position but Corbin has a good base and remains in mount.
Corbin lands a nice shot to the head.
Jackson is bucking up trying to escape but Corbin cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Corbin scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Jackson?
Corbin dominating with strikes here.
Corbin controlling from mount.
Corbin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Corbin dominating with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Corbin connects with a massive shot to the dome!
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!
Corbin fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Corbin with a couple of short strikes.

Jackson is rocked!
BOOM! Corbin connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Oh Jackson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Corbin lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
William Corbin has got the better of the ground game so far.
BOOM! Corbin connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Corbin working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Corbin postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Jackson in real trouble here! The ref calls for Jackson to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). William Corbin!
William Corbin is the new welterweight champion!