PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Mugabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Jackson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jackson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Eminem - Till I Collapse (ft. Nate Dogg). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mugabe
vs
Jackson

225 cm
23
300 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

178 cm
25
270 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Lion Fightwear

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rob Mugabe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rory Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good leg kick by Mugabe there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Mugabe looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mugabe wants to clinch but Jackson slips to the side
enabling Jackson to counter with a crisp jab.
We've been informed that Jackson has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Jackson thumps Mugabe with a low kick.
Jackson misses with a straight left.
Mugabe attempts a counter takedown but Jackson avoids it well and moves away.
Jackson blocks a head kick by Mugabe.
Jackson lands a leg kick that knocks Mugabe off balance momentarily.
Jackson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mugabe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mugabe shoots in but Jackson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jackson keeps Mugabe at a distance using the push kick.
Jackson scores with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mugabe shoots in but Jackson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jackson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Jackson misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson throws out a loose jab but Mugabe uses good head movement to avoid it.
A cross from Jackson lands.
Jackson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mugabe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mugabe half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jackson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mugabe moves away.
A lazy body kick from Jackson

and Mugabe counters with a takedown into side control.
Jackson is not content to let Mugabe control the position.
Mugabe will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sloppy strikes there by Mugabe.
Jackson dodges the ground and pound from Mugabe.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson is looking for a sweep.
Mugabe looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Jackson is avoiding damage well.
Mugabe is looking to take a break and control but Jackson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is pushing Mugabe's head away, looking to escape. Mugabe manages to hold on to the position though.
Mugabe working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jackson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mugabe controls the position.
Jackson wants to get back to his feet.
Mugabe scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Jackson to see if he's OK.
Jackson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Mugabe lands a nice forearm strike.
Mugabe in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Jackson is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is not content to let Mugabe control the position.
Mugabe 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.
Mugabe looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Jackson is avoiding damage well.
Mugabe is working Jackson over with some ground and pound from side control.
Mugabe wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jackson keeps working.
Jackson is looking to get back to his feet here but Mugabe is keeping cool and he's managed to take Jackson's back.
Jackson takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Mugabe trying to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson tries to escape the position.
Jackson breaks Mugabe's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Jackson wants to stand but Mugabe is controlling his posture from full guard.
Jackson won't allow Mugabe to sweep him here.
Mugabe has Jackson pulled in close to control his posture.
Mugabe wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rory Jackson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mugabe shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Jackson's guard.
Mugabe looking to sit in guard and control but Jackson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Jackson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Mugabe tries to clinch but Jackson moves out of range.
Mugabe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rory Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson throws a shot from downtown. Mugabe moves away and avoids it.
Jackson misses with a head kick.
Mugabe pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jackson looks to land a right hand but Mugabe moved out of range.
Rory Jackson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mugabe drops down looking for a counter takedown but Jackson sprawls and moves away.
Mugabe shoots in looking for a takedown. Jackson tries to sprawl out of it but Mugabe keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jackson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mugabe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson lands with a straight right. Mugabe didn't see that one coming.
Jackson misses with a looping left.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jackson is looking to land body kicks.
Mugabe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mugabe misses with a leg kick.
Jackson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Mugabe fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jackson, pushing him back against the cage.
Jackson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mugabe is keeping busy.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.
Rory Jackson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mugabe tries to clinch but Jackson is having none of it.
Mugabe shoots in for a double leg but Jackson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jackson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mugabe tries to close the distance and clinch but Jackson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mugabe moves away.
Jackson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Jackson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mugabe looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mugabe blocks a jab.
Jackson leaves Mugabe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rob Mugabe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mugabe wants to clinch.
Jackson just misses with a punch to the body.
Jackson throws a jab when Mugabe was well out of range.
Mugabe changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mugabe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mugabe takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Jackson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mugabe pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jackson misses with an uppercut.
Mugabe tries to counter with a takedown but Jackson is quick to defend against it.
Mugabe shoots in for a double leg but Jackson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jackson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jackson throws a hook but Mugabe avoids it easily.
Mugabe shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mugabe throws a low kick but it's checked well by Jackson.
Jackson misses with an uppercut.
Jackson scores with a sloppy right hand. Mugabe should have avoided that one.

Mugabe gets a clinch.
Mugabe gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Jackson is trying to force a seperation but Mugabe has the dominant position.
Jackson is trying to break the clinch but Mugabe is controlling him.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.
Mugabe tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a head kick but Mugabe moves out of range.

Mugabe drives through and clinches with Jackson against the cage.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Donk. Jackson catches Mugabe right on the button with a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jackson throws a hook to the side of Mugabe's head but Mugabe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jackson looks to score with a jab to the body but Mugabe is just out of range.
Mugabe feinted with a counter takedown.
Mugabe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mugabe shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Jackson sprawls well. Jackson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mugabe gets slowly back to his feet.
Mugabe slips under a jab from Jackson.
Mugabe misses with a takedown attempt - Jackson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jackson swats away the attempt to clinch by Mugabe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Jackson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jackson avoids the head kick by Mugabe.
Nice sprawl there from Jackson as Mugabe shoots in.
Jackson throws a big shot that misses.
Jackson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jackson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jackson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mugabe moves away.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mugabe takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A head kick misses from Mugabe.
Jackson throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mugabe is looking to clinch but Jackson is avoiding it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Jackson! But no joy.
Mugabe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jackson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mugabe misses with a head kick.
Jackson throws an overhand right that lands on Mugabe's shoulder, as Mugabe tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mugabe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mugabe shoots in for a takedown but Jackson shows good takedown defense.
Jackson tries to bum rush Mugabe with a series of wild strikes but Mugabe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mugabe moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.
Mugabe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jackson defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rob Mugabe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mugabe misses with a leg kick
and Jackson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jackson throws a wild body kick that Mugabe sees coming a mile off.
Jackson scores with a body shot.
Jackson throws a lazy right hand but Mugabe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Mugabe darts in and clinches Jackson up against the cage.
Mugabe throws an elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Rob Mugabe has been cut.
Jackson gets through Mugabe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Jackson dodges an elbow strike from Mugabe.
Mugabe looking to stall.
Mugabe misses with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mugabe dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Jackson breaks the clinch.
Jackson misses with a looping right.
Jackson looks to land a left hand but Mugabe moved out of range nicely.
Jackson misses with a looping left.
Mugabe tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jackson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mugabe somewhat.
Mugabe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jackson circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mugabe on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mugabe closes the distance and clinches up with Jackson, looking for a takedown. Mugabe pushes Jackson against the cage but Jackson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jackson keeps the fight on the outside.
Jackson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mugabe avoids the body shot from Jackson.
A nice inside leg kick there by Jackson. That's going to slow Mugabe down.
A big right from Jackson misses.
Jackson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mugabe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Jackson throws a jab when Mugabe was well out of range.
Mugabe appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jackson scores with a jab. Mugabe acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mugabe shoots in and drives through. Jackson sprawls well.
Jackson feints a counter leg kick.
Mugabe slips a jab from Jackson.
Jackson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Jackson throws a hook to the side of Mugabe's head but Mugabe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mugabe changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson thows a body kick. Mugabe tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Mugabe takes one on the button.
Jackson stuns Mugabe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Jackson gets caught flat footed, as Mugabe shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Jackson is controlling Mugabe's posture.
Mugabe prevents Jackson from getting back to his feet.
Mugabe looking to pass the guard.
Jackson managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Jackson really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rob Mugabe's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A big right from Jackson misses.
Mugabe appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jackson throws a big shot that misses.
Jackson scoring well with a low kick there.
Jackson lands a nice shot that snaps Mugabe's head back.
Mugabe takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jackson slaps away a takedown attempt from Mugabe, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jackson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Jackson, right into the meat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mugabe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jackson throws out the jab.
Mugabe checks a leg kick.
Jackson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mugabe goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Jackson, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mugabe sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mugabe tries to clinch up but Jackson circles away and keeps his distance.
Mugabe shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jackson as he jumps to the side.
Jackson feints a counter leg kick.
Jackson misses with a straight right.
Mugabe changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Jackson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mugabe doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Mugabe blocks a jab.
A shot to the liver by Jackson. Beautiful body shot.
Jackson takes a swing at Mugabe's ribcage but misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Mugabe blocks the leg kick.
Jackson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mugabe's sensitive parts.
Jackson misses with a few strikes there.
Mugabe half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mugabe ducks under a wild hook from Jackson.
Jackson misses with a low kick.
Mugabe wants to clinch but Jackson slips to the side
and Jackson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jackson misses with a wild body shot.
Jackson misses with a hook.
Mugabe slips under a jab from Jackson.
Mugabe half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jackson motions for Mugabe to come forward. Jackson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mugabe shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Jackson sprawls well. Jackson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mugabe gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rob Mugabe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson throws a hook but Mugabe avoids it easily.

Mugabe has closed the distance and engaged Jackson in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jackson can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Jackson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mugabes head.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mugabe shoots in but Jackson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mugabe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jackson.
Mugabe with a lazy takedown attempt
and Jackson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jackson lands with a straight right. Mugabe didn't see that one coming.
Jackson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Jackson missing with a left hand there. Mugabe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mugabe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jackson.
Jackson scores with a shot to the body.
Mugabe takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Jackson throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Jackson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Mugabe counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Jackson!
Rob Mugabe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mugabe trying to control the position but Jackson is working away.
Jackson is looking for a sweep.
Mugabe lands a decent elbow from side control.
Mugabe misses with the ground and pound.
Jackson wants to control but Mugabe postures up.
Mugabe tries to move into full mount but can't pass Jackson's legs.
Jackson wants to control but Mugabe postures up.

Jackson sneaks out the side door and pushes Mugabe away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Jackson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Rob Mugabe's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mugabe wants to clinch.
Jackson throws a leg kick that misses.
Jackson misses with a lunging right hand

and Mugabe counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mugabe.
Jackson controlling Mugabe's posture.
Let's hope that Jackson has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mugabe won't allow Jackson to get back to his feet.
Jackson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Mugabe wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mugabe stays in close to Jackson's body and controls the position.
Mugabe is looking to work some ground and pound but Jackson has wrist control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Mugabe postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Mugabe closes the distance and clinches.
Jackson blocks an elbow strike.
Mugabe pushes off an throws an elbow but Jackson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rob Mugabe has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Jackson manages to break the clinch.
Mugabe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jackson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mugabe tries for a takedown but Jackson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mugabe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jackson let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Jackson misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mugabe 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.
Mugabe avoids the body shot from Jackson.
A decent looking cross lands there for Jackson.
Jackson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mugabe fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mugabe fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rob Mugabe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson dips to his left and cracks Mugabe with an uppercut!
Jackson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A nice inside leg kick there by Jackson. That's going to slow Mugabe down.
Mugabe fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rory Jackson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mugabes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Mugabe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jackson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mugabe wants to clinch.
Mugabe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mugabe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mugabe takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jackson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Jackson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mugabe has closed the distance and engaged Jackson in a clinch.
Mugabe is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Jackson avoids a wild elbow strike from Mugabe.
Jackson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Jackson.
Mugabe misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Jackson.
Mugabe throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mugabe keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jackson's efforts to push away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mugabe creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rob Mugabe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Mugabe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rory Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jackson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 46:50
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rory Jackson!
Rory Jackson is the new super heavyweight champion!
Rory Jackson bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.