PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kari Kaataja (ranked 4834 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Jackson (ranked 5007 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.

Kaataja
vs
Jackson

168 cm
23
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kari Kaataja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Anthony Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Robert Douchet and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaataja misses with a two punch combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Jackson! But no joy.
Jackson tries to clinch but Kaataja is having none of it.
Kaataja appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jackson slaps away a takedown attempt from Kaataja, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jackson takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Kaataja gets a clinch.

Kaataja pulls guard.
Jackson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kaataja works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kaataja knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jackson on the ground.
Kaataja can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jackson controls the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson pushing down on Kaataja's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Jackson is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaataja trying to control from the bottom.

Jackson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Kaataja tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jackson defends well and Kaataja ends up having to push Jackson into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kaataja closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jackson tries to clinch but Kaataja is having none of it.
Kaataja swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Jackson tries to bum rush Kaataja with a series of wild strikes but Kaataja uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kaataja shoots in for a double leg but Jackson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kari Kaataja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kaataja.

Jackson has managed to clinch.
Kaataja tries to pull guard but Jackson won't allow it.
Jackson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Jackson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jackson is working for takedown but Kaataja is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson tries to break free but Kaataja pushes him back against the cage.
Jackson trying to stall but Kaataja improves his position.

Kaataja pulls guard successfully.
Jackson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Jackson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jackson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Jackson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kaataja on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kaataja tries to get out of the position.

Jackson gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Jackson tries to clinch there but Kaataja circles away.
Kaataja throws a counter high kick but Jackson was just alert enough to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaataja wants to clinch but Jackson slips to the side
and Jackson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Kaataja rushes Jackson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Jackson tries to stall but Kaataja uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kaataja tries to pull guard but Jackson holds him up against the cage and eventually Kaataja drops back down to his feet.
Jackson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Jackson tries to break the clinch but Kaataja is controlling the position.
Kaataja prevents Jackson from breaking the clinch.

Kaataja manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Jackson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Jackson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kaataja, up you get!
Kaataja is breathing heavily.
Jackson swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaataja shoots in but Jackson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jackson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kaataja circles away quickly and effectively.
Kaataja looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jackson is fending him off so far but Kaataja persists. Nope, Jackson circles away and we're back to standing.
Kaataja fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jackson tries to clinch up but Kaataja circles away and keeps his distance.
Jackson throws a good cross that connects.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kaataja swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kaataja stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jackson tests Kaataja's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jackson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kaataja takes one on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kaataja moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Jackson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kaataja.
Jackson tries to clinch but Kaataja is having none of it.
Jackson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Jackson gets a clinch.
Jackson jumps guard but Kaataja turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kaataja tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jackson has Kaataja pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kaataja manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Jackson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short uppercut from Kaataja.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kaataja gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kari Kaataja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Jackson.
Kaataja tries to score a body lock takedown but Jackson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaataja changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jackson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kaataja slaps away a takedown attempt from Jackson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kari Kaataja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kaataja changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jackson tries to avoid it but Kaataja manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jackson to the ground. Jackson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kaataja on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kaataja swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.
Jackson scores with the left hand. Kaataja knows he should have avoided that one.
Kaataja shoots in but Jackson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Jackson! But no joy.
Jackson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kaataja manages to avoid it.
Kaataja tries to counter with a takedown but Jackson is quick to defend against it.
Jackson scores with a three punch combo!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.
Jackson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jackson looks to score with a jab to the body but Kaataja is just out of range.

Jackson moves into the clinch.
Jackson is pressed up against the cage. Kaataja has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jackson down to the mat. Jackson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson looks to land a combination but Kaataja avoids it well.
Jackson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kaataja dives in for a single leg takedown but Jackson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jackson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kaataja swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaataja moves in looking to clinch but Jackson pushes him off.
Kaataja takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jackson misses with a two punch combination.
Anthony Jackson seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Kaataja gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kaataja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kaataja 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 scores with a hook.
Jackson works the jab nicely.
Jackson feints a jab promting Kaataja to slip. Jackson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kaataja slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kaataja dives in and grabs Jackson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jackson pushes down on Kaataja's head and hops out.
Kaataja moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Kaataja is rocked!
Anthony Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Oh Kaataja is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jackson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kaataja seems to have got his legs back now.
Kaataja shoots and misses
and Jackson counters with a three punch combo that has Kaataja backing up. Kaataja nods at Jackson to acknowledge the strikes.
Jackson thuds his right hand into Kaataja's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Jackson scores with a hook to the body. Kaataja takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kaataja swats away the attempt to clinch by Jackson.
Kaataja tries to counter with a takedown but Jackson is quick to defend against it.
Sloppy strikes from Jackson. Those never looked like landing.
Jackson looks to land a combination. Kaataja sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Jackson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kaataja circles away.

Kaataja closes the distance and clinches.
Jackson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Kaataja breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Jackson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kaataja dives in for a single leg takedown but Jackson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jackson jabs at Kaataja's body.
Jackson misses with a wild combination.
Jackson shoots in and drives through. Kaataja sprawls well.

Jackson tries to keep at a distance but Kaataja has taken the fight into the clinch.
Jackson can't break the clinch.
Kaataja is trying to drag Jackson to the mat but Jackson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left hand lands to the body for Kaataja.
Jackson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kaataja has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaataja creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Jackson's defenses.

It looks like Anthony Jackson has been cut.

Kaataja's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jackson fails with the takedown.
Jackson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kaataja avoids a punch combination nicely.
A lazy left from Jackson finds it's target.
Kaataja tries for a takedown but Jackson circles away easily
and Jackson counters with a three punch combo that has Kaataja backing up. Kaataja nods at Jackson to acknowledge the strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kari Kaataja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson connects with a nice looking jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaataja tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jackson smiles and moves away.
Jackson lands with a nice combination. Kaataja backs away looking to recover.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A punch combination from Jackson misses.
A jab from Jackson finds it's way through Kaataja's defenses.
Jackson throws a body punch but Kaataja moves out of range.
Kaataja seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
No joy there for Kaataja, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kaataja looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jackson is fending him off so far but Kaataja persists. Nope, Jackson circles away and we're back to standing.
Kaataja will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jackson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Jackson misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jackson's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Jackson duly obliges.
Jackson tries a head kick but it misses.
Jackson wants to clinch.
Kaataja throwing a counter right hand but Jackson manages to avoid it.
Kaataja fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jackson avoids it really well and circles away.
Kaataja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jackson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kaataja fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jackson avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kaataja stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
No joy there for Jackson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kaataja.
Jackson tries to bum rush Kaataja with a series of wild strikes but Kaataja uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kaataja slips a jab and a cross from Jackson.
Jackson punishes Kaataja's body with a nice straight punch.
Anthony Jackson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jackson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kaataja fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kari Kaataja has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jackson lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight for Anthony Jackson!
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight for Anthony Jackson!
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight for Anthony Jackson!

Anthony Jackson wins by unanimous decision!