PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Miko Haapala (ranked 3823 p4p, 3980 weight class) and Demarcus Jackson (ranked 357 p4p, 365 weight class). Haapala comes to the cage accompanied by Jääkärimarssi. Demarcus Jackson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Haapala
vs
Jackson

160 cm
25
147
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
21
147
3 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Finnish Elite Extreme Science
Helsinki Xtreme Fightwear

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Miko Haapala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Demarcus Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Nard Betker and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson scoring well with a low kick there.
Haapala could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Jackson clinches up with Haapala and pushes him back against the cage.
Jackson misses with a knee to the head.
Haapala is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jackson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jackson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Haapala backwards.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Jackson effectively controlling the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jackson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Haapala counters with a nice double leg into side control. Jackson won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson is trying to get back to half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Haapala's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Jackson is trying to control Haapala's posture but Haapala avoids it.
Haapala misses with the ground and pound.
Jackson regains half guard.

Haapala is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Jackson is just riding it out for now. Haapala eventually gives up the hold.

Jackson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Jackson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Haapala scores with a couple of nice shots.

Jackson actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haapala is nestled in close to Jackson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Jackson manages to get to full guard.
Jackson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Haapala tries to free his leg and advance position but Jackson is retaining full guard.
Haapala throwing strikes from guard but Jackson blocks nicely.
Jackson working a defensive guard here.
Jackson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Haapala.
Haapala might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Haapala preventing the sweep.
Jackson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Jackson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Jackson is trying to control the action in half guard but Haapala is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Haapala defends it well.
Jackson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haapala keeps working.
Jackson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jackson is taking a breather. Haapala says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Jackson is keen to just control but Haapala is a slippery customer.

Jackson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Haapala defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Haapala wants to get back to full guard.
Jackson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Haapala defending well though.
Jackson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Haapala is staying active underneath Jackson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Jackson is trying to work for a kimura but Haapala is defending well.
Jackson thows a huge punch but Haapala dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Demarcus Jackson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jackson scores with a jab to the body.
Haapala has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Haapala there as he acknowledges the shot.

Jackson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Haapala can't get the takedown.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jackson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jackson thuds a left hand into Haapala's body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Jackson darts in and clinches Haapala up against the cage.
Haapala tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Jackson just stands there and leans against the cage.

Jackson gets control of Haapala's arms and successfully pulls guard. Jackson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Haapala defends it easily.

Jackson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Haapala gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Jackson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Jackson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Haapala can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jackson keeping full guard, as Haapala tries to pass.

Jackson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Haapala doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Jackson is tightening it up a little... Haapala has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Haapala reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Haapala taps out! Nice BJJ there by Jackson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Demarcus Jackson!
Our winner, Demarcus Jackson, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
The defeated Miko Haapala had this to say: 'He won... thanks Helsinki'.