PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Freddy Jackson (ranked 2012 p4p, 2844 weight class) and Aaron Sparrow (ranked 291 p4p, 382 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
Sparrow

187 cm
25
178
3 - 1 - 0

179 cm
25
178
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Freddy Jackson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aaron Sparrow!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Matheus Silva and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sparrow decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Jackson controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Sparrow postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Jackson to stand up.
Sparrow tried to score with a low kick but Jackson checks it.

Sparrow throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Jackson was covering up waiting for the punch and Sparrow finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Jackson pushes Sparrow off and gets back to his feet.
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!

Sparrow darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Jackson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Sparrow is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Sparrow is looking for a kimura here.
Jackson is looking for a sweep. Sparrow is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've been hearing good reports from Jackson'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.
Sparrow uses his free foot to push down on Jackson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Jackson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sparrow prevents Jackson from getting the reversal.
Sparrow unloads with some shots from mount but Jackson bucks and avoids them well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson is trying desperately to improve position.

Sparrow with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Jackson tries to hold on but Sparrow pushes him away.
Sparrow looking to finish Jackson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Jackson!
Sparrow tries to control but Jackson wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sparrow with the ground and pound from mount.
Jackson is trying to escape the mount.
Jackson tries to lock up and control but Sparrow gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sparrow trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Jackson tries to lock up and control but Sparrow gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sparrow controlling his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sparrow lands a couple of good shots and Jackson has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sparrow really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Jackson.

Sparrow has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Jackson tries to break free.
Jackson trying to control the hands but Sparrow breaks the grip.
Sparrow tries to keep control of the position but Jackson is staying busy.

Jackson defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Sparrow's arms.
Sparrow trying to control momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Sparrow dominated that round.
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.

Sparrow clinches up against the cage.

Jackson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sparrow has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sparrow is defended easily by Jackson.
Jackson shoots in looking for a takedown but Sparrow manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jackson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Sparrow clinches.
Sparrow tries to pull guard but Jackson won't allow it.
Jackson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Jackson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson has managed to clinch.
Sparrow is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jackson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Freddy Jackson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Sparrow.

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

Jackson scores with a takedown into Sparrow's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sparrow is on top in guard.

Sparrow pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jackson is keeping the position for now.
Sparrow scoring with some ground and pound.
Sparrow postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jackson has his feet on Sparrow's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Sparrow throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Jackson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sparrow is in Jackson's guard.
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!
Jackson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jackson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Sparrow postures up.
Sparrow makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Jackson striking off his back but it's not causing Sparrow any problems.
Sparrow is stalling in the full guard.
Sparrow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson keeping moving, preventing Sparrow from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jackson looks to land a combination but Sparrow avoids it well.
Sparrow feints the counter takedown.
Jackson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sparrow tries to avoid it but Jackson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sparrow to the ground. Sparrow escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sparrow doesn't manage to clinch there - Jackson circles away.
Jackson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sparrow.
Jackson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Jackson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sparrow lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Sparrow moves into the clinch.
Jackson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sparrow pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sparrow shoots in but no luck this time.

Sparrow feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Jackson uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.
Sparrow shoots in but no luck this time.

Jackson has Sparrow up against the cage in a clinch.
Sparrow is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jackson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sparrow throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sparrow has Jackson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jackson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Jackson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sparrow has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Sparrow breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sparrow throws a jab but it's blocked by Jackson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Freddy Jackson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Jackson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Jackson shoots for a takedown but Sparrow saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A combination from Sparrow does no damage.
Sparrow slips a jab and a cross from Jackson.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sparrow.
Jackson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sparrow tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jackson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sparrow somewhat.
Freddy Jackson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jackson darts in looking for a takedown but Sparrow gets double underhooks and turns Jackson into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson prevents a body shot from Sparrow.
Sparrow tries to pull guard but Jackson holds him up against the cage and eventually Sparrow drops back down to his feet.

Sparrow manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson clinches.

Sparrow gets control of Jackson's arms and successfully pulls guard. Sparrow will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sparrow is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Jackson trying to control but Sparrow is working from the bottom.
Jackson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aaron Sparrow has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jackson is stalling in the full guard.

Sparrow working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jackson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jackson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sparrow keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
Jackson is pushing down on Sparrow's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sparrow is fighting to maintain full guard but Jackson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sparrow is staying active underneath Jackson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Jackson wants to stand but Sparrow has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Sparrow is looking to improve his position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jackson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sparrow sprawls well initially but Jackson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Jackson wants to stand up but Sparrow is controlling the position.
Jackson controlling the pace.
Jackson is looking to advance position but Sparrow won't allow it.
Sparrow tries to get to full guard but Jackson has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson wants to take a breather but Sparrow is having none of it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Jackson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sparrow is looking to control Jackson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sparrow avoid being mounted?

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jackson tries to clinch up.
Despite the aggression on Sparrow's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Jackson moves into range and clinches up with Sparrow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sparrow takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Jackson is pushing Sparrow up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Freddy Jackson.
I think Jackson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Freddy Jackson!