PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rico Van-Plant (ranked 3046 p4p, 3355 weight class) and Black Lives Jackson (ranked 372 p4p, 407 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Van-Plant
vs
Jackson

183 cm
23
174
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
26
183
7 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Un-Kaged Nutrition

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Rico Van-Plant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Black Lives Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Van-Plant shoots in and gets a takedown into Jackson's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Jackson holds on and takes a little breather.
Van-Plant wants to control from the top but Jackson keeps moving.

Jackson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jackson working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Van-Plant wants to pass the guard but Jackson is keeping the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van-Plant accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Van-Plant postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jackson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Van-Plant, into his guard.

Jackson pushing down on Van-Plant's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Van-Plant won't allow Jackson to pass to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van-Plant tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van-Plant throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Jackson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Jackson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Van-Plant 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.
Van-Plant is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van-Plant preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Van-Plant tries to roll over but Jackson keeps him under control.
Van-Plant is staying active underneath Jackson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Jackson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Van-Plant has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jackson is looking to take a break and control but Van-Plant is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jackson wants to free his trapped foot but Van-Plant is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van-Plant flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Jackson is thwarting Van-Plant's attempts to control the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Van-Plant is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jackson pulls his head out easily.

Jackson is looking for a kimura but Van-Plant is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Jackson to get the leverage.
Van-Plant wants to improve his position but Jackson is controlling well.
Jackson is looking to take a break and control but Van-Plant is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jackson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Van-Plant.
Van-Plant shoots in for a takedown but Jackson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Black Lives Jackson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Jackson clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Van-Plant backwards.
Van-Plant takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Rico Van-Plant has been cut.
Jackson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Van-Plant in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Jackson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Van-Plant.
Jackson scores with a knee to the head.
Jackson crunches a lovely knee into Van-Plant's ribcage.
Van-Plant has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jackson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rico Van-Plant. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jackson stops a takedown attempt from Van-Plant.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jackson misses with a knee to the head.
Van-Plant doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Van-Plant tries to score a body lock takedown but Jackson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Van-Plant goes for a takedown in the clinch but Jackson prevents it.
Van-Plant is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jackson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Black Lives Jackson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rico Van-Plant's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Van-Plant gets a clinch.
Jackson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Van-Plant tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jackson unloads a knee to the mid-section. Van-Plant lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Jackson pulls guard.
Jackson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Van-Plant got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jackson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Van-Plant has managed to get both his arms back between Jackson's legs - danger averted.
Van-Plant tries to stand but Jackson is controlling from the bottom.
Jackson looking for a sweep. Not yet Jackson, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Van-Plant is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Jackson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Jackson has escaped and now he's on top!

Van-Plant is trying to control the position but Jackson postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Van-Plant looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jackson is one step ahead there.
Van-Plant seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Black Lives Jackson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Van-Plant working a defensive guard here.

Van-Plant throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Van-Plant is looking to stand up but Jackson isn't so interested in that idea.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Van-Plant keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Van-Plant looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jackson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Van-Plant bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jackson's guard.

Jackson is looking for a triangle but Van-Plant pushes his legs off easily.
Van-Plant stops Jackson from standing up.
Jackson has Van-Plant pulled in close to control his posture.
Van-Plant wants to stand but Jackson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Van-Plant stopping the sweep attempt from Jackson.
Jackson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van-Plant has gone for a leg lock! Jackson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Van-Plant's guard.

Van-Plant keeping full guard, as Jackson tries to pass.
Van-Plant is looking to sweep but instead, Jackson has passed into half guard.
Van-Plant is looking for a sweep. Jackson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Jackson stalling away here and it's allowed Van-Plant to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Van-Plant looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jackson is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is looking to advance position but Van-Plant has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Van-Plant tries to control but Jackson wriggling away.
Van-Plant prevents Jackson from getting the reversal.
Jackson tries to hold on but Van-Plant pushes him away.
Jackson is trying desperately to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jackson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Van-Plant tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Jackson tries to hold on but Van-Plant postures up.
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 Rico Van-Plant will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rico Van-Plant's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Jackson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Van-Plant, pushing him back against the cage.
Van-Plant is looking for a takedown.

Jackson gets control of Van-Plant's arms and successfully pulls guard. Jackson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Van-Plant wants to stand but Jackson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Jackson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jackson is adopting a defensive guard.
Jackson working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van-Plant stops Jackson from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van-Plant slips nicely into half guard.
Van-Plant prevents Jackson from standing back up.
Van-Plant tries to pass to full mount but Jackson defends it.

Van-Plant is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jackson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Van-Plant.
Van-Plant is keen to just control but Jackson is a slippery customer.
Van-Plant tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Jackson gets full guard.

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.
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.

Van-Plant tries to roll over but Jackson keeps him under control.
Jackson content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Van-Plant is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Jackson pulls his head out easily.

Van-Plant actively working from the bottom here.
Van-Plant throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Van-Plant looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van-Plant punching from the bottom.
Jackson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Jackson is trying to take his opponent's back.
Jackson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Jackson looking to control and managing it successfully.

Jackson working for a submission but Van-Plant is keeping him at bay.
Van-Plant is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Van-Plant is looking to escape.

Jackson jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Van-Plant manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Van-Plant can't do much from the bottom here.

Jackson is trying to get an arm triangle but Van-Plant is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Jackson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

And that's the end of the fight!
Black Lives Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jackson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Black Lives Jackson!
Black Lives Jackson very nearly forgot to thank Un-Kaged Nutrition amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.