PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rulon Gardner (ranked 1738 p4p, 1573 weight class) and Akamaru Jackson (ranked 193 p4p, 180 weight class). Gardner's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Stay Fly- The Imortal, Three 6 Mafia. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Gardner
vs
Jackson

190 cm
25
250
4 - 1 - 0

192 cm
25
280
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

White Gorilla
PWNAGE™

PWNAGE™
White Gorilla

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rulon Gardner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akamaru Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Eddie Farnsworth and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jackson swings widly with a right hand
and Gardner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Jackson throws a lazy uppercut
and Gardner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jackson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gardner's waist but Gardner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Jackson off to one side.
Jackson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gardner was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Jackson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gardner tries to avoid it but Jackson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gardner to the ground. Gardner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rulon Gardner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akamaru Jackson.
Jackson doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Gardner to counter with a crisp jab.

Gardner gets caught napping as Jackson dives in and scores a takedown. Gardner manages to retain guard.
Gardner wants to stand and escape but Jackson is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson trying to control but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Gardner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jackson.

Gardner scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jackson fails to land the takedown.

Jackson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gardner tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Jackson is in Gardner's guard.
Jackson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jackson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Jackson looking to pass the guard.
Jackson stops Gardner from standing up.
Gardner knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jackson on the ground.
Jackson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jackson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gardner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jackson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gardner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Jackson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jackson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jackson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jackson prevents Gardner from getting back to his feet.
Jackson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Gardner pushes Jackson off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Jackson goes for a double leg but Gardner avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gardner continues to drive forward.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jackson shoots in looking for a takedown. Gardner tries to sprawl out of it but Jackson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gardner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson misses with a takedown
and Gardner counters with a stiff right hand.
Jackson closes the distance and clinches up with Gardner, looking for a takedown. Jackson pushes Gardner against the cage but Gardner circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gardner stuffs the takedown.
An attempted straight right counter from Gardner misses the target.
Gardner slaps away a takedown attempt from Jackson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've been informed that Jackson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Jackson dives in and grabs Gardner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gardner pushes down on Jackson's head and hops out.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gardner as he avoids it easily.
Akamaru Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jackson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gardner circles away.
Gardner throwing a counter right hand but Jackson manages to avoid it.
Gardner slaps away a takedown attempt from Jackson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jackson looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner misses with a looping right.
Gardner swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Jackson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Jackson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Jackson lands with a punch from half guard.
Gardner looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ground and pound from Jackson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gardner is trying to stand up here but Jackson is controlling him well.
Gardner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gardner pushes Jackson off looking to stand but Jackson dives back in and keeps control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rulon Gardner dominated that round.
That's time! Gardner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jackson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gardner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gardner slaps away a takedown attempt from Jackson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gardner slaps away a takedown attempt from Jackson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
It looked like Gardner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rulon Gardner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akamaru Jackson.
Jackson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gardner swivels and escapes.
Gardner throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Gardner here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Jackson shoots for a double leg takedown but Gardner sprawls well. He's pushed Jackson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice sprawl there from Gardner as Jackson shoots in.
A little feinted left hand from Gardner on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rulon Gardner is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson misses with a takedown attempt - Gardner sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gardner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gardner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jackson can do to turn this around?
Jackson is breathing heavily.

Jackson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Gardner quickly recovers to half guard.
Gardner taking some punishment here, with Jackson in his half guard.
Jackson is trying to control. Gardner wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gardner tries to kick Jackson off but Jackson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Jackson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Jackson prevents Gardner from standing back up.
Jackson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson prevents Gardner from standing back up.
Gardner trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Gardner is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jackson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Jackson stops Gardner from getting back to his feet.
Jackson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson stops Gardner from getting back to his feet.
Gardner on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gardner tries to get out of the position.
Jackson misses with a head shot. Gardner uses the momentum to regain guard.
Jackson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Jackson with a flurry of punches that miss.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Jackson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gardner's head.
Jackson is looking to work some ground and pound but Gardner has wrist control.
Jackson distracts Gardner with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Jackson stands up over Gardner, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson landing some decent shots from guard.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Gardner is keeping the position.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gardner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Gardner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gardner throwing a counter right hand but Jackson manages to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Jackson.
Jackson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jackson shoots in looking for a takedown. Gardner tries to sprawl out of it but Jackson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gardner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gardner seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson avoids the body shot from Gardner.
Gardner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jackson.
Gardner swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It looked like Gardner was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Jackson.
Gardner works the jab nicely.

It looks like Akamaru Jackson has been cut.
Jackson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gardner finds it's way round the side to connect with Jackson's head.
Gardner misses with a hook. Jackson ducked under it nicely.
Gardner slaps away a takedown attempt from Jackson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Gardner circles away easily
and Gardner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gardner throws a body punch but Jackson moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rulon Gardner dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Akamaru Jackson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gardner looks to throw the jab but Jackson is out of range.
Jackson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gardner counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Jackson shoots for a double leg takedown but Gardner sprawls well. He's pushed Jackson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Jackson scores with a takedown into Gardner's guard.
Jackson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gardner is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gardner keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Gardner is keeping the position.
Gardner working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jackson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jackson stops Gardner from standing up.
Akamaru Jackson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jackson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gardner wants to get back to his feet but Jackson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Jackson throwing strikes from guard but Gardner blocks nicely.
Jackson stands up over Gardner, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gardner is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jackson landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gardner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jackson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gardner.
Jackson dives in and grabs Gardner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gardner pushes down on Jackson's head and hops out.
Rulon Gardner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akamaru Jackson.
Gardner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jackson.
Jackson misses with a takedown
and Gardner counters with a nice uppercut.
Jackson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jackson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Gardner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Gardner on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gardner throws out a powerful jab.
Gardner swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gardner looks to throw the jab but Jackson is out of range.
Gardner looks to throw the jab but Jackson is out of range.
Jackson misses the jab.

Jackson 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 working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gardner is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gardner can't keep his opponent in guard - Jackson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gardner looks like he's trying to stand up.
Jackson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Jackson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Jackson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gardner has hold of Jackson's hands but Jackson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Jackson stops Gardner from getting back to his feet.
Jackson with the ground and pound but Gardner uses the opportunity to regain guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Akamaru Jackson just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Akamaru Jackson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gardner as he avoids it easily.
Jackson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gardner counters with a straight right hand.

Jackson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gardner was covering up waiting for the punch and Jackson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Jackson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gardner wants to stand up but Jackson is controlling him.
Jackson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gardner manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Gardner takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Jackson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gardner prevents it.
Rulon Gardner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akamaru Jackson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson goes for a takedown attempt but Gardner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Jackson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
No luck for Jackson with that takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gardner enables Jackson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gardner manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Gardner is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jackson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Jackson stops Gardner from standing up.
Jackson is looking to work some ground and pound but Gardner has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gardner's head.
Jackson prevents Gardner from getting back to his feet.
Jackson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Jackson chips away with some ground and pound.
Jackson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jackson won't allow Gardner to get back to his feet.
Jackson works over Gardner with some ground and pound from guard.
Jackson stands up over Gardner, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Jackson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a big elbow that misses.
Jackson throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jackson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gardner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jackson.
A little feinted left hand from Gardner on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Jackson missing with a left hand there. Gardner was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Jackson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gardner was covering up waiting for the punch and Jackson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Jackson working some strikes from top position.
Jackson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jackson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gardner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jackson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jackson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jackson throws an elbow that misses. Gardner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jackson's guard. Nice move by Gardner!

Gardner is working Jackson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
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.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jackson connects with a nice short shot to Gardner's temple.
Jackson is nestled in close to Gardner, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akamaru Jackson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Akamaru Jackson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Jackson scores with a takedown into Gardner's guard.
Jackson postures up in Gardner's guard and throws a big left but Gardner blocks it.
Jackson distracts Gardner with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Jackson passes Gardner's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Jackson drops an elbow to the side of Gardner's head.
Jackson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Jackson wants to take a breather but Gardner is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jackson throwing shots but Gardner is blocking nicely.
Jackson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Jackson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gardner defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner wants to get back to his feet.
Jackson is controlling the pace.
Jackson throwing shots but Gardner is blocking nicely.
Jackson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Gardner is looking to escape.

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.
Jackson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gardner defending well though.
Jackson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jackson misses with a takedown
and Gardner makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Jackson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gardner's half guard.
Nice strikes from Jackson there.
Jackson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gardner avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jackson.
Gardner won't allow Jackson to pass to mount.
Jackson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson trying to control the pace.
Gardner is refusing to be controlled, as Jackson sits in half guard.
Jackson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Jackson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ground and pound from Jackson.
Gardner is trying to stand back up but Jackson is controlling him
Jackson wants to pass the guard but Gardner is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Jackson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jackson slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gardner stuffs the takedown attempt from Jackson. Jackson gets slowly back to his feet.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gardner as he avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Gardner on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rulon Gardner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akamaru Jackson.
Jackson shoots in and drives through. Gardner sprawls well.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gardner but Gardner pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A little feinted left hand from Gardner on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jackson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gardner.
Jackson fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akamaru Jackson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jackson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 48:48
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 48:48
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Oh dear, what a disastrous situation! The belt remains unclaimed and both fighters go home unhappy!