PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rulon Gardner (ranked 1893 p4p, 1714 weight class) and Akamaru Jackson (ranked 208 p4p, 191 weight class). Gardner comes to the cage accompanied by Stay Fly- The Imortal, Three 6 Mafia. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gardner
vs
Jackson

190 cm
25
250
4 - 1 - 1

192 cm
25
280
3 - 0 - 1

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
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 - 1, 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 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akamaru Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Gregory Folan and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardner throws a hook but Jackson blocks it.

Jackson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Jackson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
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 won't allow Jackson to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardner trying to control but Jackson is working from the bottom.
Gardner in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gardner landing with the ground and pound.
Jackson has control of Gardner's left arm, preventing Gardner from doing any damage.
Gardner knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jackson on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jackson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gardner is looking to stand up but Jackson won't let him.
Jackson has Gardner pulled in close to control his posture.
Jackson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gardner's guard.

Jackson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gardner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jackson looking to pass the guard.
Gardner wants to get back to his feet but Jackson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Jackson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Jackson trying to control but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Jackson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jackson passes Gardner's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Jackson content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Jackson trying to control the action but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Jackson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gardner wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Akamaru Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jackson tries for a takedown but Gardner circles away easily
and Gardner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Jackson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Gardner quickly recovers to half guard.
Jackson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Jackson.
Jackson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jackson thows a huge punch but Gardner dodges it nicely.
Jackson throwing shots but Gardner is blocking nicely.
Jackson lands strikes from half guard.
Jackson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jackson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gardner with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Jackson is looking to take a break and control but Gardner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jackson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gardner is trying to stand up here but Jackson is controlling him well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jackson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Jackson is trying to control. Gardner wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akamaru Jackson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jackson shoots in for a takedown but Gardner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gardner tried to counter with a leg kick but Jackson avoided it.
Jackson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Jackson shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gardner napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gardner wants to get back to his feet.
Jackson is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Gardner will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Jackson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gardner dodges the ground and pound from Jackson.
We've been informed that Jackson has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson in side control, throwing shots but Gardner defends.
Jackson slows the pace down.
Gardner managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Jackson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Jackson.
Jackson taking a breather here.
Gardner wants to get back to his feet but Jackson is dominant here and he's now got Gardner's back!
Jackson somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Jackson is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Jackson gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Jackson gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Jackson apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Gardner connects with a body shot.

Jackson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Gardner's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.
Jackson connects with a couple of short punches.
Jackson throwing strikes but missing.
Jackson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gardner is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Jackson dives into side control.
Check out the look on Jackson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Jackson grinds an elbow into Gardner's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner defending against the ground and pound.
The referee asks Jackson politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Jackson prefers to stall for the moment though.
The strikes coming from Jackson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Jackson working the head with strikes.
Gardner prevents Jackson from improving position.
Jackson working the body and head with strikes.
Jackson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson working the body and head with strikes.
Jackson takes a little break here. Gardner wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Jackson scores with a couple of short elbows.
Jackson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Jackson cracks Gardner with a big elbow.
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 working the ground and pound.
Jackson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Gardner is rocked!
Jackson trying to control the position but Gardner is working away.
Oh Gardner is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jackson looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Gardner is avoiding damage well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Akamaru Jackson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gardner as he jumps to the side.
Gardner seems to have got his legs back now.
Jackson shoots in but Gardner avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jackson or perhaps it was just good defense by Gardner, which made it look bad.
Gardner throws a big counter combination but Jackson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Rulon Gardner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akamaru Jackson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson dives in and grabs Gardner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gardner pushes down on Jackson's head and hops out.
Gardner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jackson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner lands a jab to the head.
Gardner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jackson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jackson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gardner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gardner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jackson.
Gardner seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Jackson shoots in but Gardner avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gardner gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Gardner uses the cage to get 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!
Gardner throws a poor cross that misses

so Jackson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gardner is looking to stand back up but Jackson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Gardner.

Jackson is trying to control. Gardner wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner is looking to escape.
Jackson slips a nice elbow through Gardner's hands, connecting with Gardner's forehead.
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.
Jackson prevents Gardner from standing back up.
Jackson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Jackson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Jackson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gardner with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Jackson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Jackson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Gardner tries to kick Jackson off but Jackson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throwing shots but Gardner is blocking nicely.
Gardner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Jackson there.
Jackson controlling the action here.
Jackson trying to control the action but Gardner is working from the bottom.
Jackson lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gardner is trying to stand back up but Jackson is controlling him
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Rulon Gardner did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice sprawl there from Gardner as Jackson shoots in.
Gardner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jackson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gardner.
And Jackson tries to counter it with a takedown but Gardner pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Jackson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Jackson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Gardner wants to get back to his feet but Jackson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jackson postures up and lands a big shot to Gardner's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Gardner wants to stand and escape but Jackson is having none of it.
Jackson wants to control from the top but Gardner keeps moving.
Jackson scoring with some ground and pound.
Jackson lands a couple of digs.
Jackson content to stall in guard here.
Gardner keeping moving, preventing Jackson from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Jackson postures up in Gardner's guard and throws a big left but Gardner blocks it.
Jackson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gardner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gardner is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Jackson is controlling him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown but Gardner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
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.
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.
Gardner cracks Jackson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gardner looks to score with a jab to the body but Jackson is just out of range.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Jackson slips a straight right by Gardner.
Jackson darts in looking for a takedown but Gardner gets double underhooks and turns Jackson into the cage.
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 misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner lunges at Jackson with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Jackson's hand.
Gardner is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Jackson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gardner as he avoids it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jackson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Gardner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rulon Gardner had his way with Akamaru Jackson in 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. This is the final round!

Gardner slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gardner misses with a straight left.
And Jackson tries to counter it with a takedown but Gardner pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Jackson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gardner swivels and escapes.
Gardner is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jackson or perhaps it was just good defense by Gardner, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardner loads up on a big right hand but Jackson slips the punch.
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.
An attempted straight right counter from Gardner misses the target.
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 walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Jackson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jackson throws an off balance right hand
and Gardner counters with a left and a right that stings Jackson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardner slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Jackson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Jackson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gardner looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gardner is trying to get back to his feet.
The referee asks Jackson politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Jackson prefers to stall for the moment though.
Jackson prevents Gardner from escaping the position.
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!
Gardner takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gardner parries the strikes from Jackson easily there. Jackson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Gardner to escape.
Akamaru Jackson has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackson tries to score with some ground and pound. Gardner controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Gardner pushes Jackson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Jackson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Jackson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Gardner stops Jackson from passing to mount.
Jackson scores with a couple of short elbows.
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 prevents Gardner from escaping the position.
Gardner bucks up and tries to throw Jackson off but instead Jackson has got his back!
Jackson is punishing Gardner with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson punches Gardner on the ear.
Jackson lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Gardner.

Gardner is rocked!
Jackson is raining down hard shots and and Gardner has had enough - he's tapped out due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Akamaru Jackson!
Akamaru Jackson is the new heavyweight champion!
Rulon Gardner was interviewed post fight and said 'Keith Peterson was at some dive bar with a $5 floozy right before this fight. I call kangaroo court.'.