PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keith Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hughes has chosen Bulls on Parade as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Evans
vs
Hughes

190 cm
23
275 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

192 cm
23
275 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

Win Nutritional

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Keith Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nathan Hughes!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Leandro Rodrigues and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Evans jabs at Hughes's body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Evans lands a shot to the body.
Hughes looks gassed!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Evans jumps into guard, dragging Hughes to the mat.
Evans is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hughes is controlling him.
Evans on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Evans tries to get out of the position.
Hughes preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Evans had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hughes is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Evans Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hughes's back instead.

Evans is looking for the choke from the back position but Hughes is controlling his hands well.

Evans is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Hughes is defending well though. Evans let's go of the attempt for now.

Evans is looking for the choke from the back position but Hughes is controlling his hands well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans doesn't have the hooks in and Hughes manages to turn into his guard.
Evans wants to get back to his feet but Hughes passes into half guard.

Hughes stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Evans to get to his feet.

Hughes has closed the distance and engaged Evans in a clinch.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Evans blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Evans blocking some punches.
Hughes throws a punch but it's blocked by Evans.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hughes.
Hughes throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Evans.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hughes working aggressively here.
Hughes softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Evans lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans blocks an uppercut.
Hughes lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Evans scores with a nice hook to the head.
Evans is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Evans tries to work over Hughes's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Evans is looking to break free of the clinch but Hughes has double underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Hughes fails to land.
Hughes keeps control of Evans as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A short left from Hughes.
Good body shot from Hughes.
Hughes lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Hughes fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by Hughes.
Hughes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.
A head punch on the inside from Evans fails to land.
Hughes lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Keith Evans has been cut.
Hughes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Evans's defenses.
Evans blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hughes. Evans does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hughes looks to clinch

and Evans holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Evans blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hughes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Evans's defenses.
Evans blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hughes.
Hughes misses with a punch to the body.
Hughes lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hughes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Evans backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
Evans takes a shot to the head.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hughes throws a punch but it's blocked by Evans.
Hughes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Evans looking to stall.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Evans blocks an elbow strike from Hughes.
Hughes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Evans doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hughes just misses with a elbow thrown towards Evans's brow.
Hughes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hughes throws a head punch that misses.
Evans is looking to break free of the clinch but Hughes has double underhooks.
Hughes lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Evans.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.
Evans blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hughes lands an elbow that stopped Evans in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes struggles to land a body shot inside as Evans controls his hands.
A short right from Hughes on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hughes.
Hughes creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Evans blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Evans tries to break free but Hughes pushes him back against the cage.
Hughes lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hughes.
Hughes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Evans backwards.
Hughes throws a punch but it's blocked by Evans.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.
Hughes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Evans blocks an uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Evans's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hughes throws an elbow but it misses.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hughes missing with knees to the body.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hughes throws a head punch that misses.
Evans wants to break free but Hughes has control.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hughes.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hughes throws an elbow but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
Hughes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Keith Evans will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Keith Evans's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hughes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Evans swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hughes tries to clinch but Evans moves out of range.
Hughes tries to clinch
and Evans counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Evans missing with a left hand there. Hughes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Evans tries to close the distance and clinch but Hughes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Evans misses with a wild combination.
Hughes tries to clinch but Evans moves out of range.
Hughes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Keith Evans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Evans closes the distance and clinches.
Evans tries to circle away but Hughes has him pinned against the cage.
Hughes lands a nice uppercut.
Evans takes a shot to the head.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Evans throws a punch but it's blocked by Hughes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hughes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Evans wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hughes is leaning against Evans and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Evans blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hughes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hughes throws a punch but it's blocked by Evans.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hughes obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes lands with a right to the head.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
Evans blocks an uppercut.
Nathan Hughes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hughes looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Evans swings wildly with an uppercut but Hughes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hughes looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hughes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hughes misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Hughes fails to land.
Hughes blocks an uppercut.
Hughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Evans prevents a body shot from Hughes.
Evans throws a punch but it's blocked by Hughes.
Evans pushes Hughes back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hughes throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hughes lands with a right to the head.

Keith Evans's cut is getting worse.
Hughes working aggressively here.
Hughes working aggressively here.
Hughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Evans blocks a punch to the side of the head.

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.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hughes tries to work over Evans's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hughes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Evans tries to break the clinch but Hughes is controlling the position.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Evans has had enough of the clinch but Hughes keeps him there for the moment.
Evans tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hughes misses with an elbow over the top.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
Hughes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hughes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hughes working Evans over with knees to the body.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hughes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
Hughes throws a punch but it's blocked by Evans.
Hughes lands a right hand.
Hughes scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hughes lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hughes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hughes throws a head punch that misses.
Hughes misses with the head strike.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
Evans wants to stall.
Hughes scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hughes.
Hughes misses with the head strike.
Hughes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A head punch on the inside from Hughes fails to land.
Hughes misses with the head strike.
Evans misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hughes comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Evans blocking some punches.
Hughes throws a punch but it's blocked by Evans.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
Hughes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Evans misses with a punch on the inside.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hughes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hughes swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four 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.
A head punch on the inside from Hughes fails to land.
Hughes throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Good body shot from Hughes.
Hughes blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short uppercut from Hughes.
Good body shot from Hughes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
Hughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hughes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short left from Hughes.
Nice elbow from Hughes.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hughes misses with a knee strike.
Hughes lands a left hand that snaps the head of Evans backwards.

Evans wants the takedown. Hughes is fighting it off but Evans persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hughes's guard against the cage.

Hughes wriggles free and stands up.
Hughes tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Evans to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Hughes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Keith Evans's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hughes tries to clinch up
and Evans counters with a left and a right that stings Hughes.
Evans moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Evans rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hughes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hughes is looking to clinch but Evans is avoiding it.
Hughes fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hughes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hughes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Evans breaks the clinch.
Evans lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hughes backs up against the cage.
Keith Evans seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hughes wants to clinch up but Evans keeps it at a distance.

Hughes takes the fight into the clinch.
Hughes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hughes.
Evans stalling in the clinch but Hughes improves position.
Hughes working aggressively here.
Hughes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Evans looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hughes lands a nice shot to the body.
Hughes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hughes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hughes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Evans misses with an elbow over the top.
Hughes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
Hughes lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hughes throws a punch but it's blocked by Evans.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
Hughes working aggressively here.
Hughes lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Hughes.
Evans has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hughes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A nice left hand lands by Hughes.
Hughes misses with some punches.
Evans takes a shot to the head.
Hughes misses with the head strike.
Evans blocks an uppercut.
Hughes lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
Hughes keeps control of Evans as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hughes lands a body punch.
Hughes pushes off an throws an elbow but Evans leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hughes scores with a shot to the side of Evans's head.
Hughes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Evans's defenses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hughes. Evans does a little dance to reset his feet.
Evans tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hughes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hughes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Hughes closes the distance and clinches.
Hughes lands with a right to the head.
Hughes working aggressively here.
Hughes misses with the head strike.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hughes just misses with a elbow thrown towards Evans's brow.
Evans lands a right hand.
Evans tries a body shot but Hughes blocks it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hughes just misses with a elbow thrown towards Evans's brow.
Hughes lands a left hand.
Nice elbow from Hughes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.
Hughes throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Evans.
A frustrated look appears on Evans's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Evans missing with knees to the body.
Hughes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hughes throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hughes lands an elbow that stopped Evans in his tracks for a moment.
Hughes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Evans blocking some punches.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hughes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hughes works on Evans's body with a couple of short punches.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.
Evans trying to control the position but instead, Hughes has worked for underhooks and has pushed Evans into the cage.
Hughes lands a left hand.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
Hughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.
Hughes throws a head punch that misses.

That's four 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.
Evans is working for takedown but Hughes is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hughes keeps control of Evans as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
Hughes misses with some punches.
Hughes lands a damaging elbow.
Evans goes for a takedown attempt but Hughes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keith Evans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evans misses with a double jab.
Hughes tries to clinch but Evans moves out of range.
Hughes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hughes is looking to clinch.
Evans misses with the combination.
Evans swats away the attempt to clinch by Hughes.
Evans swats away the attempt to clinch by Hughes.

Hughes takes the fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathan Hughes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hughes 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathan Hughes!