PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nigel McCartney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evans comes to the cage accompanied by Pursuit of Happiness. McCartney has chosen Three Six Mafia - Its A Fight as his entrance music. Nigel McCartney will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Evans
vs
McCartney

175 cm
19
200 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

194 cm
22
211 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rashad Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nigel McCartney!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Evans 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.
McCartney is looking to stand up but Evans isn't so interested in that idea.
Evans scoring with some ground and pound.
McCartney is looking to stand up but Evans isn't so interested in that idea.
Evans scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Evans stops McCartney from standing up.
Evans with a flurry of punches that miss.

Evans stands up from guard. Let's bang!
McCartney throws a sloppy head kick and Evans moves out of range easily.
Evans blocks a head kick by McCartney.
Evans misses with a double jab.
Evans could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
McCartney misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McCartney throws a sloppy head kick and Evans moves out of range easily.
No joy there for Evans, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans cracks McCartney with a right hand to the side of the head.
McCartney throws a head kick that Evans semi-blocks.
McCartney looks gassed!
McCartney tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McCartney tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Evans pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Evans scores with a nice body kick.

Evans 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.
Evans scoring with punches to the head and body.
Evans chips away with some ground and pound.
Evans controls from within his opponent's guard.
Evans chips away with some ground and pound.
McCartney wants to stand and escape but Evans is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Evans lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McCartney wants to get back to his feet but Evans passes into half guard.
Evans 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Evans lands with a punch from half guard.

Evans stands up out of the half guard.
McCartney throws a head kick that misses

and Evans counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Evans.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Evans breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McCartney misses with a combination
and Evans counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
McCartney misses with a double jab

and Evans counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Evans scoring with strikes to the body and head.
McCartney is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans 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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McCartney is trying to stand.
Evans takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
McCartney pushes Evans off but Evans dives into side control.
McCartney is trying to get back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McCartney throws a nice head kick!
McCartney misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McCartney tries a head kick but it misses.
McCartney misses with a series of wild punches.

Evans forces McCartney back against the cage and clinches.
McCartney tries to circle away but Evans has him pinned against the cage.
Evans prevents McCartney from breaking the clinch.
McCartney is looking to break free of the clinch but Evans has double underhooks.

Evans has dropped down and is working for a takedown. McCartney is trying to keep an underhook but Evans manages to get the takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Evans stands up and beckons McCartney to join him on the feet.
A head kick by McCartney misses

and Evans counters by clinching up.
Evans has McCartney pressed against the cage.
Evans fails to pull guard.
McCartney tries to circle away but Evans has him pinned against the cage.
McCartney has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McCartney is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Evans wants the takedown. McCartney is fighting it off but Evans persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in McCartney's guard against the cage.
Evans is standing up over McCartney. McCartney looks to escape but Evans dives into side control.
McCartney is trying to buck Evans off.
Evans looking to punish the body of his opponent here but McCartney is avoiding damage well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCartney is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Evans is controlling him well.
Evans wants to lay and pray for a moment but McCartney keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McCartney plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
McCartney misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Evans shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McCartney napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Evans lands some shots froms side control.
Evans is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down McCartney's shoulder. That is not cool.
McCartney takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
McCartney tries to escape but Evans is in control.
Evans lands some shots froms side control.
McCartney is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McCartney pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nigel McCartney is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCartney throws a sloppy head kick and Evans moves out of range easily.
McCartney scores with a three punch combo!
McCartney swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Evans counters with a stiff right hand.
McCartney misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McCartney throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Evans counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Evans.
McCartney can't break the clinch.
Evans lands with a left to the head.
McCartney looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Evans lands with a left to the head.
McCartney is trying to break the clinch but Evans is controlling him.
McCartney working hard to break the clinch.
McCartney wants to break the clinch but can't.
McCartney looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McCartney wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Evans has him pressed against the cage.
McCartney wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Evans has him pressed against the cage.
McCartney wants to break free but Evans has control.
McCartney is trying to break the clinch but Evans is controlling him.

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.

Evans breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Some wild striking there from McCartney.
McCartney throws a sloppy head kick
and Evans counters with a straight right hand.
A head kick by McCartney misses

and Evans counters by clinching up.
McCartney has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McCartney has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McCartney's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McCartney is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McCartney has had enough of the clinch but Evans keeps him there for the moment.

McCartney breaks the clinch.
McCartney throws a lazy head kick

and Evans counters with a single leg into guard. McCartney didn't expect that.
McCartney is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Evans is controlling him.

Evans stands up and waves to McCartney to follow him.
A decent looking cross lands there for Evans.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCartney throws a head kick that misses

and Evans counters by moving into the clinch.
McCartney can't break the clinch.
Evans has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McCartney is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Evans looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Evans turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Evans manages to end up in side control.
McCartney is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Evans taking a breather here.
Evans prevents McCartney from escaping the position.
Evans cracks McCartney with a big right hand but McCartney just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Evans throws a strike aimed at the side of McCartney's head but McCartney avoids it well.
Evans prevents McCartney from escaping the position.
Evans landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCartney wants to get back to his feet but Evans drags him back down.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McCartney pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Evans looks to land a left hand but McCartney moved out of range nicely.
McCartney tries a head kick but it misses.
Evans blocks a head kick by McCartney.
A head kick misses from McCartney.
McCartney throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Evans looks to throw the jab but McCartney is out of range.
McCartney fails to land with a series of punches.
McCartney throws a nice head kick!
Evans avoids the head kick by McCartney.
McCartney throws a head kick that misses.
McCartney throws a head kick that misses

and Evans moves into the clinch.
McCartney wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Evans escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McCartney will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McCartney throws a head kick that misses

and Evans counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Evans.
Evans prevents McCartney from getting back to his feet.
Evans stands up over McCartney, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Evans gets to his feet - McCartney follows without any prompting.
McCartney tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McCartney takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nigel McCartney is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McCartney misses with a two punch combination.

Evans clinches with his opponent.
Evans keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCartney's efforts to push away.
McCartney can't break the clinch.

Evans is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. McCartney can't fight it off and eventually Evans manages to take the fight to the floor. McCartney looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
McCartney is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans wants to control from the top but McCartney keeps moving.
Evans stops McCartney from standing up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McCartney scores with a head kick.

Evans closes the distance and clinches.
McCartney wants to get back to striking at distance but Evans won't allow it.

Evans decides to pull guard.
Evans throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

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.
Evans wants to stand up but McCartney is controlling him.
Evans 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.
Evans might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McCartney won't allow Evans to get back to his feet.
Evans utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Evans throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Evans doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McCartney throws a sloppy head kick
and Evans counters with a series of strikes. McCartney will be more careful next time no doubt.
McCartney throws a sloppy head kick
and Evans counters with a stiff right hand.

Evans gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Evans is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McCartney is defending well for now.
A frustrated look appears on McCartney's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Evans tries to score a body lock takedown but McCartney shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

McCartney breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick by McCartney misses

and Evans counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCartney wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Evans in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Evans wants to lay and pray for a moment but McCartney keeps working.

Evans stands up and beckons McCartney to his feet.
Evans blocks a head kick by McCartney.
Evans just misses with a punch to the body.
McCartney throws a sloppy head kick and Evans moves out of range easily.
McCartney throws a sloppy head kick and Evans moves out of range easily.
McCartney throws a sloppy head kick and Evans moves out of range easily.

Evans shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Evans was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCartney is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Evans scoring with strikes but McCartney is staying in there.
McCartney is trying to stand.
Evans is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McCartney can do to turn this around?
Evans scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Evans with the ground and pound from mount.
Evans thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
McCartney is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Nigel McCartney has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rashad Evans is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Evans content just to control the position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashad Evans showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Evans, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashad Evans!