PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yasin Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roy Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Evans
vs
Nelson

207 cm
22
250 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
230 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yasin Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roy Nelson!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Evans rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nelson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nelson looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
A looping hook to the body misses from Evans. Nelson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Evans throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Evans fails to land with a series of punches.
Evans looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Evans swinging wildly here.
Evans slips a jab and a cross from Nelson.
No joy there for Nelson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Evans swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nelson counters with a two punch combo.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination

and Nelson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
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!
Nelson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nelson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Evans looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Evans looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Evans!

Evans decides to stand up, so the ref orders Nelson to his feet.
Evans swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Nelson counters with a shoot takedown. Evans fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Evans is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Nelson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Evans is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Nelson, into his guard.
Evans would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Nelson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Evans would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Evans stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nelson slips a jab and a cross from Evans.
Evans lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nelson circles away quickly and effectively.
Evans throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Evans misses with the combination.
Nelson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Yasin Evans is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Evans misses with a wild combination.
A combination from Evans does no damage.
Evans throws a right and a left that Nelson avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson looks to land a combination but Evans avoids it well.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nelson counters with a three punch combo that has Evans backing up. Evans nods at Nelson to acknowledge the strikes.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nelson counters with a two punch combo.
Evans swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Evans takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Evans throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Nelson counters with a left and a right that stings Evans.
Danga de danga de dang - Evans scores with a four punch combination!
Evans avoids the head kick by Nelson.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination

and Nelson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Evans!
Evans is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Nelson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Evans is now in Nelson's guard. A big mistake from Nelson there, giving up the dominant position!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans tries to stand but Nelson is controlling from the bottom.

Evans got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nelson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Evans has managed to get both his arms back between Nelson's legs - danger averted.

Evans stands and steps away. Nelson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Evans throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Evans throws a nice looking combination but Nelson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Evans lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nelson circles away quickly and effectively.
Nelson ducks under a wild hook from Evans.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Evans misses with a combination

and Nelson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
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!
Nelson trying to control the action but Evans is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Nelson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Evans lands a jab to the head.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nelson counters with a one-two to the body.
Evans scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
No joy there for Evans, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination
and Evans takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Evans throws a right hand that Nelson ducks under and follows up with a left that Nelson also avoids with ease.
Evans throws a right and a left that both miss.
Evans throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nelson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Evans misses with a combination
and Nelson counters with a stiff right hand.
No joy there for Nelson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Evans throws a combination that misses
and Evans takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nelson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Donk. Evans catches Nelson right on the button with a cross.
Nelson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Evans swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nelson counters with a nice uppercut.
Nelson throws a series of punches but Evans moves out of range.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nelson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nelson lands a two punch combo.
Evans ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Evans lands a nice looking body shot.
Evans throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nelson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Evans throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Nelson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Evans looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nelson is one step ahead there.
Evans will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson trying to control the position from guard on top but Evans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Evans is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Nelson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Evans dives on top into guard.
Nelson is trying to control the position but Evans postures up.

Evans decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Nelson, up you get!
Evans misses with a double jab
and Nelson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans scores with a three punch combo!
Some wild striking there from Evans.
Evans lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nelson circles away quickly and effectively.
Evans misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Evans slips a jab and a cross from Nelson.
Evans swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nelson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Evans looks to land a left hand but Nelson moved out of range nicely.
Evans throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Yasin Evans seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nelson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Evans lands a jab to Nelson's midsection.
Evans misses with a few strikes there.
Yasin Evans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nelson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Evans throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nelson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Evans.
Nelson throws a nice looking combination but Evans bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Nelson counter with a right hand.
No joy there for Nelson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Evans lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Evans.
Evans throws a combination that misses
and Nelson counters with a three punch combo that has Evans backing up. Evans nods at Nelson to acknowledge the strikes.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nelson counters with a two punch combo.
Nelson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Evans swivels and escapes.
Evans misses the shot to the body.
Evans ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Evans lands a jab-cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Nelson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Evans throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Nelson counter with a right hand.
Evans scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Evans swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nelson counters with a series of strikes. Evans will be more careful next time no doubt.
Evans swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nelson counters with a straight right hand.
Nelson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Evans misses with a double jab
and Nelson counters with a straight right hand.
Evans misses with a double jab
and Nelson counters with a straight right hand.
Evans throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Nelson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Evans's guard now.
Evans is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nelson is controlling him.
Nelson wants to pass the guard but Evans is keeping the position.

Evans looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans looking to control but Nelson passes into half guard.
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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Evans is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nelson pulls his head out easily.
Evans trying to control here.
Nelson is just content to waste time from the top position. Evans takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Evans looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Yasin Evans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.

Nelson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Evans dives on top into guard.

Nelson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Evans doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Evans manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nelson is trying to keep Evans in close.

Evans stands and steps away. Nelson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Evans falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nelson counters with a series of strikes. Evans will be more careful next time no doubt.
Evans is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Evans misses with a series of wild punches.
Evans throws a right and a left that both miss.
Evans looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nelson swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans swings for the body but Nelson moves out of range.
Evans fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nelson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Evans misses with a double jab

and Nelson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Evans's guard.
Roy Nelson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Evans not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nelson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Nelson trying to control but Evans is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Evans has his hands on Nelson's head, controlling the position.
Evans keeping moving, preventing Nelson from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Evans throws a series of punches but Nelson avoids them all with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roy Nelson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nelson 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roy Nelson!