PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phil Davis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rashad Evans could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Phil Davis's chin.

Evans
vs
Davis

175 cm
27
170 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

185 cm
27
170 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rashad Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Phil Davis!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Evans is defended easily by Davis.
Evans looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Davis misses with a looping right.
Evans is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Davis.

Evans looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Davis!
Davis is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Davis is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Evans looking to finish with strikes here!
Davis wants to get back to his feet.
Davis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Evans. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Evans throwing strikes here but Davis is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Evans has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Evans is landing with some decent strikes but Davis is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Davis wants to get back to his feet.
Davis avoids a series of strikes thrown by Evans.
Evans thowing shots but they're missing.
Evans unloads with some shots from mount but Davis bucks and avoids them well.
Evans unloads with some shots from mount but Davis bucks and avoids them well.

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.
Davis avoids a series of strikes thrown by Evans.
Evans punishing his opponent with strikes.
Evans throws some wild stikes that Davis manages to avoid easily.
Davis is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Evans misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Davis holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Evans tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Davis is trying to stand up.
Davis holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Evans tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Davis's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Davis's face.
Evans unloading with bombs!
Davis is trying to stand up.

Davis somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Evans tries to clinch but Davis moves out of range.
Davis throws a one two combo.

Evans tries to sprawl but Davis drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Evans has one foot on Davis's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Evans shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Davis pinned against the cage. Davis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Davis!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Davis on the side of the head.
Davis cracks a nice hook into Evans's ribs.

Evans closes the distance and clinches.
Evans gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Davis.

Evans breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Evans moves in looking to clinch but Davis pushes him off.
Evans with a lazy takedown attempt
and Davis counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashad Evans. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Evans tries to sprawl but Davis drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Evans on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Davis missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Davis throws a strike but Evans avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Davis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Davis throwing strikes from guard but Evans blocks nicely.
Davis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Phil Davis will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Davis shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Evans manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Davis accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Davis looking to pass the guard.
Evans wants to stand up but Davis is controlling him.
Evans 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.
Evans keeping full guard, as Davis tries to pass.
Davis with a nice head shot there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Davis works over Evans with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans wants to get back to his feet but Davis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Davis wants to pass the guard but Evans is keeping the position.

Evans has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Davis can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Davis is in close to Evans's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Evans wants to stand but Davis is controlling the position.
Davis makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Evans throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Davis is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Davis is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Davis landing with the ground and pound.
Davis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Evans is keeping the position for now.
Davis connects with a couple of short punches.
Phil Davis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Evans is looking to stand up but Davis isn't so interested in that idea.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Davis's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Davis with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans working for a triangle but Davis defends it easily.
Davis is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Davis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Davis won't allow Evans to get back to his feet.
Davis postures up and lands a big shot to Evans's brow.
Davis working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Davis lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Davis lands a couple of digs.
Davis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Evans manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Davis manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Davis wants to stand and escape but Evans is having none of it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Evans accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Davis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Davis wants to stand up but Evans is controlling him.
Davis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Davis is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Evans is controlling him.
Evans throwing strikes from guard but Davis blocks nicely.
Evans working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Davis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Davis closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Evans to the mat! Evans manages to get full guard.
Davis lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Davis throws and elbow that misses. Evans uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Davis's guard. Nice move by Evans!
Evans throws a big right hand that misses.
Evans trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Davis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Evans postures up in Davis's guard and throws a big left but Davis blocks it.
Evans trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Evans throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Evans passes Davis's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Evans throwing shots but Davis is blocking nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Davis can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Davis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Evans.
Evans missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Evans not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Davis is trying to stand up here but Evans is controlling him well.
Evans thows a huge punch but Davis dodges it nicely.
Davis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Evans.
Evans drops an elbow to the side of Davis's head.
Evans not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Evans throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Davis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Evans.
Evans thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Davis's head.
Evans throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Evans thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Evans missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Davis avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Evans.
Davis is trying to stand.
Davis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Davis blocking the ground and pound attempt from Evans.
Evans lands with a punch from half guard.
Evans missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Evans drops an elbow to the side of Davis's head.
Evans landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Davis pushes Evans off looking to stand but Evans dives back in and keeps control.
Evans works his way into side control.
Evans lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davis tries to escape but Evans is in control.
Evans throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Davis is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Evans is controlling him well.
Davis is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Evans postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Evans sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Davis is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Davis tries to escape but Evans is in control.
Evans in side control lands a decent elbow.
Davis dodges the ground and pound from Evans.
Evans is working Davis over with some ground and pound from side control.
Davis pushes Evans away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Evans gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Davis takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Davis is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Evans has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's four 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.
The ground and pound from Evans seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
An elbow from Evans crashes against the mat.
Evans throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Evans working the ground and pound but Davis is defending the strikes.
Evans throws an elbow but Davis slips to the side and avoids it well.
Davis is pushing Evans's head away, looking to escape. Evans manages to hold on to the position though.
An elbow from Evans crashes against the mat.
Davis takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Evans misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Davis takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Davis is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Evans is controlling him well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashad Evans showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Davis 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight for Phil Davis!
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight for Phil Davis!
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight for Phil Davis!

Phil Davis wins by unanimous decision!