PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jossie Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akaki Marjanishvili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marjanishvili has chosen Sabaton - Panzerkampf as his entrance music. Jossie Evans had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 136.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Akaki Marjanishvili acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Evans
vs
Marjanishvili

180 cm
19
146 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

167 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jossie Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Akaki Marjanishvili!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Saam Ante and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marjanishvili fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Evans sprawls well initially but Marjanishvili persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Marjanishvili seems to be working for a kimura but Evans defends the submission attempt.
Evans tries to kick Marjanishvili off but Marjanishvili keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Evans is refusing to be controlled, as Marjanishvili sits in half guard.
Marjanishvili seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
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.
Evans avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Marjanishvili.
Evans really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Marjanishvili wants to take a breather but Evans is having none of it.
Marjanishvili not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Marjanishvili throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Evans gets full guard.

Marjanishvili drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Marjanishvili jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Marjanishvili wants to pass the guard but Evans is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans wants to sweep here but Marjanishvili controlling him for the moment.

Evans working for a triangle but Marjanishvili defends it easily.
Marjanishvili trying to control the position from guard on top but Evans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marjanishvili pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Evans is keeping the position for now.

Evans escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Marjanishvili gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Marjanishvili trying to control but Evans is working from the bottom.
Marjanishvili has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Marjanishvili decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Marjanishvili shoots for a double leg takedown but Evans sprawls well. He's pushed Marjanishvili's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Evans wants to clinch up but Marjanishvili keeps it at a distance.
Marjanishvili shoots and misses
and Evans counters with a series of strikes. Marjanishvili will be more careful next time no doubt.
Marjanishvili looks gassed!
Marjanishvili fails with the takedown.
Jossie Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akaki Marjanishvili.
Evans lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marjanishvili looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Marjanishvili is trying hard to land a takedown here. Evans sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Evans drives through with a takedown into Marjanishvili's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Evans lands a couple of digs.
Evans looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Evans drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Marjanishvili manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Evans has Marjanishvili in his guard.
Marjanishvili tries to free his leg and advance position but Evans is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans has his hands on Marjanishvili's head, controlling the position.
Evans will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Marjanishvili trying to control the position from guard on top but Evans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Evans is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
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 Jossie Evans will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Marjanishvili gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Evans counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Marjanishvili trying to control but Evans postures up.
Marjanishvili gets back to full guard.
Marjanishvili working a defensive guard but Evans passes into half guard.
Evans wants to free his trapped foot but Marjanishvili is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Evans working the head and body with strikes.
Evans keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans is thwarting Marjanishvili's attempts to control the position.

Evans postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Marjanishvili to stand up.
Marjanishvili is breathing heavily.
Marjanishvili looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Marjanishvili tries to sprawl but Evans drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Marjanishvili trying to hold on to Evans's head to control him but Evans postures up.
Evans controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marjanishvili tries to get to full guard but Evans has control of the leg.
Well, if Evans is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

We're going to have a standup here because Jossie Evans wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Evans shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Marjanishvili shoots for a double leg takedown but Evans sprawls well. He's pushed Marjanishvili's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jossie Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akaki Marjanishvili.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marjanishvili fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Evans avoids it really well and circles away.
Evans wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans scores with a takedown into Marjanishvili's guard.
Evans working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Evans lands a couple of digs.

Marjanishvili is rocked!
Evans controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Marjanishvili is still in real trouble! Can Evans finish him?

Evans gets to his feet - Marjanishvili follows without any prompting.
Evans misses with a low kick.
Evans lands a monster head kick that reverborates around the arena! The crowd goes wild as Marjanishvili crumples to the floor! Evans milks the crowd's applause and if that isn't knockout of the night, I will be very surprised!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Jossie Evans!