PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mertsi Peltola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Evans
vs
Peltola

180 cm
35
212 lbs
24 - 16 - 2

182 cm
27
212 lbs
17 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 24 - 16 - 2, fighting out of London, Rashad Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mertsi Peltola!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Peltola. Evans does a little dance to reset his feet.
Evans tries to move into range but Peltola moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Peltola throws a jab but it's blocked by Evans.
Evans ducks under a wild hook from Peltola.
Mertsi Peltola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Peltola throws out the jab.
Peltola slips under a jab.
Evans looks to land a right hand but Peltola moved out of range.
Peltola scores with a nice head shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Evans. Peltola does a little dance to reset his feet.
Peltola misses the shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Evans misses the target.
Peltola lands with an overhand left.
Peltola fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Evans looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Peltola slips under a jab.
Peltola throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Evans stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A left and a right from Peltola both land. Nice combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Evans is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Peltola.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peltola throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Peltola feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Evanss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nice uppercut there from Peltola.
Evans ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Peltola moves away.
Evans shoots in for a takedown but Peltola shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mertsi Peltola is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Evans slips under a jab from Peltola.
Evans takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Peltola thuds a left hand into Evans's body.
Peltola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Evans takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Peltola scores with a nice strike.
Evans pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Peltola just misses with a punch to the body.
Peltola scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Evans doesn't seem bothered though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Peltola doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Peltola does no damage.
A shot to the body from Evans misses
letting Peltola counter with a right hand.
Evans avoids the body shot from Peltola.
Peltola misses with a hook to the body
and Evans counters with a stiff right hand.
Peltola lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Evans circles away quickly and effectively.
Peltola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Evans scores with a jab. Peltola acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Evans on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Peltola misses with a wild body shot.
Peltola rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Evans counters with a two punch combo.
Evans takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Evans lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Peltola circles away quickly and effectively.
Evans scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Peltola doesn't seem bothered though.
Peltola scores with a shot to the body.
Peltola is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Evans.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peltola walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Peltola looks to land a right hand but Evans moved out of range.
Peltola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Peltola rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Evans moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Evans moves out of range of the strikes.
Peltola lands a jab.
Peltola takes a swing at Evans's ribcage but misses.
A swing and a miss from Peltola.
Peltola lands a lovely overhand right.
Peltola misses with a looping right.
Evans waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Peltola.
Peltola gets caught by a brutal right hook which buckles his knees! Peltola tries to backpedal with his spaghettilegs but Evans is headhunting and goes for the kill. A jab and a right hook connect and Peltola buckles badly as his eyes roll back. The referee steps in and saves Peltola!! Peltola is complaining but he was clearly out on his feet. Evans throws his mouthpiece into the crowd. Mmmm spit-tastic.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rashad Evans!
An out of breath Rashad Evans thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.