PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Adam Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Taslim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taslim has chosen La Coka Nostra - "Mind Your Business" as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as John Taslim enters the cage!

Evans
vs
Taslim

180 cm
28
150 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
164 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Adam Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, John Taslim!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taslim shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Evans as he jumps to the side.
Evans dives in for a single leg takedown but Taslim sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Evans drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Evans is looking to take a break and control but Taslim is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Taslim is looking for a sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Evans is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Taslim is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Taslim is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Evans's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Taslim looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Taslim's head.
Taslim is trying to get back to full guard.
Evans thows a huge punch but Taslim dodges it nicely.
Taslim 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.
Taslim wants to get back to his feet.
Evans seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Taslim does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taslim is looking to get back to full guard here but Evans has managed to pass to side control instead.
Taslim tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Evans landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taslim is looking to reverse the position.
Taslim wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Evans landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Taslim can do anything to dispel that myth.
Taslim is trying to control Evans's posture but Evans avoids it.
Taslim keeps Evans under control for a moment.
The strikes coming from Evans are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Taslim is looking to reverse the position.
Taslim parries the strikes from Evans easily there. Evans is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Taslim to escape.
Taslim is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Taslim tries to improve position but can't.
Evans wants to stand but Taslim has his arm trapped.
Evans advances to mount.

Evans working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Evans avoids the attempt from Taslim to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taslim bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Evans is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Evans keeping moving, preventing Taslim from controlling successfully.
Taslim must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Evans utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taslim postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Taslim throws a big right hand that misses.
Taslim looking to sit in guard and control but Evans gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Evans dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taslim throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Evans tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Taslim is in Evans's guard.
Taslim tries to free his leg and advance position but Evans is retaining full guard.
Taslim postures up and lands a big shot to Evans's brow.
Taslim postures up in Evans's guard and throws a big left but Evans blocks it.
Taslim missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Evans has his foot on Taslim's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Taslim works his way back into a safe position though.
Taslim throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taslim landing some decent shots from guard.
Evans is pulling down on Taslim's head. It's preventing any offense from Taslim, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Evans is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taslim can do to turn this around?
Evans preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Taslim throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taslim postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Taslim got a little sloppy there for a moment and Evans has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Taslim has managed to get both his arms back between Evans's legs - danger averted.
Taslim is looking to work some ground and pound but Evans has wrist control.
Taslim trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taslim missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taslim loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Taslim trying to control but Evans is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Taslim postures up and lands a big shot to Evans's brow.
Taslim cracks Evans with a solid left hand.
Evans has momentary wrist control but Taslim slips an elbow through the middle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taslim trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Evans controls Taslim momentarily but Taslim frees himself.
Taslim throws an elbow that misses. Evans uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Taslim's guard. Nice move by Evans!

Taslim 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. Oh but Taslim is tightening it up a little... Evans has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Evans reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Evans taps out! Nice BJJ there by Taslim!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). John Taslim!
An out of breath John Taslim thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.