PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steven Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kemo Nozume (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nozume has chosen Pagan's Mind - Enigmatic Calling as his entrance music. Steven Evans has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Evans
vs
Nozume

175 cm
25
270 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

196 cm
19
285 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Self confident

Good wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steven Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kemo Nozume!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nozume gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Evans cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nozume.
Nozume tries to score a power double leg takedown but Evans sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nozume somewhat.
Steven Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kemo Nozume.
Evans throws a looping overhand right but Nozume ducks down to avoid it.
Evans misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Evans defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nozume.
Evans jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nozume changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Evans is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nozume.
Evans scores with a decent looking hook.
Evans misses with a hook.
Nozume drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Evans defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nozume shoots and misses

and Evans counters with a takedown into side control.
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!
Nozume taking punishment in the form of punches.
Nozume wants to control but Evans postures up.
Nozume manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nozume makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nozume.
Evans scoring with some ground and pound.
Nozume preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nozume wants to sweep here but Evans controlling him for the moment.
Evans has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Evans throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Evans's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nozume tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Evans postures up and lands a big shot to Nozume's brow.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Nozume looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Evans puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Nozume makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nozume.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
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 preventing the sweep.
Nozume is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Nozume is pressing down on Evans's thigh, looking to free his foot. Evans is holding on for now.
Nozume wants to lay and pray for a moment but Evans keeps working.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Nozume working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Nozume prevents Evans from improving his position.
Evans keeping control of the position.
Evans keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans is looking for a sweep. Nozume is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nozume trying to control the pace.
Evans might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nozume missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nozume wants to control but Evans is keeping him busy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nozume is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Evans trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nozume trying to pass the guard but Evans defending well.
Evans moves into full guard.
Nozume trying to control the position from guard on top but Evans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Evans is trying to keep Nozume in close.
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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nozume tries to score a power double leg takedown but Evans sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nozume somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Evans dominated that round.
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.

Nozume shoots for a double leg takedown but Evans sprawls well. He's pushed Nozume's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Some wild striking there from Evans.
A jab from Evans does it's job there.
Nozume throws a leg kick that misses.
Evans misses with a two punch combination.
Evans looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nozume tries for a takedown but Evans circles away easily
and Evans counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kemo Nozume seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans throws a series of punches but Nozume moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Evans. No joy for Nozume on that attempt.
Steven Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kemo Nozume.
Nozume shoots in but no luck this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nozume dives in and grabs Evans's left leg, looking for a takedown. Evans pushes down on Nozume's head and hops out.
Some wild striking there from Evans.
Evans misses with a series of wild punches.

Nozume shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Evans manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans trying to control the position.
Nozume won't allow Evans to sweep him here.
Kemo Nozume has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nozume trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nozume with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Evans has Nozume pulled in close to control his posture.
Nozume trying to control but Evans is working from the bottom.
Nozume in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nozume wants to control from the top but Evans keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nozume fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Evans darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nozume wants to get back to full guard but Evans has mounted him!
Evans is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nozume can do to turn this around?
Evans postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Nozume looks a forlorn figure.
Evans prevents Nozume from getting the reversal.
Nozume holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Evans tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Evans working Nozume over with strikes here.
Evans working Nozume over with strikes here.
Nozume manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Evans is looking to take a break and control but Nozume is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nozume tries to get to full guard but Evans has control of the leg.
Evans wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nozume keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans throwing shots but Nozume is blocking nicely.
Nozume wants to improve his position but Evans is controlling well.
Nozume gets full guard.
Evans is looking to work some ground and pound but Nozume has wrist control.
Evans preventing the sweep.
Evans trying to control the position from guard on top but Nozume is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Evans with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nozume tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Evans dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Evans waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nozume.
Nozume fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Evans avoids it really well and circles away.
Evans throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Evans leaves Nozume with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Evans decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nozume is trying to control but can't.
Evans working the head and body with strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nozume keeps working.
Nozume gets full guard.
Nozume looking to hit a scissor sweep but Evans is one step ahead there.
Nozume wants to get back to his feet but Evans is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nozume keeping moving, preventing Evans from controlling successfully.
Nozume is looking to sweep but instead, Evans has passed into half guard.
Evans controlling the action here.
Nozume works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nozume looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kemo Nozume has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Nozume controls Evans momentarily but Evans frees himself.

Nozume looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Evans has picked Nozume up and slammed him! Nozume can't keep hold of the triangle and Evans manages to pass to side control!
Evans is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Nozume will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Evans throws an elbow but Nozume slips to the side and avoids it well.
Nozume looking for a sweep but Evans has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Nozume keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Evans wants to control the pace but Nozume is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans breaks from Nozume's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Nozume manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Evans working over Nozume with some ground and pound. Nozume looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nozume is refusing to be controlled, as Evans sits in half guard.
Nozume tries to get to full guard but Evans has control of the leg.
Evans sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nozume defending well though.
Evans slows the pace down in half guard.
Nozume is pressing down on Evans's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans with a nice head shot there.

Nozume looking for a guillotine here but Evans defends easily.
Steven Evans is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nozume keeping moving, preventing Evans from controlling successfully.

Nozume is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Evans is aware though and is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Evans is stalling in the full guard.
Evans advances to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steven Evans showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Evans has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight for Steven Evans!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Steven Evans!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Steven Evans!

Steven Evans wins by unanimous decision!
Steven Evans was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
Kemo Nozume was interviewed post fight and said 'Auvers blue?'.