PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ukko Haahtee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Haahtee
vs
Evans

183 cm
28
210 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

180 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ukko Haahtee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rashad Evans!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Igor Prikhodko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Evans, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Evans misses with a looping right.
Haahtee throws a series of punches but Evans moves out of range.
Haahtee slips under a jab.
Evans moves in looking to clinch but Haahtee pushes him off.
Evans misses with a hook. Haahtee ducked under it nicely.
Haahtee scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Evans manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Haahtee on his heels. He'll look to pass Haahtee's guard now, I'm sure.
Evans should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Haahtee working a defensive guard here.
Evans throwing strikes from guard but Haahtee blocks nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Evans trying to control the position from guard on top but Haahtee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Evans throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Haahtee works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Evans accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Haahtee working a defensive guard here.
Evans landing some decent shots from guard.
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 lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haahtee wants to sweep here but Evans controlling him for the moment.
Evans keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Haahtee's head.
Evans has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Haahtee keeping moving, preventing Evans from controlling successfully.
Haahtee knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Evans on the ground.
Haahtee looking to control.
Evans loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Evans tries to stand but Haahtee is controlling from the bottom.
Evans advances position into side control!
Haahtee taking a bit of punishment here - Evans scoring with strikes.
Haahtee wants to control but Evans postures up.
Evans is working Haahtee over with some ground and pound from side control.
Evans wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haahtee keeps working.
Evans tries to score with some ground and pound. Haahtee controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Evans wants to control but Haahtee is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haahtee is trying to get back to half guard.
Evans misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Evans creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Haahtee takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Haahtee is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Haahtee blocking the ground and pound attempt from Evans.
Evans working over Haahtee with some ground and pound. Haahtee looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Evans controlling the action here.
Evans not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Evans is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Evans slips a nice elbow through Haahtee's hands, connecting with Haahtee's forehead.
Haahtee tries to get to full guard but Evans has control of the leg.
Haahtee taking some punishment here, with Evans in his half guard.
Evans sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Haahtee defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans wants to take a breather but Haahtee is having none of it.
Evans is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Evans landing strikes, looking to finish!
Evans postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Haahtee looks a forlorn figure.
Evans controlling the pace for now.
Evans postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Haahtee looks a forlorn figure.
Evans looking to control and managing it successfully.
Evans wants to control the pace but Haahtee is squirming around nicely.
Haahtee is bucking up trying to escape but Evans cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haahtee is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans landing strikes from the mount.
Evans controlling his opponent.
Evans landing strikes from the mount and Haahtee is in trouble!
Evans controlling from the full mount.
Haahtee can't escape the position.
Evans lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Evans with shots to the head and body - Haahtee looks very uncomfortable down there.
Evans putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Evans with the ground and pound from mount.
BOOM! Evans connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Evans can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Haahtee is looking to escape.
Evans lands a heavy elbow.
Haahtee tries to hold on but Evans pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Evans moves away from the strike by Haahtee.

Evans is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Haahtee's half guard.
Haahtee on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Haahtee on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Evans seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Haahtee does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Haahtee tries to get to full guard but Evans has control of the leg.
Nice strikes from Evans there.
Haahtee is not content to let Evans control the position.
Haahtee is trying to get back to full guard.
Evans working over Haahtee with some ground and pound. Haahtee looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Evans wants to stand but Haahtee has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Evans is looking to take a break and control but Haahtee is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Evans works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Haahtee is avoiding damage well.
Evans in side control, throwing shots but Haahtee defends.
Haahtee is not content to let Evans control the position.
Haahtee takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Haahtee on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Haahtee tries to get out of the position.
Evans wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haahtee keeps working.
Evans working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Evans creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Haahtee sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Haahtee is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Evans trying to control the action but Haahtee is working from the bottom.
Haahtee tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Haahtee gets back to half guard.
Haahtee trying to hold on to Evans's head to control him but Evans postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans is looking to take a break and control but Haahtee is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Evans not doing much here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Evans wants to stand up but Haahtee has a hold of him and won't allow it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Evans not doing much here.
Haahtee is trying to get back to full guard.

Rashad Evans has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Haahtee.
Haahtee steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Evans.
Haahtee lands a nice shot that snaps Evans's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haahtee misses with the combination.
No joy there for Haahtee, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Evans throws the left hand but Haahtee avoids the punch easily.
Evans lands a glancing blow to the side of Haahtee's head.
Haahtee bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Haahtee showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Evans.
Evans throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haahtee.
Evans throws out a loose jab but Haahtee uses good head movement to avoid it.
Haahtee scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Evans doesn't manage to clinch there - Haahtee circles away.
Ukko Haahtee seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Haahtee misses with a kick to the body.
Evans throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Haahtee throws a head kick that Evans semi-blocks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haahtee thumps Evans with a low kick.
Evans looks to throw the jab but Haahtee is out of range.
Evans throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Haahtee sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Evans avoids the head kick by Haahtee.
Haahtee avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Evans tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Haahtee goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A combination from Haahtee does no damage.
Ukko Haahtee is winning the standup battle so far.
Evans misses with a wild body shot.
A left and a right from Evans both land. Nice combination.
Haahtee moves out of range as Evans strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Evans moves out of range of the strikes.
Haahtee throws a right and a left that Evans avoids nicely.
Haahtee takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Evans darts in and clinches Haahtee up against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Horrible takedown by Evans or perhaps it was just good defense by Haahtee which made him look bad.
Evans shoots in but no luck this time.
Haahtee fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Evans.
Evans shoots for a takedown but Haahtee saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ukko Haahtee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashad Evans.
Evans throws out a loose jab but Haahtee uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Haahtee. That's going to slow Evans down.
Haahtee uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Evans.
Evans throws a lazy uppercut
and Haahtee counters with a big head kick but Evans shrugs it off.
Ukko Haahtee is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed right hand from Haahtee misses the target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Evans looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Evans throws a series of punches but Haahtee moves out of range.
Haahtee with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Haahtee throws a combination that misses
and Evans counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Evans misses.

Evans closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Haahtee to the mat! Haahtee manages to get full guard.
Evans throwing strikes but missing.
Evans lands a couple of elbows.
Haahtee is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Evans trying to control but Haahtee is working from the bottom.
Evans in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Evans is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Evans throws a big right hand that misses.
Haahtee has his hands on Evans's head, controlling the position.
Haahtee is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rashad Evans is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans is working Haahtee over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Evans advances position into side control!
The referee asks Evans politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Evans prefers to stall for the moment though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Evans is looking to take a break and control but Haahtee is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Haahtee's face as Evans controls the position.
Evans advances to full mount.
Haahtee tries to reverse the position but Evans maintains control.
Evans controlling from mount.
Evans postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Haahtee looks a forlorn figure.
Rashad Evans has got the better of the ground game so far.
Evans tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Evans trying to control but Haahtee is having none of it.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rashad Evans wasn't active enough on the ground.
Evans throws a shot to the body.
Haahtee circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haahtee throws a sloppy head kick and Evans moves out of range easily.
Haahtee scores with a decent looking hook.
Evans tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Haahtee was well out of range. Poor timing from Evans.
Haahtee misses with a head kick.
Evans lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Evans avoids the head kick by Haahtee.
Haahtee takes one on the button.
Haahtee pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Evans throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Evans tries to clinch up.
Haahtee swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Evans avoids the head kick by Haahtee.
Evans might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Evans thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ukko Haahtee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A right-left combo lands from Evans.

Evans changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Haahtee looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashad Evans comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Evans winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashad Evans!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Rashad Evans waved his t-shirt featuring ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30's logo in front of the cameras.