PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jon Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jones comes to the cage accompanied by Ladies Love Me. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Jones
vs
Evans

190 cm
19
205 lbs
2 - 3 - 1

178 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Jon Jones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Rashad Evans!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Evans throws a hook but Jones avoids it easily.
Evans swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Jones.

It looks like Jon Jones has been cut.
Evans circles away from the clinch attempt.
Evans keeps the fight on the outside.
A jab from Evans does it's job there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Horrible takedown by Evans or perhaps it was just good defense by Jones which made him look bad.
Evans closes the distance and clinches up with Jones, looking for a takedown. Evans pushes Jones against the cage but Jones circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jones connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Rashad Evans has been cut.
Jones tries to clinch but Evans is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Jones's hands.
Jones looks to land a combination but Evans avoids it well.
Evans throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jones doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Jones scores with the left hand. Evans knows he should have avoided that one.
A slow jab from Evans misses its intended target.
Evans will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jon Jones has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashad Evans.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans keeps the fight on the outside.
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!
Jones misses with a low kick.
Evans just misses with a punch to the body.
Jones tries to bum rush Evans with a series of wild strikes but Evans uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jones misses with a wild combination.
Jon Jones is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Evans shoots in and gets a takedown into Jones's guard.
Evans content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Evans from controlling successfully.
Evans works over Jones with some ground and pound from guard.
Evans trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Evans sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rashad Evans was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Evans jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans misses with a straight right.
Jones does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Jones swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Evans counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Evans throws a jab when Jones was well out of range.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Evans throws a jab but it's blocked by Jones.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Evans thows a body shot but no joy.
Evans looks to land a right hand but Jones moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

Evans swats away the attempt to clinch by Jones.
Jones tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Evans manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Evans throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jones misses with a low kick.
Jones showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Evans.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jones throws a poor cross that misses
and Evans counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Jones takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones defending well as Evans loads up on a big left hand.
Evans takes a swing at Jones's ribcage but misses.
Evans waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jones.
Jon Jones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Evans throws a right hand that Jones ducks under and follows up with a left that Jones also avoids with ease.
Evans will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Evans closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Jones quickly recovers to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Evans not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Evans wants to control but Jones is keeping him busy.
Evans thows a huge punch but Jones dodges it nicely.
Evans working the head and body with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Evans wants to control but Jones is keeping him busy.
Jones on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jones tries to get out of the position.
Evans missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Evans wants to take a breather but Jones is having none of it.
Evans throwing shots but Jones is blocking nicely.
Evans landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Evans seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Evans slows the pace down in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rashad Evans was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Jones with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Evans to score with a decent uppercut.
Rashad Evans seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones staying out of range there.
Jones is looking to score with low kicks.
Jones wants to clinch.
Jones misses with the combination.
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.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Evans is defended easily by Jones.
Jones misses with a few strikes there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Evans misses its intended target.
Jones missing with a left hand there. Evans was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jones misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans throws a hook to the side of Jones's head but Jones sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice shot by Evans.
Jones looks to land a left hand but Evans moved out of range nicely.
Evans shoots in looking for a takedown but Jones manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Evans's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jones moves out of range as Evans strikes.
Evans misses with a wild combination.
Good exchange - Evans coming out on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Evans misses its intended target.
Jones misses with an uppercut
and Evans counters with a stiff right hand.
Some wild striking there from Jones.

Evans bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Evans tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
The strikes coming from Evans are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jones keeps working.
Rashad Evans has got the better of the ground game so far.
Evans controls the position from side control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Evans trying to control the position but Jones is working away.
Evans lands a nice forearm strike.
Jones is trying to control Evans's posture but Evans avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans scores with a couple of short elbows.
Evans has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Evans takes a little break here. Jones wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Evans looks up at the clock and then as Jones takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Evans smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Evans controls the position.

Evans swings around for an armbar but Jones sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Evans's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jones wants to get up but he can't break Evans's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jones swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Evans counters with a takedown into side control.
Evans is staying tight to Jones's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Evans working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Evans lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Jones down.
A lull in the action here as Evans stalls from top position.
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!
Evans creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Jones sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Jones regains half guard there - taking advantage of Evans's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Evans with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.
Jones regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Evans.
Evans wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Evans is stalling in the full guard.
Evans must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Evans looking to sit in guard and control but Jones gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans has Jones pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rashad Evans wasn't active enough on the ground.
A looping hook to the body misses from Evans. Jones does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jones throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Evans counter with a right hand.
Jones tries to clinch but Evans is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jones sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Evans somewhat.
Jones uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Evans.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Evans circles away.
Evans throws an overhand right that lands on Jones's shoulder, as Jones tries to avoid the shot.
Jones throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
No joy there for Evans, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jones misses with a two punch combination.
Jones doesn't manage to clinch there - Evans circles away.
Evans fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A nice combination there by Evans.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Evans throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jones's waist but Jones gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Evans off to one side.
Jones is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Evans.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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 slips a jab and a cross from Jones.
Evans throws the left hand but Jones avoids the punch easily.
A combination from Evans does no damage.
A big right from Evans misses.
Jones throws a combination that misses
and Evans connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Evans misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jones connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones wants to clinch.

Evans closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Evans is keen to just control but Jones is a slippery customer.
Evans takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Jon Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rashad Evans was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Evans just misses with a punch to the body.
Jones is looking to chop away at Evans's legs.
A jab from Evans misses.
Nice straight punches there by Evans. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Evans.
Jones fails to land with a series of punches.
Jones throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Evans swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
No joy there for Jones, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jones tries to bum rush Evans with a series of wild strikes but Evans uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Evans misses with a two punch combination.

Evans shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Evans was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Evans controlling the pace for now.
Rashad Evans is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Jones that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Evans controlling from the full mount.
Evans with the ground and pound from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Evans controlling the pace for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Evans lands a big elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashad Evans comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Evans has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Josh West scores the fight for Rashad Evans!
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight for Rashad Evans!
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight for Rashad Evans!

Rashad Evans wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Rashad Evans thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.