PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nick Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Evans
vs
Lopez

170 cm
23
149 lbs
14 - 6 - 1

165 cm
23
155 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

The Empire Clothing and Laundry
Big Bear Nutrition 160Q

Bullet Proof System
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Nick Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pedro Lopez!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Russell Pearce and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lopez misses with a looping left.
Lopez loads up on a big right hand but Evans slips the punch.
Lopez just misses with a punch to the body.
Lopez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lopez misses with an uppercut. Evans saw that one coming.
Nice shot by Lopez.
Evans tries to move into range but Lopez moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Lopez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Evans.
A big left from Lopez misses.
It looked like Evans wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lopez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Lopez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Evans looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lopez has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans throws a lazy body kick
and Lopez counters with a stiff right hand.
Evans avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lopez shoots for a takedown but Evans saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lopez tests Evans's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lopez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Evans thinks about countering with a head kick.
Nick Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Lopez.
Lopez looks to land a left hand but Evans moved out of range nicely.
Lopez throws a hook to the side of Evans's head but Evans sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
An attempted straight right counter from Evans misses the target.

Lopez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Evans is trying to control Lopez's posture but Lopez avoids it.
Lopez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Evans keeps working.

Lopez thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans sneaks back into half guard.

Lopez is looking for a kimura but Evans is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lopez to get the leverage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Lopez seems to be working for a kimura but Evans defends the submission attempt.

Lopez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Evans doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lopez.

Lopez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lopez is trying to work for a kimura but Evans is defending well.
Evans is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Lopez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Evans has managed to free his arm - good work.

Lopez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Evans defends it well.

Lopez is trying to work for a kimura but Evans is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Evans trying to control here.
Evans makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Evans.
Lopez content to stall in guard here.
Evans has his hands on Lopez's head, controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lopez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Evans keeping moving, preventing Lopez from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro Lopez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lopez defending well as Evans loads up on a big left hand.
Lopez throws a hook to the side of Evans's head but Evans sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Evans needs to keep his hands up - Lopez had a free shot at his head there.
Lopez fails with a takedown attempt.
Lopez misses the jab.
Lopez on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Evans gets cracked there but stands up to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Evans but Evans pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Evans throws a nice head kick!
Evans throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lopez sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans lands a nice looking body kick.
Lopez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Evans.
Evans lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Lopez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Lopez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Evans as he jumps to the side.
Nick Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Lopez.
Evans connects with a jab.
Lopez throws a shot from downtown. Evans moves away and avoids it.
Nice body punch from Evans.
Pedro Lopez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lopez throws out a loose jab but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lopez takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lopez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Evans.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lopez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Evans.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lopez connects with a nice looking jab.
Lopez misses with an uppercut.
Lopez misses with a hook. Evans ducked under it nicely.
Evans feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Lopez shoots in looking for a takedown but Evans manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lopez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Evans slips a straight right by Lopez.
Lopez lands with an uppercut that bounces Evans off the cage and back into range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Lopez, as that shot connected.
Nick Evans is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Evans throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Crunch! Evans slams his shin into Lopez's torso.
Lopez shoots in looking for a takedown but Evans manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lopez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Evans tried to counter with a leg kick but Lopez avoided it.
Lopez blocks a head kick by Evans.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lopez.
Evans takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Evans displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lopez throws out the jab.
Lopez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lopez scores with a nice strike.
A head kick misses from Evans.
Evans tries a head kick but it misses.
Evans throws a push kick but Lopez slaps the foot to one side.
We've been told by Evans's head coaches at BigMouth Cabrons that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Lopez connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Evans momentarily.
Lopez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Evans's head.
Evans throws a half hearted mid kick.
Evans fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lopez.
Evans dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lopez. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Evans tries to sprawl but Lopez drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Evans trying to control but Lopez postures up.
Lopez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Lopez trying to control the action but Evans is working from the bottom.

Lopez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Evans defends it well.
Lopez is thwarting Evans's attempts to control the position.

Lopez is trying to work for a kimura but Evans is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pedro Lopez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Lopez looks to throw the jab but Evans is out of range.
Lopez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Evans keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lopez.
Evans steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lopez.
It looked like Evans wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The fighters circling - Lopez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lopez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Evans.
Lopez moves out of range of the body kick.
Lopez connects with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice uppercut lands for Lopez. That snapped Evans's head back.
Evans chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Evans comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Evans. No joy for Lopez on that attempt.
Evans looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans just misses with a punch to the body.
Evans uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lopez.
A jab from Lopez finds it's way through Evans's defenses.
Lopez clobbers Evans with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Lopez tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Evans stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Evans wants it to stay on the feet.
Lopez shoots in but Evans avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nick Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Lopez.
Evans moves out of range of the strikes.
Evans lands a body shot.
Evans throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lopez thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big left from Lopez misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lopez.
Evans tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Lopez darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Lopez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Evans's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Evans takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Evans throws an overhand right that lands on Lopez's shoulder, as Lopez tries to avoid the shot.
Lopez connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lopez blocks a head kick by Evans.
Lopez misses with a body shot.
Evans swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Lopez shoots in looking for a takedown but Evans manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lopez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And Evans counters with a quick kick to the body but Lopez blocks it.
Nick Evans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lopez moves out of range of the body kick from Evans.
Evans looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Lopez with that takedown attempt.
Evans lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Evans stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Evans lands a nice looking kick to the body. Lopez takes a step back to recover.
Evans walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Lopez avoids the head kick by Evans.
Evans throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lopez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Evans counters with a one-two to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pedro Lopez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lopez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Evans ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Evans misses with a kick to the body.
Evans keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lopez misses the shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lopez throws a series of punches but Evans moves out of range.
Evans throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lopez feints the counter takedown.
Evans fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lopez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A slapping leg kick lands for Evans.
Lopez darts in looking for a takedown but Evans gets double underhooks and turns Lopez into the cage.
Evans moves out of range of the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nick Evans.
Well Lopez 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pedro Lopez!
A very excited looking Pedro Lopez made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.