PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafal Zamana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gero Evelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zamana's entrance music is Modestep - Show Me A Sign. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zamana
vs
Evelin

180 cm
24
181 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

173 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rafal Zamana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gero Evelin!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zamana closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zamana lands in his opponent's guard.
Zamana is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Barbell Brigade - $1000 that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Evelin wants to stand but Zamana is controlling the position.
Zamana throwing strikes from guard but Evelin blocks nicely.
Zamana loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zamana drops back looking for a leg! Evelin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Evelin manages to kick Zamana off! Zamana jumps back into Evelin's guard.
Evelin wants to stand and escape but Zamana is having none of it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zamana stays in close to Evelin's body and controls the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Evelin. No joy for Zamana on that attempt.
Evelin shoots in for a takedown but Zamana shows good takedown defense.
Zamana closes this distance looking for a takedown but Evelin circles away.
Zamana dives in for a single leg takedown but Evelin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Evelin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafal Zamana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zamana goes for a double leg but Evelin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Evelin continues to drive forward.
Evelin let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Zamana shoots for a double leg takedown but Evelin sprawls well. He's pushed Zamana's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Despite the aggression on Evelin's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Zamana looking to score a takedown here. Evelin is defending well but Zamana drives through and ends up in Evelin's guard.
Zamana is breathing heavily.
Zamana prevents Evelin from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zamana is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zamana looking to sit in guard and control but Evelin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evelin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zamana is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Evelin is aware though and is defending well.
Evelin postures up.
Zamana looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zamana has momentary wrist control but Evelin slips an elbow through the middle.
Evelin working some strikes from top position.
Evelin landing with the ground and pound.
Evelin won't allow Zamana to sweep him here.
Evelin scoring with some ground and pound.
Evelin is working Zamana over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Evelin lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zamana working a defensive guard here.

Zamana looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zamana trying to control the position.

Zamana is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Evelin defends well.
Zamana is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Zamana is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Evelin is just riding it out for now. Zamana eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Evelin is trying to stand up here but Zamana is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rafal Zamana will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Evelin shoots in and drives through. Zamana sprawls well.
Zamana half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Zamana fails with the takedown.
Zamana fails with the takedown
enabling Evelin to counter with a crisp jab.

Zamana shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Evelin wants to stand up but Zamana is controlling him.
Zamana stands up over Evelin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zamana controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Zamana seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Evelin for as long as he can get away with.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zamana trying to control the position from guard on top but Evelin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zamana postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Evelin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Zamana drops back looking for a leg! Evelin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Evelin manages to kick Zamana off! Zamana jumps back into Evelin's guard.
Zamana prevents Evelin from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two 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.
Zamana tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Evelin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Evelin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Zamana preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Evelin postures up.
Evelin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Zamana had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Evelin defends it easily.

Zamana is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Evelin postures up and lands a big shot to Zamana's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evelin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Zamana trying to keep a closed guard but Evelin is proving a slippery customer.
Evelin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rafal Zamana overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zamana pulls Evelin in to control the position.
Evelin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Evelin works over Zamana with some ground and pound from guard.
Evelin postures up in Zamana's guard and throws a big left but Zamana blocks it.
Zamana looking to control.
Evelin is in close to Zamana's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Zamana is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Evelin is aware though and is defending well.
Evelin lands a couple of elbows.
Zamana is trying to control the position but Evelin postures up.
Evelin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evelin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Evelin lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Evelin preventing the sweep.

Evelin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zamana has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Evelin has managed to get both his arms back between Zamana's legs - danger averted.
Evelin distracts Zamana with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Evelin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zamana's head.
Evelin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Evelin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Evelin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Evelin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Evelin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Evelin creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gero Evelin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Evelin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Evelin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Zamana decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Zamana lands strikes from half guard.
Evelin wants to get back to his feet.
Evelin wants to stand back up but Zamana manages to pass into side control.
Zamana has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Evelin!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zamana fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Evelin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zamana lands a big shot there that rocks Evelin but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Zamana is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Evelin can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zamana wants to control the pace but Evelin is squirming around nicely.
Evelin is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Zamana takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Zamana looking to control but Evelin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Zamana goes for an armbar but Evelin turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Evelin.
Zamana looking to control.
Evelin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Evelin cracks Zamana with a solid left hand.
Zamana trying to keep a closed guard but Evelin is proving a slippery customer.
Evelin works over Zamana with some ground and pound from guard.
Zamana is trying to control the position but Evelin postures up.
Evelin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Evelin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zamana's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zamana looking for a sweep. Not yet Zamana, not yet.

Zamana looking for a guillotine here but Evelin defends easily.
Zamana will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Zamana not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Zamana has his foot on Evelin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Evelin works his way back into a safe position though.
Evelin scoring with punches to the head and body.
Zamana looking for a sweep. Not yet Zamana, not yet.
Evelin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zamana's head.
Zamana trying to control the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Evelin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Evelin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zamana. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zamana is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zamana wants to sweep here but Evelin controlling him for the moment.
Evelin lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Evelin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zamana's head.

Zamana looking for a guillotine here but Evelin defends easily.
Evelin lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Evelin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Evelin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zamana's head.
Evelin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Zamana looking for a guillotine here but Evelin defends easily.

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 Rafal Zamana.
I think Zamana has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

The fight is ruled a draw!