PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shenji Tanikai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keith Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Keith Evans has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Tanikai
vs
Evans

185 cm
23
275 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
23
275 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Win Nutritional - proof of quality

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shenji Tanikai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Keith Evans!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Luis Engracia and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Evans lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tanikai looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Evans looks to land a combination but Tanikai avoids it well.
Evans looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Evans avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tanikai slips under a jab.
Evans takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Evans looks gassed!
Tanikai moves in looking to clinch but Evans pushes him off.
Evans circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tanikai scores with a punch to the head.

It looks like Keith Evans has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanikai looks to land a right hand but Evans moved out of range.
Evans staying out of range there.
Evans misses with a straight right.

Tanikai cracks Evans with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Tanikai has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Evans to stand back up!
Tanikai looks to score with a jab to the body but Evans is just out of range.
Tanikai throws a right and a left that both miss.
A big right from Tanikai misses.
Tanikai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Tanikai rushes Evans and presses him up against the cage.
Tanikai tries to break the clinch but Evans is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanikai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Evans looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tanikai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tanikai is trying to force a seperation but Evans has the dominant position.
Tanikai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tanikai keeps control of Evans as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tanikai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Evans is trying to break the clinch but Tanikai is controlling him.
Evans working aggressively here.
Evans misses with some punches.
Tanikai wants to get back to striking at distance but Evans won't allow it.
Evans controlling the action here for a moment.
A frustrated look appears on Tanikai's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tanikai wants to get back to striking at distance but Evans won't allow it.
Evans keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tanikai's efforts to push away.
Evans tries to pull guard but Tanikai won't allow it.
Evans is trying to force a seperation but Tanikai has the dominant position.
Tanikai tries to circle away but Evans has him pinned against the cage.
Evans is trying to break free.
Tanikai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tanikai is trying to break free.
Evans throws a knee to the head but misses.
Evans trying to control the position but instead, Tanikai has worked for underhooks and has pushed Evans into the cage.
Tanikai can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tanikai is trying to break the clinch but Evans has him pressed against the cage.
Evans is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tanikai is trying to break the clinch but Evans has him pressed against the cage.
Evans misses with a punch to the body.
Tanikai tries to break the clinch but Evans is controlling the position.
Tanikai wants to break free but Evans has control.

Evans escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Evans shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tanikai sprawls well. Tanikai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Evans gets slowly back to his feet.
Shenji Tanikai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keith Evans.
Tanikai throws a series of punches but Evans avoids them all with ease.
Tanikai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tanikai.

That has opened up Keith Evans's cut even more.
No joy there for Tanikai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tanikai swings for the body but Evans moves out of range.
Tanikai lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tanikai.
No joy there for Tanikai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tanikai throws a combination that misses
and Evans counters with a stiff right hand.

Evans moves into the clinch successfully.

Evans manages to break the clinch.
Tanikai tries to close the distance and clinch but Evans swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tanikai slips a jab and a cross from Evans.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tanikai connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Evans momentarily.

Evans closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Evans manages to break the clinch.
Evans avoids the body shot from Tanikai.
Evans thuds his right hand into Tanikai's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Evans throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tanikai.
Evans misses with a hook. Tanikai ducked under it nicely.
Evans throws a combination that misses
and Evans takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Evans throws a combination that misses
and Tanikai counters with a one-two to the body.
Tanikai throws a lazy right hand but Evans sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shenji Tanikai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Keith Evans's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tanikai tries to keep at a distance but Evans has taken the fight into the clinch.

Evans breaks the clinch.
Tanikai misses with a combination

and Evans counters by clinching up.
Evans throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tanikais head.

Evans breaks the clinch.
Tanikai thows a body shot but no joy.
Evans throws a head kick that misses.

Evans drives through and clinches with Tanikai against the cage.
Tanikai prevents Evans from breaking the clinch.
Evans cracks Tanikai with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Evans has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tanikai is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tanikai is trying to break free.
Tanikai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanikai is trying to break the clinch but Evans has him pressed against the cage.

Evans breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Evans staying out of range there.
Evans misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A combination from Tanikai does no damage.
Tanikai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Evans moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Evans misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Evans misses with a double jab.
Tanikai slips under a jab.
Tanikai is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tanikai fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Evans looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Keith Evans seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tanikai.
A combination from Evans does no damage.
A combination from Tanikai does no damage.

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.
Tanikai tries to close the distance and clinch but Evans swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Evans throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Evans throws a series of punches but Tanikai moves out of range.
Shenji Tanikai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No joy there for Evans, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Evans lands the left hand.
Tanikai tries to clinch but Evans moves out of range.
Evans throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tanikai looks to clinch
and Evans counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Evans scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tanikai tries to clinch up but Evans circles away and keeps his distance.
Evans scores with a jab.
Tanikai throws a one two combo.
Tanikai misses with a combination
and Evans counters with a nice body shot.
Tanikai has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tanikai thuds his right hand into Evans's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tanikai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shenji Tanikai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tanikai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tanikai moves in looking to clinch but Evans pushes him off.
Evans misses with a wild combination.
Tanikai takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Evans moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Evans misses with a body shot.
Evans tries to clinch up but Tanikai circles away and keeps his distance.
Tanikai looks to score with a jab to the body but Evans is just out of range.
Evans tries to land a front kick but Tanikai steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tanikai misses with a series of wild punches.
Tanikai tries to clinch up but Evans circles away and keeps his distance.
Danga de danga de dang - Evans scores with a four punch combination!
Evans ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tanikai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Evans paws at him with a jab and circles away.

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.
Tanikai lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Tanikai has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Evans clinches up against the cage.
Evans scores with a hook to the body.

Evans breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tanikai dodges the punch combination from Evans.
Evans misses with a double jab
and Tanikai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Evans throws a nice looking combination but Tanikai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Evans misses with a series of wild punches.
Evans showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tanikai.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tanikai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Evans moves away.
Evans showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tanikai.
Evans scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Evans showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Keith Evans's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tanikai connects with a crisp jab.
Tanikai misses with a series of wild punches.
Tanikai showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Evans.
Tanikai throws a hook but Evans avoids it easily.
Evans circles away from the clinch attempt

and Evans counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Evans.

Evans breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Evans throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Evans swats away the attempt to clinch by Tanikai.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd cheers as Tanikai lands an impressive looking overhand right. Evans doesn't seem phased though.
Shenji Tanikai is winning the standup battle so far.
Tanikai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Evans circles away quickly and effectively.
Evans bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tanikai looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tanikai wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanikai misses with a combination

and Evans counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Tanikai's guard now.

Tanikai is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Evans manages to break the clinch.
Tanikai tries to bum rush Evans with a series of wild strikes but Evans uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Evans scores with a jab to the body.
A punch combination from Evans misses.
Evans scores with a nice head shot.
Tanikai lands a jab to Evans's midsection.
Tanikai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A slow jab from Evans misses its intended target.
Tanikai swats away the attempt to clinch by Evans.
Tanikai avoids the head kick by Evans.
Nice takedown defense from Tanikai. No joy for Evans on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tanikai doesn't manage to clinch there - Evans circles away.
Evans tries to bum rush Tanikai with a series of wild strikes but Tanikai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Evans throws a right and a left that Tanikai avoids nicely.
No joy there for Tanikai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tanikai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Evans circles away quickly and effectively.
Evans swinging wilding here.
Tanikai cracks Evans with an open hand slap.
Evans lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tanikai at a distance.
Evans misses with a double jab.
The crowd cheers as Tanikai lands an impressive looking overhand right. Evans doesn't seem phased though.
Tanikai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tanikai misses with a few strikes there.
Tanikai falls off balance throwing a combination

and Evans moves into the clinch.

Evans breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Evans moves away from the strike by Tanikai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tanikai.
Tanikai throws a right and a left that Evans avoids nicely.
Tanikai moves out of range as Evans strikes.
Evans misses with a jab, cross combination.
Evans tries to bum rush Tanikai with a series of wild strikes but Tanikai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Evans misses with a combination
and Tanikai counters with a left and a right that stings Evans.
Tanikai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Evans.
Evans fails with an attempt to clinch.
Evans misses with a wild combination.
Evans's corner calls for a 1-2. Evans obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A slow jab from Tanikai misses its intended target.
Tanikai swings for the body but Evans moves out of range.

Evans fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tanikai, pushing him back against the cage.

Evans breaks the clinch.

Evans moves into the clinch.

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 pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Evans avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tanikai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Evans closes the distance and clinches.
Evans throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Evans breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tanikai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanikai tries to clinch there but Evans circles away.
Tanikai misses with a wild combination.
Evans fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tanikai looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tanikai fails to land with a series of punches.

Evans clinches with his opponent.

Evans manages to break the clinch.
Evans misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tanikai.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keith Evans comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Evans has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keith Evans!