PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Trent Chapel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evans's entrance music is Time For Some Aksion. A fine choice. Chapel has chosen Madsen - Nitro as his entrance music. Rashad Evans had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.2lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Evans
vs
Chapel

180 cm
25
203 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

180 cm
24
188 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rashad Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Trent Chapel!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Jonathan Paton and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Evans fails to land the takedown.

Chapel gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chapel controlling the action here.
Chapel tries to pass the half guard into mount. Evans knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Evans wants to improve his position but Chapel is controlling well.

Chapel looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Evans is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans blocking the ground and pound attempt from Chapel.
Chapel is looking to stall here but Evans recovers full guard.
Chapel trying to control but Evans is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Evans lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Chapel throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans misses with a looping right.

Chapel drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Evans is looking to stand up but Chapel isn't so interested in that idea.
Chapel wants to control from the top but Evans keeps moving.
Chapel stopping the sweep attempt from Evans.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chapel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Evans is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Chapel is aware though and is defending well.
Chapel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans wriggles free and stands up.
Evans stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Chapel.
Evans is breathing heavily.
Evans fails with the takedown

and Chapel holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A short left from Chapel.
Evans tries to score a body lock takedown but Chapel shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashad Evans. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Chapel has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Evans clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Chapel is riding his opponent, not letting Evans buck him off.

Chapel is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Evans has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Chapel landing with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Chapel trying to control but Evans is having none of it.
Chapel lands a nice shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Chapel is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Evans is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Trent Chapel!