PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evans is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Evans
vs
Rivera

180 cm
25
244 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
18
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Inexperienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rashad Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Igor Prikhodko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rivera closes the distance and clinches up with Evans, looking for a takedown. Rivera pushes Evans against the cage but Evans circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Evans is breathing heavily.
Rivera uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Evans.
Evans swings for the body but Rivera moves out of range.

Rivera fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Evans, pushing him back against the cage.
Evans could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Evans gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rivera.
Evans drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rivera gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Evans tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rivera just stands there and leans against the cage.

Rivera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rivera shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Evans as he jumps to the side.
Rashad Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Rivera.
Rivera fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rivera shoots for a double leg takedown but Evans sprawls well. He's pushed Rivera's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rivera.
Rivera tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Evans swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans stuffs the takedown attempt from Rivera. Rivera gets slowly back to his feet.
Rivera shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Evans stuffs the takedown.
Rashad Evans is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rivera pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rivera shoots in looking for a takedown but Evans manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rivera's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rivera changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Evans tries to avoid it but Rivera manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Evans to the ground. Evans escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rivera misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rivera tries for a takedown but Evans sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Evans throws a head kick that misses

and Rivera moves into the clinch.
Rivera can't get the takedown.
Evans tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rivera blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rivera jumps guard and drags Evans to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Evans wants to control from the top but Rivera keeps moving.

Rivera has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Evans can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Evans postures up.
Evans knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rivera on the ground.

Rivera is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Evans is aware though and is defending well.

Rivera has his foot on Evans's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Evans works his way back into a safe position though.
Rivera wants to sweep here but Evans controlling him for the moment.
Rivera doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Evans puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Evans tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Evans is trying to control. Rivera wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rivera gets full guard.

Rivera is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Evans rolls with it to try and escape but Rivera cranks on the arm and Evans is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Antonio Rivera!