PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Evaristus Cookescommons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Evaristus Cookescommons has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Cookescommons
vs
Hughes

179 cm
26
178 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Evaristus Cookescommons!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Hughes!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cookescommons shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hughes defends it nicely.

Hughes closes the distance and clinches.

Hughes gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hughes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cookescommons's head.
Cookescommons is staying active underneath Hughes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hughes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hughes slips a nice elbow through Cookescommons's hands, connecting with Cookescommons's forehead.
Cookescommons missing with punches from the bottom.

Hughes stands up out of the half guard.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cookescommons as he jumps to the side.

Cookescommons looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hughes keeping moving, preventing Cookescommons from controlling successfully.
Cookescommons pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hughes is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes is trying to control the position but Cookescommons postures up.
Hughes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cookescommons content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Cookescommons missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cookescommons throwing strikes but missing.
Hughes keeping full guard, as Cookescommons tries to pass.
Cookescommons won't allow Hughes to sweep him here.
Cookescommons throws a big right hand that misses.
Cookescommons has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hughes is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes looking to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Cookescommons is stalling in the full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Hughes gets a double leg takedown into Cookescommons's guard.
Cookescommons looking for a sweep. Not yet Cookescommons, not yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cookescommons looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Hughes puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Cookescommons on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Cookescommons tries to get out of the position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cookescommons is not content to let Hughes control the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hughes wants to pass to mount but Cookescommons is defending the position.
Hughes working Cookescommons over with strikes.
Hughes is thwarting Cookescommons's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cookescommons is trying to get back to full guard.
Cookescommons is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hughes's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hughes's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hughes takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Cookescommons lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Hughes hold on?!
Hughes looking very determined here, making life difficult for Cookescommons.
Even with his hooks in, Cookescommons manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Hughes trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Hughes covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes prevents Cookescommons from getting a body triangle.
Cookescommons wants to control but Hughes manages to buck him off and is now in Cookescommons's guard! Nice work there by Hughes!
Cookescommons keeping moving, preventing Hughes from controlling successfully.
Cookescommons knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hughes on the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cookescommons wants to sweep but no luck.
Cookescommons looking to control.
Cookescommons is really struggling to control Hughes but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Cookescommons is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cookescommons can't keep his opponent in guard - Hughes advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Cookescommons is looking for a sweep. Hughes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
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 Evaristus Cookescommons will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cookescommons shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hughes as he avoids it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cookescommons looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hughes closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Cookescommons quickly recovers to half guard.
Hughes is thwarting Cookescommons's attempts to control the position.

Hughes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cookescommons has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hughes wants to take a breather but Cookescommons is having none of it.
Hughes is thwarting Cookescommons's attempts to control the position.

Hughes seems to be working for a kimura but Cookescommons defends the submission attempt.
Cookescommons controlling the position for now.
Hughes is looking to take a break and control but Cookescommons is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cookescommons is trying to control but can't.
Cookescommons is trying to get back to full guard.
Hughes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cookescommons does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Evaristus Cookescommons just wasn't active enough.
Cookescommons fails with the takedown

and Hughes counters by moving into the clinch.
Cookescommons is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evaristus Cookescommons. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hughes has picked Cookescommons up - he's going for a ride! Hughes dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Hughes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cookescommons is just riding it out for now. Hughes eventually gives up the hold.
Hughes not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes is trying to control. Cookescommons wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cookescommons slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Cookescommons wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Cookescommons wants to sweep here but Hughes controlling him for the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hughes stands up from Cookescommons's guard - Hughes perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hughes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Cookescommons shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Cookescommons putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Hughes is breathing heavily.
Cookescommons with a couple of short strikes.
Cookescommons trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Cookescommons lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Hughes hang on?
Cookescommons trying to control but Hughes is having none of it.
Hughes tries to hold on but Cookescommons postures up.
Cookescommons working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cookescommons punishing his opponent with strikes.
Hughes wants to hold on but Cookescommons pushes him away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Cookescommons cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Cookescommons wants to control the pace but Hughes is squirming around nicely.
Cookescommons dominating with strikes here.
Cookescommons dominating with strikes here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cookescommons with shots to the head and body - Hughes looks very uncomfortable down there.

Hughes is rocked!
Cookescommons lands a big shot there that rocks Hughes but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hughes is still in real trouble! Can Cookescommons finish him?
Hughes is squirming around, avoiding Cookescommons's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evaristus Cookescommons dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cookescommons jabs Hughes to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hughes seems to have recovered his senses.
Hughes shoots in but Cookescommons avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cookescommons but Cookescommons pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cookescommons throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hughes's waist but Hughes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cookescommons off to one side.
Cookescommons closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hughes circles away.
Hughes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Evaristus Cookescommons has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Hughes.
Cookescommons scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Hughes gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cookescommons to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Cookescommons working some strikes from top position.
Hughes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cookescommons slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cookescommons lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cookescommons lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hughes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cookescommons is working Hughes over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cookescommons slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Cookescommons stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Cookescommons shoots for a takedown but Hughes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cookescommons tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cookescommons displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hughes.
Hughes keeps the fight on the outside.

Cookescommons changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hughes looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cookescommons trying to control the position but Hughes is working away.
Hughes regains half guard.
Cookescommons is keen to just control but Hughes is a slippery customer.
Hughes is looking to escape.
Cookescommons is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Cookescommons is taking a breather. Hughes says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cookescommons with the ground and pound but Hughes uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Cookescommons has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Cookescommons makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cookescommons lands a couple of elbows.
Cookescommons postures up.
Cookescommons wants to stand but Hughes has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Evaristus Cookescommons overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cookescommons seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cookescommons distracts Hughes with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes is trying to control the position but Cookescommons postures up.
Cookescommons lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Cookescommons is stalling in the full guard.
Hughes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cookescommons trying to control but Hughes is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cookescommons tries to free his leg and advance position but Hughes is retaining full guard.
Matt Hughes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Evaristus Cookescommons is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hughes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evaristus Cookescommons showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cookescommons, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evaristus Cookescommons!