PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matt Howell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Howell
vs
Evans

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
197 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matt Howell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ben Evans!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, John Mangel and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Evans lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Matt Howell has been cut.
Howell throws out a loose jab but Evans uses good head movement to avoid it.
Evans throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Some wild striking there from Howell.

Evans has Howell up against the cage in a clinch.
Howell content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Evans prevents a body shot from Howell.
Evans is trying to pull guard but Howell turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Howell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Evans closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Howell's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Evans is trying to break free.
Howell is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Evans is trying to push Howell away but Howell has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Howell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Howell trying to land knees to the body.
Evans slowing the pace effectively.
Howell lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Evans is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Howell to keep the fight standing.
Matt Howell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Evans.
Howell lands an elbow just above Evans 's eye.

It looks like Ben Evans has been cut.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Howell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Evans connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Evans has Howell up against the cage in a clinch.

Evans manages to break the clinch.
Ben Evans seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans dives in and grabs Howell's left leg, looking for a takedown. Howell pushes down on Evans's head and hops out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans looks for a takedown but Howell sprawls well.
Evans changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Howell tries to avoid it but Evans manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Howell to the ground. Howell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
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!
Howell throws a hook but Evans blocks it.
Howell tries to clinch up.
Howell tries to close the distance and clinch but Evans swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Howell looks to throw the jab but Evans is out of range.
Evans wants to clinch but Howell slips to the side
and Howell counters with a big head kick but Evans shrugs it off.
Evans jabs Howell right on the nose. Howell blinks but takes it well.
Howell tries to clinch but Evans moves away

and Evans counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Evans wants to stand up but Howell has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Evans looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Howell is refusing to be controlled, as Evans sits in half guard.
Howell pushes Evans off looking to stand but Evans dives back in and keeps control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ben Evans hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Evans circles away from the clinch attempt

and Evans counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Howell pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Howell breaks from the clinch.
Howell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Evans manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Howell tries to clinch but Evans is having none of it.
Howell tries to clinch there but Evans circles away.
Howell throws a low kick but it's checked well by Evans.
Evans shoots in for a double leg but Howell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Howell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howell doesn't manage to clinch there - Evans circles away.
Evans avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Howell fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Evans dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Evans closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Howell did well to prevent Evans getting side control.
Evans wants to lay and pray for a moment but Howell keeps working.
Evans not doing much here.

Ben Evans has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Evans ducks under a wild hook from Howell.
Evans shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Evans is defended easily by Howell.

Evans drives through with a takedown into Howell's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howell wants to stand and escape but Evans is having none of it.

Evans decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Howell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Evans shoots in for a takedown but Howell shows good takedown defense.
Matt Howell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Evans.
Evans is breathing heavily.

Evans looking to score a takedown here. Howell is defending well but Evans drives through and ends up in Howell's guard.
Evans trying to control the position from guard on top but Howell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Ben Evans has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Evans fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Howell is looking to clinch but Evans is avoiding it.

Howell has taken the fight to the clinch.
Howell misses with a punch to the body.
Howell tries to work over Evans's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Howell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howell on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Evans is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Howell gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Evans is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Howell to keep the fight standing.
Howell creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Evans's defenses.

Howell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Howell throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Evans counters with a nice double leg into side control. Howell won't be happy with that.
Evans tries to get to his feet but Howell is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Evans in his guard.
Howell wants to stand but Evans is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Howell is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Evans wants to control from the top but Howell keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ben Evans hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Evans keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Evans showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

No luck for Evans with that takedown attempt.
Evans doesn't manage to clinch there - Howell circles away.
Evans tries to clinch but Howell is having none of it.
Howell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Evans swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Evans is looking to land body kicks.
Howell tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Evans counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Howell thinking.
Howell tries to clinch but Evans moves away
and Evans counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Howell throws a half hearted mid kick.
Howell slaps away a takedown attempt from Evans, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Evans forces Howell back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Howell breaks from the clinch.
Matt Howell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Evans shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Howell as he jumps to the side.
Matt Howell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Evans.
Evans takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Howell throws a series of punches but Evans moves out of range.
Evans shoots for a takedown but Howell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Evans closes the distance and clinches up with Howell, looking for a takedown. Evans pushes Howell against the cage but Howell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Evans is looking to clinch but Howell is avoiding it.
Howell tries to clinch up.
Howell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Howell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Evans keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Howell darts in trying to clinch
and Evans counters with a left and a right that stings Howell.
Howell wants to clinch.
Howell wants to clinch
and Evans counters with a nice uppercut.
Howell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Evans lands a really nice looking cross but Howell seems unphased.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Howell, right into the meat.
Howell tries to clinch up.
Ben Evans seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans blocks a head kick by Howell.
Howell wants to clinch
and Evans counters with a one-two to the body.
Howell tries to clinch but Evans moves out of range.
Evans jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Howell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Matt Howell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Howell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Evans tries to clinch up.
Howell displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Evans.
The fight stays on the outside here - Howell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howell tries to clinch up but Evans circles away and keeps his distance.
Howell is looking to clinch.
Howell tries to clinch but Evans moves out of range.
Evans avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Howell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Howell throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Evans shoots in for a double leg but Howell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Howell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Evans paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Matt Howell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ben Evans is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Howell tries to close the distance and clinch but Evans swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Howell showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

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