PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmes kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Muse: MK Ultra. Evans has chosen j as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. James Holmes had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Holmes
vs
Evans

190 cm
28
218 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

180 cm
33
220 lbs
19 - 13 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rashad Evans!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holmes throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Evans swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Evans drives through with a takedown into Holmes's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Holmes pulls Evans in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Evans wants to control from the top but Holmes keeps moving.
Holmes bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Evans's guard.
Evans throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Holmes trying to control but Evans is working from the bottom.
Evans manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Holmes manages to get himself to full guard.
Holmes has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Evans postures up in Holmes's guard and throws a big left but Holmes blocks it.
Evans throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Holmes pulls Evans in close to prevent any damage.
Evans postures up in Holmes's guard and throws a big left but Holmes blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes 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.
Evans content to stall in guard here.
Holmes avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Evans trying to control but Holmes is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Evans throwing strikes from guard but Holmes blocks nicely.
Holmes is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Evans in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Evans throwing strikes from guard but Holmes blocks nicely.
Evans passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Holmes is looking to reverse the position.
Evans misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Holmes dodges the ground and pound from Evans.
Evans has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Holmes can't do much from the bottom here.
Holmes managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Evans.
Evans in side control, throwing shots but Holmes defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Evans fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Evans misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Evans goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Holmes rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Evans's guard! Nice work there by Holmes!
Evans is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Evans is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Holmes defends well.
Holmes has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Holmes postures up and lands a big shot to Evans's brow.
Holmes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Holmes advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Evans.
Holmes controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
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!
Holmes distracts Evans with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Holmes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Evans is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Evans prevents Holmes from improving his position.
Evans not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Evans wants to control but Holmes is keeping him busy.
Evans winds up and cracks Holmes with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Evans scores with a jab to the head.
Holmes takes one to the chin there.
Evans misses with a hook. Holmes ducked under it nicely.
Evans scores with a body shot.
Holmes scores with a jab to the head.
Holmes connects with an inside leg kick.
Evans shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Evans throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Holmes on the side of the head.
Holmes misses with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circling - Evans throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Holmes takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Holmes slips a straight right by Evans.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Evans throws a push kick but Holmes slaps the foot to one side.
Evans throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Holmes misses with a wild body shot.
Evans has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Holmes.
The fighters circling - Evans throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
An inside leg kick from Holmes misses.
Holmes with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes thows a body shot but no joy.
Evans misses with a looping left.
Holmes swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Holmes takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Holmes tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Evans is able to avoid easily.
Evans takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Evans scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A jab from Evans finds it's way through Holmes's defenses.
Evans takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Evans scores with a hook.
Evans fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Holmes checks it well.
Holmes ducks under a wild hook from Evans.
Evans throws a body punch but Holmes moves out of range.
Evans connects with a crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holmes connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Evans's hands.
Holmes moves out of range as Evans strikes.
Holmes feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Evanss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Holmes throws a jab when Evans was well out of range.
Holmes throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Holmes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Evans throws out the jab.
Evans tries for a takedown but Holmes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Holmes.
Evans is breathing heavily.
Evans has a takedown stuffed.
James Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rashad Evans.
Evans scores with a punch to the head.
Holmes throws a hook but Evans blocks it.
Jab by Evans.
Holmes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Evans displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Holmes throws out the jab.
Holmes throws a hook to the side of Evans's head but Evans sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Evans thows a body shot but no joy.
Holmes moves into range and connects with a jab.
Evans shoots in but Holmes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Evans connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Holmes momentarily.
Holmes misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Holmes connects with a right hand. Evans shakes it off.
Holmes connects with an inside leg kick.
Evans swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Holmes is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Holmes lands with a thumping leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Evans misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holmes.
Holmes pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Holmes tried to score with a low kick but Evans checks it.
James Holmes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holmes with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Holmes misses with a wild body shot.
Holmes misses with a wild body shot.
James Holmes is winning the standup battle so far.
Evans avoids the body shot from Holmes.
Holmes motions for Evans to come forward. Holmes throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Holmes dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Evans. That did some damage!
Holmes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Holmes misses with an attempted mid kick.
Holmes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Evans moves in looking to clinch but Holmes pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans fails with a takedown attempt.
Holmes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Evans manages to avoid it.
Holmes throws a half hearted mid kick.
Holmes motions for Evans to come forward. Holmes throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Holmes buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Evans throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Evans tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Holmes was well out of range. Poor timing from Evans.
Evans staying out of range there.
A jab from Holmes does it's job there.
The fighters circling - Holmes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Evans keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Holmes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Evans takes one to the chin there.
Evans throws a hook but Holmes avoids it easily.
Holmes cracks Evans with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Evans checks a low kick from Holmes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Holmes 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!

Holmes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice body kick there by Holmes.
Holmes throws out a powerful jab.
Holmes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rashad Evans seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holmes looks for the body kick but Evans saw that one coming.
Holmes walks into a jab.
Holmes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Evans looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Evans takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Holmes stuffs the takedown.
A chopping leg kick lands by Holmes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Evans is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Holmes looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Holmes lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Holmes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Holmes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Evans.
Evans misses with a wild body shot.
Holmes connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes defending well as Evans loads up on a big left hand.
Holmes moves into range and connects with a jab.
A big left from Evans misses.
Evans slips under a jab.
Evans loads up on a big right hand but Holmes slips the punch.
Holmes misses with a body shot.
Holmes slips a jab from Evans.
Evans misses with a looping left.
A big right from Holmes misses.
Evans bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Holmes's head.

Evans feints and as Holmes raises his hands in defense, Evans changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Evans takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Holmes avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Holmes pulls Evans in close to his closed guard and prevents Evans from doing any damage or advancing position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Evans loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Evans stopping the sweep attempt from Holmes.
Holmes has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Holmes is on top in guard.
Holmes distracts Evans with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rashad Evans has got the better of the ground game so far.
Evans not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Evans throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Holmes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Evans is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Holmes is trying is best to control the position here.
Holmes trying to hold on to Evans's head to control him but Evans postures up.

Evans is working for a submission of some sort.

Evans 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans is trying to control the action in half guard but Holmes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Evans is looking for submissions but instead, Holmes has regained full guard.
Evans passes Holmes's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Evans looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Holmes with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Holmes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Holmes has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Holmes!