PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Courtney Fleming (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonah Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Fleming
vs
Evans

202 cm
24
151 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

173 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Courtney Fleming!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jonah Evans!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fleming tries to clinch up but Evans circles away and keeps his distance.

Evans closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Evans lands in his opponent's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Evans engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jonah Evans hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Evans fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Evans stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Fleming.
Evans circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans fails to land the takedown.

Evans rushes Fleming and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fleming tries a knee to the head but Evans blocks it.
Fleming stalling in the clinch.
Evans has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fleming avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Courtney Fleming has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonah Evans.
Fleming gets underhooks to prevent Evans's takedown attempt.
Evans lands with a short shot to the head.
Evans drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fleming gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Evans slowing the pace effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fleming.
Evans wants to take the fight to the mat but Fleming manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Evans is trying to push Fleming away but Fleming has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Evans drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Evans is trying to pull guard but Fleming turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Evans blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans wants to stall.
Fleming lands a right hand.
Evans being controlled against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Evans's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Evans can't get the takedown.
Fleming really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Fleming has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fleming lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans wants to get back to striking at distance but Fleming won't allow it.
Evans goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fleming prevents it.
A head punch on the inside from Fleming fails to land.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Evans changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fleming fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Evans doesn't manage to clinch there - Fleming circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Evans shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Evans looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonah Evans dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fleming shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Evans as he jumps to the side.
Evans fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Evans fails with the takedown

and Fleming counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Evans!
Evans manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fleming's best efforts.
Fleming thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Evans's head.
Evans tries to get to full guard but Fleming has control of the leg.
Fleming with the ground and pound but Evans uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans is trying to keep Fleming in close.

Evans working for a triangle but Fleming defends it easily.
Evans wants to sweep but no luck.
Evans trying to keep a closed guard but Fleming is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Evans is on top in guard.
Fleming wants to stand but Evans is controlling the position.
Fleming thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Fleming lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Evans!
Fleming avoids the attempt from Evans to control.
Evans is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fleming throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Evans holds on to Fleming as tight as he can, avoiding damage.
Fleming misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Evans is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Evans sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Fleming will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Evans blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fleming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Evans manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Fleming tries to clinch up but Evans circles away and keeps his distance.
Evans fails with a takedown attempt.
Courtney Fleming has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonah Evans.
Evans is breathing heavily.
Evans tries to clinch there but Fleming circles away.
Fleming takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Evans circles away from the clinch attempt.
Evans shoots in for a double leg but Fleming sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Evans shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fleming sprawls well. Fleming wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Evans gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jonah Evans will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Evans shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fleming as he avoids it easily.
Jonah Evans seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans misses with a shot to the body
and Fleming counters with a leg kick.
Evans tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Evans fails with a takedown attempt.
Evans avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Evans shoots and misses
and Fleming counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Courtney Fleming has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonah Evans.
Evans dives in and grabs Fleming's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fleming pushes down on Evans's head and hops out.
Evans throws a nice inside leg kick.
Evans takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans has his takedown stuffed
and Fleming counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Evans thinking.
A good leg kick by Fleming.

Fleming throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Evans was covering up waiting for the punch and Fleming finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Evans has a closed guard, preventing Fleming from standing up.
Evans controls Fleming momentarily but Fleming frees himself.
Fleming throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Evans works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fleming throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Evans working a defensive guard here.
Evans looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jonah Evans.
Fleming changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Evans tries to avoid it but Fleming manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Evans to the ground. Evans escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Evans shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fleming as he avoids it easily.
Evans shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fleming but Fleming pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fleming looking to score a takedown here. Evans is defending well but Fleming drives through and ends up in Evans's guard.
Fleming missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Evans is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fleming throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Evans works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fleming throwing strikes from guard but Evans blocks nicely.
Fleming working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Evans holds on and takes a little breather.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Fleming postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jonah Evans was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fleming misses with a takedown attempt - Evans sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Evans lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fleming circles away quickly and effectively.
Evans takes one on the button.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Evans tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fleming fails with an attempt to clinch.
Courtney Fleming has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jonah Evans is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Evans looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Courtney Fleming 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 Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29

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