PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hjalmar Soderberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rashad Evans has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Evans
vs
Soderberg

180 cm
35
212 lbs
25 - 16 - 2

189 cm
33
225 lbs
22 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

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 25 - 16 - 2, fighting out of London, Rashad Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hjalmar Soderberg!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soderberg keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Evans.
Evans throws a hook but Soderberg avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Evans.
Soderberg throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Soderberg moves out of range of the leg kick from Evans.
Soderberg fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Soderberg ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Evans moves away.
An inside leg kick lands from Soderberg.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed right hand from Evans misses the target.
Evans 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.
An inside leg kick lands from Soderberg.
Evans wants to slow Soderberg down by chopping away at his legs.
Evans keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Soderberg avoids the body shot from Evans.
Hjalmar Soderberg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Evans keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Soderberg throws a leg kick
and Evans counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Soderberg tries a head kick but it misses.
Evans misses with a straight right.
Soderberg throws a head kick that misses
and Evans counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Soderberg with a nice cross.
Evans thows a body shot but no joy.
Soderberg scores with a leg kick.
Evans throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Soderberg.
Soderberg lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Soderberg slips a jab and a cross from Evans.
Soderberg lunges at Evans with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Evans's hand.
A thudding body kick lands there by Soderberg!
Evans takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Evans works Soderberg's body with a nice hook.
A nice inside leg kick there by Soderberg. That's going to slow Evans down.
Soderberg misses with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Evans.
Evans steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Soderberg.
Evans misses with a series of wild punches.
Soderberg throws a push kick but Evans slaps the foot to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Evans.
Nice defenses there by Soderberg.
Evans tries to score a power double leg takedown but Soderberg sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Evans somewhat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Evans. Soderberg does a little dance to reset his feet.
Soderberg swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Soderberg uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Evans.
A looping hook to the body misses from Soderberg. Evans does a little dance to reset his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Soderberg.
Evans takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg thumps Evans with a low kick.
Soderberg scores with a jab to the jaw.
Soderberg delivers a nice body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big right from Evans misses.
Evans takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Evans is breathing heavily.
Soderberg connects with a solid leg kick.
Soderberg throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Soderberg swings for the body but Evans moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Soderberg throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Soderberg lands with a slapping head kick.
Soderberg is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Evans rather than just go for the knockout.
Evans keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hjalmar Soderberg dominated that round.
That's time! Evans's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Evans throws a hook to the side of Soderberg's head but Soderberg sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Evans is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Soderberg's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Soderberg throws a sloppy head kick
and Evans counters with a right hand to the body.
Evans is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Soderberg missing with a left hand there. Evans was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Soderberg throws out a leg kick but Evans moves out of range and Soderberg only half commits.
Soderberg moves out of range of the leg kick from Evans.
Soderberg misses with a kick to the body
and Evans counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Evans swinging wildly here.
Evans misses with a hook. Soderberg ducked under it nicely.
Hjalmar Soderberg seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Evans dives in and grabs Soderberg's left leg, looking for a takedown. Soderberg pushes down on Evans's head and hops out.
Soderberg connects with a looping right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Evans takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Soderberg pushes Evans away with a front kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Soderberg scores with a sloppy right hand. Evans should have avoided that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Evans drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Soderberg lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Soderberg engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Soderberg scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Evans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Evans controls Soderberg momentarily but Soderberg frees himself.
Soderberg controlling from the top position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Hjalmar Soderberg wasn't active enough on the ground.
Soderberg looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Soderberg thows a body kick. Evans tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Soderberg cracks the inside of Evans's front leg.
Soderberg has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Soderberg ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Soderberg lands with a kick to the ribs.
Soderberg keeps Evans at a distance using the push kick.
Soderberg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Soderberg fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Soderberg throws a push kick but Evans slaps the foot to one side.
Soderberg throws a sloppy head kick and Evans moves out of range easily.
Nice straight punches there by Soderberg. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Soderberg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Soderberg fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Soderberg goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Soderberg misses with a wild body shot.
Soderberg fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Evans.
Evans has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Soderberg.
Soderberg has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Soderberg misses with a head kick.
Soderberg bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Soderberg lands a head kick. Evans smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Soderberg throws a head kick that misses.
Evans misses with a shot to the body
and Soderberg counters with a nice kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hjalmar Soderberg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Soderberg throws a nice head kick!
Soderberg throws a wild body kick that Evans sees coming a mile off.
Evans misses with a straight right.
Soderberg throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A good leg kick by Soderberg.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Evans misses with an attempted mid kick.
Evans throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A solid leg kick lands there for Evans.
Soderberg ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Soderberg thows a body kick. Evans tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soderberg smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soderberg connects with a leg kick. Evans looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Soderberg fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Evans manages to avoid it.
Soderberg feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Evanss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Soderberg lands a big uppercut and Evans crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Evans looks OK. Soderberg waves Evans back to his feet!

Evans is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Evans will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Oh Evans is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Soderberg tries a head kick but it misses.
Evans seems to have got his legs back now.

Soderberg cracks Evans with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Soderberg has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Evans to stand back up!
Soderberg jabs Evans right on the nose. Evans blinks but takes it well.
Soderberg avoids the body shot from Evans.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Evans manages to avoid it.
Soderberg uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Evans checks a leg kick.
Soderberg goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Evans throws a looping overhand right but Soderberg ducks down to avoid it.
Evans stuns Soderberg with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Evans will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Evans throws a looping overhand right but Soderberg ducks down to avoid it.
Evans pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Soderberg throws a solid leg kick but Evans takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Soderberg.
Soderberg pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soderberg throws a sloppy body shot
letting Evans counter with a right hand.
Evans moves out of range as Soderberg throws a body kick.
Evans throws a combination. Soderberg tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Evans gets the takedown into side control.
Evans postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Soderberg struggling a bit here.
Rashad Evans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Evans in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Soderberg wants to control but Evans postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Evans is looking to take a break and control but Soderberg is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Soderberg is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Evans's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Evans passes to full mount!
Evans can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Soderberg is looking to escape.
Evans prevents Soderberg from getting the reversal.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Soderberg sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Soderberg manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hjalmar Soderberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Soderberg has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hjalmar Soderberg!
Post fight, Hjalmar Soderberg stared into the camera and said '...'.