PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chisulo Kalagho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Nick Evans enters the cage!

Kalagho
vs
Evans

177 cm
19
155 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
20
149 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

The Empire Clothing and Laundry
Master Lee's One Stop

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chisulo Kalagho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Evans!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Jorge Garcia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters circling a little - Evans finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kalagho changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Evans tries to avoid it but Kalagho 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 throws a right and a left that Kalagho avoids nicely.
Kalagho avoids the head kick by Evans.
Evans stuffs the takedown.
Kalagho tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Evans swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chisulo Kalagho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evans pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kalagho shoots in looking for a takedown. Evans tries to sprawl out of it but Kalagho keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Evans manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kalagho.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalagho fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Chisulo Kalagho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kalagho fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalagho shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Evans as he avoids it easily.
Evans feints a counter leg kick.
Kalagho takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kalagho throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kalagho fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Evans avoids it really well and circles away.
Despite the aggression on Evans's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Kalagho manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Evans on his heels. He'll look to pass Evans's guard now, I'm sure.
Evans working a defensive guard here.
Kalagho is looking to work some ground and pound but Evans has wrist control.
Evans is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalagho throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Evans controls Kalagho momentarily but Kalagho frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kalagho got a little sloppy there for a moment and Evans has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kalagho has managed to get both his arms back between Evans's legs - danger averted.
Kalagho wants to pass the guard but Evans is keeping the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kalagho fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kalagho looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans manages to break the clinch.
Evans tries a head kick but it misses.
Kalagho takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kalagho half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Kalagho drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Evans parries the strikes from Kalagho easily there. Kalagho is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Evans to escape.
Evans is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Kalagho tries to advance to mount but Evans denies him.

Kalagho decides to stand up, so the ref orders Evans to his feet.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Evans checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kalagho.
Kalagho moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Evans gets caught flat footed, as Kalagho shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kalagho looking to pass the guard.
Kalagho slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kalagho creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kalagho blocks a head kick by Evans.
Evans throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kalagho.
Chisulo Kalagho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kalagho buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kalagho tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Evans swivels and escapes.
That kick from Kalagho tenderised Evans's leg. Evans is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kalagho is looking to score with low kicks.
Evans throws a leg kick but Kalagho sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kalagho shoots for a takedown but Evans saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kalagho fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chisulo Kalagho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kalagho can pounce on him.
Evans misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nick Evans is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalagho tries to score with a low kick but Evans moves his leg out of the way.
Evans flicks out a counter leg kick but Kalagho steps away.
Evans lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kalagho gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Evans counters with a good low kick that Kalagho was not able to check.
Kalagho shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Evans sprawls well. Evans wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kalagho gets slowly back to his feet.
Kalagho has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Evans after a bit of a struggle.
Kalagho drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kalagho is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Evans wants to stall.
Kalagho has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Evans avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kalagho wants to take the fight to the mat but Evans manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalagho blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kalagho is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Evans pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kalagho is trying to drag Evans to the mat but Evans just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kalagho changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Evans fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Evans throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Evans misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Evans throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kalagho goes for a double leg but Evans avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Evans continues to drive forward.
Kalagho chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Evans can pounce on him.
Evans misses with a lunging right hand

and Kalagho counters with a shoot takedown. Evans fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalagho pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Evans is keeping the position for now.
Kalagho passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kalagho throwing strikes but Evans manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Kalagho gets back to half guard.
Evans passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kalagho!
Evans prevents Kalagho from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalagho is trying to reverse the position but instead Evans has taken his back - oops!
Evans trying to control.
Kalagho tries to break free.
Kalagho is working hard here to advance position.
Kalagho has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Evans is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kalagho has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Kalagho can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Evans showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Evans changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kalagho shoots for a double leg takedown but Evans sprawls well. He's pushed Kalagho's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nick Evans seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kalagho shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Evans counters with a thumping low kick.
Kalagho keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Evans as Kalagho shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chisulo Kalagho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kalagho uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Evans.
Evans throws a predictable looking body shot

and Kalagho counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Evans not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalagho preventing the sweep.
Chisulo Kalagho overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kalagho gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kalagho fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Evans avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans misses with a wild body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Evans.
Kalagho blocks a low kick nicely.
Kalagho shoots in and drives through. Evans sprawls well.
Evans shapes to counter with a head kick.
A shot to the liver by Evans. Beautiful body shot.
Kalagho blocks a head kick by Evans.
Kalagho shoots in for a takedown but Evans shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Evans only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Evans displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kalagho.
Evans follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Evans slaps away a takedown attempt from Kalagho, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A nice side step and Evans releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalagho shoots in for a takedown but Evans shows good takedown defense.
Kalagho looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Evans steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Evans is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kalagho is looking to take this one to the mat.
Evans lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Evans lands a good knee to the midsection. Kalagho won't want to take too many of those.
Evans is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kalagho is defending well for now.
Evans lands an elbow inside that Kalagho shrugs off.
Kalagho goes for a takedown attempt but Evans pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Evans.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kalagho shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Evans but Evans pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Evans is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kalagho rather than just go for the knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans swings for the body but Kalagho moves out of range.
Kalagho tries to counter with a takedown but Evans is quick to defend against it.
Kalagho fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Evans is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Kalagho blocks the body kick.
Kalagho uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Evans.
Kalagho attempts a counter takedown but Evans avoids it well and moves away.
Evans tries to land a front kick but Kalagho steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Evans swings for the body but Kalagho moves out of range.
Kalagho moves out of range as Evans throws a body kick.
Kalagho has his takedown stuffed
and Evans counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kalagho is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Evans throws a right hand that Kalagho ducks under and follows up with a left that Kalagho also avoids with ease.
Evans goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Kalagho closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Evans did well to prevent Kalagho getting side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kalagho gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Evans enables Kalagho to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Evans manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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!

Evans working for a triangle but Kalagho defends it easily.
Kalagho wants to pass the guard but Evans is keeping the position.
Evans preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Evans comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Evans!
Our winner, Nick Evans, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.