PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Keiran Corkhill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Corkhill
vs
Evans

170 cm
26
135 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

170 cm
20
149 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

The Empire Clothing and Laundry

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Keiran Corkhill!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Evans!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Joseph Jones and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Evans throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Corkhill.
Evans displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Corkhill.
Corkhill looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Evans.
Evans connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Evans throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Evans explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Corkhill fails with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiran Corkhill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evans stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Evans wants it to stay on the feet.
Evans lands with an overhand left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Corkhill. That did some damage!
Corkhill 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.
Corkhill gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Evans counters with a slapping leg kick.

Corkhill drives through with a takedown into Evans's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Evans controlling Corkhill's posture.
Evans keeping moving, preventing Corkhill from controlling successfully.
Evans is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans wants to control the position but Corkhill says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Evans is looking for a sweep. Corkhill is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Corkhill is working for a kimura but Evans is defending it quite comfortably.
Corkhill perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Corkhill is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Corkhill is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Evans sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Corkhill wants to work for an arm triangle but Evans is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Corkhill is working for a kimura but Evans is defending it quite comfortably.

Evans makes his way to full guard, as Corkhill worked for a kimura.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Evans controlling Corkhill's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Corkhill tries for a takedown but Evans circles away easily
and Evans counters with a nice kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Evans dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Evans keeps Corkhill at a distance using the push kick.
Corkhill seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Corkhill takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Evans stuffs the takedown attempt from Corkhill. Corkhill gets slowly back to his feet.
Evans is looking to slow Corkhill down with leg kicks.
Corkhill shoots in for a double leg but Evans sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Corkhill shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiran Corkhill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evans dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Corkhill. That did some damage!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans connects with an inside leg kick.
Corkhill shoots in for a double leg but Evans sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Evans slaps away a takedown attempt from Corkhill, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Evans throws a big counter head kick but Corkhill avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corkhill is trying hard to land a takedown here. Evans sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Corkhill has his takedown stuffed
and Evans counters with a big head kick but Corkhill shrugs it off.
Corkhill shoots for a double leg takedown but Evans sprawls well. He's pushed Corkhill's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Keiran Corkhill seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Evans slaps away a takedown attempt from Corkhill, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Evans lands with a kick to the temple. Corkhill shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Evans fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Evans lands a high kick!
Nick Evans seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Corkhill 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.
Corkhill misses with a takedown attempt
and Evans counters with a good, hard body kick but Corkhill shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Corkhill takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nick Evans is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Evans scores with a jab to the body.
Corkhill walks forward, straight into a front kick from Evans.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Corkhill crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Evans - the referee stops the clock and Corkhill gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Evans. Corkhill manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Evans scores with a push kick.
Corkhill looks for a takedown but Evans sprawls well.
Evans thuds his shin into the meat of Corkhill's side.
Corkhill misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Evans as Corkhill shoots in.
Corkhill has his takedown stuffed
and Evans counters with a slapping leg kick.
Corkhill is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Evans lands a nice looking kick to the body. Corkhill takes a step back to recover.
Corkhill shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Evans pinned against the cage. Evans gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Evans.
Corkhill tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Evans swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans pushes Corkhill away with a front kick.
Jab by Evans.
Evans moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Corkhill with a lazy takedown attempt
and Evans counters with a head kick. That will keep Corkhill thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
A chopping leg kick lands by Evans.
Evans slaps away a takedown attempt from Corkhill, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Evans ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Evans has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
That kick from Evans tenderised Corkhill's leg. Corkhill is trying to keep his angry face on.
Corkhill closes the distance and clinches up with Evans, looking for a takedown. Corkhill pushes Evans against the cage but Evans circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Evans lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
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.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Evans scores with a spinning back kick!
Corkhill shoots in but no luck this time.
Corkhill tries to score a power double leg takedown but Evans sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Corkhill somewhat.
Evans doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Evans misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Evans thuds his shin into the meat of Corkhill's side.
Evans jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Corkhill shoots in but Evans avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Evans is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiran Corkhill. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evans slaps away a takedown attempt from Corkhill, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans scoring well with a low kick there.
Corkhill will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Crunch! Evans slams his shin into Corkhill's torso.
Evans jabs Corkhill to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Corkhill shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Evans throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Corkhill is defended easily by Evans.
Evans lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nick Evans is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Corkhill looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Evans lands with a thumping leg kick.
Evans scores with a leg kick.
Evans is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Corkhill rather than just go for the knockout.
Evans fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Evans with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No luck for Corkhill with that takedown attempt.
Evans pushes Corkhill away with a front kick.
Good leg kick by Evans there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Corkhill uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Evans.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corkhill doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Corkhill.
Keiran Corkhill has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Corkhill stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Evans.
Corkhill on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Corkhill shoots in looking for a takedown. Evans tries to sprawl out of it but Corkhill 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.
Evans follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Corkhill misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice takedown defense from Evans. No joy for Corkhill on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Evans scores with a head kick. Corkhill tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Corkhill misses with a takedown
and Evans counters with a leg kick.
Evans scores with a push kick.
Evans comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Corkhill tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Evans swivels and escapes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Corkhill looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Evans is fending him off so far but Corkhill persists. Nope, Evans circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters circling a little - Evans finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Evans plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Evans throws a nice outside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Evans comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Evans winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 25:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 25:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Evans!
After winning the bout, Nick Evans thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.