PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Evan Better (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Lemieux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Better comes to the cage accompanied by Mother by Danzig. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Better
vs
Lemieux

188 cm
30
181 lbs
19 - 16 - 0

180 cm
43
172 lbs
51 - 25 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Revolution Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evan Better!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 51 - 25 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, David Lemieux!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Shimada and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Better connects with a right hand. Lemieux shakes it off.
Lemieux takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Better slips under a jab.
Lemieux's coach down at Hugs & Kisses was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Lemieux's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Lemieux takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Better throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lemieux sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Better closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Better looking to throw knees to the head but Lemieux is blocking nicely.

Lemieux breaks from the clinch.
Better swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Lemieux counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Better throws a body shot but no joy.
Lemieux ducks right into an uppercut from Better.
A solid leg kick lands there for Better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Better jabs at Lemieux's body.
Better fails in his attempt to clinch.
Better misses the shot to the body.
Better uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lemieux.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Better is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Better fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lemieux has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Better slips a jab from Lemieux.
Lemieux throws a shot from downtown. Better moves away and avoids it.
Better connects with a right hand. Lemieux shakes it off.
Lemieux just misses with a punch to the body.
Lemieux moves out of range of the body kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lemieux! But no joy.
Lemieux needs to keep his hands up - Better had a free shot at his head there.
Better throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lemieux looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Better throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice straight punches there by Better. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Better.
Better moves out of range of the strikes.
Better buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux on the wrong end of a nice jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lemieux throws a shot from downtown. Better moves away and avoids it.
David Lemieux is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Better tests Lemieux's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Better connects with a body shot that sends Lemieux's belly button to the back.
Better scoring well with a low kick there.
Better throws a head kick but Lemieux moves out of range.
Better is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Better misses with a double jab.
Better lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice defenses there by Lemieux.
Lemieux misses with an uppercut.
Lemieux throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Better on the side of the head.

It looks like Evan Better has been cut.
Lemieux might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Better throws a nice looking combination but Lemieux bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Better looks to land a combination but Lemieux avoids it well.
A punch lands to the side of Better 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Better dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Better connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Better uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Better keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lemieux.
Lemieux is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Better.
Better wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Better tries a head kick but it misses.
Better lands with a thumping leg kick.
Better with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lemieux counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Lemieux cracks Better with a right hand to the side of the head.

Better shoots in and gets a takedown into Lemieux's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Better wants to control from the top but Lemieux keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux wants to stand but Better is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Better throws a big elbow that misses.
Better pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lemieux is keeping the position for now.
Lemieux is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Better tries to free his leg and advance position but Lemieux is retaining full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Better dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Evan Better's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lemieux takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Lemieux takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Better is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lemieux can do to turn this around?
Better lands a nice looking kick to the body. Lemieux takes a step back to recover.
Lemieux avoids the body shot from Better.
Lemieux throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Better uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Better works Lemieux's body with a nice hook.
Better drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Better moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lemieux throws a hook but Better avoids it easily.
Better throws a wild body kick that Lemieux sees coming a mile off.
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!
Better looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Lemieux throws a looping overhand right but Better ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Better misses with a straight left.
Better lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Lemieux on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Better's jab looks to have found its range, popping Lemieux under the eye.
Better keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lemieux.
Lemieux misses with an uppercut. Better saw that one coming.
Evan Better is winning the standup battle so far.
Better moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Better looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nice sprawl there from Lemieux as Better shoots in.
A nice side step and Lemieux releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Better moves away from the strike by Lemieux.
Lemieux paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Better tries to clinch there but Lemieux circles away.
Better with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Evan Better seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Better waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lemieux.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Better throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lemieux's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Better scores with a head kick. Lemieux tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Lemieux showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Better.
Lemieux takes one to the side of the head.
A big right from Lemieux misses.
Better looks for the body kick but Lemieux saw that one coming.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lemieux! But no joy.
Lemieux takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice jab there from Lemieux.

Better clinches up with Lemieux and pushes him back against the cage.
Lemieux stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Better blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Better breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Better lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lemieux throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Better sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Better attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Better scores with a jab. Lemieux acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Lemieux blocks a low kick nicely.
Lemieux on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Better. Better obviously looking to wear him down.
Better lands with a nice body kick.
Better moves out of range of the strikes.
Lemieux waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Better.
A bone on bone clash there as Lemieux blocks the leg kick.
Lemieux looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice defenses there by Better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Better misses.
Lemieux throws out a counter right but Better avoids it with no problem.
Lemieux walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Lemieux throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Better steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lemieux.
Lemieux has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lemieux there as he acknowledges the shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lemieux misses with an uppercut
and Better makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Lemieux really felt that one!
Better fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lemieux has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Lemieux has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lemieux there as he acknowledges the shot.
Better scores with a kick to the body.
Lemieux throws a hook to the side of Better's head but Better sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A jab from Better does it's job there.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Better dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Evan Better's cut.
That's time! Better's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Better just misses with a punch to the body.
Better is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Better tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lemieux paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lemieux let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Better wants to clinch up but Lemieux keeps it at a distance.
Lemieux on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Better. Better obviously looking to wear him down.
Better tried to score with a low kick but Lemieux checks it.
Better thuds his right hand into Lemieux's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nice body punch from Better.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by Better.
Lemieux has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Better throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Lemieux takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Better bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lemieux's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Better shoots in but Lemieux avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Better connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lemieux's hands.
A slapping leg kick lands for Better.
Better misses with the combination.
Better wants to slow Lemieux down by chopping away at his legs.
Better swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Better pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Better misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lemieux.
Better swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It seemed like Lemieux was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Better throws a lazy right hand but Lemieux sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Better gets a clinch.
Better using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lemieux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Better lands a nice knee to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Lemieux.
Better wants to take the fight to the mat but Lemieux manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Better is working for takedown but Lemieux is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Better. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A bit of stalling here from Lemieux.
A right hand to the body from Lemieux.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Better lands a good knee to the midsection. Lemieux won't want to take too many of those.
Lemieux is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Better breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Better moves out of range of the strikes.
Better swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lemieux! But no joy.
Lemieux swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lemieux avoids the body shot from Better.
Lemieux swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lemieux moves out of range of the body kick.
Lemieux has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Better.
Better fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lemieux.
That kick from Better tenderised Lemieux's leg. Lemieux is trying to keep his angry face on.
Better bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Lemieux scores with a jab to the jaw.
Better looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lemieux pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Better shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Better lands a leg kick that knocks Lemieux off balance momentarily.
Lemieux misses with a lunging right hand
and Better counters with a stiff right hand.
Better connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lemieux momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Better is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lemieux keeps the fight on the outside.
Lemieux swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Better uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lemieux.
Evan Better is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Better cracks Lemieux with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Lemieux walks into a jab.
Better swings widly with a right hand
and Lemieux counters with a stiff right hand.
Lemieux digs a good body shot into Better's ribs.
Lemieux checks a leg kick.
Better swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Lemieux cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Lemieux defending well as Better loads up on a big left hand.
Better uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lemieux.
David Lemieux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Better lands with a straight right. Lemieux didn't see that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evan Better showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Better has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Better!
Evan Better really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Revolution Clothing logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.