PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mickey Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elijah McKnight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Evans
vs
McKnight

206 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mickey Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Elijah McKnight!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McKnight fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Evans to the ground. McKnight is now in Evans's guard.
Evans lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

McKnight is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Evans with a nice head shot there.
Evans working some strikes from top position.
Evans controlling from the top position.
McKnight is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Evans controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans trying to control but McKnight is working from the bottom.
McKnight trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McKnight is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Evans is aware though and is defending well.
Evans lands a couple of elbows.
McKnight looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Evans looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
McKnight is trying to keep Evans in close.
Evans controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

McKnight is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Evans is aware though and is defending well.
Evans throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McKnight works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Evans closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
McKnight is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Evans is taking a breather. McKnight says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Evans seems to be working for a kimura but McKnight defends the submission attempt.
McKnight punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McKnight wants to get back to full guard.

Evans seems to be looking for submissions.
Evans is taking a breather. McKnight says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
McKnight controlling the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Evans controlling the action here.
McKnight manages to get to full guard.
Evans working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of McKnight's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Evans seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Evans lands a couple of digs.
Evans controlling from the top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McKnight pivots, looking for a leg kick but Evans is out of range and McKnight settles back down.
Elijah McKnight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

McKnight gets a takedown into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McKnight working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Elijah McKnight will probably get the nod.
That's time! Evans's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Evans forces McKnight back against the cage and clinches.
Evans has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McKnight after a bit of a struggle.
Evans prevents a body shot from McKnight.

McKnight jumps guard.
Evans content to stall in guard here.
Evans postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Evans wants to control from the top but McKnight keeps moving.
Evans postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Evans slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
McKnight pulls Evans in to control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Evans avoids the head kick by McKnight.
McKnight throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Evans really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Evans tries to keep at a distance but McKnight has taken the fight into the clinch.

Evans tightens his grip and picks McKnight up, before dumping him to the ground. McKnight manages to land in guard.
Evans trying to control but McKnight is working from the bottom.
McKnight looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Evans is stalling in the full guard.
McKnight is trying to control the position but Evans postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKnight can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Evans controls the pace.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McKnight holds on and takes a little breather.
McKnight is trying to keep Evans in close.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Evans sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Evans closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Evans is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Evans is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McKnight is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mickey Evans. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKnight blocks an elbow strike from Evans.

Evans successfully pulls guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

McKnight stands up from Evans's guard - McKnight perhaps looking for a knockout.

McKnight shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Evans is trying to defend but McKnight finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
McKnight wants to stand but Evans has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
McKnight prevents Evans from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McKnight is trying to work for a kimura but Evans is defending well.

McKnight is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Evans doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McKnight.
McKnight with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Evans is concentrating on defense, preventing McKnight from advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Elijah McKnight will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

McKnight misses with a body kick.

McKnight closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Evans's guard.
Evans is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
McKnight wanted to stand there but Evans had control of the position.
Evans managing to control the position.

McKnight decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Evans, up you get!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKnight scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McKnight looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
McKnight trying to control but Evans is working from the bottom.
McKnight trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McKnight pushing down on Evans's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
McKnight is trying to control the action in half guard but Evans is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McKnight is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Elijah McKnight has got the better of the ground game so far.
McKnight is keen to just control but Evans is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Evans trying to control from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Evans moves into the clinch.
Evans lands an elbow that stopped McKnight in his tracks for a moment.
Evans lands a hook to the side of the head.

Evans lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McKnight tries to roll over but Evans keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans is keen to just control but McKnight is a slippery customer.

Evans is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McKnight sees it coming and defends easily.
Evans will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McKnight is pressing down on Evans's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McKnight working a defensive guard but Evans passes into half guard.
McKnight wants to get back to full guard.
McKnight trying to control but Evans postures up.

Evans is looking for a kimura here.
McKnight works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
McKnight utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Evans trying to control the position from guard on top but McKnight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Evans stopping the sweep attempt from McKnight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McKnight controls Evans momentarily but Evans frees himself.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elijah McKnight comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McKnight 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 William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elijah McKnight!