PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Evan Cole (ranked 9108 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jido Shoemaker (ranked 4765 p4p, 0 weight class). Shoemaker has chosen Thunderstruck as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Cole
vs
Shoemaker

188 cm
28
176 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

185 cm
28
187 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evan Cole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jido Shoemaker!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Joseph Jones and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cole slaps away a takedown attempt from Shoemaker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Shoemaker slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

It looks like Evan Cole has been cut.
Cole fails to land with a series of punches.
Shoemaker keeps the fight on the outside.
Shoemaker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Shoemaker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cole was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shoemaker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Shoemaker has managed to clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shoemaker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shoemaker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shoemaker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Shoemaker has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Cole is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Evan Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jido Shoemaker.
Shoemaker looks winded!

Shoemaker clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole lands with a short shot to the head.
Cole lands with a short shot to the head.

Shoemaker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cole lands with a right hand.

Shoemaker closes the distance and clinches.
Cole looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shoemaker is pushing Cole up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Shoemaker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cole ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cole connects with a jab.

Cole gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cole lands a nice uppercut.

Shoemaker breaks from the clinch.
Cole looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Cole. Shoemaker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cole tries to clinch but Shoemaker is having none of it.
Cole wants to clinch up but Shoemaker keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole misses with a double jab.
Cole tries to close the distance and clinch but Shoemaker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cole jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A combination from Cole does no damage.
Cole tries to clinch but Shoemaker is having none of it.
Cole lands an overhand right.
Cole throws a lazy right hand but Shoemaker sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cole looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shoemaker shoots for a takedown but Cole saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Shoemaker shoots in but Cole avoids the takedown attempt easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Cole misses the target.

Shoemaker looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Cole has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Shoemaker is on him like a limpet, forcing Cole back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Cole - that landed with a thud.
Cole wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shoemaker has him pressed against the cage.

Shoemaker breaks the clinch.
Shoemaker shoots in but no luck this time.
Cole lands a nice hook to Shoemaker's body. Shoemaker takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cole wants to clinch.
Cole moves in looking to clinch but Shoemaker pushes him off.
Cole swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And Shoemaker tries to counter it with a takedown but Cole pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Shoemaker gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cole is trying to break free.
Cole misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cole.

Shoemaker breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A left and a right from Shoemaker both land. Nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shoemaker walks into a straight right hand from Cole.
Evan Cole is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cole connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Shoemaker slips under a jab.
Shoemaker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cole scores with a hook.
Good shot there by Cole.
Cole feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Shoemakers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Cole takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Shoemaker dives in and grabs Cole's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cole pushes down on Shoemaker's head and hops out.
Cole tries to close the distance and clinch but Shoemaker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evan Cole dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Evan Cole's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

No joy there for Cole, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cole scores with a sloppy right hand. Shoemaker should have avoided that one.
Cole tries to close the distance and clinch but Shoemaker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shoemaker tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Evan Cole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shoemaker keeps the fight on the outside.
Shoemaker wants to counter the offense by Cole and move into the clinch position.
Shoemaker misses with a wild combination.
Shoemaker lands with an overhand left.
Cole tests Shoemaker's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cole takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shoemaker has Cole up against the cage in a clinch.
Shoemaker lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cole lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cole wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shoemaker will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cole up against the cage.
Cole is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shoemaker can do to turn this around?

Shoemaker breaks the clinch.
Shoemaker shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cole as he avoids it easily.
Shoemaker shoots in but no luck this time.
Cole connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shoemaker's hands.
Shoemaker on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Shoemaker takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cole tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shoemaker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shoemaker moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cole misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cole tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cole slaps away a takedown attempt from Shoemaker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Evan Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jido Shoemaker.
Cole connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shoemaker dodges the punch combination from Cole.
Cole tries to clinch up.

Shoemaker closes the distance and clinches.
Jido Shoemaker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shoemaker has Cole pressed against the cage, preventing Cole from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cole fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shoemaker is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Shoemaker blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Shoemaker breaks the clinch.
Shoemaker stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nice takedown defense from Cole. No joy for Shoemaker on that attempt.
Shoemaker shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Cole here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Cole scores with a nice right hand.
Shoemaker fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shoemaker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cole as he jumps to the side.
Cole lunges at Shoemaker with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shoemaker's hand.
Cole misses with a hook.

Shoemaker clinches with his opponent.
Cole throws a punch but it's blocked by Shoemaker.
Cole throws a punch but it's blocked by Shoemaker.
Cole looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shoemaker keeps control of Cole as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cole swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Shoemaker breaks from the clinch.
Shoemaker shoots for a takedown but Cole saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Shoemaker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cole.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shoemaker swats away the attempt to clinch by Cole.
Shoemaker goes for a double leg but Cole avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cole continues to drive forward.
Cole lands a really nice looking cross but Shoemaker seems unphased.
Shoemaker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cole tests Shoemaker's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cole dodges the punch combination from Shoemaker.
Cole swings and misses with a hook to the body.
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!
Cole lands a jab to the nose.
Cole doesn't manage to clinch there - Shoemaker circles away.
Cole tries to clinch but Shoemaker is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cole bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Shoemaker's head.

Shoemaker moves into the clinch.
Cole wants to get back to striking at distance but Shoemaker won't allow it.
Shoemaker stalls.
Shoemaker stalls.
Shoemaker continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Shoemaker working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Shoemaker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shoemaker fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cole seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Shoemaker gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice left hand lands by Cole.
Cole scores with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cole has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cole is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cole is trying to force a seperation but Shoemaker has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole has a couple of punches blocked by Shoemaker.
Shoemaker blocking some punches.
Shoemaker stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Cole swings wildly with an uppercut but Shoemaker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cole wants to break the clinch but can't.

Shoemaker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Shoemaker looking to score a takedown here. Cole is defending well but Shoemaker drives through and ends up in Cole's guard.

Cole is working an open guard so Shoemaker takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Shoemaker dives in and scores a takedown into Cole's guard.

Cole wriggles free and stands up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Shoemaker closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cole misses with the head strike.
Jido Shoemaker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Evan Cole is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shoemaker lands with a short shot to the head.
Cole throws a punch but it's blocked by Shoemaker.
Shoemaker leaning against his opponent.

Shoemaker breaks the clinch.

Shoemaker moves into the clinch.

Shoemaker breaks the clinch.
Shoemaker walks into a straight right hand from Cole.
Donk. Cole catches Shoemaker right on the button with a cross.
Cole lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Shoemaker throws a lazy uppercut
and Cole counters with a straight right hand.
Shoemaker tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cole sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shoemaker somewhat.
Cole with a nice cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shoemaker goes for a double leg but Cole avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cole continues to drive forward.
Evan Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jido Shoemaker.
Cole throws out a powerful jab.
Shoemaker looks for a takedown but Cole sprawls well.
Cole lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shoemaker with a poor takedown
and Cole counters with a stiff right hand.
Cole is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jido Shoemaker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shoemaker goes for a double leg but Cole avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cole continues to drive forward.
Good exchange - Cole coming out on top.
Shoemaker walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cole defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shoemaker.
Shoemaker has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Cole scores with a nice right hand.
Cole fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Cole connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shoemaker closes the distance and clinches.

Shoemaker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cole slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Cole gets caught napping as Shoemaker dives in and scores a takedown. Cole manages to retain guard.

Cole pushes Shoemaker off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Shoemaker has closed the distance and engaged Cole in a clinch.
Cole takes a shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evan Cole showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cole, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evan Cole!
The defeated Jido Shoemaker had this to say: 'The next Time'.