PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Evans (ranked 1901 p4p, 2207 weight class) and Warren Spade (ranked 284 p4p, 326 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Evans
vs
Spade

179 cm
25
178
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
200
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thomas Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Warren Spade!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Daniel Cesar and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Evans is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Spade's half guard.

Spade has one foot on Evans's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Spade throws a lazy head kick

and Evans counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Spade wants to stand but Evans is controlling the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Evans's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Evans has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Evans decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Spade, up you get!
Spade dives in for a single leg takedown but Evans sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Spade shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Evans moves into the clinch.
Evans has Spade pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Spade manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Spade misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Evans.

Evans has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Spade regains guard immediately.

Spade pushes Evans off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans throws a head kick that Spade semi-blocks.
Evans wants to clinch up but Spade keeps it at a distance.

Evans shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Spade napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Evans in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Evans stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Evans dives in and scores a takedown into Spade's guard.
Spade is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Spade stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Evans to get to his feet.
Spade shoots for a takedown but Evans saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Thomas Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Warren Spade.

Evans darts in and clinches Spade up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Spade's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Evans gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Spade regains guard.
Evans looking to sit in guard and control but Spade gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Spade looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spade stopping the sweep attempt from Evans.
Evans is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Evans is looking to stand up but Spade isn't so interested in that idea.
Spade trying to control but Evans is working from the bottom.
Spade trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

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 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.
Spade tries to free his leg and advance position but Evans is retaining full guard.
Spade stopping the sweep attempt from Evans.
Evans working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Spade.
Evans looking to hit a scissor sweep but Spade is one step ahead there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Spade wants to slow Evans down by chopping away at his legs.
Evans lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Evans closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Spade to the mat! Spade manages to get full guard.
Spade looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Spade manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Spade has hold of one of Evans's legs. Evans is fighting the takedown attempt but Spade gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Warren Spade will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Evans avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Evans tries to clinch up but Spade circles away and keeps his distance.

Evans takes the fight into the clinch.

Evans's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Spade has Evans up against the cage in a clinch.
Spade is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Evans pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Spade blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Spade pulls guard successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Spade throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Evans stands and steps away. Spade gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans misses with a straight left.
Evans shoots in but Spade avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Spade lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Evans moves into the clinch.
Spade wants to break the clinch but can't.
Evans tries a body shot but Spade blocks it.
Evans tries to pull guard but Spade won't allow it.

Spade's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Spade tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Evans paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Spade fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Spade throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Evans's waist but Evans gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Spade off to one side.
Evans is looking for a counter combo.
Thomas Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Warren Spade.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Evans closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Evans lands in his opponent's guard.
Evans pushing down on Spade's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Spade is trying to get back to full guard.
Spade works his way to full guard. Good work.
Spade manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Evans manages to get himself to full guard.

Spade's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spade postures up and lands a big shot to Evans's brow.
Evans looking to hit a scissor sweep but Spade is one step ahead there.

Evans working for a triangle but Spade defends it easily.
Evans keeping moving, preventing Spade from controlling successfully.
Evans lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans postures up in Spade's guard and throws a big left but Spade blocks it.
Evans scoring with punches to the head and body.
Spade manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Evans manages to get himself to full guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spade won't allow Evans to sweep him here.
Spade 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Thomas Evans will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Spade shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Evans defends it nicely.
Evans wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
No luck for Spade with that takedown attempt.
Spade has a takedown stuffed.
Thomas Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Warren Spade.
Evans scores with a one two! Spade had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Evans has taken the fight to the clinch.
Evans's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Spade gets control of Evans's arms and successfully pulls guard. Spade will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans stopping the sweep attempt from Spade.
Spade keeping moving, preventing Evans from controlling successfully.
Spade lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Evans is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Evans might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Evans working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Spade doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Spade manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Spade looking to pass the guard.

That's two 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.
Spade won't allow Evans to sweep him here.
Spade sitting in guard here, content to control.
Evans is pulling down on Spade's head to control his posture.
Evans is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Spade is controlling him.
Evans trying to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans gets caught napping as Spade dives in and scores a takedown. Evans manages to retain guard.
Spade distracts Evans with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Spade tries to free his leg and advance position but Evans is retaining full guard.
Spade landing some decent shots from guard.
Evans 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spade wants to stand but Evans is controlling his posture from full guard.

Spade throws a sloppy strike and Evans has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Spade is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Evans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thomas Evans!