PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Darken Rahl (ranked 828 p4p, 1005 weight class) and Cody Evans (ranked 78 p4p, 91 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Rahl
vs
Evans

168 cm
37
146
18 - 14 - 1

171 cm
25
152
9 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, Darken Rahl!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cody Evans!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rahl throws a big shot that misses.
Evans looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Evans slips a jab from Rahl.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Evans has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Rahl paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rahl misses with a looping right.
Rahl throws an overhand right that lands on Evans's shoulder, as Evans tries to avoid the shot.

Rahl drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Rahl tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rahl has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Evans is not content to let Rahl control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahl throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Rahl working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Evans tries to buck Rahl off but Rahl is having none of it.

Rahl looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Evans is looking to regain half guard here but Rahl keeps moving and retains side control.
Rahl lands a few punches from side control.
Rahl working the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans tries to improve position but can't.
The ground and pound from Rahl seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Rahl is trying to get an arm triangle but Evans is defending well.
Rahl cracks Evans with an elbow. That is naaassty.
You can see the frustration on Evans's face as Rahl controls the position.
Evans really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rahl. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Evans tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahl trying to control the position but Evans is working away.
Evans is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rahl throws an elbow but Evans slips to the side and avoids it well.
Rahl lands a decent elbow from side control.

Rahl working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Evans is looking to regain half guard here but Rahl keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahl laying and praying for a moment but Evans takes advantage and regains half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rahl lands a nice short elbow.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rahl lands a nice short elbow.
Evans tries to get to full guard but Rahl has control of the leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rahl trying to control from half guard but Evans is working away.
Evans trying to control here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Darken Rahl dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rahl throws the left hand but Evans avoids the punch easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Evans! But no joy.
Rahl swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Evans looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Rahl!
Evans postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Evans in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Evans thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Who's going to make the next move?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahl gets back to half guard.
Evans is controlling the pace.
Rahl definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rahl has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Evans wants to take a breather but Rahl is having none of it.

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.
Evans controlling the action here.
Rahl tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Evans controlling the action here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rahl jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Good exchange - Rahl coming out on top.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rahl. Evans does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Evans there as he acknowledges the shot.
Evans swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rahl swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Evans checks a leg kick nicely.
Rahl looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Evans is fending him off so far but Rahl persists. Nope, Evans circles away and we're back to standing.
Darken Rahl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rahl fails with a takedown attempt.
Rahl jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rahl fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darken Rahl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rahl misses with a low kick.
Evans drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rahl wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahl thuds a left hand into Evans's body.
Evans shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rahl as he jumps to the side.
Evans takes one on the button.
Evans slips under a jab.
Evans moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Evans misses the jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rahl cracks Evans with a good jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Evans.

Rahl moves into the clinch successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Darken Rahl dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rahl throws a hook to the side of Evans's head but Evans sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rahl scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nice jab there from Rahl.
Rahl bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Rahl was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Good shot there by Rahl.
Rahl changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Evans tries to avoid it but Rahl manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Evans to the ground. Evans escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rahl misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Evans counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Danga de danga de dang - Rahl scores with a four punch combination!
A jab from Evans misses.
Evans moves away from the strike by Rahl.
Rahl slips under a jab from Evans.
Rahl throwing a counter right hand but Evans manages to avoid it.
Rahl missing with a left hand there. Evans was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rahl lands with a straight right. Evans didn't see that one coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rahl connects with a looping right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rahl loads up on a big right hand but Evans slips the punch.
Evans throws a lazy right hand but Rahl sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Evans moves out of range as Rahl strikes.
An inside leg kick from Rahl misses.
Evans is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Evans missing with a left hand there. Rahl was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rahl scores with a punch to the head.
Rahl rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rahl takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rahl tries for a takedown but Evans circles away easily
and Evans cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rahl shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Evans but Evans pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darken Rahl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rahl feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Evanss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahl stuns Evans with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rahl misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Evans.
Rahl slips under a jab.
Evans moves out of range of the strikes.
Rahl 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!
Rahl blocks a jab.
Rahl misses with a right hand
enabling Evans to counter with a crisp jab.
Rahl misses with a hook
and Evans counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rahl's corner calls for a 1-2. Rahl obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Rahl scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
An inside leg kick from Rahl misses.
Rahl cracks a nice hook into Evans's ribs.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rahl or perhaps it was just good defense by Evans, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans shoots in for a takedown but Rahl shows good takedown defense.
Rahl is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Evans can do to turn this around?
Rahl misses with a takedown attempt - Evans sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Evans moves away from the strike by Rahl.

Evans shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Evans is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Evans drops an elbow to the side of Rahl's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahl wants to get back to full guard.
Evans throwing shots but Rahl is blocking nicely.
Evans is thwarting Rahl's attempts to control the position.
Evans throwing shots but Rahl is blocking nicely.
Evans missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Evans is looking to take a break and control but Rahl is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Evans seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Darken Rahl did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rahl jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rahl takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Evans uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rahl.
Rahl misses with a body punch
and Evans counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jab from Rahl.
Evans 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.
Evans shoots in but no luck this time.
Some wild striking there from Rahl.
A jab from Rahl finds it's way through Evans's defenses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahl throws a jab when Evans was well out of range.

Evans changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rahl looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Evans sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Rahl is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee asks Evans politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Evans prefers to stall for the moment though.
Evans throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Evans is staying tight to Rahl's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Cody Evans has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rahl tries to control but Evans manages to take his back.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Evans tries to keep control of the position but Rahl is staying busy.

That's two 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.
Rahl is taking damage to the body and head.
Rahl tries to escape the position.
Evans is looking to control Rahl but Rahl is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Evans punishes Rahl with strikes from the back mount.
Evans trying to control momentarily.
Evans connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Rahl to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans controlling the position well here. Rahl rolled but Evans kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Rahl tries to escape the position.
Evans missing with strikes from the back.
Evans loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Rahl hold on?
Evans is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Rahl turns into Evans and is now in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahl trying to control the position from guard on top but Evans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Evans wants to improve his position but instead Rahl has moved into half guard.
Rahl controlling the action here.
Evans keeping control of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rahl looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cody Evans dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Evans uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rahl.
Nice defenses there by Evans.

Evans throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rahl tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Evans is in Rahl's guard.
Evans is looking to work some ground and pound but Rahl has wrist control.
Evans is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Evans advances position into side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Rahl's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Rahl manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Evans perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rahl is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Evans scores with a couple of nice shots.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rahl manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Evans missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Rahl looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Evans controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Evans checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Rahl gets caught flat footed, as Evans shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans postures up in Rahl's guard and throws a big left but Rahl blocks it.
Evans's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Rahl lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Cody Evans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rahl working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Evans pulls Rahl in close to prevent any damage.
Rahl trying to control but Evans is working from the bottom.
Evans is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Evans looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Evans can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rahl controls the pace.
Evans trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Evans doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
An inside leg kick from Rahl misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rahl ducks under a wild hook from Evans.
Nice uppercut there from Rahl.
Evans blocks a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cody Evans comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rahl has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 48:48
Judge George Francis scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Darken Rahl!
Darken Rahl retains his featherweight title!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Darken Rahl waved his t-shirt featuring Conquer's logo in front of the cameras.