PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Carwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Evans
vs
Carwin

180 cm
25
244 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

188 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rashad Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shane Carwin!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carwin tests Evans's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Evans is breathing heavily.
Evans lands a nice leg kick that just misses Carwin's sensitive parts.
Carwin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Evans sprawls well. Evans wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Carwin gets slowly back to his feet.
Evans ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Carwin gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Evans.
Evans could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Evans throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Carwin's head.
Carwin throws a right and a left that Evans avoids nicely.
Evans takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Evans with a jab.
Carwin misses with an uppercut.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Carwin avoids the head kick by Evans.
Carwin throws a right and a left that Evans avoids nicely.
Evans connects with a high kick.
Carwin takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Carwin gets a clinch.
Carwin is working for takedown but Evans is calmly controlling the position for now.
Carwin prevents Evans from breaking the clinch.

Evans escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Carwin walks forward, straight into a front kick from Evans.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Carwin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Evans swivels and escapes.
Rashad Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Carwin.
Carwin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Carwin lands with a cross.
Evans misses with a series of wild punches.
Carwin throws a nice looking combination but Evans bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Evans takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Carwin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Evans circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Carwin!
Evans has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Carwin tries to clinch up but Evans circles away and keeps his distance.
Carwin walks forward, straight into a front kick from Evans.
Carwin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Carwin throws a series of punches but Evans moves out of range.
Evans fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Carwin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Evans tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A cross from Carwin lands.
Evans lands a jab-cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carwin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Evans scores with a nice body kick.
Evans drops his hands momentarily and Carwin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Carwin tries to close the distance and clinch but Evans swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Carwin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Carwin shoots in for a takedown but Evans shows good takedown defense.

Carwin instigates a clinch.
Evans jumps guard but Carwin stands there with Evans around his waist. Evans gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Carwin ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Carwin no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Carwin holds on and takes a little breather.
Carwin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Evans would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carwin is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Evans is controlling him.
Carwin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Evans.
Evans slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Carwin being controlled for a moment.

Evans decides to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans avoids a punch combination nicely.
Evans lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A head kick from Evans lands but Carwin takes it in his stride.
Evans scores with a punch to the head.
No luck for Carwin with that takedown attempt.
Rashad Evans is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Evans throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Carwin feints a jab promting Evans to slip. Carwin then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Evans slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Good standup being displayed there by Evans as he connects with a hook.
Carwin scores with a decent looking hook.
Carwin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Evans sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Carwin throws a series of strikes that have Evans backpedaling.
Carwin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Evans tries to avoid it but Carwin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Evans to the ground. Evans escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rashad Evans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Evans lands a head kick!
Carwin takes a jab right on the kisser.
Evans lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Evans tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Carwin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Evans as he avoids it easily.
Carwin moves in looking to clinch but Evans pushes him off.
Evans throws a series of punches but Carwin avoids them all with ease.
Evans throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Carwin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Evans circles away quickly and effectively.
Carwin ducks right into an uppercut from Evans.
A head kick misses from Evans.
Carwin swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Evans scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Carwin fails to land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Carwin on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Carwin throws a right and a left that Evans avoids nicely.
Carwin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Evans as he avoids it easily.
Rashad Evans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Carwin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Evans lands a nice leg kick that just misses Carwin's sensitive parts.
Carwin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Evans's head.
Carwin clobbers Evans with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Carwin lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Carwin tries for a takedown but Evans sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Carwin instigates a clinch.
Carwin keeps control of Evans as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Carwin looking for a takedown.

Carwin jumps guard.
Evans trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Evans trying to control the position from guard on top but Carwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Carwin keeping full guard, as Evans tries to pass.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Evans wants to control from the top but Carwin keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rashad Evans wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Carwin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Carwin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Carwin 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 throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Carwin shoots in looking for a takedown. Evans tries to sprawl out of it but Carwin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Evans manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Evans avoids a punch combination nicely.
A jab lands there for Carwin.
Carwin has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Carwin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Carwin.
Carwin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Evans slips a jab and a cross from Carwin.
Nice cross by Evans.
Carwin lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Carwin thuds a left hand into Evans's body.
Horrible takedown by Carwin or perhaps it was just good defense by Evans which made him look bad.
Evans lands a jab to Carwin's midsection.
Carwin on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Evans throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Evans throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Carwin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Evans throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Carwin's head.
Sloppy strikes from Evans. Those never looked like landing.
Evans moves forwards but Carwin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Evans lands a two punch combo.
Carwin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Evans feints and then cracks Carwin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Carwin down.
Carwin doesn't manage to clinch there - Evans circles away.
Evans lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Carwin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Carwin as he connects with a hook.
Evans thows a body kick. Carwin tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Carwin connects with a crisp jab.
Decent striking displayed by Carwin there.
Evans works Carwin's body with a nice hook.
Evans throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Carwin.
Carwin throws a combination. Evans tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Evans takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Evans misses with a series of wild punches.
Carwin fails to land the takedown.
Carwin shoots for a takedown but Evans saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Evans throws a head kick that misses.
Evans defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Carwin.
Carwin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Carwin misses with the combination.
Evans throws a head kick but Carwin moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Evans throws a head kick that misses.
Evans throws a head kick that misses.
Evans displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Carwin.
Evans scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Evans bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Carwin moves into the clinch.
Carwin tries to pull guard but Evans won't allow it.
Evans looking to stall.
Evans tries to pull guard but Carwin holds him up against the cage and eventually Evans drops back down to his feet.
Evans tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Carwin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rashad Evans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evans jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Carwin walks away with a smile on his face. Evans gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Evans thumps Carwin with a low kick.
Carwin throws a combination. Evans tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Carwin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Evans throws a lazy head kick
and Carwin counters with a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carwin moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Carwin fails with the takedown.
Carwin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Evans lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Carwin scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Evans showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Carwin.
Carwin avoids the head kick by Evans.
Evans cracks Carwin with an open hand slap.
Carwin throws a right and a left that Evans avoids nicely.
Carwin has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rashad Evans is winning the standup battle so far.
Evans lands with a nice body kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Evans. That snapped Carwin's head back.
Carwin fails to land the takedown.
Carwin swinging wildly here.
Evans throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Carwin's head.
Evans bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Carwin's head.
Evans lands a jab to Carwin's midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carwin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Evans as he avoids it easily.
Evans lunges at Carwin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Carwin's hand.
Carwin on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Evans looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Evans scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Evans throws a head kick but Carwin moves out of range.
Carwin tries to clinch but Evans is having none of it.
Carwin has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Evans throws a sloppy head kick and Carwin moves out of range easily.
Carwin darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Carwin throws a series of punches but Evans avoids them all with ease.
A jab from Carwin does it's job there.
Carwin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Evans sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Evans avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Evans scores with a kick to the body.
Carwin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Carwin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Evans circles away.
Evans misses with a few strikes there.
Both fighters circling a little - Evans finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Carwin moves into range and connects with a jab.
Carwin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Evans lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carwin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Evans displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Carwin.
Carwin scores with a one two! Evans had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Carwin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Evans takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nice straight punches there by Evans. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Evans.

Carwin drives through and clinches with Evans against the cage.
Evans works on Carwin's body with a couple of short punches.
Evans looking to slow down the pace here.
Carwin prevents the takedown attempt.
Evans tries to circle away but Carwin has him pinned against the cage.

Evans jumps guard and drags Carwin to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Carwin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Evans not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carwin passes into half guard.
Evans wants to improve his position but Carwin is controlling well.
Carwin wants to control but Evans is keeping him busy.
Carwin looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Evans wants to control but Carwin is keeping busy.
Evans is not content to let Carwin control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rashad Evans.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Evans, 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashad Evans!