PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Eto O (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rashad Evans (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.

Eto O
vs
Evans

190 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 New York, Samuel Eto O!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rashad Evans!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Columbo Gatti and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Eto O.

Evans gets the takedown into side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Eto O is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Eto O looking for a sweep but Evans has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Evans looking to control and managing it successfully.
It looks like Evans might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Evans looking to control but Eto O is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Eto O can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eto O's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Eto O is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Evans trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Evans tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
A nice elbow there by Evans.

Evans is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Evans leaves Eto O with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fight stays on the outside here - Eto O looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Eto O fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Eto O with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Eto O takes one to the side of the head.
Eto O tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Evans paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Eto O connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Evans lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Eto O is breathing heavily.
Evans fails with the takedown.
Evans misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Eto O momentarily.
Eto O fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Eto O. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evans looks for a takedown but Eto O sprawls well.
Evans shoots in for a double leg but Eto O sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Evans is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Eto O tries to close the distance and clinch up but Evans swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Evans pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Eto O tries to clinch but Evans is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eto O blocks a head kick by Evans.
Eto O tries a head kick but it misses.
Eto O avoids the head kick by Evans.
Evans avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Eto O.
Eto O takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Eto O tries to clinch up but Evans circles away and keeps his distance.
Eto O misses with a takedown
and Evans counters with a nice body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Evans drives through and clinches with Eto O against the cage.

Evans breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans dominated that 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.

Evans has closed the distance and engaged Eto O in a clinch.
Evans landing knees to the body.
Eto O is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Evans gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Evans pulls guard successfully.
Evans lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Eto O!
Evans controlling from mount.
Eto O tries to reverse the position but Evans maintains control.
Evans can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Eto O is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans controlling his opponent.
Evans can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Eto O is looking to escape.
Evans is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Rashad Evans has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Evans fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eto O will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Eto O gets tackled into the cage by Evans. Evans maintains the clinch.
Eto O tries to circle away but Evans has him pinned against the cage.
Eto O tries to pull guard but Evans won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Eto O. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eto O wants to get back to striking at distance but Evans won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Evans changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Eto O fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Evans shoots in for a takedown but Eto O shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Eto O did well to prevent Evans getting side control.
Eto O is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Evans's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Evans's back!
Evans is breathing heavily.
Evans prevents Eto O from getting a body triangle.
Evans tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Eto O tries to control but Evans wriggling away.
Eto O prevents Evans from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Eto O goes for an armbar but Evans turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Evans.
Evans slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Eto O struggling a bit here.
Eto O is trying to buck Evans off.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Eto O tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rashad Evans showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Eto O thows a body shot but no joy.
Evans tries to clinch but Eto O is having none of it.
Eto O tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rashad Evans seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Evans lands with a shot to the body.
Evans shoots in looking for a takedown but Eto O manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Evans's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Evans throws a big shot that misses.

Evans darts in and clinches Eto O up against the cage.
Eto O has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Evans avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Eto O looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Evans lands a shot to the body.

Evans decides to pull guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Evans has his feet on Eto O's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Evans or perhaps it was just good defense by Eto O which made him look bad.
Eto O misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Eto O looks for a takedown but Evans sprawls well.

Evans drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Evans is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Let's hope that Evans has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Eto O's guard.

Evans decides to stand and escape the position.
Eto O has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Samuel Eto O. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evans looks for a takedown but Eto O sprawls well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Evans lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Evans.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans moves into the clinch.
Eto O is pressed up against the cage. Evans has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Eto O down to the mat. Eto O avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Eto O fails with a takedown attempt.

Evans moves into the clinch.
Eto O tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Evans just stands there and leans against the cage.
Eto O tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Evans breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans works his foot free and advances to mount.
Evans looking to control and managing it successfully.
Eto O is trying to escape the mount.
Samuel Eto O has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rashad Evans is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Evans tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashad Evans comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Evans has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

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