PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashad Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Great Teacher Onizuka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Evans
vs
Teacher Onizuka

180 cm
38
205 lbs
26 - 19 - 2

194 cm
37
217 lbs
24 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 26 - 19 - 2, fighting out of London, Rashad Evans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Great Teacher Onizuka!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Evans avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Great Teacher Onizuka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Onizuka, right into the meat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Onizuka, as that shot connected.
Onizuka lands with a nice body kick.
Evans checks a low kick from Onizuka.
Onizuka on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Onizuka pivots, looking for a leg kick but Evans is out of range and Onizuka settles back down.
Evans swinging wildly here.
Evans misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Good standup being displayed there by Onizuka as he connects with a hook.
Evans throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Onizuka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Onizuka scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Onizuka throws a chopping leg kick but Evans manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Onizuka moves into the clinch.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Evans tries to break free but Onizuka pushes him back against the cage.
Onizuka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Onizuka has Evans pressed against the cage, preventing Evans from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Evans is trying to break free.
Still in the clinch, Onizuka scores with a nice short uppercut.
Onizuka has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.
Evans goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Onizuka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Evans blocks an uppercut.
Evans throws a head punch that misses.
Onizuka misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Onizuka.
Onizuka lands a shoulder strike.
Onizuka is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Evans pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Evans pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Evans blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans blocking some punches.
A short right from Evans.
A head punch on the inside from Onizuka fails to land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Evans escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Onizuka keeps Evans at a distance using the push kick.
Onizuka tries to score with a low kick but Evans moves his leg out of the way.
Evans misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Onizuka.
Onizuka buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Evans attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Onizuka tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A swing and a miss from Onizuka.
Evans checks the leg kick.
Onizuka misses with a hook. Evans ducked under it nicely.
Onizuka connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Onizuka moves into the clinch.
Evans blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Onizuka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka misses with some punches.

Evans manages to break the clinch.
Onizuka misses with a looping left.
Onizuka throws a push kick but Evans slaps the foot to one side.
Evans misses the shot to the body.
Onizuka misses with a wild body shot.
Evans swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Onizuka swings widly with a right hand
letting Evans counter with a right hand.
Onizuka catches Evans with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Evans sizes up Onizuka with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Onizuka drops his hands momentarily and Evans takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

It looks like Great Teacher Onizuka has been cut.
Onizuka throws a leg kick that misses.
Evans displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Onizuka throws out the jab.
Evans drops his hands momentarily and Onizuka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Evans throws out the jab.
Onizuka leaves Evans with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Onizuka tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Onizuka tries to clinch but Evans is having none of it.
Onizuka has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Onizuka wants to clinch.
Great Teacher Onizuka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Onizuka throws a low kick but Evans avoids it.
Onizuka throws a hook to the side of Evans's head but Evans sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Evans scores with a hook to the body. Onizuka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Onizuka connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Onizuka lands with a thumping leg kick.
Onizuka smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Onizuka explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Great Teacher Onizuka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Great Teacher Onizuka's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Onizuka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Evans swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Onizuka tries to clinch there but Evans circles away.
Evans tries for a takedown but Onizuka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Evans lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Evans fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Onizuka manages to avoid it.
Onizuka stuns Evans with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Onizuka just misses with a punch to the body.
Onizuka tries to land a body kick
and Evans counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Evans avoids the head kick by Onizuka.
Onizuka tries to clinch but Evans is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Onizuka takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Evans misses with a wild body shot.
Onizuka lands with an uppercut that bounces Evans off the cage and back into range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Evans. Onizuka does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Onizuka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Evans's corner calls for a 1-2. Evans obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Onizuka throws a head kick but Evans moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Evans misses the target.
A punch lands to the side of Evans 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Evans with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Onizuka to score with a decent uppercut.
Evans connects with a crisp jab.
Evans checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Onizuka takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Onizuka drives through and clinches with Evans against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Onizuka fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Onizuka fails to land.
Evans throws a punch but it's blocked by Onizuka.
Onizuka working aggressively here.
Evans wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Onizuka has him pressed against the cage.
Great Teacher Onizuka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Evans is leaning against Onizuka and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Onizuka lands a takedown into guard.
Evans avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Onizuka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Evans is trying to keep Onizuka in close.
Evans lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Onizuka keeping full guard, as Evans tries to pass.

Onizuka working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Evans doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Evans manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Evans passes into half guard.
Onizuka wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Onizuka looking for a sweep. Not yet Onizuka, not yet.

Onizuka working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Evans doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Evans manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Evans passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Onizuka tries to improve position but can't.
Evans landing strikes.
Onizuka tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka is still trying to improve position.
Evans wants to control but Onizuka is keeping him busy.
Onizuka tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Evans wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Onizuka can't do much from the bottom here.
Onizuka is looking to regain half guard here but Evans keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rashad Evans will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Great Teacher Onizuka's cut.
That's time! Evans's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Onizuka misses with a double jab.
A little feinted left hand from Evans on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Onizuka blocks a jab.
And Onizuka tries to counter it with a takedown but Evans pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Evans jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Evans misses with a low kick.
Evans throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Onizuka sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Onizuka rushes Evans and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Evans breaks from the clinch.
Onizuka fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Evans has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Onizuka misses with a looping left.
Evans throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans shoots for a takedown but Onizuka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Onizuka takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Onizuka tries to clinch but Evans is having none of it.
Onizuka scores with a jab. Evans acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Onizuka. Evans does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Onizuka.
Evans misses with a low kick as Onizuka jumps back.
Onizuka is looking to clinch but Evans is avoiding it.
Evans throwing a counter right hand but Onizuka manages to avoid it.
Great Teacher Onizuka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Onizuka connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Onizuka tries to clinch
letting Evans counter with a right hand.

Onizuka pushes Evans up against the cage in a clinch.
Onizuka throws a punch but it's blocked by Evans.
Onizuka has a couple of punches blocked by Evans.

Onizuka is trying to trip Evans. He has hold of a leg but Evans is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Onizuka persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Evans wants to control the position but Onizuka says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Onizuka thows a huge punch but Evans dodges it nicely.
Onizuka thows a huge punch but Evans dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Onizuka is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Evans has managed to free his arm - good work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Evans is controlling Onizuka's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Onizuka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Evans is trying to control but can't.
Evans is concentrating on defense, preventing Onizuka from advancing position.
Onizuka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Evans tries to roll over but Onizuka keeps him under control.
Evans regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Onizuka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans is adopting a defensive guard.
Onizuka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Onizuka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Evans takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Onizuka connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Evans's hands.
Onizuka throws a head kick that misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Evans misses the target.
Evans throws a low kick but Onizuka avoids it.
Onizuka doesn't manage to clinch there - Evans circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Onizuka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
An attempted straight right counter from Evans misses the target.
Onizuka misses with a series of wild punches.
Onizuka lands a nice looking kick to the body. Evans takes a step back to recover.
Good leg kick by Onizuka there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Onizuka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A jab lands there for Onizuka.
Evans swats away the attempt to clinch by Onizuka.

And that's the end of the fight!
Great Teacher Onizuka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Onizuka 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Great Teacher Onizuka!
Great Teacher Onizuka took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Perkele! for their support in the buildup to the fight.