PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Burley Haines (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Evans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Haines
vs
Evans

177 cm
31
152 lbs
18 - 5 - 2

170 cm
24
149 lbs
17 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition
GREEN!160

The Empire Clothing and Laundry
AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Burley Haines!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Nick Evans!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haines fails with a takedown attempt.
Burley Haines seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haines misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Evans swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for Evans.
Haines looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Evans misses with a leg kick

and Haines counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Haines.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haines passes Evans's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Evans wants to improve his position but Haines is controlling well.

Haines is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Evans has managed to free his arm - good work.
Evans is doing well to control the position and prevent Haines from advancing to side control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Haines is keen to just control but Evans is a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Evans throws a head kick but Haines moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Evans lets loose with a powerful body kick. Haines will feel that in the morning.
Evans thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Haines if he has to take too many more of those.
A swing and a miss from Haines.
Haines backing away here, and Evans unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Haines shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Evans sprawls well. Evans wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Haines gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Burley Haines. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haines takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Haines misses with a takedown attempt
letting Evans counter with a right hand.
Nick Evans is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Evans lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nice shot by Haines.
Evans slips under a jab from Haines.
Evans lands a nice shot that snaps Haines's head back.
Evans checks a low kick from Haines.
Haines drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Evans uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haines.
Evans replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Haines blocks it well.
Haines misses with a combination
and Evans counters with a nice body kick.
Haines fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Evans avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haines misses with a two punch combination.
A jab from Haines misses.
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.
Evans closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Evans is looking to land body kicks.
Evans throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Haines half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Evans jabs at Haines's body.
Haines keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Haines avoids a kick to the body.
Haines has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Evans.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Haines throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Evans swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Evans uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haines.
Haines shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Evans pinned against the cage. Evans gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Evans let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Haines.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haines fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Haines scores with a crisp jab that stopped Evans in his tracks.
Evans with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haines misses with a body shot.
Haines shoots in for a takedown but Evans shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Evans has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Haines misses with a double jab
and Evans counters with a nice kick to the body.
Evans fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Haines manages to avoid it.
Evans chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Evans, right into the meat.
Haines tries for a takedown but Evans circles away easily
and Evans counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Burley Haines. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haines will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Evans tries a quick counter leg kick but Haines is wise to it.
Evans chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haines throws a poor cross that misses
and Evans makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Evans throws a body kick that misses.
Evans tries a head kick but it misses.
Haines half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Evans finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Haines misses with a wild combination.
Haines misses with a looping right.
Haines will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Haines has his takedown stuffed
and Evans counters with a big head kick but Haines shrugs it 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!
Haines with a poor takedown
and Evans counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Haines thinking.
Haines walks into a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans thuds his right hand into Haines's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Haines fails with the takedown
and Evans connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Evans misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Haines.
Evans misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Evans buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Haines on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Evans. Evans obviously looking to wear him down.
Evans keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Haines.
Haines looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Evans only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Evans throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Evans throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Haines.
Evans is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Haines rather than just go for the knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haines moves out of range as Evans throws a body kick.
Haines drops down looking for a counter takedown but Evans sprawls and moves away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Evans.
Haines takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Evans is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Haines.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Haines takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nick Evans seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Evans throws a leg kick but Haines moved away.
Haines avoids the head kick by Evans.
Haines avoids a punch combination nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Haines. Evans does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Evans showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Evans misses with a head kick.
A jab from Haines does it's job there.
Evans avoids the body shot from Haines.
A combination from Haines does no damage.
A good leg kick by Evans.
Good work by Haines as he checks the leg kick.
Haines misses with a takedown attempt
and Evans counters with a nice uppercut.
Haines throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans throws a series of punches but Haines avoids them all with ease.
Haines was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Haines displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Evans throws out the jab.
Evans lands a nice looking body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haines shoots in looking for a takedown. Evans tries to sprawl out of it but Haines 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 is trying to counter with his kicks.
Evans lands a nice hook to Haines's body. Haines takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Both fighters circling a little - Evans finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Evans cracks Haines with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Evans throws a shot to the body.
Evans lands a slapping body shot.
Haines throws a looping overhand right but Evans ducks down to avoid it.
Burley Haines has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans scores with a hook to the body. Haines takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Evans throws a half hearted mid kick.
Evans throws a shot to the body.
Haines shoots in for a takedown but Evans shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Burley Haines. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haines dives in and grabs Evans's left leg, looking for a takedown. Evans pushes down on Haines's head and hops out.
Haines throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Evans lands with a right hand.
Evans throws a wild body kick that Haines sees coming a mile off.
Evans throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Haines attempts a counter takedown but Evans avoids it well and moves away.
Evans misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans moves out of range of the strikes.
Evans tries to land a body kick

so Haines counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Evans keeping full guard, as Haines tries to pass.
Evans controls Haines momentarily but Haines frees himself.
Haines trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Evans is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Haines stopping the sweep attempt from Evans.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Haines throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Evans works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Haines misses with a wild combination.
Haines is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Haines feints and as Evans raises his hands in defense, Haines changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Evans is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Haines throwing strikes but missing.
Haines throws an elbow that misses. Evans uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Haines's guard. Nice move by Evans!

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Evans comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Evans winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Evans!
A very excited looking Nick Evans made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
The defeated Burley Haines had this to say: 'No problem. I'm confident this fight will be ruled a 'No Contest,' given my opponent's troubling habit of testing positive for drugs of abuse.'.