Get ready, get set, go!
After about 30 seconds had gone by in round one, Davis landed a hard low kick. Moments later, he hit home with a body kick. Then came another low kick. After another low kick, the two clinched. Davis connected in a grazing manner upon separation. Davis ducked under an Evans' punch and ended up on all fours with him on the canvas for a moment. As he got up and out of a near choke, Evans landed a solid punch on him. Evans then grazed Davis with multiple punches. Davis missed with a couple of strikes, forcing a clinch. The two separated soon after, with Davis landing a few grazing punches. Then Davis attempted a kick, which Evans caught and used to trip him hard to the canvas. From there, Davis achieved the half guard position. Evans then gained side control and began some ground and pound. Moments later, Evans gained the crucifix position, where the former TUF winner landed some serioius ground and pound. Davis eventually escaped and got to a knee by the bell.
Up until the takedown, Davis was winning by a little. But round one still went to Evans for what he did on the ground.
Evans missed with a big time high kick attempt to start round two. Evans landed a mild right hand. Then came another grazing left. Later, Davis connected with a mild low kick and jab. Body kick from Davis. Davis ducked under an Evans' punch, leading to a clinch. Evans landed a couple of punches inside before a separation. Evans came forward aggressively with strikes and landed a very hard right to the body. The two clinched, and upon a separation, Evans connected with a couple of nice punches, including a right hand. Davis hit home with a kick to the body and then a grazing left. Evans landed multiple punches. After a Davis knee, Evans hit home with another punch.
The former champion is beginning to look comfortable on his feet.
Moments later, Evans caught another kick and used it to take Davis to the canvas. He gained side control there and really began to land some hard punches on his adversary up to the bell.
Evans has won both stanzas in this contest.
Davis came out aggressively in round three, landing a couple of grazing punches and a front kick to the body. Then he shot looking for the takedown, but Evans stuffed his attempt and grabbed a hold of his head. Davis kept moving forward, however, and lifted Evans’ leg up in single leg mode. But Evans simply sunk to a seated position. And eventually, Davis’s efforts led to Evans turning him over on the ground and connecting with some significant ground and pound. Then he took his opponent’s back. Davis was able to get to his feet, escaping, only to end up in a clinch with his adversary. There Evans hit home with a nice uppercut. And basically, the former TUF champion really began to take over inside with better overall boxing skills. Or so it seemed, that is, until Davis landed a takedown. Still, Evans fought to his feet with no damage done. While on their feet, Davis connected with some decent knees to Evans’ legs. Then came the bell.
A better round for Davis, but I still think Evans took it. For my money, Davis needs a stoppage over the course of the next two rounds or he’ll lose.
Round four saw Davis land a very hard body kick after around a minute had gone by. Evans stuck it to Davis from there, hitting home with several jabs in succession, often as a counter. And for the rest of the stanza, Evans beat his opponent to the punch and defended his takedowns, landing a big right along the way.
Davis is getting thoroughly dominated in this one.
Round five saw Evans outdo his opponent on his feet big time. In the end, he was simply the better man all night long.
Rashad Evans defeats Phil Davis by unanimous decision.
