IT’S TIME…..text voting final tally reflects 81% Liddell to 19% Evans as we watch another replay of the preview footage that we saw over and over again on the PPV preshow. Evans comes to the cage first and he’s wearing a t-shirt with what appears to be a mug shot of some white dude on the front. Evans from Greg Jackson’s camp and he’s accompanied to the cage by Jackson and Jardine, who’s still the scariest looking dude in the sport. Evans looks to be in great shape, which he always does. He’s sponsored by an outfit called Smartphone Insurance that we’ll have to check out to insure the SavSci tech arsenal. Liddell enters the cage next, looking like he always does. Herb Dean will be the ref for the main event….

ROUND ONE:

Tentative start to the fight with Rashad bobbing and weaving and Liddell trying to force his way in with a straight right. Evans connects over the top with the first significant punch of the night, Liddell responds a few moments later with a right hand of his own. Evans with a body kick, no doubt taught to him by Keith Jardine who used those very effectively when he beat Liddell. Crowd clearly behind Liddell, though they start to boo anytime the pace slows down–so basically they just want to see someone KO’d. Another leg kick by Evans–Liddell tries a right, Evans ducks away. Evans changes to a southpaw stance, Liddell tags him with a jab. 1 minute left in round one–tough round to score so far. Goldberg points out that Liddell has a minor cut near his eye. Evans goes for a leg kick and Liddell counterpunches. Liddell with an uppercut. Evans moving nicely–Liddell lands another punch and misses with a kick. Herb Dean practically has to tackle Liddell as he throws a wild kick after the horn which fortunately misses. Weird round–Evans did a nice job defensively, but didn’t do much on offense. We’ll give it to Rashad 10-9 in a round that easily could go the other way.

ROUND TWO:

Evans still dancing–Goldberg and Rogan keep grumbling about “showboating” but its boxing 101 to keep moving like that against a good puncher. Of course Liddell could put on brass knuckles and KO Evans a la Floyd Mayweather vs. The Big Show at Wrestlemania and Goldberg/Rogan would find a way to justify it Evans nails Liddell with the left hook, just misses with the right. BIG overhand right out of nowhere by Evans and Liddell goes down like he got shot. Liddell is knocked out cold and has no clue what area code he’s in. Evans wife is shrieking like a banshee and the crowd booing Evans for reasons that aren’t readily apparent. Herb Dean jumps in and stops it immediately. Wicked KO punch and an impressive win for Rashad Evans.

RASHAD EVANS WINS BY TKO

Rampage posturing and posing in the crowd…Liddell now up and on his stool and he appears to be fine even though he’s tottering around the ring not knowing where he is.

Rogan rightfully complains about Rashad’s wife and her banshee-like shrieks, with the implicit message that he needs to get his woman in tow. 17-0-1 record for Rashad now, and many observers gave him the draw against Tito Ortiz. Rashad’s wife enters to give him a hug and she’s a cutie–no wonder he puts up with those screams. Well that’s it for our live round by round–thanks as always for joining us. You can find the live coverage of EVERY major MMA event–no matter where in the world or what time it takes place–here at THE SAVAGE SCIENCE.