When I covered the EliteXC show in Stockton for Bloody Elbow, a best friend of one of the fighters on the main card sat next to me to watch it. When that fighter lost, said best friend completely burst into tears. Watching friends fight is often tougher than actually fighting yourself.
I understand why Rashad Evans did commentary tonight, but the result was a disgrace. What he did can’t even be considered commentary, it was cheerleading. You’d think watching round 1 that Jardine dominated the round, but if you watch it with sound off it is a much different picture. Rashad even tried to suggest Jardine won round two. At the end of the third round, he was just completely distraught that Jardine was knocked down. Rogan’s solemn concession that the clean knockdown might have sealed it bordered on parody.
Nobody can blame Rashad for going through these emotions while watching one of his best friends fight. However, he had no business on commentary with such a clear bias. He also influenced Rogan and Goldberg, who focused the entire time on Jardine’s offense.