PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francis Ngannou (ranked 4778 p4p, 5097 weight class) and Lino Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 162 weight class). Francis Ngannou could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Lino Silva's chin.

Ngannou
vs
Silva

193 cm
19
275
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
265
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Francis Ngannou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lino Silva!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Silva forces Ngannou back against the cage and clinches.
Silva is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Silva digs a right hand into Ngannou's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ngannou's gas tank.
Ngannou tries to break free but Silva pushes him back against the cage.
Silva is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Silva effectively controlling the action here.
Ngannou is trying to break the clinch but Silva is controlling him.
Silva lands a left hand.
Silva working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Silva creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ngannou's defenses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva just leaning against Ngannou, taking a breather.
Silva lands a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Silva.
Silva lands a shoulder strike.
Silva is stalling here.
Silva content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Silva takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Silva receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.
Ngannou tries to clinch there but Silva circles away.

Silva gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Silva stalling in the clinch.
Ngannou looking to stall.
Ngannou cracks Silva with a nice body shot.
Silva stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ngannou tries to break the clinch but Silva is controlling the position.
Silva gets underhooks to prevent Ngannou's takedown attempt.
Silva putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ngannou in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Silva pressing his opponent against the cage.
Silva manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd are getting on Silva's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ngannou wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A shot in the inside from Silva.
Ngannou tries for a takedown but Silva manages to get underhooks.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Silva.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Silva stalling.
The referee is keeping an eye on Silva - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.
Ngannou tries for a takedown but Silva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francis Ngannou. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva has Ngannou up against the cage in a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Silva - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Silva lands a nice knee to the body.
Ngannou is breathing heavily.
Silva dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A short uppercut from Silva.
Silva stalling the fight.
Silva lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Silva has Ngannou pushed against the cage.
Silva dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Silva.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.

Silva closes the distance and pushes Ngannou back into the cage.

Ngannou manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ngannou has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Silva is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Silva's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Ngannou goes for a takedown in the clinch but Silva prevents it.
Come on Silva - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Silva stalling against the cage.
Ngannou looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Silva landing knees to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lino Silva dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Silva clinches up with Ngannou and pushes him back against the cage.
Silva stalling the fight.
Ngannou is trying to pull guard but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Silva keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ngannou's efforts to push away.
Ngannou working hard to break the clinch.
Silva is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ngannou takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Francis Ngannou has been cut.
Ngannou takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nice body punch from Silva.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left hand lands to the body for Silva.
Silva has Ngannou pushed against the cage.
Ngannou wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Silva landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Silva.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silva avoiding damage.
Silva is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Silva is struggling to control the position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.

Silva has managed to clinch.
Silva is stalling here.
Silva is working Ngannou over against the cage.
Silva stalling against the cage.
Silva pushes Ngannou back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ngannou tries for a takedown but Silva manages to get underhooks.
Ngannou goes for a takedown attempt but Silva pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francis Ngannou. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Silva manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Silva leaning against his opponent.
Silva crunches a lovely knee into Ngannou's ribcage.
Silva's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Lino Silva seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Silva is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Silva continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.

Silva closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Silva.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ngannou takes an elbow to the temple.
A right hand to the body from Silva.
Silva makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Silva landing knees to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Silva.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Silva's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Silva content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Silva lands an elbow inside.
Silva lands a body punch in the clinch.
Silva slowing the pace effectively.
Silva holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.
Ngannou misses the body punch
and Silva counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Ngannou is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Silva has Ngannou up against the cage in a clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Silva.
Silva dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ngannou tries to break the clinch but Silva is controlling the position.
Silva gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Silva manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Silva prevents Ngannou from breaking the clinch.
Silva stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ngannou wants to get back to striking at distance but Silva won't allow it.
Silva displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ngannou up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lino Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Francis Ngannou's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ngannou throws a jab but it's blocked by Silva.

Silva has closed the distance and engaged Ngannou in a clinch.
Silva has Ngannou pressed against the cage.
Silva scores with a shoulder strike.
Silva prevents Ngannou from breaking the clinch.
Silva landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Silva taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Silva holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.

Silva fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ngannou, pushing him back against the cage.
Silva is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva slowing the pace effectively.
Silva landing knees to the body.
Silva makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Silva scores with a shot to the side of Ngannou's head.
Silva lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva stalling the fight.
Silva has Ngannou pushed against the cage.
Silva lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Silva.
Silva stalling against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.
Ngannou takes a swing at Silva's ribcage but misses.

Ngannou tries to keep at a distance but Silva has taken the fight into the clinch.
Silva leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ngannou has Silva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Silva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Silva has Ngannou pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva has Ngannou pressed against the cage.
Silva is stalling here.
Silva will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ngannou up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.

Silva has managed to clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Ngannou wants to break the clinch but can't.
Silva is leaning against Ngannou and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Silva throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Silva stalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Silva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Silva lands with a right to the head.
Ngannou letting Silva take a breather here.
Silva slowing the pace effectively.
Silva stalls.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Lino Silva.

Silva clinches.
Silva taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Silva pressing his opponent against the cage.
Good body shot from Silva.
Silva keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ngannou's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva prevents a body shot from Ngannou.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Silva obliges.
A bit of stalling here from Silva.
Ngannou takes an elbow to the temple.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Ngannou letting Silva take a breather here.
Silva using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Silva's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Silva lands a body shot.
Silva stalling.
Francis Ngannou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lino Silva is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Silva lands an elbow just above Ngannou 's eye.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lino Silva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Silva 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 24:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 24:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lino Silva!