PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Canderson Silava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Cross might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The New Black by Every Time I Die. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Cross
vs
Silava

191 cm
20
210 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

185 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, David Cross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Canderson Silava!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cross wants to clinch up but Silava keeps it at a distance.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Silava as he avoids it easily.
Cross fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Silava looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Cross bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cross remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Silava really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cross. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Cross tries for a kimura but Silava is defending well.

Cross is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Silava knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Cross postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross controlling the position from side mount.
Silava is trying to control Cross's posture but Cross avoids it.
Silava is pushing Cross's head away, looking to escape. Cross manages to hold on to the position though.
Silava wants to control but Cross postures up.

Cross decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Silava clinches but Cross breaks the clinch
and Cross counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Canderson Silava has been cut.
A nice inside leg kick there by Silava. That's going to slow Cross down.
Cross shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Silava as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a right and a left that Silava avoids nicely.
Silava is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Silava wants to clinch

so Cross counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Cross is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silava keeping moving, preventing Cross from controlling successfully.
Cross throws a big right hand that misses.
Silava is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cross is controlling him.
Silava trying to keep a closed guard but Cross is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Silava not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cross accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Silava tries to clinch but Cross moves away
and Cross counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Cross rushes Silava and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Silava is trying to stall.
Cross throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Silavas head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Cross's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross keeps the fight on the outside.
Silava avoids a punch combination nicely.
Silava throws a head kick that misses.
David Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cross throws a series of punches but Silava moves out of range.
Silava takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Cross feints and as Silava raises his hands in defense, Cross changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Silava wants to get back to his feet but Cross is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cross looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cross stands and steps away. Silava gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Cross dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Canderson Silava's cut.
That's time! Cross's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cross shoots in and bounces Silava off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Cross stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silava swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cross scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cross tries to free his leg and advance position but Silava is retaining full guard.
Silava wants to stand up but Cross is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Silava uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Cross looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross closes this distance looking for a takedown but Silava circles away.
Silava throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like David Cross has been cut.
Cross swats away the attempt to clinch by Silava.
Silava wants to clinch
and Cross counters with a series of strikes. Silava will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cross tries to bum rush Silava with a series of wild strikes but Silava uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Silava closes the distance but Cross moves to the side

and Cross decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Silava's guard.
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!
Silava is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Silava is trying to control the position but Cross postures up.
Cross throwing strikes from guard but Silava blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silava is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cross throwing strikes but missing.
Cross with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cross slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Silava wants to stand and escape but Cross is having none of it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Silava tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cross counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Silava walks into a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cross clinches but Silava breaks the clinch
and Silava counters with a big head kick but Cross shrugs it off.
Silava tries to clinch up
and Cross counters with a series of strikes. Silava will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silava looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Silava wants to clinch.

Silava moves into range and clinches up with Cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Silava.
Silava lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silava unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cross lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Silava lands a nice knee to the body.
Silava lands a nice knee to the body.
Silava with a knee to the head.
Silava using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Silava scores a nice knee to the body.
Cross tries for a takedown but Silava manages to get underhooks.
Silava throws a knee to the head but misses.
Silava looking to throw knees to the head but Cross is blocking nicely.
Silava gets underhooks to prevent Cross's takedown attempt.
Silava stops a takedown attempt from Cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Silava landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Silava looking to stall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silava throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cross blocks it with crossed arms.
Cross can't break the clinch.
Cross drops down looking for an ankle pick but Silava pulls his leg out and moves away.
Silava is looking to score with low kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Canderson Silava will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Nice body kick from Silava.
Silava tries to clinch

and Cross counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cross is pushing down on Silava's leg trying to pass to half guard. Silava is fighting to maintain full guard but Cross has managed to sneak the leg through.
Silava wants to control but Cross is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Cross stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Silava to get to his feet.
Silava misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cross throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Silava's waist but Silava gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cross off to one side.
Silava darts in trying to clinch
and Cross connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Silava darts in and clinches Cross up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silava stalling in the clinch but Cross improves position.
Silava with a knee to the head.
Silava with a knee to the head.
Cross will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Silava up against the cage.
Cross changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Silava fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Silava tries to clinch but Cross moves out of range.
Cross circles away from the clinch attempt.
David Cross is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cross circles away from the clinch attempt.
Silava stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Cross. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cross closes the distance looking to clinch
and Silava counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Silava clinches but Cross breaks the clinch
and Cross counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Silava is looking to clinch.
Silava throws a head kick that misses.
Silava tries to clinch there but Cross circles away.
Cross looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Silava clinches but Cross breaks the clinch
and Cross counters with a nice uppercut.
Silava chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Canderson Silava is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slapping leg kick lands for Silava.
Silava chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Silava fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Silava stuffs the takedown.

Silava takes the fight into the clinch.
Silava with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silava holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Silava connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cross's face.
Cross is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Silava throws a knee to the head but misses.

Cross has clasped his hands together around Silava's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Silava struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silava is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Silava's face as Cross controls the position.
Silava is looking to regain half guard here but Cross keeps moving and retains side control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cross gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Silava counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cross tries for a takedown. No joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to David Cross.
I think Cross has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David Cross!