PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikola Asanovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wanderlei Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Asanovic's entrance music is Rokeri S Moravi - Daj Ribu. A fine choice. Wanderlei Silva acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Asanovic
vs
Silva

185 cm
20
209 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

181 cm
22
199 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Heavy handed

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikola Asanovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wanderlei Silva!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asanovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Silva tries to clinch up.

Asanovic clinches up against the cage.
Silva is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Asanovic as Silva tries to tie him up.
Asanovic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Silva misses with a knee strike.

Asanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Silva wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Silva takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Silva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Asanovic takes the fight into the clinch.
Asanovic managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Asanovic breaks the clinch.
Asanovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch but Asanovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Silva tries to clinch up.
A head kick from Asanovic lands but Silva takes it in his stride.
Asanovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Asanovic swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Asanovic. That's going to slow Silva down.
Silva wants to clinch up but Asanovic keeps it at a distance.
Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Silva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Silva takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Silva looks gassed!
A solid leg kick lands there for Asanovic.

Asanovic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Silva takes an elbow to the temple.

Asanovic breaks from the clinch.

Asanovic moves into the clinch successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Asanovic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Asanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asanovic moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Silva has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Wanderlei Silva has been cut.

Asanovic takes the fight into the clinch.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Asanovic closes the distance and pushes Silva back into the cage.
Asanovic is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Asanovic scores with a spinning back kick!
Asanovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Asanovic throws a head kick that half lands.
Asanovic works over Silva's head and body with a nice combination.

Silva is rocked!
Both fighters circling a little - Asanovic finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Silva is still on wobbly legs! Can Asanovic finish him?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Asanovic clinches.
Silva seems to have recovered his senses.
Asanovic lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Asanovic manages to break the clinch.
Asanovic catches Silva with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Asanovic scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Asanovic closes the distance and clinches.
Silva takes an elbow to the temple.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Silva is looking to clinch.

Asanovic rushes Silva and presses him up against the cage.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Asanovic is looking to slow Silva down with leg kicks.
Asanovic delivers a nice body kick.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Asanovic scores with a nice body kick.
Asanovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Asanovic throws a head kick that Silva semi-blocks.
Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Asanovic circles away.
Asanovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Asanovic scoring well with a low kick there.
Asanovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Asanovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Silva tries to clinch but Asanovic moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Asanovic thows a body kick. Silva tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Silva has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Asanovic.
Asanovic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Asanovic keeps the fight on the outside.
Asanovic is looking to slow Silva down with leg kicks.

Asanovic moves into range and clinches up with Silva.
Asanovic lands a good knee to the midsection. Silva won't want to take too many of those.

Asanovic manages to break the clinch.
Silva wants to clinch up but Asanovic keeps it at a distance.

Asanovic moves into the clinch successfully.
Asanovic utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Asanovic landing knees to the head.
Silva looking to stall.
Asanovic has Silva pressed against the cage.
Asanovic lands an elbow that stopped Silva in his tracks for a moment.
Asanovic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A cross from Asanovic lands.
Asanovic clobbers Silva with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Asanovic lands a head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic looks to land a combination. Silva sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Silva moves in looking to clinch but Asanovic pushes him off.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Asanovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Silva wants to clinch up but Asanovic keeps it at a distance.
Asanovic scores with a head kick.
Asanovic works over Silva's head and body with a nice combination.

Asanovic gets a clinch.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Asanovic.

Asanovic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Asanovic connects with the punch.

Asanovic closes the distance and clinches.
Asanovic unloads a knee to the mid-section. Silva lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Asanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asanovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Asanovic tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Silva paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Asanovic swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Silva on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Asanovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Silva is looking to clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Asanovic!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Asanovic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Wanderlei Silva's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Silva tries to clinch there but Asanovic circles away.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Silva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Asanovic - that will leave a mark!
Asanovic scores with a head kick.
Asanovic bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Asanovic pushes Silva away with a front kick.
Asanovic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Silva can do to turn this around?
Asanovic connects with a high kick.

Asanovic rushes Silva and presses him up against the cage.

Asanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asanovic scores with a head kick.
Asanovic goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Silva wants to clinch up but Asanovic keeps it at a distance.
Asanovic throws a head kick that Silva semi-blocks.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
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!
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Asanovic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Asanovic lands a head kick!
A jab from Asanovic finds it's way through Silva's defenses.
Silva tries to clinch up.
Asanovic throws a nice outside leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Silva crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Asanovic - the referee stops the clock and Silva gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Asanovic. Silva manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asanovic scores with a spinning back kick!
Nikola Asanovic is winning the standup battle so far.
Asanovic cracks the inside of Silva's front leg.
Asanovic bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Asanovic lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Silva moves in looking to clinch but Asanovic pushes him off.
Left hook, right uppercut from Asanovic.

Silva gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Asanovic lands a nice knee to the body.
Asanovic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Silva putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Asanovic in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Silva is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Asanovic is keeping busy.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Asanovic lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Silva takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Asanovic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Silva drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Asanovic rushes Silva and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Silva is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Asanovic is keeping busy.
Asanovic landing knees to the body.
Silva's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Asanovic is defending well for now.
Silva wants to stall.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Asanovic lands a jab-cross combination.
Silva wants to clinch up but Asanovic keeps it at a distance.
Silva wants to clinch up but Asanovic keeps it at a distance.
Asanovic's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Asanovic duly obliges.
Silva tries to clinch up.
Silva tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Silva wants to clinch up but Asanovic keeps it at a distance.
Asanovic throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Asanovic feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Silva's calf.
Asanovic delivers a nice body kick.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Asanovic is working the combinations to good effect here.
Asanovic lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Silva backs up against the cage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Silva wants to clinch.
Asanovic lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asanovic connects with a good right hand that stumbles Silva. Silva circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Silva is looking to clinch.
An inside leg kick lands from Asanovic.

Asanovic gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Asanovic manages to break the clinch.
Asanovic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Asanovic lands with an uppercut that bounces Silva off the cage and back into rage.

Asanovic gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Asanovic lands an elbow inside.

Asanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A chopping leg kick lands by Asanovic.
Asanovic delivers a nice body kick.
Asanovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Asanovic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Silva is looking to clinch.
A head kick from Asanovic lands but Silva takes it in his stride.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Asanovic pushes Silva away with a front kick.
Silva takes one to the side of the head.
Asanovic lands a nice shot to the body.

Asanovic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Asanovic blocks with his arms.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Asanovic blocks it with crossed arms.

Asanovic breaks the clinch.
Silva wants to clinch.
Silva takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Asanovic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Silva has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Asanovic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Asanovic delivers a nice body kick.
Asanovic lets loose with a powerful body kick. Silva will feel that in the morning.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Asanovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Asanovic scores with a push kick.

Asanovic closes the distance and clinches.

Asanovic breaks the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Asanovic scores with a four punch combination!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Asanovic misses with a wild combination.
Silva avoids a kick to the body.

Silva darts in and clinches Asanovic up against the cage.
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!

Asanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Silva tries to clinch there but Asanovic circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Asanovic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Wanderlei Silva's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Asanovic has managed to clinch.
Asanovic utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Asanovic lands an elbow that stopped Silva in his tracks for a moment.
Asanovic using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Asanovic manages to break the clinch.
Silva takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Silva tries to clinch up.
Silva gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Asanovic listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Asanovic lands a high kick!

Asanovic drives through and clinches with Silva against the cage.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Asanovic circles away from the clinch attempt.

Asanovic fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Silva, pushing him back against the cage.

Asanovic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Silva chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Asanovic can pounce on him.

Asanovic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Silva takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Asanovic blocks with his arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva wants to stall.
Asanovic utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Asanovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asanovic lands an elbow that stopped Silva in his tracks for a moment.
Asanovic using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Asanovic blocks it with crossed arms.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch but Asanovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Asanovic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Asanovic lands a head kick. Silva smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Asanovic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Asanovic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Asanovic works over Silva's head and body with a nice combination.
Asanovic feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Silva's calf.
Asanovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.
Asanovic swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.
Asanovic with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Silva takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch but Asanovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Asanovic stalks Silva and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Silva's face. Silva staggers backwards, shaken.
Silva tries to clinch there but Asanovic circles away.
Asanovic lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch but Asanovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Asanovic lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Asanovic.
Asanovic throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Silva is looking to clinch.
Asanovic fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Silva.

Asanovic clinches with his opponent.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Asanovic clinches with his opponent.
A knee to the head by Asanovic.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nikola Asanovic has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Silva takes an elbow to the forehead.
Asanovic lands a good knee to the midsection. Silva won't want to take too many of those.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Asanovic blocks it.
Silva takes an elbow to the forehead.
Silva trying to stall but Asanovic improves his position.
Asanovic utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Silva taking a breather.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Asanovic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva effectively controlling the action here.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Asanovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Asanovic lands a nice shot to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Asanovic landing knees to the head.
Nikola Asanovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.

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

Asanovic closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Silva tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Asanovic avoids it.
Asanovic landing knees to the head.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Asanovic lands with a kick to the temple. Silva shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch but Asanovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Asanovic scores with a leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Asanovic.
Asanovic scores with a head kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Silva crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Asanovic - the referee stops the clock and Silva gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Asanovic. Silva manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Asanovic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Asanovic thuds his right hand into Silva's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Good leg kick by Asanovic there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Asanovic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Silva takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Asanovic throws a series of strikes that have Silva backpedaling.
Silva stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Asanovic.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Asanovic.

Asanovic pushes Silva up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Asanovic moves into the clinch.
Asanovic scores with a shoulder strike.
Silva stalling in the clinch but Asanovic improves position.
Asanovic lands a right hand.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Silva takes a kick to the side of the head.
Asanovic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Silva has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Asanovic has Silva up against the cage in a clinch.

Asanovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Asanovic rushes Silva and presses him up against the cage.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Asanovic blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
Asanovic using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Asanovic breaks from the clinch.
Asanovic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Wanderlei Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Asanovic goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Asanovic rushes Silva and presses him up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikola Asanovic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Asanovic has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:25
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:24
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikola Asanovic!