PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wanderlei Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Claudio Barbosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Claudio Barbosa has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Wanderlei Silva's chin.

Silva
vs
Barbosa

181 cm
20
205 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
23
205 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

Good takedowns
Counter striker
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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wanderlei Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Claudio Barbosa!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Seu Braga and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Silva closes the distance and clinches.
Silva stops a takedown attempt from Barbosa.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Barbosa blocks it.
Barbosa wants a takedown.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva with a knee to the head.

It looks like Claudio Barbosa has been cut.
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Barbosa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Wanderlei Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Claudio Barbosa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva prevents the takedown attempt.
Silva prevents a takedown attempt there.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Barbosa blocks with his arms.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barbosa blocks it with crossed arms.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Barbosa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barbosa blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Barbosa blocks it.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Barbosa is blocking nicely.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Barbosa blocks it.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Barbosa takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Barbosa blocks with his arms.
Barbosa tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Barbosa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Silva fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Barbosa stuffs the takedown.
Barbosa leaves Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Silva tries for a takedown but Barbosa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Silva shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barbosa but Barbosa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Barbosa with a poor takedown

and Silva counters by moving into the clinch.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Barbosa is blocking nicely.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Barbosa is blocking nicely.
Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Barbosa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Silva avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wanderlei Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Claudio Barbosa.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Barbosa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Silva pulls his leg out and moves away.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Barbosa blocks it.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Barbosa is trying to drag Silva to the mat but Silva just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is pressed up against the cage. Barbosa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Silva down to the mat. Silva avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Silva shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barbosa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Silva pulls his head out easily.
It looks like Silva is going to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva trying to control from half guard but Barbosa is working away.
Barbosa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Silva's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Silva's back!
Silva looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Barbosa is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Silva knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Silva for a finish.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silva is trying to get back to his feet but Barbosa has full control of the position and if anything, Silva has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Silva won't enjoy being in this position. Barbosa looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Silva is tapping - it's over boys! Barbosa picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Claudio Barbosa!