PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mateus Santiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anderson Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anderson Silva acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Santiago
vs
Silva

187 cm
23
209 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

187 cm
23
210 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mateus Santiago!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anderson Silva!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva tries to clinch up but Santiago circles away and keeps his distance.
Silva tries to clinch but Santiago moves out of range.
Santiago fails in his attempt to clinch.
Silva tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Santiago counters by moving into the clinch.
Santiago tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Mateus Santiago has been cut.
Santiago with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva misses with a knee strike.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Santiago.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A right hand to the body from Santiago.
Santiago is pushing Silva up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Santiago throws a knee to the head but misses.
Santiago lands a nice uppercut.
Santiago landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Silva has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Santiago avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Santiago blocks it with crossed arms.
Santiago with a knee to the head.

It looks like Anderson Silva has been cut.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Silva looks gassed!
Santiago lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
Santiago tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Santiago is defending well for now.

Santiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Silva looks to clinch

and Santiago holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santiago tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Santiago lands a left hand that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
Santiago will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Silva up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santiago is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Silva is defending well for now.
Santiago throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.
Santiago with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Santiago blocks it.
Santiago with a knee to the head.
Santiago is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Silva is defending well for now.
Santiago using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Santiago tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Silva is looking to control Santiago's arms but Santiago gets an underhook and turns him. Now Silva has his back to the cage.

Santiago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Santiago walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A big left from Santiago misses.
Silva tries to clinch
and Santiago connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Santiago is looking to clinch.
Silva tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Santiago counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Santiago presses Silva against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Santiago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva wants a takedown but no success here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Santiago.
Silva is pushing Santiago up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Silva has Santiago pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Silva pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Santiago tumbling to the mat - Silva dives into Santiago's guard.
Silva is looking to stand up but Santiago won't let him.
Silva is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santiago is trying to keep Silva in close.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Silva drops back, looking for a kneebar! Santiago looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Santiago looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Santiago!
Silva gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Silva regains full guard. Nicely done.

Silva is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Santiago is aware though and is defending well.
Santiago prevents Silva from getting back to his feet.

Silva has his foot on Santiago's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Santiago works his way back into a safe position though.

Silva is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Santiago defends well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Santiago stands up from guard. Let's bang!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Santiago dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Santiago is looking to clinch.
Silva tries to clinch up
and Santiago counters with a series of strikes. Silva will be more careful next time no doubt.
Anderson Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva wants to clinch

and Santiago holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Santiago escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Silva tries to clinch but Santiago moves away

and Santiago holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva is looking to control Santiago's arms but Santiago gets an underhook and turns him. Now Silva has his back to the cage.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Santiago is blocking nicely.
Silva takes a knee right on the jaw!
A short right from Santiago.
Santiago lands a left hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Santiago lands a knee to the head.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Santiago blocks it with crossed arms.
Santiago with a knee to the head.
Santiago lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Santiago breaks from the clinch.

Santiago clinches up with Silva and pushes him back against the cage.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silva goes for a takedown in the clinch but Santiago prevents it.
Silva tries to stall but Santiago uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva stalling in the clinch but Santiago improves position.
Santiago lands a body punch.
Santiago tries to land a knee to the head but Silva blocks with his arms.
Santiago using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A short uppercut from Santiago.
Santiago lands a right hand.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva tries to land knees in the clinch but Santiago avoids the damage to the body.

Santiago pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Silva circles away from the clinch attempt.
Silva wants to clinch but Santiago slips to the side

and Santiago counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Santiago.
Mateus Santiago has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Silva tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Santiago is looking to break free of the clinch but Silva has double underhooks.
Santiago throws a knee to the head but misses.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santiago misses with a knee strike.
Santiago misses with a knee strike.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Santiago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Santiago leaning against his opponent.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mateus Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silva.
Santiago pressing his opponent against the cage.
Santiago makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Santiago swings wildly with an uppercut but Silva uses good head movement to avoid it.
Silva is trying to drag Santiago to the mat but Santiago just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A right handed body shot lands from Santiago.
Santiago gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Silva.
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Santiago blocks it.
Santiago tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Santiago wants to get back to striking at distance but Silva won't allow it.
Silva has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Santiago is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Santiago lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Santiago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva missing with knees to the body.
Santiago is trying to maintain a safe position but Silva gets an underhook and turns Santiago into the cage.
Santiago with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Santiago connects with a knee to the head.
Silva has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Santiago is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Santiago managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
Silva jumps guard but Santiago stands there with Silva around his waist. Silva gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Santiago escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Santiago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Silva darts in trying to clinch

and Santiago counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Santiago is defending well for now.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Santiago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Santiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Silva swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Silva tries to clinch
and Santiago connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Silva darts in trying to clinch

and Santiago counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Santiago.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Santiago blocks it.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Santiago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Santiago blocks it with crossed arms.
Santiago with a knee to the head.
Santiago stalling against the cage.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Santiago tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Santiago is pressed up against the cage. Silva has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Santiago down to the mat. Santiago avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Santiago doesn't manage to clinch there - Silva circles away.
Silva wants to clinch

and Santiago moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Santiago dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Silva wants to clinch

and Santiago counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Santiago tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Santiago'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 connects with a nasty looking knee right to Santiago's face.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Santiago blocks it with crossed arms.
Santiago tries to stall but Silva uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Silva tries for a takedown but Santiago manages to get underhooks.
Santiago with a knee to the head.
Silva tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Santiago misses with a knee strike.
Santiago will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Silva up against the cage.
Santiago gets underhooks to prevent Silva's takedown attempt.
Mateus Santiago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silva.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Santiago.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva managing to block the knees to the body from Santiago.
Santiago lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Santiago blocks it with crossed arms.
Silva misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva jumps guard.
Santiago trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Santiago got a little sloppy there for a moment and Silva has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Santiago has managed to get both his arms back between Silva's legs - danger averted.
Santiago wants to stand but Silva is controlling his posture from full guard.

Silva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Santiago doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Santiago manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Santiago is controlling him.
Santiago throwing strikes but missing.

Silva throws his legs up looking for a submission but Santiago uses it to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santiago is staying tight to Silva's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Santiago has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Silva clinches but Santiago breaks the clinch

and Santiago holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Silva avoiding damage as Santiago throws knees to the body.
Santiago is trying to break the clinch but Silva is controlling him.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Santiago blocks it.
Silva taking a breather.
Silva tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Santiago smiles and moves away.
A cross from Silva lands.

Santiago rushes Silva and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santiago misses with a knee to the head.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Santiago has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Santiago throws a knee to the head but misses.
Silva looking to slow down the pace here.
Santiago lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Santiago digs a right hand into Silva's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Silva's gas tank.

Silva jumps guard.
Anderson Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santiago trying to stand up but can't free himself from Silva's guard.
Silva is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Silva wants to get back to his feet but Santiago is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

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 Mateus Santiago.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Santiago, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mateus Santiago!