PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marshall Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anderson Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Thompson
vs
Silva

185 cm
23
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
189 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marshall Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anderson Silva!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva tries to clinch there but Thompson circles away.
Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Thompson circles away.
Thompson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Thompson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silva is defended easily by Thompson.
Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thompson misses with a double jab.
Silva misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Anderson Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thompson circles away.
Thompson lunges at Silva with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Silva's hand.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Thompson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thompson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Thompson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Silva, pushing him back against the cage.
Thompson blocks an uppercut.
Silva wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thompson lands a body shot.
Silva looks gassed!

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

Thompson clinches.
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!
Thompson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Thompson looking to throw knees to the head but Silva is blocking nicely.
Thompson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Silva working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Silva avoids it.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.
Thompson lands a nice knee to the body.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.
Thompson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thompson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Thompson creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Thompson looking to throw knees to the head but Silva is blocking nicely.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.
Silva is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Thompson is keeping busy.
Thompson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but Silva blocks with his arms.
A nice right hand lands inside from Thompson.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Thompson scores with a knee to the head.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.
Thompson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Thompson tries to land knees in the clinch but Silva avoids the damage to the body.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson takes a shot to the head.
Silva throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Thompson.
Thompson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Silva.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Thompson is blocking nicely.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Silva using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Thompson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to maintain a safe position but Thompson gets an underhook and turns Silva into the cage.
Silva is trying to force a seperation but Thompson has the dominant position.
Thompson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.
Silva avoiding damage as Thompson throws knees to the body.
Silva fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Marshall Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silva.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Thompson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Silva wants to stall.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva is looking to break free of the clinch but Thompson has double underhooks.
Silva can't break the clinch.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Silva can't break the clinch.
Silva jumps guard but Thompson stands there with Silva around his waist. Silva gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Thompson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
Silva misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Silva takes a knee to the side of the body.
Thompson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Silva's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A knee to the head by Thompson.
Silva tries to pull guard but Thompson won't allow it.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Thompson tries to land knees in the clinch but Silva avoids the damage to the body.
Silva scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Silva missing with knees to the body.
Thompson with a knee to the head.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Thompson is pressed up against the cage. Silva has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thompson down to the mat. Thompson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thompson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Marshall Thompson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silva loads up on a big right hand but Thompson slips the punch.
Thompson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Silva tries to clinch
and Thompson counters with a one-two to the body.
Silva closes the distance looking to clinch
and Thompson counters with a two punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marshall Thompson dominated that round.
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.

Silva misses with a shot to the body
and Thompson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Thompson lands a really nice looking cross but Silva seems unphased.
Thompson misses with a few strikes there.
Silva lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Thompson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Thompson throws a series of punches but Silva moves out of range.
Silva clinches but Thompson breaks the clinch
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Thompson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Silva tries a head kick but it misses.

Thompson rushes Silva and presses him up against the cage.
Silva utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Silva avoiding damage as Thompson throws knees to the body.
Thompson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Silva avoids it.
Silva is trying to maintain a safe position but Thompson gets an underhook and turns Silva into the cage.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thompson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thompson lands a good knee to the midsection. Silva won't want to take too many of those.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.
Silva lands a nice knee to the body.
Silva swings wildly with an uppercut but Thompson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Silva managing to block the knees to the body from Thompson.
Silva has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Silva stalling in the clinch but Thompson improves position.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva tries to stall but Thompson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Thompson lands a nice uppercut.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson connects with a nasty looking knee right to Silva's face.
Silva trying to control the position but instead, Thompson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Silva into the cage.
Thompson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva tries to pull guard but Thompson holds him up against the cage and eventually Silva drops back down to his feet.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Thompson blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Thompson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thompson managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
Thompson scores with a knee to the head.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Silva is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.
Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nice body punch from Silva.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thompson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
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 is trying to maintain a safe position but Thompson gets an underhook and turns Silva into the cage.
Thompson landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Thompson as Silva tries to tie him up.
Thompson trying to land knees to the body.
Silva tries to work over Thompson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva tries to break free but Thompson pushes him back against the cage.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thompson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thompson.
Thompson looking to throw knees to the head but Silva is blocking nicely.
Silva looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Silva has Thompson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Thompson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Marshall Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silva.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Thompson gets underhooks to prevent Silva's takedown attempt.
Thompson looking to throw knees to the head but Silva is blocking nicely.
Silva missing with knees to the body.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but Silva blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva scores a nice knee to the body.
Thompson lands a nice knee to the body.
Thompson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.
Silva taking a breather.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Silva looking to slow down the pace here.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Silva misses with a knee strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thompson.
Thompson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Silva is looking to control Thompson's arms but Thompson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Silva has his back to the cage.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but Silva blocks with his arms.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson scores with a knee to the head.
Silva has had enough of the clinch but Thompson keeps him there for the moment.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A knee to the head by Thompson.
Silva lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marshall Thompson dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Silva wants to clinch but Thompson slips to the side

and Thompson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Thompson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Silva's efforts to push away.
Silva stalling in the clinch but Thompson improves position.
Thompson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva tries to break the clinch but Thompson is controlling the position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thompson.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Thompson blocks it.
Silva tries to pull guard but Thompson won't allow it.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.
Thompson misses with a knee strike.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Thompson is blocking nicely.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Silva avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Thompson keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Silva's efforts to push away.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Silva.
Thompson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Thompson.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Silva blocks it with crossed arms.
Silva misses with a short punch on the inside.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva tries to land knees in the clinch but Thompson avoids the damage to the body.
Thompson looking to throw knees to the head but Silva is blocking nicely.
Silva managing to block the knees to the body from Thompson.
A short left from Silva.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Silva tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Thompson smiles and moves away.
Jab, jab by Thompson - just one landing.
Silva ducks right into an uppercut from Thompson.
Thompson throws a series of punches but Silva avoids them all with ease.
Silva tries to clinch up
and Thompson counters with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Thompson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Thompson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Silva checks the leg kick.
Silva tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Thompson moves into the clinch.
Silva taking a breather.
Silva drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thompson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Marshall Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silva.
Thompson works over Silva's head and body with a nice combination.
Thompson swinging wildly here.
Marshall Thompson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva wants to clinch but Thompson slips to the side
and Silva takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thompson lands a jab-cross combination.
Thompson scores with a hook.
Silva misses with a head kick.
Silva tries for a takedown but Thompson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Thompson throws a series of strikes that have Silva backpedaling.
Silva throws the kick towards the body but Thompson avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silva circles away quickly and effectively.
Silva has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Thompson finds it's way round the side to connect with Silva's head.
Silva tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Thompson counters with a nice uppercut.
Silva tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Thompson counters with a stiff right hand.
Silva has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Silva avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thompson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Silva connects with the punch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Thompson.
Silva wants to clinch

and Thompson counters by clinching up.
Thompson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Thompson lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thompson blocks it with crossed arms.
Silva tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Thompson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Thompson misses with a knee to the head.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Thompson blocks it.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Thompson blocks with his arms.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the head but Silva blocks with his arms.
Thompson connects with a knee to the head.
Silva tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thompson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thompson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Silva obliges.
Thompson trying to land knees to the body.
Silva unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Thompson lands a hook that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
Silva tries to stall but Thompson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Thompson scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thompson scores with a nice hook to the head.
Knees to the body from Silva.
Anderson Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silva has a couple of punches blocked by Thompson.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thompson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

And that's the end of the fight!
Marshall Thompson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Thompson 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:26
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marshall Thompson!