PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Saleel Qaasim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickson Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Qaasim
vs
Silva

188 cm
22
196 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
218 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Saleel Qaasim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rickson Silva!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, John Mangel and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Qaasim shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Silva looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Silva throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Silva checks a leg kick nicely.
Silva keeps the fight on the outside.
Qaasim shoots for a takedown but Silva saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Silva misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Qaasim tries to clinch up but Silva circles away and keeps his distance.
Qaasim dodges the punch combination from Silva.
Qaasim slips a jab and a cross from Silva.
A punch combination from Silva misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qaasim with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Silva looks to score with a jab to the body but Qaasim is just out of range.
Qaasim tries to clinch there but Silva circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Silva.
Qaasim swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Silva counters with a head kick.
Qaasim is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qaasim closes the distance and clinches up with Silva, looking for a takedown. Qaasim pushes Silva against the cage but Silva circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saleel Qaasim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Qaasim looks for a takedown but Silva sprawls well.
Silva lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Qaasim backs up against the cage.

It looks like Saleel Qaasim has been cut.

Silva lands a head kick that stumbles Qaasim and the fighters go to the mat.

Qaasim is rocked!
Silva wants to stand but Qaasim is controlling his posture from full guard.
Oh Qaasim is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Silva trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Qaasim seems to have got his legs back now.
Qaasim looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Qaasim looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Silva loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Qaasim wants to sweep but no luck.
Qaasim is looking to stand up but Silva isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva wants to stand but Qaasim has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Silva keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Silva swats away the attempt to clinch by Qaasim.

Qaasim decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half 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!
Qaasim prevents Silva from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva is looking to escape.
Silva gets back to full guard.
Silva keeping full guard, as Qaasim tries to pass.
Qaasim sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva working for a triangle but Qaasim defends it easily.
Qaasim won't allow Silva to sweep him here.
Silva trying to keep a closed guard but Qaasim is proving a slippery customer.
Qaasim prevents Silva from getting back to his feet.
Silva wants to sweep but no luck.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick from Silva lands but Qaasim takes it in his stride.
Silva drops Qaasim with a right and a left! Silva comes rushing in but Qaasim regains his composure and manages to keep Silva in guard.

Saleel Qaasim's cut is getting worse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Qaasim is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Silva drops back looking for a leg! Qaasim is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Qaasim manages to kick Silva off! Silva jumps back into Qaasim's guard.
Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Silva accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Qaasim trying to keep a closed guard but Silva is proving a slippery customer.
Qaasim controlling Silva's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Qaasim utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Silva throws the kick towards the body but Qaasim avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Silva dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Saleel Qaasim's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Silva throws a right hand that Qaasim ducks under and follows up with a left that Qaasim also avoids with ease.
Qaasim tries to bum rush Silva with a series of wild strikes but Silva uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Qaasim tries for a takedown but Silva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Silva.
Qaasim showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Silva.
Qaasim fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Saleel Qaasim is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Qaasim tries to clinch up.
Qaasim tries for a takedown but Silva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saleel Qaasim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva stalks Qaasim and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Qaasim's face. Qaasim staggers backwards, shaken.
Qaasim takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Qaasim shoots in looking for a takedown. Silva tries to sprawl out of it but Qaasim keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Silva manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Qaasim shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Silva as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Qaasim blocks a jab.
Qaasim shoots in looking for a takedown. Silva tries to sprawl out of it but Qaasim keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Silva manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Qaasim tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Silva swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for Silva, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Qaasim fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Qaasim throws a big shot that misses.
Some wild striking there from Silva.
Silva goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Silva throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Silva - that will leave a mark!
Some wild striking there from Qaasim.
Silva falls off balance throwing a combination

and Qaasim decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Silva's guard.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Qaasim from controlling successfully.
Silva is looking to stand up but Qaasim isn't so interested in that idea.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Qaasim from controlling successfully.
Qaasim tries to free his leg and advance position but Silva is retaining full guard.
Qaasim postures up.
Qaasim looking to pass the guard.

Silva pushes Qaasim off and scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silva throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Silva throws a head kick that misses
and Qaasim cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Silva takes a kick to the side of the head.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Silva.
Qaasim tries to clinch
and Silva counters with a one-two to the body.
A head kick misses from Silva.
Silva getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Qaasim shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Silva pinned against the cage. Silva gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Qaasim throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Silva's waist but Silva gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Qaasim off to one side.
Silva misses with a double jab.
Silva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice shot lands for Silva.

Saleel Qaasim's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
A combination from Silva does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Silva tries a head kick but it misses.
Silva lands with a hook. Qaasim tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Silva moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Silva throws a shot to the body.
Silva misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Silva misses with the combination.
A head kick misses from Silva.
Rickson Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Qaasim looks to clinch
and Silva counters with a head kick. That will keep Qaasim thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Qaasim tries to close the distance and clinch but Silva swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Qaasim shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Silva as he avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silva throws a series of punches but Qaasim moves out of range.
Qaasim takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Silva throws a head kick that misses

and Qaasim counters with a shoot takedown. Silva fights it but they end up in guard.
Qaasim wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Saleel Qaasim's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Qaasim shoots in for a double leg but Silva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Silva changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Qaasim doesn't manage to clinch there - Silva circles away.
Qaasim misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice jab there from Silva.
Silva is looking to slow Qaasim down with leg kicks.
Qaasim shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Saleel Qaasim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Qaasim counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Qaasim is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Silva avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Qaasim.
Silva wants to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva wants to control but Qaasim is keeping busy.
Qaasim looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva is trying to get back to full guard.
Silva wants to get back to his feet.
Qaasim is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Silva wants to get back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Qaasim circles away.
Qaasim takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Qaasim tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Qaasim closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Qaasim lands in his opponent's guard.
Qaasim stays in close to Silva's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to keep Qaasim in close.
Silva wants to stand up but Qaasim is controlling him.
Silva trying to keep a closed guard but Qaasim is proving a slippery customer.
Qaasim content to stall in guard here.
Silva bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Qaasim's guard.
Silva has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Qaasim is proving hard to escape from.
Silva won't allow Qaasim to get back to his feet.
Silva wants to control from the top but Qaasim keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva throwing strikes but missing.
Silva forces his way into half guard.

Silva is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Qaasim defends it well.
Qaasim wants to improve his position but Silva is controlling well.
Silva throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Silva throws a right hand that Qaasim ducks under and follows up with a left that Qaasim also avoids with ease.
Silva misses with a hook to the body

and Qaasim counters by clinching up.
Silva swings wildly with an uppercut but Qaasim uses good head movement to avoid it.
Qaasim has Silva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Silva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

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

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.
Silva lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Silva throws a head kick that misses.
Silva lands a nice shot to the body.
Silva closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Silva fails to land with a series of punches.

Qaasim moves into the clinch.
Silva is trying to break free.
Qaasim wants to break free but Silva has control.
Silva is trying to break free.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silva wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Qaasim tries for a takedown. No joy.

Silva breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Qaasim misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Qaasim.
Saleel Qaasim has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Horrible takedown by Qaasim or perhaps it was just good defense by Silva which made him look bad.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rickson Silva.
I've got Silva winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rickson Silva!