PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joey Silverton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Areeno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silverton's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Seven. Steve Areeno told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Silverton
vs
Areeno

175 cm
27
156 lbs
11 - 7 - 1

175 cm
28
155 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

[WOT] Inner Beast Nutrition And Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Joey Silverton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Areeno!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Areeno throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Silverton dives in and scores a takedown into Areeno's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Silverton showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Silverton wants to control from the top but Areeno keeps moving.
Silverton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Silverton trying to control the position from guard on top but Areeno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Areeno had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Silverton defends it easily.
Silverton postures up.

Areeno pushes Silverton off and gets back to his feet.
Silverton blocks the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areeno tries to clinch there but Silverton circles away.
Areeno wants to land a leg kick but Silverton is out of range.
Areeno misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Silverton throws a jab when Areeno was well out of range.
Silverton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Silverton misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Areeno.
Areeno tries a head kick but it misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Areeno. Silverton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Silverton takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Silverton shoots in looking for a takedown. Areeno tries to sprawl out of it but Silverton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Areeno manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Areeno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Silverton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Areeno was well out of range. Poor timing from Silverton.
A jab from Areeno misses.
Silverton connects with a body shot that sends Areeno's belly button to the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areeno ducks under a wild hook from Silverton.
Silverton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Areeno has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Silverton finds it's way round the side to connect with Areeno's head.
Silverton misses the shot to the body.
Areeno slips under a jab.
Areeno shoots in looking for a takedown but Silverton manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Areeno's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Areeno throws a leg kick which misses Silverton's front leg but catches the back leg as Silverton tries to avoid it.
Areeno tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Silverton was well out of range. Poor timing from Areeno.
Areeno is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Silverton.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Areeno throws a nice outside leg kick.
Areeno is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Silverton. Those never looked like landing.
Areeno throws a body punch but Silverton moves out of range.
Silverton misses with a looping left.
Silverton fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Areeno manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Silverton on his heels. He'll look to pass Silverton's guard now, I'm sure.
Areeno trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Silverton manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Areeno is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Silverton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Areeno is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silverton looking to pass the guard.
Areeno wants to sweep here but Silverton controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Silverton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Areeno wants to sweep but no luck.
Silverton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Areeno swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Areeno working for a triangle but Silverton defends it easily.
Areeno is trying to control the position but Silverton postures up.

Areeno throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Areeno looking for a guillotine here but Silverton defends easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Areeno is trying to keep Silverton in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Areeno dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Areeno, right into the meat.
Areeno lands a nice shot to the body.
Areeno is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Silverton rather than just go for the knockout.
Silverton punishes Areeno's body with a nice straight punch.

Areeno gets caught flat footed, as Silverton shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Silverton throws a big elbow that misses.
Silverton tries to free his leg and advance position but Areeno is retaining full guard.
Silverton won't allow Areeno to sweep him here.
Areeno lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Silverton!
Silverton is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Silverton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Areeno throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Silverton because Areeno loaded up on that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areeno trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Areeno breaks from Silverton's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Areeno takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Areeno landing strikes from the mount and Silverton is in trouble!
Silverton is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Areeno scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Silverton is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Areeno can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Silverton is looking to escape.
Areeno lands a big elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Areeno controlling from the full mount.
Areeno putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Areeno lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Areeno with shots to the head and body - Silverton looks very uncomfortable down there.
Silverton is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areeno sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Silverton is trying desperately to improve position.

Areeno working for a guillotine from mount but Silverton is in no mood to give up.
Areeno lands a heavy elbow.
Areeno landing strikes from the mount and Silverton is in trouble!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silverton suckers Areeno into throwing a sloppy strike and uses the momentum to reverse the position beautifully! Silverton is now in Areeno's guard!
Areeno lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Silverton!
Areeno is stalling here but it's allowed Silverton to get half guard.
Steve Areeno has got the better of the ground game so far.
Areeno tries to pass to full mount but Silverton defends it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Areeno works his foot free and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Areeno showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Areeno throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Silverton sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Silverton walks into a stiff left hand from Areeno.
Silverton displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Areeno.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Areeno.
Nice takedown defense from Areeno. No joy for Silverton on that attempt.
Areeno ducks under a wild hook from Silverton.
An inside leg kick lands from Areeno.
Steve Areeno seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Silverton does it's job there.
Silverton misses with an uppercut.
Areeno is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silverton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Joey Silverton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Areeno.
Areeno fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Silverton avoids it really well and circles away.
Areeno uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Silverton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silverton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Areeno as he avoids it easily.
Silverton thows a left - swing and a miss!
Silverton misses with a two punch combination.
Areeno ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Silverton moves away.
Areeno misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Silverton throws a hook but Areeno blocks it.
Areeno pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Areeno lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silverton circles away quickly and effectively.
Silverton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Silverton takes one to the chin there.
Silverton keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Areeno.
Silverton digs a good body shot into Areeno's ribs.
Silverton misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silverton takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Silverton jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Silverton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Areeno closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Areeno lands in his opponent's guard.
Areeno trying to control but Silverton is working from the bottom.
Areeno looking to sit in guard and control but Silverton gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silverton passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areeno moves into full guard.
Areeno tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Areeno throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Areeno is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Joey Silverton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silverton works over Areeno with some ground and pound from guard.
Areeno is looking to sweep but instead, Silverton has passed into half guard.
Silverton is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Areeno is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Areeno tries to hold on but Silverton pushes him away.
Silverton lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Areeno takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Areeno can't escape the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silverton can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Areeno is looking to escape.
Silverton with shots to the head and body - Areeno looks very uncomfortable down there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Areeno is looking to improve his position but Silverton isn't that keen on the idea.
Areeno is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Steve Areeno.
Well Areeno has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Areeno!
An out of breath Steve Areeno thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.