PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Santiago Da Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Gold (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.

Da Silva
vs
Gold

201 cm
39
288 lbs
27 - 20 - 0

188 cm
32
223 lbs
24 - 17 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Santiago Da Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mr Gold!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Silva slips a jab from Gold.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gold.
Gold cracks the inside of Da Silva's front leg.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Gold.
Gold cracks Da Silva with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Da Silva drops his hands momentarily and Gold takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gold looks to land a right hand but Da Silva moved out of range.
Da Silva throws a leg kick that misses.
A big right from Gold misses.
Mr Gold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Da Silva is looking to score with low kicks.
Gold pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Da Silva lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gold feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Da Silva's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Gold throws a hook but Da Silva avoids it easily.

Da Silva has closed the distance and engaged Gold in a clinch.
Gold is trying to push Da Silva away but Da Silva has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gold working hard to break the clinch.
Da Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gold prevents the takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Gold's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Da Silva swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Da Silva fails to land.
Gold takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Mr Gold has been cut.
Da Silva keeps control of Gold as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gold blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gold blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Da Silva is leaning against Gold and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Da Silva lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Da Silva softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Da Silva misses with a hook from the clinch.
Da Silva drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gold blocking some punches.
Da Silva misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Gold wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gold is trying to break free.
I was talking to Da Silva's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Gold takes a knee right on the jaw!

Gold breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gold tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Da Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Da Silva dives in for a single leg takedown but Gold sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santiago Da Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Da Silva throws a punch but it's blocked by Gold.
Da Silva throws a punch but it's blocked by Gold.
Da Silva has Gold pressed against the cage, preventing Gold from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Da Silva has Gold pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Da Silva pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Gold tumbling to the mat - Da Silva dives into Gold's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Da Silva throwing strikes but missing.
Gold is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Da Silva throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gold works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Da Silva postures up in Gold's guard and throws a big left but Gold blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gold looking for a sweep. Not yet Gold, not yet.
Da Silva throws a big right hand that misses.
Da Silva throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Da Silva has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gold controls Da Silva momentarily but Da Silva frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santiago Da Silva dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mr Gold's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Da Silva walks into a left hand.
Gold blocks a leg kick.
Gold misses with a hook. Da Silva ducked under it nicely.
Gold takes one to the chin there.
Gold swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gold scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Gold swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Da Silva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gold throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Da Silva throws a leg kick which misses Gold's front leg but catches the back leg as Gold tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold swinging wildly here.
Da Silva keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gold.
Gold throws a body kick that misses
and Da Silva counters with a nice leg kick.
Da Silva goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gold misses with a wild body shot.
A head kick by Gold misses
and Da Silva counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gold's knee momentarily.
Gold is breathing heavily.
Da Silva misses with a low kick as Gold jumps back.
Da Silva wants to land a leg kick but Gold is out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gold. Da Silva does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gold cracks Da Silva with an open hand slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva tries to score with a low kick but Gold moves his leg out of the way.
Gold thows a left - swing and a miss!
Da Silva tests Gold's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gold lands with a right hand.
Da Silva has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Da Silva there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mr Gold is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gold throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gold takes a jab right on the kisser.
Da Silva tries to clinch but Gold is having none of it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
That kick from Da Silva tenderised Gold's leg. Gold is trying to keep his angry face on.
Santiago Da Silva is winning the standup battle so far.
Da Silva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva checks the leg kick nicely there.
Gold moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Da Silva connects with a high kick.
Da Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Gold moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Gold bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Da Silva's head backwards.
Gold takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gold misses with a head kick.
Da Silva throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva lands a jab to the head.
Gold throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gold's jab looks to have found its range, popping Da Silva under the eye.
Da Silva is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Da Silva drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Da Silva postures up and lands a big shot to Gold's brow.
Da Silva throws a big right hand that misses.

Gold looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Da Silva throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gold wants to sweep but no luck.
Da Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gold is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santiago Da Silva dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mr Gold's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Gold feints and then cracks Da Silva's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Da Silva down.
Da Silva slips under a jab from Gold.
Da Silva connects with a solid leg kick.

Da Silva gets a takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Da Silva throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gold avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Da Silva.
Da Silva thows a huge punch but Gold dodges it nicely.
Gold blocking the ground and pound attempt from Da Silva.
Da Silva landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gold avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Da Silva.
Da Silva is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Da Silva not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Da Silva not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Da Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gold's head.
Da Silva throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gold trying to control here.
Gold takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Da Silva seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gold is looking to improve his position.
Da Silva landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mr Gold has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Da Silva thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gold is staying active underneath Da Silva, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Da Silva not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gold keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Da Silva not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Da Silva slips a nice elbow through Gold's hands, connecting with Gold's forehead.
Da Silva trying to control the action but Gold is working from the bottom.
Da Silva throwing shots but Gold is blocking nicely.
Gold wants to control but Da Silva is keeping busy.
Da Silva will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Da Silva thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Santiago Da Silva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Da Silva works his way into full mount!
Da Silva controlling the position easily from mount.
Gold is squirming around, avoiding Da Silva's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva controlling the pace for now.
Da Silva tries to control but Gold wriggling away.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Santiago Da Silva just wasn't active enough.
Gold tried to score with a low kick but Da Silva checks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Danga de danga de dang - Da Silva scores with a four punch combination!

And that's the end of the fight!
Santiago Da Silva showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Da Silva 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santiago Da Silva!
Santiago Da Silva bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.