PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tipene Rawhiti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alberto Da Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Tipene Rawhiti has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Tipene Rawhiti seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Rawhiti
vs
Da Silva

186 cm
19
266 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
258 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tipene Rawhiti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alberto Da Silva!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Dean Styles and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Silva tries to clinch up.
Da Silva throws a right and a left that both miss.
Da Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rawhiti swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rawhiti has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Demon's Elite Gym (9 Elite) in the buildup to the fight.
Da Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Da Silva as Rawhiti shoots in.
Rawhiti looks to throw the jab but Da Silva is out of range.
Rawhiti throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Da Silva's waist but Da Silva gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rawhiti off to one side.
Rawhiti really is a fat lump.
Rawhiti throws a head kick that misses.
Da Silva throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rawhiti.
Rawhiti swats away the attempt to clinch by Da Silva.
A cross from Da Silva lands.

It looks like Tipene Rawhiti has been cut.
Rawhiti is breathing heavily.
Da Silva tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Rawhiti counters with a nice double leg into side control. Da Silva won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Da Silva is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rawhiti asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Rawhiti creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Da Silva sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawhiti wants to lay and pray for a moment but Da Silva keeps working.
Da Silva is trying to buck Rawhiti off.

Rawhiti is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Da Silva is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Da Silva really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rawhiti. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Da Silva is trying to get back to his feet.
Da Silva manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rawhiti trying to control from half guard but Da Silva is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rawhiti content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Rawhiti prevents Da Silva from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Da Silva tries to roll over but Rawhiti keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Da Silva is trying to stand.
Rawhiti trying to pass the guard but Da Silva defending well.

Rawhiti is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Da Silva sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva is not content to let Rawhiti control the position.
Da Silva is trying to stand up here but Rawhiti is controlling him well.
Da Silva is not content to let Rawhiti control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tipene Rawhiti wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Da Silva fails to land with a series of punches.
Rawhiti changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Da Silva tries to avoid it but Rawhiti manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Da Silva to the ground. Da Silva escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tipene Rawhiti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Da Silva tries to close the distance and clinch but Rawhiti swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rawhiti dodges the punch combination from Da Silva.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Da Silva forces Rawhiti back against the cage and clinches.
Rawhiti wants to take the fight to the mat but Da Silva manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Rawhiti is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Da Silva is trying to push Rawhiti away but Rawhiti has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Da Silva lands with a right to the head.
Rawhiti has Da Silva pressed against the cage, preventing Da Silva from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rawhiti is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Da Silva is defending well for now.
A short uppercut from Da Silva.
Da Silva is trying to push Rawhiti away but Rawhiti has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Da Silva lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rawhiti backwards.
A short right from Da Silva on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Da Silva wants to get back to striking at distance but Rawhiti won't allow it.
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!
Da Silva lands with a right to the head.
Da Silva lands a hook that snaps the head of Rawhiti backwards.
Da Silva lands a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Da Silva dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tipene Rawhiti's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rawhiti circles away from the clinch attempt.
Da Silva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rawhiti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Alberto Da Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rawhiti shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Da Silva as he jumps to the side.
Rawhiti showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Da Silva.
Da Silva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rawhiti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Da Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rawhiti swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Da Silva clinches up with Rawhiti and pushes him back against the cage.
Da Silva lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rawhiti backwards.
Da Silva pushes Rawhiti back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Da Silva. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Rawhiti has Da Silva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Da Silva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Da Silva manages to break the clinch.
Da Silva lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Da Silva wants to clinch up but Rawhiti keeps it at a distance.
Alberto Da Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva tries to clinch there but Rawhiti circles away.
Da Silva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rawhiti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Da Silva wants to clinch.
Da Silva goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Da Silva has taken the fight to the clinch.
Da Silva is trying to force a seperation but Rawhiti has the dominant position.
Da Silva tries to circle away but Rawhiti has him pinned against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Da Silva.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Da Silva as Rawhiti tries to tie him up.
Da Silva scores with a nice hook to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Da Silva creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Da Silva scores with a nice short uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Da Silva's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Da Silva lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rawhiti backwards.
Da Silva is trying to break the clinch but Rawhiti is controlling him.

Da Silva breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rawhiti swats away the attempt to clinch by Da Silva.
Rawhiti takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Oooooh!!! Da Silva has knocked Rawhiti down with a huge combo! Da Silva steps away and waves a wobbly Rawhiti back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Rawhiti is rocked!
Da Silva tries to clinch but Rawhiti is having none of it.
Da Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Rawhiti circles away.
Da Silva bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rawhiti's head backwards.
Oh Rawhiti is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rawhiti tries to clinch but Da Silva is having none of it.
Da Silva is looking to clinch.
Rawhiti seems to have got his legs back now.

Da Silva rushes Rawhiti and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Da Silva scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Da Silva looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Da Silva tries to circle away but Rawhiti has him pinned against the cage.
Da Silva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva lands with a light punch inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Da Silva.
Da Silva scores with a nice hook to the head.
Da Silva is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rawhiti's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rawhiti prevents Da Silva from breaking the clinch.
Da Silva working hard to break the clinch.
Rawhiti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rawhiti jumps guard but Da Silva turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tipene Rawhiti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Da Silva lands a right hand.

Da Silva breaks the clinch.
Da Silva scores with a jab. Rawhiti acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Da Silva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rawhiti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Da Silva drops Rawhiti with a beautiful combination! Rawhiti stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Da Silva is looking for the KO!

Tipene Rawhiti's cut is getting worse.
Alberto Da Silva seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Da Silva is looking to clinch but Rawhiti is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva tries to clinch but Rawhiti is having none of it.

Da Silva closes the distance and clinches.
Da Silva is trying to break the clinch but Rawhiti has him pressed against the cage.
Rawhiti tries to land knees in the clinch but Da Silva avoids the damage to the body.
Da Silva lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Da Silva wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rawhiti is trying to push Da Silva away but Da Silva has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Da Silva tries to break the clinch but Rawhiti is controlling the position.
Da Silva lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rawhiti backwards.
Da Silva wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rawhiti has him pressed against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Da Silva.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Da Silva tries to break free but Rawhiti pushes him back against the cage.
Rawhiti takes a shot to the head.
Rawhiti is working for takedown but Da Silva is calmly controlling the position for now.
Da 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.

Alberto Da Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tipene Rawhiti's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Da Silva closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Rawhiti breaks the clinch.
Da Silva wants to clinch but Rawhiti slips to the side

and Rawhiti counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Da Silva!
Rawhiti creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Da Silva is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Da Silva throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Rawhiti circles away from the clinch attempt

and Rawhiti holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Da Silva lands a right hand.
A nice right hand lands inside from Da Silva.
Da Silva lands a nice uppercut.
Da Silva tries to circle away but Rawhiti has him pinned against the cage.
Da Silva tries to break free but Rawhiti pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawhiti has Da Silva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Da Silva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short uppercut from Da Silva.
Da Silva throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rawhitis head.
Da Silva is trying to break free.
Da Silva is trying to break the clinch but Rawhiti has him pressed against the cage.
Rawhiti is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Da Silva is defending well.
Da Silva lands with a light punch inside.
Da Silva lands with a light punch inside.
Alberto Da Silva seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Da Silva breaks the clinch.
Da Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Rawhiti circles away.
Da Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rawhiti swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A combination from Da Silva does no damage.
Rawhiti circles away from the clinch attempt.
Da Silva tries to clinch there but Rawhiti circles away.
Da Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva closes the distance but Rawhiti moves to the side

so Rawhiti counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Da Silva is looking to stand up but Rawhiti isn't so interested in that idea.
Rawhiti landing some decent shots from guard.
Rawhiti trying to control the position from guard on top but Da Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rawhiti looking to pass the guard.
Rawhiti slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rawhiti is controlling him well.
Rawhiti happy to just control the position for now.
Da Silva wants to get back to his feet.
Rawhiti connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Da Silva some visible discomfort.
Rawhiti wants to stand but Da Silva has his arm trapped.
Da Silva is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rawhiti is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Da Silva has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rawhiti tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
An elbow from Rawhiti crashes against the mat.
Da Silva wants to get back to his feet.
Rawhiti cracks Da Silva with a big right hand but Da Silva just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Da Silva wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

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 Tipene Rawhiti.
I think Da Silva has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 John Roberts scores the fight for Alberto Da Silva!
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight for Alberto Da Silva!
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight for Alberto Da Silva!

Alberto Da Silva wins by unanimous decision!