PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roland Begovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Silvennoinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Begovic comes to the cage accompanied by Cavoglave. The key to victory for Roland Begovic has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Begovic
vs
Silvennoinen

185 cm
24
210 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

188 cm
24
212 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roland Begovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Seppo Silvennoinen!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Begovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Roland Begovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Begovic throws a combination that misses
enabling Silvennoinen to counter with a crisp jab.
Begovic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Silvennoinen.
Begovic swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Begovic checks a leg kick nicely.
Begovic is looking to score with low kicks.
Silvennoinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Begovic.
Silvennoinen blocks a jab.
Begovic throws a hook but Silvennoinen blocks it.
Silvennoinen throws a head kick that misses.
We've been told by Begovic's head coaches at Vale Tudo that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Begovic throws a nice inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Begovic misses with a looping right.
Begovic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Silvennoinen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Begovic somewhat.
Begovic misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Begovic lands with an uppercut that bounces Silvennoinen off the cage and back into range.
Begovic misses with a hook. Silvennoinen ducked under it nicely.
Begovic attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Silvennoinen slips a jab and a cross from Begovic.
And Silvennoinen tries to counter it with a takedown but Begovic pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Silvennoinen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Silvennoinen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Begovic misses with a kick to the body.
Begovic throws a right and a left that Silvennoinen avoids nicely.
Silvennoinen tries a quick counter leg kick but Begovic is wise to it.
Begovic throws a head kick that misses.
Silvennoinen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Silvennoinen or perhaps it was just good defense by Begovic, which made it look bad.
We've been informed that Silvennoinen has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A slow jab from Begovic misses its intended target.
A decent looking cross lands there for Begovic.
Begovic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Begovic throws a nice looking combination but Silvennoinen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Begovic works the jab nicely.
Begovic throws a chopping leg kick but Silvennoinen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
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!
Begovic throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Silvennoinen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Begovic misses the target.
Begovic is looking to chop away at Silvennoinen's legs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Silvennoinen. Begovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Begovic throws a series of punches but Silvennoinen moves out of range.

Silvennoinen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ground and pound from Silvennoinen.
Silvennoinen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Silvennoinen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Begovic is staying active underneath Silvennoinen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Silvennoinen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Silvennoinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Begovic won't allow Silvennoinen to pass to mount.
Silvennoinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Begovic keeps working.
Begovic preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Silvennoinen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.
Silvennoinen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Silvennoinen avoids the head kick by Begovic.
Silvennoinen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Silvennoinen stuffs the takedown.
Silvennoinen throws a leg kick but Begovic checks it.
Begovic seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Begovic with a poor takedown

and Silvennoinen counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roland Begovic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Silvennoinen.
Begovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Silvennoinen controls his hands.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Begovic misses with a punch on the inside.
Begovic tries to stall but Silvennoinen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Begovic slows down the pace here.
Silvennoinen is trying to maintain a safe position but Begovic gets an underhook and turns Silvennoinen into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Roland Begovic will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A swing and a miss from Begovic.
Silvennoinen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Begovic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Silvennoinen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Begovic. Silvennoinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
A clash of legs there as Silvennoinen blocks the low kick.
And Silvennoinen tries to counter it with a takedown but Begovic pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Begovic is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Silvennoinen's half guard.
Silvennoinen keeping control of the position.
Begovic prevents Silvennoinen from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Begovic tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Silvennoinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silvennoinen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Begovic trying to control from half guard but Silvennoinen is working away.
Begovic is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Silvennoinen is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like Begovic is going to stand back up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Silvennoinen wants to improve his position but Begovic is controlling well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Silvennoinen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nice uppercut there from Silvennoinen.
Begovic misses with a takedown
enabling Silvennoinen to counter with a crisp jab.
Silvennoinen misses the jab.
Begovic feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Roland Begovic is winning the standup battle so far.
Silvennoinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Begovic moves away.
Silvennoinen checks a low kick from Begovic.
Begovic just misses with a punch to the body.
Silvennoinen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Silvennoinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Silvennoinen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Begovic throws an overhand right that lands on Silvennoinen's shoulder, as Silvennoinen tries to avoid the shot.
Begovic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Silvennoinen momentarily.
Silvennoinen slips a straight right by Begovic.
Begovic looks to throw the jab but Silvennoinen is out of range.
Silvennoinen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Begovic tests Silvennoinen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Begovic scores with a decent looking hook.
Silvennoinen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Silvennoinen fails with a takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Begovic misses.
Silvennoinen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Begovic.
Begovic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Silvennoinen is out of range and Begovic settles back down.
Silvennoinen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Begovic.
Begovic throws a series of punches but Silvennoinen avoids them all with ease.
Begovic checks a leg kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Begovic swings widly with a right hand
and Silvennoinen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Begovic throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Silvennoinen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Begovic.
Begovic does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Silvennoinen ducks under a wild hook from Begovic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Begovic has a takedown stuffed.
Silvennoinen walks into a left hand.
Begovic ducks right into an uppercut from Silvennoinen.
Begovic throws a lazy uppercut
and Silvennoinen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Silvennoinen wants to land a leg kick but Begovic is out of range.
Silvennoinen misses with a low kick as Begovic jumps back.
Silvennoinen misses with an uppercut. Begovic saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roland Begovic dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Silvennoinen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Begovic on the side of the head.
Begovic sizes up Silvennoinen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Begovic tries a head kick but it misses.
Begovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Begovic swings for the body but Silvennoinen moves out of range.
Silvennoinen jabs Begovic to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Begovic fails with a takedown attempt.
Begovic connects with a body shot that sends Silvennoinen's belly button to the back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Begovic.
A punch combination from Begovic misses.
Silvennoinen throws out a leg kick but Begovic moves out of range and Silvennoinen only half commits.
Begovic cracks a nice hook into Silvennoinen's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvennoinen misses with a looping left.
Begovic throws a lazy head kick

and Silvennoinen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Silvennoinen is looking to work some ground and pound but Begovic has wrist control.
Silvennoinen is looking to work some ground and pound but Begovic has wrist control.
Silvennoinen is looking to pass into half guard but Begovic pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Begovic is in guard.

Silvennoinen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Begovic is pushing down on Silvennoinen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Silvennoinen is fighting to maintain full guard but Begovic has managed to sneak the leg through.
Begovic wants to stand up but Silvennoinen is controlling the position.
Silvennoinen wants to get back to full guard.
Seppo Silvennoinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roland Begovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Begovic not doing much here.
Silvennoinen tries to roll over but Begovic keeps him under control.
Begovic trying to control the action but Silvennoinen is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen is trying to maintain the position but Begovic is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Silvennoinen throws a body punch but Begovic moves out of range.
Silvennoinen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Silvennoinen misses with a looping right.
Begovic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Silvennoinen.
Begovic jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Begovic has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Silvennoinen.
Silvennoinen throws a quick inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Silvennoinen.
A slow jab from Begovic misses its intended target.
Silvennoinen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Begovic defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Begovic paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Silvennoinen lands with a right hand.
Silvennoinen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Begovic throws a series of punches but Silvennoinen moves out of range.
Begovic throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Silvennoinen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Begovic has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Begovic misses the jab.
Silvennoinen is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Silvennoinen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Silvennoinen misses with a double jab.
Begovic paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Begovic thows a body kick. Silvennoinen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Begovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Begovic uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roland Begovic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Begovic, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27

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