PBP Commentary

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

Fitzgerald
vs
Silva

151 cm
23
215 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

188 cm
25
225 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Santo Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Silva!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jorge Garcia and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fitzgerald drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Silva throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Silva looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Silva holds on and takes a little breather.
Silva 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.
Silva controlling Fitzgerald's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald works over Silva with some ground and pound from guard.
Silva trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fitzgerald stops Silva from standing up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Silva is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Silva has his takedown stuffed
and Fitzgerald counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Silva gets a double leg takedown into Fitzgerald's guard.

Fitzgerald working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Silva doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Silva manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Fitzgerald throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Fitzgerald is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Silva defends well.
Fitzgerald is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald trying to keep a closed guard but Silva is proving a slippery customer.
Silva's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Fitzgerald really is a fat lump.
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Fitzgerald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Silva is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Fitzgerald has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fitzgerald can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Silva controls the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitzgerald is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Silva working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Fitzgerald's head.
Silva chips away with some ground and pound.

Fitzgerald has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Silva not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Silva pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fitzgerald is keeping the position for now.
Fitzgerald wants to stand up but Silva is controlling him.
Silva landing some decent shots from guard.
Silva connects with a couple of short punches.
Silva landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Silva stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fitzgerald swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Silva scoring with punches to the head and body.

Silva is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Silva stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Silva has his takedown stuffed
and Fitzgerald counters with a thumping low kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mike Silva will probably get the nod.
That's time! Fitzgerald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fitzgerald feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Silva is looking for a triangle but Fitzgerald pushes his legs off easily.

Fitzgerald drops back, looking for a kneebar! Silva looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Silva looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Silva!

Silva is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fitzgerald is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Fitzgerald throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Silva decides to stand back up. Silva steps back and let's Fitzgerald get back to his feet.

Fitzgerald gets caught napping as Silva dives in and scores a takedown. Fitzgerald manages to retain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Fitzgerald keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.

Silva avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fitzgerald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Silva trying to control but Fitzgerald is working from the bottom.
Fitzgerald is trying to keep Silva in close.
Silva looking to pass the guard.

Fitzgerald is working an open guard so Silva takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Silva feints and as Fitzgerald raises his hands in defense, Silva changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Fitzgerald has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Silva has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Fitzgerald prevents a takedown attempt there.
Silva wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Silva wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Fitzgerald has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Silva's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fitzgerald is trying to break the clinch but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Fitzgerald can't break the clinch.
Silva is trying to drag Fitzgerald to the mat but Fitzgerald just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Silva tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fitzgerald just stands there and leans against the cage.
Santo Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Silva.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva looking for a takedown.

Fitzgerald pulls guard.
Fitzgerald working a defensive guard here.
Silva landing some decent shots from guard.
Silva postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fitzgerald wants to sweep but no luck.

Silva drops back looking for a leg! Fitzgerald is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Fitzgerald manages to kick Silva off! Silva jumps back into Fitzgerald's guard.
Silva scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fitzgerald working for a triangle but Silva defends it easily.
Silva landing with the ground and pound.
Silva must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Silva gets to his feet - Fitzgerald follows without any prompting.
Silva tries to clinch but Fitzgerald moves out of range.
Fitzgerald is looking to counter with head kicks.

Silva drives through with a takedown into guard.

Fitzgerald is looking for a triangle but Silva pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mike Silva has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fitzgerald throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Fitzgerald looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Silva instigates a clinch.
Silva tries for a takedown. No joy.
Silva will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fitzgerald up against the cage.
Fitzgerald putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Silva in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Silva tries to pull guard but Fitzgerald holds him up against the cage and eventually Silva drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stalling in the clinch from Fitzgerald.
Silva avoiding damage as Fitzgerald throws knees to the body.
Fitzgerald wants to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva can't get the takedown.
Santo Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Silva.
Silva has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Fitzgerald after a bit of a struggle.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Fitzgerald stops a takedown attempt from Silva.
Fitzgerald tries to pull guard but Silva won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fitzgerald gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Silva has Fitzgerald pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fitzgerald manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Silva breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Silva dives in and grabs Fitzgerald's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald pushes down on Silva's head and hops out.
Silva tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fitzgerald tries to clinch but Silva moves out of range.
Fitzgerald lands with a nice body kick.

Fitzgerald shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Silva avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is refusing to be controlled, as Fitzgerald sits in half guard.

Fitzgerald is looking for a kimura here.
Silva moves into full guard.
Silva really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fitzgerald. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Silva looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Silva working for a triangle but Fitzgerald defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Silva manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fitzgerald manages to get himself to full guard.

Hammerfist, elbow! yells Silva's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Fitzgerald working a defensive guard here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fitzgerald wants to sweep but no luck.
Silva engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Santo Fitzgerald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Silva is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Fitzgerald isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Silva stacks Fitzgerald on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Silva!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30

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