PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vlad Povetkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anderson Silfa (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.

Povetkin
vs
Silfa

188 cm
25
216 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

188 cm
18
211 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlad Povetkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Anderson Silfa!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silfa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Povetkin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Silfa slips a jab and a cross from Povetkin.
Povetkin misses with a kick to the body.
Povetkin throws a sloppy head kick and Silfa moves out of range easily.
Silfa needs to keep his hands up - Povetkin had a free shot at his head there.

It looks like Anderson Silfa has been cut.
Povetkin jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Silfa moves into range and clinches up with Povetkin.
Silfa prevents Povetkin from breaking the clinch.
Silfa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Povetkin walks away with a smile on his face. Silfa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Povetkin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Povetkin wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters circle momentarily. Povetkin darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Povetkin lands a front kick.
Povetkin throws a body shot but no joy.
A solid body kick from Povetkin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Silfa walks into a straight right hand from Povetkin.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Povetkin. Silfa shrugs it off though.
Silfa looks winded!
Povetkin fakes the leg kick and cracks Silfa in the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silfa blocks a head kick by Povetkin.
Povetkin looks to land a body kick but Silfa moved away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Povetkin!
Silfa takes a kick to the side of the head.
Povetkin looks to land a body kick but Silfa moved away.
A nice side step and Silfa releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Povetkin is looking to land body kicks.
Silfa wants to clinch.
Povetkin throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Povetkin keeps Silfa at a distance using the push kick.
Povetkin throws a head kick that half lands.
Povetkin scores with a jab to the head.
Silfa sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Povetkin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Povetkin explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Povetkin scores with a nice body kick.
Povetkin throws a push kick but Silfa slaps the foot to one side.
Povetkin throws a head kick that misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a head kick!
Sloppy strikes from Silfa. Those never looked like landing.
Povetkin moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Povetkin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Povetkin throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Silfa.
Povetkin is looking to land body kicks.
Povetkin throws a half hearted mid kick.
Povetkin throws a body kick that misses.
Silfa tries to counter with a clinch but Povetkin shakes him off and moves away.
Povetkin throws a lazy uppercut

and Silfa counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silfa manages to break the clinch.
Povetkin thuds his shin into the meat of Silfa's side.
Povetkin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vlad Povetkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Povetkin throws a wild body kick that Silfa sees coming a mile off.
A little jabbing left from Silfa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Povetkin throws a body kick that misses.
As Povetkin backs off Silfa throws a huge counter combo but Povetkin manages to avoid it all.
Silfa is looking to clinch.
A thudding body kick lands there by Silfa!
Silfa avoids the head kick by Povetkin.
Silfa unleashes a big counter combination but Povetkin bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Silfa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Povetkin looks to throw the jab but Silfa is out of range.
Povetkin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Povetkin misses with a kick to the body.
Silfa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Povetkin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Povetkin connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin tries to land a body kick
and Silfa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Silfa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Povetkin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Povetkin lands a nice looking kick to the body. Silfa takes a step back to recover.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Povetkin misses with a body kick.
Povetkin throws a head kick but Silfa moves out of range.
Povetkin lets loose with a powerful body kick. Silfa will feel that in the morning.
Silfa avoids the head kick by Povetkin.
Silfa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Povetkin avoids it really well and circles away.
Povetkin is looking for a counter combo.
Vlad Povetkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silfa.
Silfa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Silfa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Povetkin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anderson Silfa's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Povetkin explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Silfa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Povetkin lands with a kick to the temple. Silfa shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Povetkin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Povetkin throws a lazy body kick
and Silfa counters with a leg kick.
Povetkin is looking to land body kicks.
Silfa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Silfa has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Povetkin.
Povetkin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Silfa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Povetkin avoids the head kick by Silfa.
A head kick from Povetkin lands but Silfa takes it in his stride.
Silfa ducks under a wild hook from Povetkin.
Povetkin stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Povetkin throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Povetkin throws a sloppy head kick and Silfa moves out of range easily.
Povetkin scores with a hook.
Povetkin lands with a nice combination. Silfa backs away looking to recover.
Povetkin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Silfa can do to turn this around?
Silfa thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Povetkin if he has to take too many more of those.
Povetkin lands an overhand right.
Silfa shoots in but no luck this time.
Vlad Povetkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silfa.
Silfa fails to land the takedown.
Povetkin pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Silfa dives in and grabs Povetkin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Povetkin pushes down on Silfa's head and hops out.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Silfa crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Povetkin - the referee stops the clock and Silfa gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Povetkin. Silfa manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Povetkin throws a head kick that misses.
And Silfa tries to counter it with a takedown but Povetkin pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Povetkin throws a wild body kick that Silfa sees coming a mile off.
Silfa closes the distance and clinches up with Povetkin, looking for a takedown. Silfa pushes Povetkin against the cage but Povetkin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silfa takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Silfa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Povetkin lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Povetkin - that will leave a mark!
Silfa fails to land the takedown.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Povetkin keeps Silfa at a distance using the push kick.
Vlad Povetkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silfa throws a head kick that misses.
Povetkin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Silfa is trying desperately to land a takedown but Povetkin is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Silfa.
Povetkin throws a nice looking combination but Silfa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Povetkin throws a sloppy head kick and Silfa moves out of range easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silfa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin throws a body kick that misses
and Silfa counters with a two punch combo.
Povetkin looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Povetkin scores with a nice body kick.
Povetkin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Vlad Povetkin is winning the standup battle so far.
Silfa takes one to the chin there.
Silfa moves out of range as Povetkin throws a body kick.
Povetkin lands with a kick to the ribs.
Povetkin scores with a kick to the body.
A thudding body kick lands there by Povetkin!
Silfa fails with a takedown attempt.
Silfa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Povetkin quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Povetkin. Silfa shrugs it off though.
Povetkin misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silfa shoots in for a takedown but Povetkin shows good takedown defense.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Povetkin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Povetkin scores with a kick to the midsection.
Povetkin throws a series of punches but Silfa avoids them all with ease.
Povetkin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Povetkin lands with a kick to the ribs.
Povetkin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Silfa takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Silfa blocks a head kick by Povetkin.
No joy there for Silfa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Silfa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Povetkin throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A slapping body kick lands there for Povetkin.
Silfa thows a body kick. Povetkin tries to catch it but that hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Povetkin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Anderson Silfa's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Povetkin swats away the attempt to clinch by Silfa.
Silfa avoids a kick to the body.
Povetkin scores with a one two! Silfa had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Silfa goes for a double leg but Povetkin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Povetkin continues to drive forward.
Silfa takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Silfa moves out of range as Povetkin throws a body kick.
Silfa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Povetkin.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Povetkin lands with a slapping head kick.
A solid body kick from Povetkin.
Povetkin scores with a kick to the body.
Anderson Silfa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Povetkin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silfa shoots for a takedown but Povetkin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Vlad Povetkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silfa.
Silfa moves out of range of the body kick from Povetkin.
Silfa fails to land the takedown.
Povetkin scores with a kick to the body.
Povetkin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Povetkin tries to land a front kick but Silfa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Povetkin leaves Silfa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Povetkin pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Silfa tries to counter with a clinch but Povetkin shakes him off and moves away.
Povetkin misses with a kick to the body
and Povetkin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Silfa dives in and grabs Povetkin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Povetkin pushes down on Silfa's head and hops out.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands with a kick to the temple. Silfa shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin fakes the leg kick and cracks Silfa in the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silfa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Povetkin throws a quick counter head kick but Silfa was just out of range.
Povetkin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Povetkin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Povetkin lands with a slapping head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Povetkin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Povetkin wants it to stay on the feet.
Povetkin misses with a body kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Silfa.
Povetkin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Silfa.
Povetkin misses with a head kick.
Silfa throws a leg kick but Povetkin sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin throws a half hearted mid kick.
Silfa with the counter takedown but Povetkin avoids it easily.
Povetkin slaps away a takedown attempt from Silfa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Povetkin scores with a head kick. Silfa tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Left hook, right uppercut from Povetkin.
Silfa tries to clinch up but Povetkin circles away and keeps his distance.
Silfa has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Povetkin.
Silfa avoids a kick to the body.
Povetkin throws a nice looking combination but Silfa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Povetkin misses with a kick to the body.
Silfa is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Silfa is looking to clinch but Povetkin is avoiding it.
Povetkin lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Silfa clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin is trying to break the clinch but Silfa is controlling him.
Povetkin is trying to break the clinch but Silfa is controlling him.

Silfa breaks from the clinch.
Povetkin scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Povetkin misses with a body kick.
Silfa moves out of range of the body kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silfa is defended easily by Povetkin.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silfa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Silfa takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vlad Povetkin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Povetkin, 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlad Povetkin!