PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Oleg Nemkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Starling Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Nemkov
vs
Silva

173 cm
28
203 lbs
17 - 12 - 0

191 cm
27
192 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

RAGS of a RONIN

Aspire Clothing
King of Clothes

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Oleg Nemkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Starling Silva!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nemkov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Silva looks to score with a jab to the body but Nemkov is just out of range.
Silva throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nemkov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Silva attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Silva.
Silva throws a sloppy head kick and Nemkov moves out of range easily.
Nemkov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Silva swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Silva throws a leg kick but Nemkov checks it.
Nemkov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nemkov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Nemkov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nemkov stalling.
Silva desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nemkov wants to work for an arm triangle but Silva is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nemkov prevents Silva from improving his position.
Nemkov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Nemkov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Silva has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nemkov is trying to control. Silva wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Nemkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Silva doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nemkov.
Nemkov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Silva is concentrating on defense, preventing Nemkov from advancing position.

Nemkov seems to be working for a kimura but Silva defends the submission attempt.

Nemkov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is looking to improve his position.
Silva is controlling Nemkov's trapped leg to prevent Nemkov from advancing to side control.
Silva is staying active underneath Nemkov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Silva works the jab nicely.
Nemkov stalks Silva and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Silva's face. Silva staggers backwards, shaken.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nemkov dives in for a single leg takedown but Silva sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Silva let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Nemkov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Silva was well out of range. Poor timing from Nemkov.
Silva avoids the head kick by Nemkov.
Good leg kick by Silva there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Silva dodges the punch combination from Nemkov.
Silva takes a swing at Nemkov's ribcage but misses.
Silva cracks the inside of Nemkov's front leg.
Nemkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nemkov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nemkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nemkov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nemkov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Silva.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A nice leg kick lands there from Silva.
Nemkov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nemkov dives in and grabs Silva's left leg, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes down on Nemkov's head and hops out.
Nemkov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Nemkov misses with a hook. Silva ducked under it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Starling Silva will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nemkov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Silva counters with a nice uppercut.
Nemkov misses with a looping right.
Silva only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Silva throws a leg kick that misses.
Nemkov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Silva connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nemkov's hands.
Nemkov walks into a left hand.
Nemkov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nemkov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Oleg Nemkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nemkov throws a series of punches but Silva moves out of range.
Silva let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Nemkov looks to score with a jab to the body but Silva is just out of range.
Silva was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Silva lands a head shot.
Nemkov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nemkov throws a push kick but Silva slaps the foot to one side.
Silva scores with a leg kick.
Starling Silva seems to be getting the better of the standup.
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!
A slow jab from Nemkov misses its intended target.
Nemkov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Silva counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nemkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Silva's waist but Silva gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nemkov off to one side.
Nemkov is looking to land body kicks.
Silva is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nemkov rather than just go for the knockout.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nemkov or perhaps it was just good defense by Silva, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Nemkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Silva. Nemkov shrugs it off though.
Silva has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nemkov looks to land a combination. Silva sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nemkov needs to keep his hands up - Silva had a free shot at his head there.
Silva looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Silva lands a right hook to the body.
Nemkov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Silva moves out of range of the body kick.
Nemkov lands with a shot to the body.
Silva thumps Nemkov with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A punch combination from Nemkov misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Silva tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Silva doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Silva pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nemkov wants to take the fight to the mat but Silva manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Silva goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Silva tries to throw a body punch but Nemkov avoids it by throwing Silva back against the cage.
Nemkov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Silva gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nemkov goes for a takedown attempt but Silva pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva moves out of range as Nemkov strikes.
Silva let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Nemkov on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Nemkov. Those never looked like landing.
Silva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nemkov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Silva scores with a decent looking hook.
Oleg Nemkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Silva connects with a crisp jab.
Silva connects with a body shot.
Silva buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Silva there.
Silva lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A combination from Nemkov does no damage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nemkov. Silva does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nemkov connects with a jab.
Silva connects with a jab.
Nemkov throws a combination that misses
and Silva counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nemkov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Silva is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Silva dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Silva dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Silva scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nemkov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nemkov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nemkov misses with a few strikes there.
Silva doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Silva lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nemkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Starling Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Silva lands a jab to the nose.
Silva scores with a nice head shot.
Nemkov misses with a series of wild punches.
Nemkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Silva slips a jab and a cross from Nemkov.
A chopping leg kick lands by Silva.
Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Silva stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Silva wants it to stay on the feet.
Silva lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Nemkov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nemkov is looking to advance position but Silva won't allow it.

Nemkov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Silva has managed to free his arm - good work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva is controlling Nemkov's trapped leg to prevent Nemkov from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nemkov prevents Silva from improving his position.

Nemkov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Silva wants to improve his position but Nemkov is controlling well.
Oleg Nemkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Starling Silva is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Nemkov is working for an americana but Silva has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Nemkov was thinking about the submission.
Nemkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Silva holds on and takes a little breather.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva looking for a sweep. Not yet Silva, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nemkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nemkov is pushing down on Silva's leg trying to pass to half guard. Silva is fighting to maintain full guard but Nemkov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Nemkov trying to control the action but Silva is working from the bottom.

Nemkov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Silva sees it coming and defends easily.
Nemkov looks to land a strike but Silva avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Nemkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nemkov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Silva swings and misses with a hook to the body.
No luck for Nemkov with that takedown attempt.
A countering left hand to the body from Silva misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nemkov throws a combination that misses
and Silva counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nemkov dives in and grabs Silva's left leg, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes down on Nemkov's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Nemkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva swings for the body but Nemkov moves out of range.
Silva blocks a head kick by Nemkov.
Nemkov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Silva cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Starling Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silva throws a nice outside leg kick.
Silva lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nemkov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Silva fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Silva looks to score with a jab to the body but Nemkov is just out of range.
No joy there for Nemkov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Silva follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Nemkov thuds his right hand into Silva's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nemkov tries to bum rush Silva with a series of wild strikes but Silva uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nemkov goes for a double leg but Silva avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Silva continues to drive forward.
No joy there for Nemkov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Silva lands with a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Starling 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

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