PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David McDonald (ranked 4438 p4p, 519 weight class) and Julio Silva (ranked 5060 p4p, 576 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

McDonald
vs
Silva

186 cm
29
200 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

194 cm
24
220 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Solid 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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, David McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Silva!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Mauricio Rocha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McDonald closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McDonald lands in his opponent's guard.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Silva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McDonald doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McDonald manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Silva is keeping the position.
Silva trying to keep a closed guard but McDonald is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McDonald avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McDonald slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've been hearing good reports from McDonald's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Silva is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McDonald tries to stand but Silva is controlling from the bottom.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Silva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

McDonald decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Silva, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McDonald throws a body kick that misses.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but McDonald shows good takedown defense.

Silva tries to sprawl but McDonald drives through with a takedown into half guard.
McDonald is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Silva wants to control but McDonald is keeping busy.
Well, if McDonald is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Silva tries to roll over but McDonald keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Silva is trying to get back to full guard.
McDonald looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Silva has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McDonald is working away from the top position though.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Silva gets tackled into the cage by McDonald. McDonald maintains the clinch.

McDonald has hold of one of Silva's legs. Silva is fighting the takedown attempt but McDonald gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Silva holds on and takes a little breather.
McDonald controlling from the top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

McDonald avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David McDonald dominated that round.
That's time! McDonald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Silva takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A big left from McDonald misses.

McDonald darts in and clinches Silva up against the cage.
Silva blocks a body shot from McDonald.
Silva is trying to pull guard but McDonald turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
McDonald lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McDonald's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

McDonald closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Silva quickly recovers to half guard.
McDonald content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McDonald 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 McDonald.
McDonald looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Silva is trying to get back to full guard.
McDonald wants to pass to mount but Silva is defending the position.
McDonald controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McDonald scores with a couple of nice shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva is trying to maintain the position but McDonald is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Silva.
McDonald seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Silva looking for submissions off his back.
Silva has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McDonald is working away from the top position though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Silva moves to clinch but McDonald breaks away
and McDonald counters with a left and a right that stings Silva.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Silva gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McDonald to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Silva looking for a guillotine here but McDonald defends easily.
Silva wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and McDonald is now in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McDonald scoring with strikes to the body and head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David McDonald dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

McDonald closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Silva quickly recovers to half guard.
McDonald controlling the action here.
Silva is looking for a sweep. McDonald is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Silva is still trying to improve position.
Silva is trying to maintain the position but McDonald is very close to passing his half guard.
David McDonald overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Silva wants to improve his position but McDonald is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva missing with punches from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with McDonald in particular looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva is trying to control but can't.
McDonald seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
McDonald wants to pass to mount but Silva is defending the position.
Silva is looking to improve his position.
McDonald is looking to advance position but Silva won't allow it.
McDonald controlling the action here.
McDonald passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Silva!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald controlling from mount.
Silva sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
McDonald is looking to advance position but Silva won't allow it.
McDonald scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Silva wants to improve his position but McDonald is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
McDonald takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

McDonald is working for a kimura but Silva is defending it quite comfortably.
McDonald tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Silva is trying to control but McDonald passes into side control!
McDonald controls the position.

McDonald stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McDonald to score an easy takedown into full guard.
McDonald's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Silva is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Silva keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
Silva has momentary wrist control but McDonald slips an elbow through the middle.
Julio Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
David McDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
David McDonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McDonald has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:26
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... David McDonald!