PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Derek Trucks (ranked 622 p4p, 75 weight class) and Joao Pedro Mauricio DeSilva (ranked 340 p4p, 44 weight class). The key to victory for Derek Trucks has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Trucks
vs
Pedro Mauricio DeSilva

183 cm
24
196 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

190 cm
25
196 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Derek Trucks!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joao Pedro Mauricio DeSilva!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jorge Garcia and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DeSilva takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Trucks misses with the combination.
DeSilva bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Trucks throws a jab but it's blocked by DeSilva.
Trucks misses with a hook. DeSilva ducked under it nicely.
DeSilva goes for a double leg but Trucks avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Trucks continues to drive forward.
Trucks connects with the punch.
DeSilva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Trucks's waist but Trucks gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing DeSilva off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Trucks uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A low kick from Trucks misses

and DeSilva counters with a nice double leg into side control. Trucks won't be happy with that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
DeSilva postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Trucks prevents DeSilva from improving position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSilva throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Trucks is trying to get back to his feet.
DeSilva misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
DeSilva misses with the ground and pound.
Trucks is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
DeSilva has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

DeSilva wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Trucks, who protects the arm well.
Check out the look on DeSilva's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeSilva throws an elbow but Trucks slips to the side and avoids it well.
Trucks gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Trucks is squirming around, avoiding DeSilva's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Trucks is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
DeSilva throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
DeSilva throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Trucks because DeSilva loaded up on that one.
Trucks wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by DeSilva.
DeSilva unloads with some shots from mount but Trucks bucks and avoids them well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trucks is squirming around, avoiding DeSilva's attempts to control the action.
DeSilva thowing shots but they're missing.
Trucks blocking the ground and pound.
Trucks is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Trucks avoids a series of strikes thrown by DeSilva.
DeSilva looking to control but Trucks is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
DeSilva unloads with some shots from mount but Trucks bucks and avoids them well.
DeSilva throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
DeSilva throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Trucks because DeSilva loaded up on that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trucks is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Trucks wants to try and get back to his feet.
DeSilva lands with some strikes.
DeSilva lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Trucks hang on?
DeSilva trying to control but Trucks is having none of it.
We've been hearing good reports from Trucks'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.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Trucks avoids a series of strikes thrown by DeSilva.
DeSilva with the ground and pound from mount.
Trucks wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by DeSilva.
DeSilva controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Pedro Mauricio DeSilva dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Trucks throws a shot from downtown. DeSilva moves away and avoids it.

DeSilva scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Trucks looks like he's trying to stand up.
DeSilva moves into full mount! Trucks won't be happy about that!
DeSilva tries to control but Trucks wriggling away.
DeSilva is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Trucks can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Trucks wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by DeSilva.
DeSilva misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSilva postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Trucks looks a forlorn figure.
DeSilva looking to ground and pound but Trucks is blocking nicely.
DeSilva putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

DeSilva moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Trucks has worked his arm free - good work by Trucks!

DeSilva tries for a kimura but Trucks is defending well.
DeSilva is looking to take a break and control but Trucks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

DeSilva is trying to get an arm triangle but Trucks is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trucks is looking to work his way out of this bad position but DeSilva is controlling him well.
Trucks stops DeSilva from passing to mount.
Joao Pedro Mauricio DeSilva has got the better of the ground game so far.
DeSilva throws a strike aimed at the side of Trucks's head but Trucks avoids it well.
DeSilva throws an elbow but Trucks slips to the side and avoids it well.
Trucks is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, DeSilva asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeSilva is looking to take a break and control but Trucks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
DeSilva sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Trucks is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
DeSilva working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
DeSilva working the ground and pound.
DeSilva wants to lay and pray for a moment but Trucks keeps working.
DeSilva fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trucks regains half guard there - taking advantage of DeSilva's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Trucks regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from DeSilva.
DeSilva postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
DeSilva wants to pass the guard but Trucks is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Pedro Mauricio DeSilva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

DeSilva dives in and scores a takedown into Trucks's guard.

Trucks kicks DeSilva off and gets to his feet.
Trucks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from DeSilva.
Trucks misses with a wild body shot.
DeSilva throws a jab when Trucks was well out of range.
Nice defenses there by DeSilva.
DeSilva drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Trucks defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Trucks just misses with a punch to the body.
DeSilva with the counter takedown but Trucks avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Trucks as DeSilva shoots in.
A little feinted left hand from Trucks on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
DeSilva moves out of range as Trucks strikes.
DeSilva cracks Trucks with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trucks throws a jab but it's blocked by DeSilva.

DeSilva has taken the fight to the clinch.
DeSilva is working for takedown but Trucks is calmly controlling the position for now.
Derek Trucks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joao Pedro Mauricio DeSilva.

DeSilva drags the fight down to the ground.

DeSilva is looking for a triangle but Trucks pushes his legs off easily.
Trucks won't allow DeSilva to sweep him here.

DeSilva has his foot on Trucks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Trucks works his way back into a safe position though.
DeSilva 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.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trucks stopping the sweep attempt from DeSilva.

DeSilva is looking for a triangle but Trucks pushes his legs off easily.

DeSilva looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
DeSilva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

DeSilva is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Trucks defends well.
Trucks is looking to stand up but DeSilva won't let him.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

DeSilva escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Trucks gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeSilva wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
DeSilva tests Trucks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Trucks throws a shot from downtown. DeSilva moves away and avoids it.
Derek Trucks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Trucks misses with a body shot.
Trucks swings widly with a right hand

and DeSilva counters with a shoot takedown. Trucks fights it but they end up in guard.

Trucks is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. DeSilva presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
DeSilva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The referee is keeping an eye on DeSilva - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Trucks is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A head punch blocked on the inside by DeSilva.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeSilva blocks an uppercut.
DeSilva jumps guard but Trucks turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Trucks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Trucks working aggressively here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
DeSilva wants to stall.
DeSilva taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Trucks swings wildly with an uppercut but DeSilva uses good head movement to avoid it.

DeSilva breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Trucks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Derek Trucks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Trucks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract DeSilva.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Derek Trucks did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Trucks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

DeSilva fails with the takedown.
Trucks lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

DeSilva fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Trucks sprawls well initially but DeSilva persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Trucks tries to kick DeSilva off but DeSilva keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
DeSilva tries to pass to full mount but Trucks defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Trucks kicks off DeSilva and gets to his feet.
Trucks is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Trucks has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from DeSilva finds it's way round the side to connect with Trucks's head.
Trucks looks to land a left hand but DeSilva moved out of range nicely.
DeSilva is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trucks misses with a hook. DeSilva ducked under it nicely.
Derek Trucks is winning the standup battle so far.
Trucks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from DeSilva.
Trucks scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Trucks throws a body shot but no joy.
Trucks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from DeSilva.
Trucks lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
No luck for DeSilva with that takedown attempt.
As DeSilva looks to move away, Trucks throws a big counter combo but DeSilva just gets out of the way.
Derek Trucks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joao Pedro Mauricio DeSilva.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

DeSilva looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
DeSilva postures up in Trucks's guard and throws a big left but Trucks blocks it.
DeSilva missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Trucks keeping full guard, as DeSilva tries to pass.
DeSilva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
DeSilva wants to control from the top but Trucks keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as DeSilva accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
DeSilva tries to free his leg and advance position but Trucks is retaining full guard.
DeSilva is looking to work some ground and pound but Trucks has wrist control.
Trucks keeping moving, preventing DeSilva from controlling successfully.
DeSilva throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
DeSilva shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Trucks as he jumps to the side.
Trucks moves out of range of the strikes.
Trucks misses with a hook.
DeSilva feints the counter takedown.

That's four 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.
DeSilva slips under a jab from Trucks.
DeSilva feints the counter takedown.
A big right from DeSilva misses.
Trucks was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A decent looking cross lands there for DeSilva.
DeSilva displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Trucks throws out the jab.
And DeSilva tries to counter it with a takedown but Trucks pushes his down on his head and steps out.
The fight stays on the outside here - DeSilva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Trucks is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by DeSilva.
DeSilva with the counter takedown but Trucks avoids it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Trucks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from DeSilva.
Trucks moves in looking to clinch but DeSilva pushes him off.
DeSilva tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Trucks had his way with Joao Pedro Mauricio DeSilva in that 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!

Trucks looks to throw the jab but DeSilva is out of range.
Trucks loads up on a big right hand but DeSilva slips the punch.
Trucks throws a body punch but DeSilva moves out of range.

DeSilva has managed to clinch.
Trucks lands with a right to the head.
DeSilva is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Trucks lands a hook that snaps the head of DeSilva backwards.

DeSilva successfully pulls guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

DeSilva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

DeSilva looking for subs off his back but Trucks has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSilva tries to get to full guard but Trucks has control of the leg.

DeSilva looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

DeSilva looking for submissions off his back.
Trucks prevents DeSilva from improving his position.

That's two 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.

DeSilva is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Trucks pulls his head out easily.
DeSilva is looking to get back to full guard here but Trucks has managed to pass to side control instead.
DeSilva tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Trucks decides to stand back up.
DeSilva avoids the body shot from Trucks.
DeSilva shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Trucks pinned against the cage. Trucks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
DeSilva shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Trucks pinned against the cage. Trucks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four 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.
Trucks throws a right and a left that both miss.
DeSilva drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Trucks defends it well.
A lazy left from Trucks finds it's target.
DeSilva staying out of range there.
DeSilva changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Trucks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from DeSilva.
DeSilva on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Trucks scores with a jab to the head.
Trucks moves into range and connects with a jab.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Trucks throws an overhand right that lands on DeSilva's shoulder, as DeSilva tries to avoid the shot.
Trucks lands a nice hook to DeSilva's body. DeSilva takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

DeSilva has managed to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derek Trucks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Trucks has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 48:47
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derek Trucks!
Derek Trucks is the new middleweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Derek Trucks thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.