PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cairo Silva (ranked 1790 p4p, 274 weight class) and Kevin Space (ranked 1593 p4p, 247 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.

Silva
vs
Space

194 cm
26
218 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

200 cm
25
212 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cairo Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kevin Space!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Space.
Kevin Space seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Space ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Silva moves away.
Silva connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice straight punches there by Space. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Space.
A jab from Space misses.
Space defending well as Silva loads up on a big left hand.
Space blocks a leg kick.
Space swings widly with a right hand
enabling Silva to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Kevin Space has been cut.
Silva tries to land a body kick

and Space counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Space.
Space looking to sit in guard and control but Silva gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silva trying to stand up but can't free himself from Space's guard.

Silva stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Silva throws a lazy uppercut

and Space counters with a shoot takedown. Silva fights it but they end up in guard.
Space wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Space drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Silva manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Space has Silva in his guard.

Silva wants to get up but he can't break Space's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Space looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva wants to stand but Space is controlling his posture from full guard.
Space pulls Silva in close to prevent any damage.
Silva tries to stand but Space is controlling from the bottom.
Space is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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.
Space manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Silva manages to get himself to full guard.

Space pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silva is keeping the position for now.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Space from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Space is stalling in the full guard.
Space looking to pass the guard.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Space from controlling successfully.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Space drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Silva dives on top into guard.

Silva wanted to stand there but Space had control of the position.

That's four 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 trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Space scores with the left hand. Silva knows he should have avoided that one.
Space tries to close the distance and clinch up but Silva swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Silva fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Space is out of range.
A punch combination from Space misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Silva misses the target.
Space is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A big right from Silva misses.
Silva throws a series of strikes that have Space backpedaling.
Silva connects with a body shot that sends Space's belly button to the back.
Space keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Silva.
Silva throws a hook but Space avoids it easily.
Space with the counter takedown but Silva avoids it easily.
Silva shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Space misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Cairo Silva will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kevin Space's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Space walks into a straight right hand from Silva.
Silva uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Space.
Silva misses with a hook.
Space shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense.
Space throws a body shot but no joy.
Silva walks into a jab.
Space works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Space avoids the head kick by Silva.
Space changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Silva tries to avoid it but Space manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Silva to the ground. Silva escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Silva throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Silva misses with a straight right.
Silva slips a jab from Space.
Space pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Space throws a combination that misses
letting Silva counter with a right hand.
Space shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Silva as he jumps to the side.
Silva swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Cairo Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Space.
Space misses with a takedown
letting Silva counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Silva scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Space missing with a left hand there. Silva was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Silva 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.
Silva will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Cairo Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Space, as that shot connected.
Silva pivots, looking for a leg kick but Space is out of range and Silva settles back down.
Silva scores with a jab. Space acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Silva tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Silva throws a push kick but Space slaps the foot to one side.
Silva throws a hook to the side of Space's head but Space sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Silva throws a hook but Space blocks it.
Silva is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Space can do to turn this around?
A slow jab from Silva misses its intended target.
Space moves away from the strike by Silva.

Space closes the distance and clinches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Silva creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Silva swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Space - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Space blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silva has a couple of punches blocked by Space.
Silva lands with a light punch inside.
Silva blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Space blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Silva avoiding damage as Space throws knees to the body.
Silva managing to block the knees to the body from Space.
Silva missing with knees to the body.
A short right from Silva on the inside.
Silva scores with a shot to the side of Space's head.
Space with a knee to the head.

It looks like Cairo Silva has been cut.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Space is blocking nicely.

Space escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A swing and a miss from Space.
Silva scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Space shoots in but Silva avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Space tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Silva swivels and escapes.
Space throws a jab but it's blocked by Silva.
A little feinted left hand from Silva on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Space attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Space swings widly with a right hand
and Silva counters with a slapping leg kick.
Space tries a low kick but Silva avoids it.
Silva missing with a left hand there. Space was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Silva ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Space moves away.
Space ducks under a wild hook from Silva.
Space moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Silva with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Silva throws a jab but it's blocked by Space.
Silva throws a body shot but no joy.
Silva walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Space moves out of range of the strikes.
A swing and a miss from Space.
Space throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Silva sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Space jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A decent looking cross lands there for Silva.
Space scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva ducks under a wild hook from Space.
Silva throwing a counter right hand but Space manages to avoid it.
Space blocks a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters circling - Space throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Silva looks to land a left hand but Space moved out of range nicely.
Space fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Silva on the side of the head.
Space shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense.
Silva stuns Space with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Space steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Silva.
Silva throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cairo Silva is winning the standup battle so far.
Silva pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Space drives through with a takedown into guard.
Silva can't keep his opponent in guard - Space advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Space stalling away here and it's allowed Silva to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Space advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cairo Silva dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Space throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Silva connects with a jab.
Space staying out of range there.
Silva throws a hook to the side of Space's head but Space sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Space's coach down at Stark Combat Center was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Space's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Space uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Silva.
Space misses with a leg kick.
Space takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Silva throws an overhand right that lands on Space's shoulder, as Space tries to avoid the shot.
Silva loads up on a big right hand but Space slips the punch.
Silva throws a body kick that misses.
Space scores with a decent looking hook.
Silva throws a solid leg kick but Space takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Silva.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Space keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Silva.
Space lands a jab to the nose.
Space ducks under a wild hook from Silva.
Space with the counter takedown but Silva avoids it easily.
Space throws a jab when Silva was well out of range.
Silva throws a jab but it's blocked by Space.
Silva throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Space fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Space lunges at Silva with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Silva's hand.
Space uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Silva.
Silva throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Space misses with an uppercut. Silva saw that one coming.
Silva loads up on a big right hand but Space slips the punch.
Space scores with a punch to the head.
Silva throws a head kick but Space moves out of range.
Silva loads up on a big right hand but Space slips the punch.
Silva blocks a head kick by Space.
A chopping leg kick lands by Silva.
Silva ducks right into an uppercut from Space.
Space moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Space tests Silva's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Silva staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Space looks to land a left hand but Silva moved out of range nicely.
Cairo Silva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A slow jab from Space misses its intended target.
Space jabs Silva right on the nose. Silva blinks but takes it well.
Space misses with a hook.
Silva was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Silva with a nice cross.
Silva lands an overhand right.

Space darts in and clinches Silva up against the cage.
Space tries for a takedown. No joy.
Space tries to land knees in the clinch but Silva avoids the damage to the body.
Space misses with a punch to the body.
Silva managing to block the knees to the body from Space.
Space tries to land knees in the clinch but Silva avoids the damage to the body.
Silva pushes Space back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kevin Space has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Space is looking for a takedown.
Cairo Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin Space.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Space can't find room to land a body shot as Silva controls the action.
Space misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Silva.
Space missing with knees to the body.
I was talking to Silva's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Space wants a takedown but no success here.
Space misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Silva.
Space missing with knees to the body.
Silva managing to block the knees to the body from Space.
Space missing with knees to the body.
Space has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Silva is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Space takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Space wants a takedown but no success here.
Silva managing to block the knees to the body from Space.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Space tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Silva avoids it.
Space missing with knees to the body.
Silva gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Space.
Silva lands a shoulder strike.
Silva avoiding damage as Space throws knees to the body.
Silva avoiding damage as Space throws knees to the body.
Silva lands an uppercut.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Space is blocking nicely.
Silva tries to land knees in the clinch but Space avoids the damage to the body.
Silva scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Silva avoiding damage as Space throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Cairo Silva.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Silva, 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Cairo Silva!