PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Silva (ranked 6070 p4p, 508 weight class) and Jim McNulty (ranked 1530 p4p, 201 weight class). Anderson Silva has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Silva
vs
McNulty

188 cm
28
182 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

175 cm
28
170 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anderson Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jim McNulty!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McNulty scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McNulty bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Silva's head.
Silva keeps the fight on the outside.

McNulty closes the distance and pushes Silva back into the ropes.
Silva dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Silva has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McNulty avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McNulty lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McNulty lands with a left to the head.
Silva tries to pull guard but McNulty forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.
McNulty lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
McNulty is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anderson Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva wants a takedown.
Silva drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A right hand to the body from McNulty.
McNulty lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
McNulty lands an uppercut.
Silva tries to break free but McNulty pushes him back against the ropes.
Silva drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Silva blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNulty tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McNulty misses with a short punch on the inside.
McNulty working some nice short punches in the clinch.
McNulty misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McNulty working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Silva wants to take the fight to the mat but McNulty manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by McNulty.
McNulty tries a body shot but Silva blocks it.
Good body shot from McNulty.
Silva is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McNulty is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands a hook that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
McNulty tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Silva has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McNulty after a bit of a struggle.
McNulty working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Silva's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right hand to the side of the head by McNulty.
Silva wants a takedown.
A nice left hand lands by McNulty.
Silva takes a shot to the head.
Silva blocks a body shot from McNulty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
McNulty throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
McNulty lands a left hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McNulty misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McNulty lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Silva.
McNulty lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Silva.
McNulty lands a right hand.
McNulty stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
McNulty misses with a punch to the body.
Silva's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McNulty pushes Silva back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by McNulty.
McNulty throws a head punch that misses.
McNulty works on Silva's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McNulty.
McNulty cracks Silva with a nice body shot.
McNulty prevents a takedown attempt there.
Silva wants a takedown but no success here.
McNulty lands a right hand that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McNulty.
McNulty lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
McNulty doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McNulty lands a left hand that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
McNulty misses with some punches.
A short right from McNulty on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McNulty lands a left hand that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
McNulty has Silva pressed against the ropes, preventing Silva from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Silva changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McNulty fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McNulty throws a series of punches but Silva avoids them all with ease.
McNulty scores with a jab to the body.
That kick from McNulty tenderised Silva's leg. Silva is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

McNulty closes the distance and clinches.
McNulty is working Silva over against the ropes.
Silva is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McNulty is defending well.
Silva's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McNulty lands an uppercut.
McNulty lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Silva has hold of one of McNulty's legs. McNulty is fighting the takedown attempt but Silva gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
McNulty is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McNulty wants to stand up but Silva is controlling him.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but McNulty blocks nicely.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Silva accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McNulty preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Silva scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
McNulty preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silva lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McNulty preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Silva will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McNulty wants to stand but Silva is controlling the position.
McNulty not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Silva throwing strikes but missing.
Silva stopping the sweep attempt from McNulty.
McNulty is pulling down on Silva's head. It's preventing any offense from Silva, at least for the moment.
Silva postures up in McNulty's guard and throws a big left but McNulty blocks it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Silva missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Silva postures up.
McNulty controlling the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
McNulty preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Silva is looking to work some ground and pound but McNulty has wrist control.
McNulty looking for a sweep. Not yet McNulty, not yet.
McNulty is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McNulty looks to throw the jab but Silva is out of range.
Silva attempts a counter takedown but McNulty avoids it well and moves away.
A chopping leg kick lands by McNulty.
A swing and a miss from Silva.
McNulty feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Silva's calf.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim McNulty dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McNulty ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McNulty scores with a jab. Silva acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McNulty connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
McNulty scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McNulty has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Silva is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Jim McNulty seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McNulty as he avoids it easily.
McNulty scores with a jab.
McNulty misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Silva slips under a jab from McNulty.
Silva appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
An inside leg kick lands from McNulty.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNulty turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McNulty scores with a spinning back kick!
McNulty cracks Silva with a good jab.

McNulty darts in and clinches Silva up against the ropes.
A left hand lands to the body for McNulty.
McNulty gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Silva.
McNulty scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands with a short shot to the head.
Silva tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McNulty just stands there and leans against the ropes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anderson Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A body shot lands from McNulty.
Good body shot from McNulty.
A right handed body shot lands from McNulty.
Silva is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. McNulty gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Silva changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McNulty fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Silva gets tackled into the ropes by McNulty. McNulty maintains the clinch.
Jim McNulty seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands a nice shot to the body.
McNulty pushes Silva back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
McNulty throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Silvas head.
Silva wants to take the fight to the mat but McNulty manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Silva drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McNulty gets the underhooks and prevents it.
McNulty working some nice short punches in the clinch.
McNulty gets underhooks to prevent Silva's takedown attempt.
McNulty lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNulty makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Silva tries for a takedown but McNulty manages to get underhooks.
McNulty works on Silva's body with a couple of short punches.
Silva is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
McNulty lands a shoulder strike.
Silva has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McNulty avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McNulty lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
Silva tries to pull guard but McNulty holds him up against the ropes and eventually Silva drops back down to his feet.
McNulty lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Silva backwards.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
McNulty digs a right hand into Silva's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Silva's gas tank.
McNulty works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Silva changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McNulty fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jim McNulty is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McNulty connects with a solid leg kick.
McNulty fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Silva.
Silva sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
McNulty uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Silva has time to react.
Jim McNulty seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McNulty fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands with a nice body punch.
McNulty moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McNulty throws a quick inside leg kick.
McNulty throws a front kick that sends Silva stumbling back into the ropes.
McNulty looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McNulty scores with a hook to the body. Silva takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McNulty digs a good body shot into Silva's ribs.
McNulty has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McNulty lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Silva at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silva takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
McNulty feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Silva's calf.
McNulty slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Silva chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McNulty can pounce on him.
McNulty scores with a nice head shot.
McNulty lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Silva is rocked!

Silva shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McNulty napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Oh Silva is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
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!
McNulty dodges the ground and pound from Silva.
Silva connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused McNulty some visible discomfort.
Silva seems to have got his legs back now.
McNulty can't do much from the bottom here.
McNulty is looking for a sweep.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
McNulty takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
McNulty can't do much from the bottom here.
Silva in side control, throwing shots but McNulty defends.
McNulty gets back to half guard.
McNulty is positioning himself well to prevent Silva advancing to mount.
Silva prevents McNulty from improving his position.
Silva working over McNulty with some ground and pound. McNulty looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Silva thows a huge punch but McNulty dodges it nicely.
McNulty keeping control of the position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
McNulty gets back to full guard.
Silva trying to control but McNulty is working from the bottom.
McNulty has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Silva content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Silva postures up in McNulty's guard and throws a big left but McNulty blocks it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
McNulty is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Anderson Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim McNulty comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McNulty has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Jim McNulty!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Jim McNulty!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Jim McNulty!

Jim McNulty wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Jim McNulty thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.