PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Manuel Silva (ranked 1133 p4p, 140 weight class) and Jesse Kotkaniemi (ranked 1210 p4p, 151 weight class). Manuel Silva could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jesse Kotkaniemi's chin.

Silva
vs
Kotkaniemi

176 cm
22
172 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

183 cm
22
181 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Notorious

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Manuel 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, Jesse Kotkaniemi!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Silva.
Silva has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Silva falls off balance throwing a combination

and Kotkaniemi counters with a nice double leg into side control. Silva won't be happy with that.
Silva keeps Kotkaniemi under control for a moment.
Kotkaniemi is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Silva's shoulder. That is not cool.
You can see the frustration on Silva's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Silva is not content to let Kotkaniemi control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kotkaniemi content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Silva avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kotkaniemi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva is trying to get back to his feet.
Kotkaniemi fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Silva manages to get back to half guard.
Silva is staying active underneath Kotkaniemi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Silva is trying to stand.
Kotkaniemi takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kotkaniemi not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Silva keeping control of the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kotkaniemi scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Silva looks like he's trying to stand up.
Silva moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva managing to control the position.
Kotkaniemi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Kotkaniemi from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kotkaniemi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kotkaniemi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Silva but Silva pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Silva connects with the punch.
Manuel Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kotkaniemi defending well as Silva loads up on a big left hand.
Nice sprawl there from Silva as Kotkaniemi shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva jabs at Kotkaniemi's body.
Silva lands a jab to the nose.
Some wild striking there from Kotkaniemi.
Silva throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kotkaniemi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kotkaniemi takes one to the side of the head.
Silva cracks Kotkaniemi with a right hand to the side of the head.
Silva feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kotkaniemis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kotkaniemi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kotkaniemi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Kotkaniemi has Silva up against the cage in a clinch.

Kotkaniemi gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Silva wants to get back to full guard but Kotkaniemi has mounted him!
Kotkaniemi avoids the attempt from Silva to control.
Silva regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotkaniemi trying to control from half guard but Silva is working away.
Silva tries to kick Kotkaniemi off but Kotkaniemi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Silva has hold of Kotkaniemi's hands but Kotkaniemi slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Silva looks like he's trying to stand up.
Silva is trying to maintain the position but Kotkaniemi is very close to passing his half guard.
Kotkaniemi lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Silva is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
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 Manuel Silva will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Silva tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Silva with a nice cross.
Silva connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kotkaniemi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Silva.
A lazy left from Silva finds it's target.
Silva is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kotkaniemi can do to turn this around?
Silva moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Silva is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kotkaniemi ducks right into an uppercut from Silva.
Kotkaniemi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Silva looks to land a combination but Kotkaniemi avoids it well.
Kotkaniemi wants to counter the offense by Silva and move into the clinch position.
Silva with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kotkaniemi doesn't manage to clinch there - Silva circles away.
Silva throws out a powerful jab.

Kotkaniemi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kotkaniemi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Silva's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva wants to control but Kotkaniemi is keeping busy.
Silva wants to control but Kotkaniemi passes into side.
Kotkaniemi trying to control the action but Silva is working from the bottom.
Silva is trying to buck Kotkaniemi off.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kotkaniemi tries to score with some ground and pound. Silva controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kotkaniemi trying to control the action but Silva is working from the bottom.

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.
Kotkaniemi lands an elbow.
The strikes coming from Kotkaniemi are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Silva is looking for a sweep.
Kotkaniemi trying to control the position but Silva is working away.
Silva can't do much from the bottom here.
Kotkaniemi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Silva keeps working.
Silva regains half guard, as Kotkaniemi was trying to land strikes.
Silva is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kotkaniemi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kotkaniemi's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva keeps control of the position as Kotkaniemi tries to break free.
Silva throws a series of strikes and Kotkaniemi wriggles onto his back, so he's now mounted. He's in real trouble here.
Kotkaniemi is looking to improve his position but Silva isn't that keen on the idea.
Silva tries to control but Kotkaniemi wriggling away.
Kotkaniemi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kotkaniemi prevents any damage by holding on tight.

That's four 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.
Kotkaniemi 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kotkaniemi is trying to stand.
Kotkaniemi trying to hold on to Silva's head to control him but Silva postures up.
Kotkaniemi is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva throwing shots but Kotkaniemi is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manuel Silva dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kotkaniemi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Silva finds it's way round the side to connect with Kotkaniemi's head.

Silva feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kotkaniemi wants to get back to his feet but Silva is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but Kotkaniemi blocks nicely.
Silva throws a strike but Kotkaniemi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kotkaniemi trying to control but Silva is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kotkaniemi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Silva pulls Kotkaniemi in close to prevent any damage.
Silva trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotkaniemi is looking to work some ground and pound but Silva has wrist control.
Kotkaniemi scoring with some ground and pound.
Silva seems keen to control Kotkaniemi's posture.
Silva wants to stand up but Kotkaniemi is controlling him.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Kotkaniemi from controlling successfully.
Silva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kotkaniemi is one step ahead there.
Silva is adopting a defensive guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kotkaniemi looking to sit in guard and control but Silva gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotkaniemi 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.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but Kotkaniemi blocks nicely.
Kotkaniemi wants to stand up but Silva is controlling him.
Our spies down at at Deep waters inform us that Kotkaniemi has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Silva throws an elbow that misses. Kotkaniemi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Silva's guard. Nice move by Kotkaniemi!

Silva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Kotkaniemi from controlling successfully.
Kotkaniemi scoring with punches to the head and body.
Silva is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kotkaniemi is controlling him.
Silva working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kotkaniemi.
Kotkaniemi postures up and lands a big shot to Silva's brow.
Kotkaniemi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kotkaniemi won't allow Silva to get back to his feet.
Kotkaniemi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Silva scores with a nice strike.

That's four 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.
Nice straight punches there by Silva. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Silva.
Silva connects with a looping right hand.
Kotkaniemi shoots in and drives through. Silva sprawls well.
Kotkaniemi slips a jab from Silva.
Silva closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nice shot by Silva.
Silva moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Silva closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kotkaniemi quickly recovers to half guard.
Jesse Kotkaniemi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kotkaniemi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Silva is working away from the top position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kotkaniemi is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Silva is staying active.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manuel Silva clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

No luck for Silva with that takedown attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Silva. That snapped Kotkaniemi's head back.
Silva scores with a head kick. Kotkaniemi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kotkaniemi shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense.
Silva tries for a takedown but Kotkaniemi circles away easily

and Kotkaniemi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Silva.
Kotkaniemi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Silva pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Silva misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva tries to work over Kotkaniemi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Kotkaniemi is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Silva can't fight it off and eventually Kotkaniemi manages to take the fight to the floor. Silva looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Silva 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kotkaniemi is controlling him.
Silva tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Silva being controlled here, momentarily.
Kotkaniemi stopping the sweep attempt from Silva.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Kotkaniemi from controlling successfully.
Silva has momentary wrist control but Kotkaniemi slips an elbow through the middle.

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.
Kotkaniemi prevents Silva from getting back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Silva connects with a nice looking jab.
Silva misses with a looping right.
Kotkaniemi closes the distance and clinches up with Silva, looking for a takedown. Kotkaniemi pushes Silva against the cage but Silva circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Manuel Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesse Kotkaniemi.
Silva scores with the left hand. Kotkaniemi knows he should have avoided that one.
Kotkaniemi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kotkaniemi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Silva throws out the jab.
Silva scores with a jab. Kotkaniemi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kotkaniemi tries to close the distance and clinch but Silva swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Silva ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kotkaniemi moves away.
Silva scores with a nice head shot.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice cross by Silva.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kotkaniemi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A short left from Silva.
Silva is trying to drag Kotkaniemi to the mat but Kotkaniemi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Silva goes for a takedown attempt but Kotkaniemi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Manuel Silva is winning the standup battle so far.

Kotkaniemi gets a clinch.
Silva tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kotkaniemi has Silva pressed against the cage, preventing Silva from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kotkaniemi blocks an uppercut.
Kotkaniemi blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Kotkaniemi gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kotkaniemi lands strikes from half guard.
Silva on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotkaniemi prevents Silva from improving his position.
Silva on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kotkaniemi trying to control the pace.
Silva keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Kotkaniemi seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kotkaniemi connects with a nice short shot to Silva's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manuel Silva had his way with Jesse Kotkaniemi in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Silva tests Kotkaniemi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Silva scores with a nice right hand.
Kotkaniemi takes one to the side of the head.
Kotkaniemi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Silva swivels and escapes.
Silva lands a lovely overhand right.
Silva misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kotkaniemi avoids the head kick by Silva.
Kotkaniemi with the counter takedown but Silva avoids it easily.
Silva lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Silva closes the distance and clinches up with Kotkaniemi, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes Kotkaniemi against the cage but Kotkaniemi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kotkaniemi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick by Silva misses

and Kotkaniemi counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kotkaniemi connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Silva some visible discomfort.
Kotkaniemi is working Silva over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kotkaniemi landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kotkaniemi working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva can't do much from the bottom here.
Kotkaniemi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Silva keeps working.
Silva is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kotkaniemi has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Silva wants to control but Kotkaniemi postures up.
Kotkaniemi looks up at the clock and then as Silva takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kotkaniemi smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Check out the look on Kotkaniemi's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kotkaniemi wants to control but Silva is keeping him busy.
Silva struggling a bit here.
Kotkaniemi scoring with punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kotkaniemi in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Silva is trying to get back to half guard.
Silva parries the strikes from Kotkaniemi easily there. Kotkaniemi is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Silva to escape.
Silva tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kotkaniemi takes a little break here. Silva wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kotkaniemi throws an elbow but Silva slips to the side and avoids it well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kotkaniemi takes one to the side of the head.
Silva cracks Kotkaniemi with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva throws a hook but Kotkaniemi blocks it.
Silva lands a nice hook to Kotkaniemi's body. Kotkaniemi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kotkaniemi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Silva.
Kotkaniemi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Silva.
Kotkaniemi blocks a jab.
Silva leaves Kotkaniemi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jesse Kotkaniemi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kotkaniemi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Silva finds it's way round the side to connect with Kotkaniemi's head.
Silva lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Silva drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Kotkaniemi is adopting a defensive guard.
Silva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Manuel Silva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotkaniemi is pulling down on Silva's head. It's preventing any offense from Silva, at least for the moment.
Silva content to stall in guard here.
Kotkaniemi 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manuel Silva showed his dominance in that final round.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 50:45
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 50:45
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manuel Silva!
Manuel Silva seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.