PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Silva (ranked 1768 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kirill Semenov (ranked 1997 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Silva
vs
Semenov

186 cm
25
218 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

190 cm
27
220 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alex Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kirill Semenov!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Semenov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Silva half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Semenov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Silva doesn't seem bothered though.
Semenov lands the left hand.
Semenov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Silva on the side of the head.
Semenov sizes up Silva with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Semenov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Silva.

Silva shoots in and bounces Semenov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Silva tries to free his leg and advance position but Semenov is retaining full guard.
Silva loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Silva postures up.
Silva tries to free his leg and advance position but Semenov is retaining full guard.
Silva trying to control but Semenov is working from the bottom.
Silva has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Silva throws an elbow that misses. Semenov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Silva's guard. Nice move by Semenov!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Semenov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Silva. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Silva preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Silva managing to control the position.
Semenov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Semenov stopping the sweep attempt from Silva.

Silva looking for a guillotine here but Semenov defends easily.
Silva on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Silva tries to get out of the position.
Silva keeping full guard, as Semenov tries to pass.
Semenov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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.
Semenov throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Semenov postures up.
Silva bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Semenov's guard.

Silva in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Silva scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Silva controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Semenov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semenov being controlled here, momentarily.
Semenov wants to sweep but no luck.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Semenov is wriggling around but Silva manages to pass to half guard.
Semenov is trying to stand.
Silva takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Silva is nestled in close to Semenov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Silva drops an elbow to the side of Semenov's head.
Semenov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Silva content to control rather than advance.
Silva thows a huge punch but Semenov dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semenov is staying active underneath Silva, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Silva thows a huge punch but Semenov dodges it nicely.
Semenov tries to kick Silva off but Silva keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Semenov is refusing to be controlled, as Silva sits in half guard.
Silva sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Silva definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Silva throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Semenov was covering up waiting for the punch and Silva finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Silva stays in close to Semenov's body and controls the position.
Silva advances to half guard.
Silva sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Semenov defending well though.
Silva thows a huge punch but Semenov dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Silva is trying to control the action in half guard but Semenov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Semenov wants to control but Silva is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Silva is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Semenov's face.
Semenov tries to hold on but Silva pushes him away.
Semenov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Silva postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Semenov looks a forlorn figure.
Semenov is wriggling around trying to escape.
Semenov is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Semenov blocking the ground and pound.
Silva can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Semenov is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semenov is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Silva punching from mount but Semenov doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Silva throws some wild stikes that Semenov manages to avoid easily.
Silva throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Silva punching from mount but Semenov doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Silva goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Semenov is on top in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Silva is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Semenov is aware though and is defending well.
Silva is trying to keep Semenov in close.
Semenov preventing the sweep.
Semenov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Semenov stands up from Silva's guard - Semenov perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Silva needs to keep his hands up - Semenov had a free shot at his head there.
Silva gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Semenov slaps away a takedown attempt from Silva, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Semenov connects with a jab.
Semenov clobbers Silva with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Semenov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Semenov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Semenov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Silva. Silva circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Semenov connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silva's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Semenov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Silva scrambles back to his feet.
Silva closes the distance and clinches up with Semenov, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes Semenov against the cage but Semenov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Semenov scores with a jab. Silva acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Silva shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Silva was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva looking to control but instead Semenov has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Semenov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Silva.
Semenov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Silva.
Silva wants to take a breather but Semenov is having none of it.
Semenov wants to get back to full guard but Silva has mounted him!
Semenov is squirming around, avoiding Silva's attempts to control the action.
Semenov can't escape the position.
Silva sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Semenov somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
A cross from Semenov lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kirill Semenov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Silva tries for a takedown but Semenov circles away easily
and Semenov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Semenov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Silva on the side of the head.
No joy there for Semenov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Semenov connects with a body shot.
Silva takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Semenov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Semenov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Silva shoots in and bounces Semenov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Silva throws a big right hand that misses.
Silva stopping the sweep attempt from Semenov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Semenov controls Silva momentarily but Silva frees himself.
Semenov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Semenov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Semenov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Semenov scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Silva darts in and clinches Semenov up against the cage.
Semenov's coach down at was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Semenov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Silva changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Semenov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Semenov scores with a jab to the head.
Semenov throws a nice looking combination but Silva bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Semenov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Semenov cracks Silva with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt
and Semenov counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Silva dives in and grabs Semenov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Semenov pushes down on Silva's head and hops out.
Semenov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Silva shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Semenov pushes Silva off and scrambles back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Semenov lands a body shot.
A jab from Semenov does it's job there.
Kirill Semenov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Silva takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Semenov leaves Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Semenov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Semenov connects with a nice looking jab.
Semenov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Silva shoots in for a double leg but Semenov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Semenov connects with a single shot there.
Silva tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Semenov swivels and escapes.
Semenov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semenov connects with a jab.
Silva looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Silva.
Kirill Semenov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Silva with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Semenov to score with a decent uppercut.

Silva throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Semenov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Silva is in Semenov's guard.
Semenov 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.
Semenov keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
Silva is looking to work some ground and pound but Semenov has wrist control.
Silva preventing the sweep.

Semenov has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Silva is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semenov scores with a hook.
Silva moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silva takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice shot by Semenov.
Semenov clobbers Silva with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Silva has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Silva there as he acknowledges the shot.
Semenov lands a really nice looking cross but Silva seems unphased.
Semenov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Silva's head.
Silva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Semenov's waist but Semenov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Silva off to one side.
Sloppy strikes from Silva. Those never looked like landing.
Silva tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Semenov defends well and Silva ends up having to push Semenov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Silva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Semenov tries to avoid it but Silva manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Semenov to the ground. Semenov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Silva misses with a body shot.
Semenov feints a jab promting Silva to slip. Semenov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Silva slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Alex Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A shot to the liver by Semenov. Beautiful body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kirill Semenov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Semenov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Bart Greer scores the fight for Kirill Semenov!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Kirill Semenov!
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight for Kirill Semenov!

Kirill Semenov wins by unanimous decision!
In his post fight interview, Kirill Semenov started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.