PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Dourado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anderson Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Dourado
vs
Silva

190 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Win Nutritional - proof of quality

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Dourado!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anderson Silva!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Paulo Santos and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dourado paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dourado will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Silva has a takedown stuffed.
Dourado takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Dourado throws a hook but Silva blocks it.
Silva tries to clinch up.
No joy there for Dourado, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Dourado shows good takedown defense.
Dourado tries to bum rush Silva with a series of wild strikes but Silva uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dourado throws a low kick but it's checked well by Silva.

Silva gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A body shot lands from Dourado.
Silva has Dourado pressed against the cage, preventing Dourado from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dourado is trying to break the clinch but Silva is controlling him.
Silva is trying to break the clinch but Dourado has him pressed against the cage.
Dourado has had enough of the clinch but Silva keeps him there for the moment.

Silva jumps guard.
Silva controls Dourado momentarily but Dourado frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dourado stays in close to Silva's body and controls the position.
Silva manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Silva thowing shots but they're missing.
Dourado tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Silva lands with some strikes.
Silva has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Dourado tries to hold on but Silva pushes him away.
Dourado is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Silva unloading with bombs!
Dourado is squirming around, avoiding Silva's attempts to control the action.

Silva looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Dourado is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dourado tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dourado 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.
Silva stops Dourado from getting back to his feet.
Silva thows a huge punch but Dourado dodges it nicely.
Dourado pushes Silva off looking to stand but Silva dives back in and keeps control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dourado 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.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dourado's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Silva drops an elbow to the side of Dourado's head.
Dourado wants to get back to his feet.
Silva tries to pass to full mount but Dourado defends it.
Silva looks gassed!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Silva tries to clinch up.
No joy there for Dourado, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Silva fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Marcelo Dourado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silva.
Dourado displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Anderson Silva has been cut.
Dourado throws a right and a left that both miss.
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 Marcelo Dourado will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Anderson Silva's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dourado misses with a wild combination.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dourado as he avoids it easily.
Dourado throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.
Dourado throws a nice looking combination but Silva bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dourado misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dourado swinging wilding here.
Dourado throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Silva closes the distance and clinches up with Dourado, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes Dourado against the cage but Dourado circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dourado fails to land with a series of punches.
Dourado throws a nice looking combination but Silva bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Dourado avoids it really well and circles away.
Marcelo Dourado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silva.
Silva lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silva takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dourado misses with the body kick
and Silva counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Dourado scores with a jab to the jaw.
Dourado misses with a series of wild punches.
Dourado falls off balance throwing a combination
and Silva counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dourado swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dourado misses with a double jab
and Silva counters with a series of strikes. Dourado will be more careful next time no doubt.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dourado lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Silva backs up against the cage.
No joy there for Dourado, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Dourado swinging wilding here.

Silva takes the fight into the clinch.
Silva keeps control of Dourado as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dourado wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Silva is trying to drag Dourado to the mat but Dourado just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Dourado is looking to break free of the clinch but Silva has double underhooks.
Dourado tries to break free but Silva pushes him back against the cage.
Silva keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dourado's efforts to push away.
Silva tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dourado just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dourado tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dourado wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Dourado tries to circle away but Silva has him pinned against the cage.
Dourado is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dourado wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dourado breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Marcelo Dourado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Some wild striking there from Dourado.
Dourado swinging wilding here.
Dourado lands a two punch combo.
Dourado avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dourado swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Silva counters with a head kick. That will keep Dourado thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Dourado misses with a double jab
and Silva makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Dourado throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Silva counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Dourado slips a straight right by Silva.
Dourado swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Silva counters with a low kick, right behind Dourado 's knee.
Dourado misses with a two punch combination.
Marcelo Dourado is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dourado misses with a combination

and Silva decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Dourado's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva is looking to work some ground and pound but Dourado has wrist control.
Silva tries to stand but Dourado is controlling from the bottom.
Dourado keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
Silva won't allow Dourado to get back to his feet.
Dourado has his hands on Silva's head, controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anderson Silva will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Anderson Silva's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Silva tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dourado sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Silva somewhat.
Dourado misses with a double jab
and Silva cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Dourado throws a combination. Silva tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Silva showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dourado.
Dourado avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dourado darts in trying to clinch
and Silva counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Silva misses with a body kick.
Dourado rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dourado misses with a combination
and Silva counters with a body kick that stops Dourado in his tracks momentarily.
Marcelo Dourado is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Silva shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dourado has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Silva is working away from the top position though.
Silva stops Dourado from getting back to his feet.

Dourado makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Silva tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dourado swivels and escapes.
Dourado misses with a combination
and Silva counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dourado misses with a series of wild punches.
Dourado falls off balance throwing a combination
and Silva makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Dourado rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dourado throws a left and a right that both miss
and Silva counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dourado throws a combination that misses
and Silva makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Marcelo Dourado has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silva.
Dourado misses with a double jab

and Silva counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Dourado is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Silva is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dourado is looking to stand back up but Silva counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Dourado.
Dourado wants to improve his position but Silva is controlling well.
Silva not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Dourado tries to kick Silva off but Silva keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Silva is trying to control the action in half guard but Dourado is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Dourado misses with a two punch combination.
Dourado misses with a combination
and Silva makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Silva shoots for a double leg takedown but Dourado sprawls well. He's pushed Silva's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Silva checks a leg kick.
Dourado lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Dourado tries to bum rush Silva with a series of wild strikes but Silva uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A nice combination there by Dourado.
Dourado has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Dourado scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Silva throws a right hand that Dourado ducks under and follows up with a left that Dourado also avoids with ease.
Dourado falls off balance throwing a combination
and Silva counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Dourado lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silva circles away quickly and effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anderson Silva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Silva 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Anderson Silva!