PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva's entrance music is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R_m5nZDboc&feature=fvst. A fine choice. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Silva
vs
Taylor

190 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
230 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mauricio Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, James Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Taylor.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Taylor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.
Silva keeps the fight on the outside.
Silva uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taylor.
Taylor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.
Taylor shoots in for a double leg but Silva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Taylor should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Silva bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Taylor's head backwards.
Silva blocks a head kick by Taylor.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Silva sprawls well. Silva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Taylor gets slowly back to his feet.
Mauricio Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Taylor.
Taylor is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
James Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Taylor looks gassed!
Silva lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Taylor shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Silva defends it nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taylor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left and a right from Silva both land. Nice combination.
Taylor wants to clinch up but Silva keeps it at a distance.
Silva scores with a crisp jab that stopped Taylor in his tracks.
Taylor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Silva counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Taylor looks for a takedown but Silva sprawls well.
Silva tests Taylor's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Silva lands a jab-cross combination.
Taylor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Silva connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Taylor slips a jab and a cross from Silva.
Silva scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Silva paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Taylor is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Silva.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Taylor sprawls well. Taylor wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Silva gets slowly back to his feet.
Taylor fails to land the takedown.
Silva scores with a one two! Taylor had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Taylor takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Taylor shoots and misses
and Silva counters with a three punch combo that has Taylor backing up. Taylor nods at Silva to acknowledge the strikes.
Taylor looks to land a left hand but Silva moved out of range nicely.
Taylor shoots in and drives through. Silva sprawls well.
Silva goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Silva comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Taylor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Silva counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Silva lands an impressive looking overhand right. Taylor doesn't seem phased though.
Silva scores with a one two! Taylor had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Taylor shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Silva counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Silva lands a two punch combo.
Taylor moves in looking to clinch but Silva pushes him off.
Silva throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taylor.
Taylor misses with a takedown
enabling Silva to counter with a crisp jab.
Taylor takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Silva scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Taylor fails with the takedown
and Silva counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Silva lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries for a takedown but Silva circles away easily
and Silva counters with a series of strikes. Taylor will be more careful next time no doubt.
Taylor is trying desperately to land a takedown but Silva is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Taylor.
A left and a right from Silva both land. Nice combination.
Nice uppercut there from Silva.
Taylor throws a hook but Silva blocks it.
Taylor throws a predictable looking body shot
and Taylor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Silva looks to land a combination but Taylor avoids it well.

Taylor fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Silva, pushing him back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Taylor just misses with a elbow thrown towards Silva's brow.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch but Silva keeps him there for the moment.

Taylor pulls guard.
Silva stopping the sweep attempt from Taylor.
Taylor utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Silva dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Taylor throws a leg kick
and Silva counters with a series of strikes. Taylor will be more careful next time no doubt.
Taylor wants to land a leg kick but Silva is out of range.
Taylor tries to bum rush Silva with a series of wild strikes but Silva uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Taylor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Taylor works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

It looks like Mauricio Silva has been cut.
Taylor throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Silva counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Taylor throws a sloppy head kick and Silva moves out of range easily.
Taylor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Silva closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taylor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Taylor falls off balance throwing a combination
and Silva counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taylor fails with the takedown.
Some wild striking there from Taylor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Taylor clinches up with Silva and pushes him back against the cage.
Taylor wants to break free but Silva has control.
Taylor lands a body punch.
Taylor has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Silva prevents Taylor from breaking the clinch.

Taylor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Taylor takes the fight into the clinch.

Taylor has hold of one of Silva's legs. Silva is fighting the takedown attempt but Taylor gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Silva is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Taylor must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Taylor pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silva is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.

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

Taylor closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Taylor scoring with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Taylor has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Silva dodges the ground and pound from Taylor.
Taylor wants to lay and pray for a moment but Silva keeps working.
Taylor throws an elbow but Silva slips to the side and avoids it well.
Taylor lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Taylor working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Taylor lands some shots froms side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Taylor landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Taylor looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Silva taking a bit of punishment here - Taylor scoring with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Taylor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mauricio Silva's cut.
That's time! Silva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Taylor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.

Taylor throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Silva was covering up waiting for the punch and Taylor finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor is in close to Silva's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Taylor thows a big elbow that misses.
Taylor trying to stand up but can't free himself from Silva's guard.
Taylor cracks Silva with a solid left hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silva is keeping the position for now.
Silva wants to stand up but Taylor is controlling him.
Taylor seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Taylor throwing strikes but missing.

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.
Silva avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Taylor throws a big right hand that misses.

Taylor decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Silva, up you get!
Taylor shoots in looking for a takedown. Silva tries to sprawl out of it but Taylor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Silva manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Taylor shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Silva defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Taylor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Silva avoids a punch combination nicely.
Silva stuffs the takedown attempt from Taylor. Taylor gets slowly back to his feet.
Mauricio Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Taylor.
Silva lands with a cross.
Mauricio Silva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taylor misses with a few strikes there.
Mauricio Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taylor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Silva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Silva steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taylor.

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.
Taylor misses with a double jab
letting Silva counter with a right hand.
Taylor falls off balance throwing a combination
and Silva counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A nice combination there by Silva.
Taylor shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Silva defends it nicely.
Taylor misses with a leg kick
and Silva counters with a two punch combo.
Silva lands with a nice combination. Taylor backs away looking to recover.
Silva is working the combinations to good effect here.
Taylor throws a lazy head kick
and Silva cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Silva showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Taylor.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Taylor moves in looking to clinch but Silva pushes him off.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Taylor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Taylor 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Taylor!