PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roger Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Deki Stankovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stankovic has chosen Kosovo-Vidovdan as his entrance music. Deki Stankovic is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Silva
vs
Stankovic

175 cm
26
165 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

173 cm
26
169 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roger Silva!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Deki Stankovic!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Silva takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Stankovic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Silva sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Silva with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stankovic counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Stankovic misses with a looping left.
Silva with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stankovic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Silva drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
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!
Stankovic keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
Stankovic is looking to stand up but Silva isn't so interested in that idea.
Silva looking to sit in guard and control but Stankovic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Silva working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Stankovic has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries to roll over but Stankovic keeps him under control.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Stankovic controlling the action here.

Silva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Silva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic tries to stand but Silva is controlling from the bottom.

Silva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Silva has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Stankovic is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Silva.
Silva looks to move to half guard but instead Stankovic has passed into mount! Damn!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Silva gets back to half guard.

Silva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Silva wants to improve his position but Stankovic is controlling well.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Silva controlling the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva has an active guard here but Stankovic has managed to pass into half guard.
Silva is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Stankovic jumps into side control!
Silva is trying to improve his position.
Silva manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stankovic is defending against the submission attempts here by Silva.

Silva seems to be looking for submissions.
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 Roger Silva will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Silva takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A nice inside leg kick there by Stankovic. That's going to slow Silva down.
Stankovic cracks a nice hook into Silva's ribs.
Silva shoots for a takedown but Stankovic saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Silva has his takedown stuffed
and Stankovic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stankovic connects with a looping right hand.
Roger Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stankovic feints a jab promting Silva to slip. Stankovic then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Silva slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Silva.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva shoots in looking for a takedown but Stankovic manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Silva's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A jab lands there for Stankovic.

Stankovic moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Silva goes down! Can Stankovic finish him!?

Silva is rocked!

It looks like Roger Silva has been cut.

Silva has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Stankovic is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Silva.
Oh Silva is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stankovic in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stankovic working the head and body with strikes.
Silva is trying to improve his position.
Silva seems to have got his legs back now.

Stankovic is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Silva knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Silva wants to control but Stankovic postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Silva wants to get back to full guard.
Silva slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Stankovic controlling from the top position.
Stankovic wants to stand but Silva is controlling his posture from full guard.
Silva is trying to control the position but Stankovic postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Stankovic has picked Silva up and slammed him! Silva can't keep hold of the triangle and Stankovic manages to pass to side control!
Silva gets back to half guard.

Silva is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Stankovic pulls his head out easily.
Stankovic is trying to control. Silva wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stankovic is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Silva trying to control but Stankovic postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Silva wants to sweep but Stankovic has passed to side control!
Silva looking for a sweep but Stankovic has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Silva is looking to improve his position but Stankovic isn't that keen on the idea.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stankovic is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Silva shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stankovic pinned against the cage. Stankovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Deki Stankovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Roger Silva's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Silva misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Stankovic lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silva circles away quickly and effectively.
Stankovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Silva fails to land the takedown.
Deki Stankovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Silva looks for a takedown but Stankovic sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Silva.
Nice uppercut lands for Stankovic. That snapped Silva's head back.
A jab from Stankovic finds it's way through Silva's defenses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stankovic sizes up Silva with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Stankovic paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Stankovic scores with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stankovic lands a nice hook to Silva's body. Silva takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stankovic bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Silva's head.
Silva closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Silva takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Silva takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Stankovic stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Stankovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stankovic throws a right and a left that Silva avoids nicely.
Stankovic lands a head shot.
Stankovic lands a really nice looking cross but Silva seems unphased.
Stankovic tests Silva's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Roger Silva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Silva has his takedown stuffed
and Stankovic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A lazy left from Stankovic finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic throws a series of punches but Silva avoids them all with ease.
Silva dodges the punch combination from Stankovic.

Silva closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Silva is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stankovic sees it coming and defends easily.

Silva is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Stankovic still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Stankovic has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Stankovic is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva tries to buck Stankovic off but Stankovic is having none of it.
Silva is trying to control Stankovic's posture but Stankovic avoids it.
Silva tries to improve position but can't.

Stankovic decides to stand up, so the ref orders Silva to his feet.
Silva takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stankovic lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Stankovic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic leaves Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No joy there for Stankovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stankovic scores with a one two! Silva had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Stankovic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Silva.
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.
Silva takes a jab right on the kisser.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Stankovic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Silva doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stankovic counters with a lovely shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stankovic scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Stankovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Silva misses with a takedown
and Stankovic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stankovic misses with a two punch combination.
Silva doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Stankovic counters with a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Deki Stankovic really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roger Silva's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Silva looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Silva fails with the takedown
and Stankovic counters with a left to the body.
Silva gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Stankovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Silva. Silva gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A decent looking cross lands there for Stankovic.
Stankovic misses with a double jab.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stankovic fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Silva checks it well.
Stankovic catches Silva with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Stankovic works the jab nicely.
Silva is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Stankovic.
Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stankovic's corner calls for a 1-2. Stankovic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Stankovic throws a series of strikes that have Silva backpedaling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva shoots and misses
and Stankovic makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Silva shoots for a takedown but Stankovic saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Silva tries to move into range but Stankovic moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Silva shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stankovic but Stankovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stankovic lands a body shot.
Silva with a poor takedown
and Stankovic counters with a one-two to the body.
Stankovic slaps away a takedown attempt from Silva, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Stankovic as Silva shoots in.
Nice cross by Stankovic.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Stankovic tries to bum rush Silva with a series of wild strikes but Silva uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stankovic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stankovic scores with the left hand. Silva knows he should have avoided that one.
A nice combination there by Stankovic.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Stankovic shows good takedown defense.
Stankovic throws a right and a left that Silva avoids nicely.
Stankovic stuffs the takedown attempt from Silva. Silva gets slowly back to his feet.

Silva shoots in and gets a takedown into Stankovic's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Silva drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stankovic manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Silva has Stankovic in his guard.

Stankovic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stankovic stands up from Silva's guard - Stankovic perhaps looking for a knockout.
Silva shoots in and drives through. Stankovic sprawls well.
The fighters circling - Stankovic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Silva defending well as Stankovic loads up on a big left hand.
Horrible takedown by Silva or perhaps it was just good defense by Stankovic which made him look bad.
Stankovic throws a looping overhand right but Silva ducks down to avoid it.
Stankovic lands a two punch combo.
Deki Stankovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silva is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Stankovic enables Silva to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Stankovic manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Stankovic is keeping the position.
Stankovic managing to control the position.
Silva passes Stankovic's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stankovic wants to control but Silva is keeping busy and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Silva looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Silva is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stankovic defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Deki Stankovic dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Roger Silva's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Silva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stankovic moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Silva closes the distance and clinches up with Stankovic, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes Stankovic against the cage but Stankovic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Silva looks for a takedown but Stankovic sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A lazy left from Stankovic finds it's target.
Stankovic connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Stankovic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Silva needs to keep his hands up - Stankovic had a free shot at his head there.
Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stankovic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Silva checks a leg kick.
A combination from Stankovic does no damage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Silva will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Silva shoots in looking for a takedown. Stankovic tries to sprawl out of it but Silva keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stankovic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stankovic feints a jab promting Silva to slip. Stankovic then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Silva slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Stankovic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Silva in his tracks.
Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stankovic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stankovic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Silva looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Stankovic stalks Silva and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Silva's face. Silva staggers backwards, shaken.
Stankovic connects with a right hand. Silva shakes it off.
Stankovic lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Stankovic.
Silva on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Silva dodges the punch combination from Stankovic.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Stankovic as he jumps to the side.
Stankovic lands a nice looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Stankovic quickly recovers to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Silva trying to control from Stankovic's half guard. Stankovic has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Silva has gone for a leg lock! Stankovic slips out almost immediately though and dives into Silva's guard.

Silva looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Stankovic passes into half guard.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva wants to improve his position but Stankovic is controlling well.

Stankovic escapes and gets back to his feet.
A punch combination from Stankovic misses.

Silva shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stankovic is trying to defend but Silva finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Silva wants to work for an arm triangle but Stankovic is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Stankovic keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stankovic defends it well.
Silva tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stankovic knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stankovic pushes Silva off looking to stand but Silva dives back in and keeps control.
Roger Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Deki Stankovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Silva is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stankovic sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Deki Stankovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stankovic 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Deki Stankovic!
Deki Stankovic is the new lightweight champion!