PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ara Virta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wanderlei Silva Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva Jr has chosen Pendulum - Blood Sugar as his entrance music. Wanderlei Silva Jr has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Virta
vs
Silva Jr

174 cm
24
183 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

186 cm
23
190 lbs
12 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ara Virta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Wanderlei Silva Jr!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva Jr tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Virta was well out of range. Poor timing from Silva Jr.
Silva Jr throws out a loose jab but Virta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Silva Jr takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Silva Jr throws a low kick, looking for Virta's leg but Virta calmly moves out of range.
Silva Jr throws a shot from downtown. Virta moves away and avoids it.
Virta throws a quick inside leg kick.
Silva Jr throws the left hand but Virta avoids the punch easily.
Virta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Virta throws a leg kick but Silva Jr sees it coming and moves out of range.
Silva Jr swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Virta bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A swing and a miss from Virta.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva Jr digs a good body shot into Virta's ribs.
Wanderlei Silva Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silva Jr misses the shot to the body.
Virta lands a nice hook to Silva Jr's body. Silva Jr takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A leg kick checked by Virta.
Virta moves away from the strike by Silva Jr.
Silva Jr uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Virta.
Silva Jr cracks Virta with a right hand to the side of the head.
Silva Jr misses with a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Virta.
Silva Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Virta moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Virta darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Virta slips under a jab from Silva Jr.
Virta lands with a thumping leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Silva Jr drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Silva Jr looks to land a combination but Virta avoids it well.
Silva Jr throws a looping overhand right but Virta ducks down to avoid it.
Silva Jr fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Virta with a nice cross.

Virta has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva Jr tries to circle away but Virta has him pinned against the cage.
Virta is trying to break free.
Virta misses with an elbow strike.
Silva Jr swings wildly with an uppercut but Virta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stalling in the clinch from Virta.
Virta lands a nice elbow.
Virta stalling.
Virta lands a left hand.
Virta effectively controlling the action here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Virta.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Virta throws an elbow but misses.
Virta is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
With the fighters up against the cage, Virta throws an elbow but misses.
Virta just leaning against Silva Jr, taking a breather.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ara Virta.
Silva Jr connects with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Silva Jr throws a head kick that misses.
Virta fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Silva Jr manages to avoid it.
Virta tries a head kick but it misses.
Virta loads up on a big right hand but Silva Jr slips the punch.
Virta takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Virta connects with a looping right hand.
Silva Jr keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Virta shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Virta shoots in for a takedown but Silva Jr shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Virta's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Silva Jr connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Virta scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva Jr blocks a head kick by Virta.
Silva Jr dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Virta throws a low kick but Silva Jr avoids it.
Virta scores with a jab to the body.
Silva Jr throws a hook but Virta avoids it easily.
Silva Jr tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Virta just misses with a punch to the body.
Virta avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Silva Jr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Virta.
Virta shoots in and drives through. Silva Jr sprawls well.
Ara Virta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Virta.
Virta misses with a jab, cross combination.
Silva Jr wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Silva Jr's jab looks to have found its range, popping Virta under the eye.
Silva Jr thows a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silva Jr thows a body shot but no joy.
Silva Jr closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Virta lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Silva Jr showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Virta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virta tries to score with a low kick but Silva Jr moves his leg out of the way.
Virta throws a head kick that misses.
A jab from Silva Jr misses.
Silva Jr thows a leg kick but Virta checks it

and Virta counters with a shoot takedown. Silva Jr fights it but they end up in guard.
Virta wants to pass the guard but Silva Jr is keeping the position.
Virta wants to control from the top but Silva Jr keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virta trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Virta looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ara Virta just wasn't active enough.
Silva Jr sizes up Virta with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ara Virta dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Virta tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Virta throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wanderlei Silva Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva Jr blocks a leg kick.
Virta scores with a jab.
Virta tries to land a front kick but Silva Jr steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Virta avoids the body shot from Silva Jr.
Silva Jr scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Silva Jr blocks a leg kick.
Silva Jr punishes Virta's body with a nice straight punch.
Virta tries to clinch up but Silva Jr circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virta swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Silva Jr counters with a slapping leg kick.
Silva Jr fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Virta checks it well.
Virta moves out of range of the strikes.
Silva Jr throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Virta slips under a jab from Silva Jr.
A jab from Silva Jr finds it's way through Virta's defenses.
Silva Jr misses with a body shot.
Virta showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Silva Jr.
Virta scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Silva Jr doesn't seem bothered though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Silva Jr misses with an uppercut. Virta saw that one coming.
Silva Jr takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Silva Jr throws out a loose jab but Virta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Virta takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Virta tries a low kick but Silva Jr avoids it.
A bone on bone clash there as Silva Jr blocks the leg kick.
Silva Jr misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva Jr lands a jab to Virta's midsection.
A lazy left from Virta finds it's target.
Virta walks into a straight right hand from Silva Jr.
Wanderlei Silva Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Silva Jr avoids the body shot from Virta.
Silva Jr lands with a right hand.
Silva Jr thuds his right hand into Virta's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Silva Jr ducks under a wild hook from Virta.
A swing and a miss from Silva Jr.
Virta swings for the body but Silva Jr moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva Jr misses with an uppercut. Virta saw that one coming.
Virta throws a leg kick but Silva Jr moved away.
Virta lands with a cross.

Virta gets a double leg takedown into Silva Jr's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Virta controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Silva Jr wants to stand and escape but Virta is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virta's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Wanderlei Silva Jr just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

An inside leg kick lands from Silva Jr.
Virta connects with the punch.
Virta gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Silva Jr.
Virta scores with a sloppy right hand. Silva Jr should have avoided that one.
Virta dips to his left and cracks Silva Jr with an uppercut!
Silva Jr misses with a left hand
and Virta counters with a leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Virta.
Silva Jr throws a right hand that misses
and Virta counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Silva Jr moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva Jr misses with a body shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Silva Jr checks a leg kick.
Virta avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Virta throws a head kick that misses.
Virta misses with a few strikes there.
Silva Jr attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Virta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Virta will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Virta moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva Jr throws a front kick aimed at Virta's knee but Virta avoids it well.
Virta throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Virta ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Virta gets the takedown into side control.
Virta prevents Silva Jr from escaping the position.
Virta remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Silva Jr is trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva Jr seems a little lost for a moment, as Virta dominates the positioning.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Ara Virta has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Virta misses with an uppercut. Silva Jr saw that one coming.
Virta fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Silva Jr fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Virta checks it well.
Silva Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Virta.
Crunch! Virta slams his shin into Silva Jr's torso.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virta throws a body punch but Silva Jr moves out of range.
Silva Jr misses with a left hand
and Virta makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Virta drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A looping hook to the body misses from Virta. Silva Jr does a little dance to reset his feet.
Silva Jr throws a leg kick but Virta moved away.
Silva Jr misses the shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Virta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Silva Jr paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Silva Jr throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Virta on the side of the head.
Silva Jr misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ara Virta had his way with Wanderlei Silva Jr in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Silva Jr motions for Virta to come forward. Silva Jr throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Silva Jr throws a front kick aimed at Virta's knee but Virta avoids it well.
A telegraphed right hand from Silva Jr misses the target.
Virta looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The fighters circling - Silva Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva Jr throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Virta slips under a jab from Silva Jr.
Silva Jr avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virta connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Silva Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Virta moves away.
Silva Jr bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Virta stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Virta slips a straight right by Silva Jr.
Silva Jr thows a leg kick but Virta checks it
and Virta counters with a stiff right hand.
Silva Jr throws a jab but it's blocked by Virta.
Silva Jr throws a lazy right hand but Virta sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Virta misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virta throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Silva Jr thows a left - swing and a miss!
A jab from Silva Jr misses.
Virta looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Silva Jr is fending him off so far but Virta persists. Nope, Silva Jr circles away and we're back to standing.
Silva Jr feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Virta's calf.
Virta misses with a low kick.
Virta jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Silva Jr has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Virta finds it's way round the side to connect with Silva Jr's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva Jr throws a leg kick that is checked
and Virta counters with a nice leg kick.
Silva Jr misses with a looping right.
A jab from Silva Jr misses.
Silva Jr connects with a jab.
A cross from Virta lands.
Silva Jr avoids the head kick by Virta.
Silva Jr lands a really nice looking cross but Virta seems unphased.
Silva Jr avoids the head kick by Virta.
Wanderlei Silva Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virta slips a jab from Silva Jr.
Silva Jr jabs at Virta's body.
Virta catches Silva Jr with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Silva Jr throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Silva Jr avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Virta thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ara Virta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva Jr throws a leg kick but Virta checks it.

Virta closes the distance and pushes Silva Jr back into the cage.
Virta has Silva Jr pressed against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Wanderlei Silva Jr.
I think Virta has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 48:47
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ara Virta!
Ara Virta retains his middleweight title!