PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eduard Folayang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drasko Silajevas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Folayang
vs
Silajevas

175 cm
28
161 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

178 cm
28
155 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Eduard Folayang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Drasko Silajevas!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Steve Erwin and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silajevas pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Silajevas lands a jab to the head.
Silajevas lands a body shot.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Folayang.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Folayang tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Folayang has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The strikes coming from Folayang are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Folayang cracks Silajevas with a big elbow.
Silajevas avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Folayang.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Silajevas is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Folayang working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silajevas parries the strikes from Folayang easily there. Folayang is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Silajevas to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Folayang working the ground and pound but Silajevas is defending the strikes.

Folayang is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Silajevas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Silajevas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Folayang. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Folayang creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Silajevas can do anything to dispel that myth.

Folayang thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Folayang working the ground and pound but Silajevas is defending the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silajevas is looking to regain half guard here but Folayang keeps moving and retains side control.
Silajevas is working to avoid the ground and pound but Folayang connects with a decent elbow.
Silajevas tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Folayang wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
An elbow from Folayang crashes against the mat.
Folayang scoring with punches from side control.
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!

Folayang is trying to get an arm triangle but Silajevas is defending well.
Folayang misses with the ground and pound.
Folayang throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Folayang is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Silajevas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Folayang looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Folayang tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Folayang has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Folayang is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Silajevas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Silajevas is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folayang working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Folayang wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Silajevas, who protects the arm well.
Folayang working the body and head with strikes.
The strikes coming from Folayang are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Folayang looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
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!
Folayang advances to full mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Folayang throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eduard Folayang dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Folayang listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Folayang connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Silajevas stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Silajevas wants it to stay on the feet.
A punch combination from Silajevas misses.
Folayang staying out of range there.
Silajevas throws a jab but it's blocked by Folayang.
Folayang on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Folayang swings for the body but Silajevas moves out of range.
Silajevas throws out a loose jab but Folayang uses good head movement to avoid it.
Silajevas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Folayang shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Silajevas is in all sorts of trouble here.
Folayang landing strikes from the mount.

Folayang moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Silajevas has worked his arm free - good work by Silajevas!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Folayang is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Silajevas has escaped the position, nice work there.
Silajevas is trying to get back to half guard.
Folayang working the ground and pound from side control.
Silajevas is working to avoid the ground and pound but Folayang connects with a decent elbow.
Folayang throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Folayang tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Folayang is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Silajevas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Folayang throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Folayang is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Silajevas is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silajevas defending against the ground and pound.
Silajevas is trying to improve his position.
Folayang postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Sloppy strikes there by Folayang.
Silajevas parries the strikes from Folayang easily there. Folayang is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Silajevas to escape.
Folayang scoring with punches and elbows.

Folayang tries for a kimura but Silajevas is defending well.
Folayang working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Folayang tries for a kimura but Silajevas is defending well.
Folayang is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Silajevas can do to turn this around?
Silajevas can't do much from the bottom here.
Silajevas avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Folayang.
Folayang connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Silajevas some visible discomfort.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Folayang tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Folayang has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Silajevas can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eduard Folayang dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A jab from Silajevas misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Folayang is defended easily by Silajevas.
Silajevas wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Folayang with a jab.
Eduard Folayang is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silajevas throws the left hand but Folayang avoids the punch easily.
Folayang fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Folayang with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Silajevas connects with a single shot there.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Silajevas!
Silajevas lands with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Folayang 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sloppy strikes from Silajevas. Those never looked like landing.
Folayang tries to score a power double leg takedown but Silajevas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Folayang somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eduard Folayang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Folayang shoots in for a double leg but Silajevas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Drasko Silajevas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Folayang slips under a jab.
Folayang closes this distance looking for a takedown but Silajevas circles away.
Folayang just misses with a punch to the body.
Silajevas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Folayang was well out of range. Poor timing from Silajevas.
Silajevas changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Folayang scores with a one two! Silajevas had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Folayang tries to move into range but Silajevas moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Drasko Silajevas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Folayang. Those never looked like landing.
Silajevas misses the jab.
Folayang misses with a looping left.
Folayang avoids the body shot from Silajevas.
Folayang fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Folayang takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Folayang displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Silajevas throws out the jab.

Folayang scores with a takedown into Silajevas's guard.
Folayang throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Folayang accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Folayang accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Silajevas working a defensive guard here.
Folayang throws a big elbow that misses.
Folayang throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Silajevas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Folayang trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Eduard Folayang overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Folayang throwing strikes from guard but Silajevas blocks nicely.

Folayang avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Folayang postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Eduard Folayang is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Folayang not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Eduard Folayang.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Folayang, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eduard Folayang!
A very excited looking Eduard Folayang rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.