PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yakin Sanjimoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wanderlei Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sanjimoto
vs
Silva

185 cm
30
194 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

180 cm
21
203 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS - AJFC ↑ DOUBLE 160Q *
[CBK] The Smashwear Corporation

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS - AJFC ↑ DOUBLE 160Q *

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Yakin Sanjimoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Wanderlei Silva!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva sizes up Sanjimoto with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sanjimoto throws a series of punches but Silva moves out of range.
Silva missing with a left hand there. Sanjimoto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Silva misses with an uppercut. Sanjimoto saw that one coming.
Silva throws a head kick that misses.
Sanjimoto lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sanjimoto.
Silva takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Silva throws a hook to the side of Sanjimoto's head but Sanjimoto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Silva misses with a straight right.
Sanjimoto scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Silva tries to clinch there but Sanjimoto circles away.
Sanjimoto avoids the head kick by Silva.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Silva throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Silva throws a head kick that misses.
Silva misses with a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanjimoto throws a jab when Silva was well out of range.
Sanjimoto misses with an uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Silva. Sanjimoto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Some wild striking there from Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto punishes Silva's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Silva throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice shot lands for Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sanjimoto throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Silva makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sanjimoto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.
Silva lands a nice hook to Sanjimoto's body. Sanjimoto takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sanjimoto missing with a left hand there. Silva was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sanjimoto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Silva at a distance.
Silva throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Sanjimoto slips a straight right by Silva.
Silva throws a head kick that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Silva motions for Sanjimoto to come forward. Silva throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sanjimoto misses with a takedown attempt - Silva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Silva throws a right hand that Sanjimoto ducks under and follows up with a left that Sanjimoto also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sanjimoto shoots in looking for a takedown but Silva manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sanjimoto's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sanjimoto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.
Silva throws a leg kick but Sanjimoto moved away.
Sanjimoto on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Silva. Silva obviously looking to wear him down.
Sanjimoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silva circles away quickly and effectively.
Silva avoids the body shot from Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto throws a series of punches but Silva avoids them all with ease.
Silva fails to land with a series of punches.
Silva slips a jab from Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Silva fails to land with a series of punches.
Sanjimoto throws a series of strikes that have Silva backpedaling.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Silva.
Wanderlei Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Silva moves into the clinch successfully.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanjimoto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sanjimoto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Silva blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Sanjimoto lands with a light punch inside.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sanjimoto blocks it with crossed arms.
Silva misses with a knee strike.
Silva crunches a lovely knee into Sanjimoto's ribcage.
Silva utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Sanjimoto is trying to break the clinch but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Sanjimoto avoiding damage as Silva throws knees to the body.
Sanjimoto has a couple of punches blocked by Silva.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva lands a knee to the body.

Sanjimoto breaks from the clinch.
Silva takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Silva lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sanjimoto fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
That kick from Silva tenderised Sanjimoto's leg. Sanjimoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sanjimoto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sanjimoto swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.
Silva takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sanjimoto lands an overhand right.
A bone on bone clash there as Sanjimoto blocks the leg kick.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanjimoto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Silva throws a series of punches but Sanjimoto avoids them all with ease.
Sanjimoto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Silva.
Sanjimoto throws a series of punches but Silva moves out of range.
Sanjimoto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sanjimoto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Silva.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sanjimoto throws a series of strikes that have Silva backpedaling.
Sanjimoto closes the distance and clinches up with Silva, looking for a takedown. Sanjimoto pushes Silva against the cage but Silva circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yakin Sanjimoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Silva rushes Sanjimoto and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Silva prevents a body shot from Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto misses with a hook to the ribs.

Sanjimoto breaks from the clinch.
Silva throws a head kick that Sanjimoto semi-blocks.
Silva lands with a kick to the temple. Sanjimoto shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Silva misses with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Sanjimoto. Those never looked like landing.
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!

Silva closes the distance and pushes Sanjimoto back into the cage.
Sanjimoto lands with a right to the head.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanjimoto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sanjimoto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sanjimoto fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Sanjimoto blocks with his arms.
Silva's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Silva prevents a body shot from Sanjimoto.
Silva leaning against his opponent.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A shot in the inside from Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto wants to get back to striking at distance but Silva won't allow it.
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Silva tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sanjimoto avoids it.
Sanjimoto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sanjimoto is looking to break free of the clinch but Silva has double underhooks.
Sanjimoto misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Silva is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Sanjimoto throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sanjimoto lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Silva keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sanjimoto's efforts to push away.
Knees in the clinch landing for Silva.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Silva blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sanjimoto lands an uppercut.
Sanjimoto scores with a hook to the body.
Silva looks gassed!
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sanjimoto.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Sanjimoto blocks with his arms.
Sanjimoto misses with some punches.
Sanjimoto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sanjimoto pushes Silva back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sanjimoto.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sanjimoto throws a head punch that misses.
Silva prevents a body shot from Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Sanjimoto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sanjimoto stuns Silva with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sanjimoto dips to his left and cracks Silva with an uppercut!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Silva takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Sanjimoto misses with a straight right.
Some wild striking there from Silva.

Sanjimoto shoots in and bounces Silva off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Silva looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanjimoto's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Silva is pulling down on Sanjimoto's head. It's preventing any offense from Sanjimoto, at least for the moment.
Sanjimoto throws a big elbow that misses.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sanjimoto 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.
Sanjimoto working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Silva's head.
Silva pulls Sanjimoto in close to prevent any damage.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Sanjimoto from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sanjimoto walks forward, straight into a front kick from Silva.
Silva swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Wanderlei Silva will probably get the nod.
That's time! Sanjimoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sanjimoto connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Silva's hands.
Yakin Sanjimoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva looks to throw the jab but Sanjimoto is out of range.
Silva pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sanjimoto looks to land a left hand but Silva moved out of range nicely.
Silva keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Silva avoids the body shot from Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto loads up on a big right hand but Silva slips the punch.
Sanjimoto misses with a wild body shot.
Sanjimoto on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Sanjimoto misses with a body shot.
Sanjimoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Silva is just out of range.
Silva throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Silva tries to clinch but Sanjimoto is having none of it.
Sanjimoto stuns Silva with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sanjimoto changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Silva tries to avoid it but Sanjimoto manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Silva to the ground. Silva escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Silva connects with a leg kick. Sanjimoto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries to clinch up but Sanjimoto circles away and keeps his distance.
Sanjimoto cracks Silva with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Silva throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Silva lands a jab-cross combination.
Sanjimoto digs a good body shot into Silva's ribs.
A slow jab from Silva misses its intended target.
Sanjimoto throws a combination. Silva tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Sanjimoto misses the shot to the body.
Sanjimoto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Silva lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sanjimoto connects with a crisp jab.
Silva avoids the body shot from Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto avoids a kick to the body.
Silva misses the shot to the body.
Silva swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanjimoto checks a leg kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanjimoto misses with a wild body shot.
Silva connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sanjimoto momentarily.
Silva throws a lazy right hand but Sanjimoto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Silva tries to land a front kick but Sanjimoto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Silva misses with a straight left.
Silva on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Yakin Sanjimoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto lands a lovely overhand right.
Sanjimoto scores with a jab to the head.
Sanjimoto missing with a left hand there. Silva was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sanjimoto jabs Silva right on the nose. Silva blinks but takes it well.
That kick from Silva tenderised Sanjimoto's leg. Sanjimoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Wanderlei Silva seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Sanjimoto circles away.
Silva tries to land a leg kick but Sanjimoto saw it coming and moves away.

Silva rushes Sanjimoto and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanjimoto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Sanjimoto blocks with his arms.
Sanjimoto presses Silva against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sanjimoto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Sanjimoto tries to work over Silva's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sanjimoto lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sanjimoto is looking to break free of the clinch but Silva has double underhooks.
Sanjimoto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva takes a shot to the head.
Wanderlei Silva seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Sanjimoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Silva lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Jab from Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto digs a good hook to Silva's body.
Silva misses with a jab, cross combination.
No luck for Sanjimoto with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yakin Sanjimoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanjimoto swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sanjimoto misses with a body shot.
Silva takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sanjimoto keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Silva.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silva shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sanjimoto lands a body shot.
Sanjimoto lands with a nice body punch.
Silva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Silva ducks right into an uppercut from Sanjimoto.
Silva throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sanjimoto jabs at Silva's body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Silva dodges the punch combination from Sanjimoto.
Silva moves in looking to clinch but Sanjimoto pushes him off.
A nice inside leg kick there by Silva. That's going to slow Sanjimoto down.
Sanjimoto throws a combination. Silva tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Silva looks to throw the jab but Sanjimoto is out of range.
That kick from Silva tenderised Sanjimoto's leg. Sanjimoto is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sanjimoto takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sanjimoto missing with a left hand there. Silva was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sanjimoto blocks a head kick by Silva.
Sanjimoto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A lazy left from Sanjimoto finds it's target.
Silva tries a head kick but it misses.
Silva misses the jab.
Silva fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sanjimoto checks it well.
Sanjimoto darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Silva has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Silva with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sanjimoto to score with a decent uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sanjimoto. Silva does a little dance to reset his feet.
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!
Sanjimoto swinging wildly here.
Silva throws a sloppy head kick and Sanjimoto moves out of range easily.
Sanjimoto thows a body shot but no joy.
Silva misses with a hook.
Sanjimoto sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sanjimoto defending well as Silva loads up on a big left hand.
Silva throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Silva swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sanjimoto connects with a nice looking jab.
Sanjimoto lands with a straight right. Silva didn't see that one coming.
Silva wants to clinch up but Sanjimoto keeps it at a distance.
Silva swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Silva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A combination from Silva does no damage.
Sanjimoto takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Sanjimoto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Silva defends it nicely.
Sanjimoto misses the jab.
Sanjimoto cracks Silva with a right hand to the side of the head.
Silva tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sanjimoto is able to avoid easily.
The crowd cheers as Silva lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sanjimoto doesn't seem phased though.
Sanjimoto looks to land a combination but Silva avoids it well.
Silva moves out of range as Sanjimoto strikes.
Silva misses with a low kick.
Sanjimoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Silva.
Sanjimoto lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sanjimoto.
Silva on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sanjimoto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Silva defends it nicely.
Silva staying out of range there.
Sanjimoto will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Silva throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Sanjimoto counters with a takedown into 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!

Sanjimoto 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.

Sanjimoto decides to stand up, so the ref orders Silva to his feet.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Silva throws a shot from downtown. Sanjimoto moves away and avoids it.
Sanjimoto lands with an overhand left.
Sanjimoto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice body kick there by Silva.
A leg kick checked by Sanjimoto.
Sanjimoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silva circles away quickly and effectively.
Sanjimoto swings for the body but Silva moves out of range.
Sanjimoto misses with the combination.
Silva throws a right and a left that Sanjimoto avoids nicely.
Silva wants to clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silva chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sanjimoto looks to land a right hand but Silva moved out of range.

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 Yakin Sanjimoto.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Wanderlei Silva!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Yakin Sanjimoto!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Wanderlei Silva!

Wanderlei Silva wins by split decision!
Our winner, Wanderlei Silva, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.