PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antti Silava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Antti Silava will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Sanchez
vs
Silava

185 cm
38
184 lbs
21 - 22 - 0

188 cm
32
184 lbs
9 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 22 - 0, fighting out of London, Thiago Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Silava!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silava sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sanchez looks for a takedown but Silava sprawls well.
Silava throws a wild body kick that Sanchez sees coming a mile off.
Sanchez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Silava avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silava fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sanchez has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Silava defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sanchez.
Silava scores with a push kick.
Silava lands with a good body shot.
Silava with a jab.
Sanchez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Silava throws a leg kick which misses Sanchez's front leg but catches the back leg as Sanchez tries to avoid it.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Silava defends it nicely.
Silava 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez misses with a double jab.
Silava thumps Sanchez with a low kick.
We've been informed that Silava has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sanchez walks into a left hand.
Nice sprawl there from Silava as Sanchez shoots in.
Silava jabs Sanchez to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sanchez fails with the takedown.
Silava comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Silava lands a nice hook to Sanchez's body. Sanchez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Silava scores with a hook.

Sanchez dives in and scores a takedown into Silava's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silava controls Sanchez momentarily but Sanchez frees himself.
Sanchez is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at SWF GYM that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Silava is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sanchez is controlling him.
Sanchez content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sanchez shoots in and drives through. Silava sprawls well.
Silava looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.
The crowd cheers as Silava lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sanchez doesn't seem phased though.
A chopping leg kick lands by Silava.
Sanchez fails with a takedown attempt.
An inside leg kick lands from Silava.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silava connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sanchez. Sanchez circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Silava 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.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Silava defends it nicely.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Silava as he avoids it easily.
Sanchez fails to land the takedown.
Sanchez's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Sanchez duly obliges.
Silava lands a nice looking body shot.
Sanchez tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Silava is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Sanchez had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Sanchez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Silava with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Silava lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sanchez's sensitive parts.
Silava scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Silava has closed the distance and engaged Sanchez in a clinch.
Silava lands a knee to the body.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sanchez takes an elbow to the temple.
Silava is trying to stall.
Silava comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Thiago Sanchez has been cut.
Sanchez avoids a wild elbow strike from Silava.

Sanchez decides to pull guard.
Sanchez is adopting a defensive guard.

Sanchez kicks Silava off and gets to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Silava dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thiago Sanchez's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sanchez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Silava turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Silava stuffs the takedown.
Sanchez swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Silava counters with a solid body kick.
Decent striking displayed by Silava there.
Silava lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Silava scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sanchez in his tracks.
Silava misses with a kick to the body.
Silava is looking to land body kicks.
A punch lands to the side of Sanchez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A decent looking cross lands there for Silava.
Silava connects with a single shot there.
Silava lands a jab to the nose.
Silava fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sanchez.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sanchez is defended easily by Silava.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silava throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Silava connects with a nice looking jab.
Sanchez walks into a straight right hand from Silava.
Thiago Sanchez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sanchez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Sanchez drives through with a takedown into Silava's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Sanchez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sanchez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silava is keeping the position for now.
Sanchez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sanchez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sanchez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanchez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sanchez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sanchez trying to control but Silava is working from the bottom.
Sanchez with a nice head shot there.
Sanchez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silava is trying to control Sanchez's posture but Sanchez avoids it.
Sanchez tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Silava gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Sanchez punishing his opponent with strikes.

It looks like Antti Silava has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez wants to finish this one by submission but Silava is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Sanchez.
Thiago Sanchez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sanchez landing strikes from the mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanchez working the ground and pound effectively.

That has opened up Antti Silava's cut even more.
Sanchez mounts Silava! Really nice guard pass there!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanchez raining down hammerfists from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Sanchez dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Silava scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sanchez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silava sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sanchez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silava sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sanchez takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Horrible takedown by Sanchez or perhaps it was just good defense by Silava which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silava scores with the left hand. Sanchez knows he should have avoided that one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sanchez is defended easily by Silava.
Silava connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Silava chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Silava stuffs the takedown.
Decent striking displayed by Silava there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silava lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
That kick from Silava tenderised Sanchez's leg. Sanchez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silava fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sanchez shoots in but Silava avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sanchez looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Silava throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Antti Silava is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanchez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Silava has closed the distance and engaged Sanchez in a clinch.
A knee to the head by Silava.
Silava lands a nice knee to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Silava.
Silava with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silava lands a nice elbow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Silava lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Silava scores a nice knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Silava obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silava gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sanchez goes for a takedown attempt but Silava pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Silava throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Silava scores with a hook to the body. Sanchez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Silava fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Antti Silava seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Horrible takedown by Sanchez or perhaps it was just good defense by Silava which made him look bad.
Silava wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Silava lands a jab to the head.
Silava lands a high kick!
Jab by Silava.
Sanchez is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Silava comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Silava. No joy for Sanchez on that attempt.
Silava fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Silava wants to clinch up but Sanchez keeps it at a distance.
Silava connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Silava lands a jab to the nose.
Sanchez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Silava lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sanchez at a distance.
A shot to the liver by Silava. Beautiful body shot.
Silava throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sanchez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Silava avoids it really well and circles away.
Sanchez takes one to the chin there.
Sanchez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Silava is fending him off so far but Sanchez persists. Nope, Silava circles away and we're back to standing.
Sanchez shoots in looking for a takedown but Silava manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sanchez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Silava scores with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanchez takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A good leg kick by Silava.
Silava getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A nice inside leg kick there by Silava. That's going to slow Sanchez down.
Sanchez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Silava lands a really nice looking cross but Sanchez seems unphased.
Silava leaves Sanchez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Silava smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Silava cracks Sanchez with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Silava pushes Sanchez away with a front kick.
Silava wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thiago Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Antti Silava is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Silava scores with a push kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antti Silava comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Silava 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight for Antti Silava!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Antti Silava!
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight for Antti Silava!

Antti Silava wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Antti Silava thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.