PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Espiridion Araya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rejinaldo Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Silva's choice of entrance music: Roy Jones - Can't be touched. Espiridion Araya could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Rejinaldo Silva's chin.

Araya
vs
Silva

201 cm
24
195 lbs
9 - 11 - 0

188 cm
25
200 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Espiridion Araya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Rejinaldo Silva!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Araya.
Araya shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Araya throws a head kick but Silva moves out of range.
Silva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Silva instigates a clinch.
Araya tries for a takedown but Silva manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Espiridion Araya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva can't find room to land a body shot as Araya controls the action.
Araya looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva works on Araya's body with a couple of short punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Silva cracks Araya with a nice body shot.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Araya.
Araya goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva has Araya pushed against the cage.
Araya's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Silva landing knees to the body.
Araya struggles to land a body shot inside as Silva controls his hands.
Knees in the clinch landing for Silva.
Silva misses with a hook to the ribs.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Silva has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Araya on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Araya is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Silva pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Silva lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Silva missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Araya has picked Silva up - he's going for a ride! Araya dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silva has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Araya is working away from the top position though.
Araya is looking to take a break and control but Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Araya wants to free his trapped foot but Silva is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Araya lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Araya is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Silva sees it coming and defends easily.
Silva has hold of Araya's hands but Araya slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araya thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Silva's head.
Araya not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Araya is looking to advance position but Silva won't allow it.

Silva looking for submissions off his back.
Araya missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Araya lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Araya has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva is in a horrible position here. Araya smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Silva avoids a series of strikes thrown by Araya.
Araya is trying to take his opponent's back.
Silva manages to control the position for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Araya connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
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 Espiridion Araya will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Araya swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.
Araya tries a head kick but it misses.
Araya has a takedown stuffed.
Silva is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Araya with a body shot.

Silva takes the fight into the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Silva obliges.
Silva digs a right hand underneath Araya's ribcage. Araya let out a lung full of air as it connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Araya is blocking nicely.
Araya prevents a body shot from Silva.
Araya wants a takedown.
Silva comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Espiridion Araya has been cut.
Silva landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araya avoiding damage as Silva throws knees to the body.
Silva utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Araya really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Araya looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Espiridion Araya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Araya drops down looking for an ankle pick but Silva pulls his leg out and moves away.
Silva connects with a body shot.
Araya misses with a takedown attempt - Silva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Silva wants to counter with a clinch but Araya pushes him away.
Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Araya checks a leg kick.
Silva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Araya manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Araya throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Espiridion Araya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Silva clinches.
Araya wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Silva lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Araya.
Silva lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rejinaldo Silva seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Araya has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Silva avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Silva looking to stall.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Silva.
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Araya is defending well for now.
Silva tries a body shot but Araya blocks it.
Araya drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Silva gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Araya with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Araya avoids it.
Silva landing knees to the body.
I was talking to Araya's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Silva gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Araya.
Silva scores a nice knee to the body.
Silva digs a right hand underneath Araya's ribcage. Araya let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Silva presses Araya against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short right from Silva.
Silva lands a body shot in the clinch.
Silva is pressed up against the cage. Araya has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Silva down to the mat. Silva avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Silva darts in and clinches Araya up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva digs a right hand underneath Araya's ribcage. Araya let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Silva is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Silva is leaning against Araya and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Silva unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A short body shot lands from Silva as the two fighters clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Silva.
A right hand to the body from Silva.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Silva misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Silva pushes Araya back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.
Silva prevents the takedown attempt.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Araya blocks it.
Araya is looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rejinaldo Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Espiridion Araya's cut.
That's time! Araya's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Silva blocks a head kick by Araya.

Silva has closed the distance and engaged Araya in a clinch.
Araya wants a takedown.
Silva slowing the pace effectively.
Araya is working for takedown but Silva is calmly controlling the position for now.
Silva lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Silva tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A body shot lands from Silva.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Araya tries to score a body lock takedown but Silva shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Espiridion Araya. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Silva cracks Araya with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Silva.
Araya is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Silva pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Silva unloads a knee to the mid-section. Araya lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Silva.
Silva misses with a body punch.
Araya is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Silva is keeping busy.
Silva stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Araya tries for a takedown. No joy.
Silva landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Araya is working for takedown but Silva is calmly controlling the position for now.
Silva lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Araya.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Silva lands with a right to the head.
A short left from Silva.

Araya is rocked!
Silva lands a nice knee to the body.
Oh Araya is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Silva misses with a hook to the ribs.
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 is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Araya has Silva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Silva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Araya seems to have got his legs back now.
Silva tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Araya avoids it.
Araya has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Silva is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Silva lands a body punch.
Silva landing knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva gets underhooks to prevent Araya's takedown attempt.
Araya prevents a body shot from Silva.
Araya drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Silva scores with a shot to the side of Araya's head.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Araya blocks it with crossed arms.
Araya drops down looking for an ankle pick but Silva pulls his leg out and moves away.
Silva lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araya fails with a takedown attempt.

Silva drives through and clinches with Araya against the cage.
Araya tries for a takedown but Silva manages to get underhooks.
Araya has Silva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Silva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Silva lands a good knee to the midsection. Araya won't want to take too many of those.
A short right from Silva on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silva lands a good knee to the midsection. Araya won't want to take too many of those.
Silva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Silva creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Silva missing with knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rejinaldo Silva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Silva 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rejinaldo Silva!
Rejinaldo Silva seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.