VFC 1: The Beginning PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jerome Drogba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Hawk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Drogba
vs
Hawk

182 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jerome Drogba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Martin Hawk!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawk shoots in for a double leg but Drogba sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Hawk throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Drogba was covering up waiting for the punch and Hawk finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Drogba is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Drogba is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hawk trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Drogba is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hawk is controlling him.
Hawk trying to control but Drogba is working from the bottom.
Drogba looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hawk throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hawk takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Drogba shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Hawk counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Drogba is breathing heavily.
Hawk advances position into side control!
Hawk wants to lay and pray for a moment but Drogba keeps working.
Hawk laying and praying for a moment but Drogba takes advantage and regains half guard.
Drogba is staying active underneath Hawk, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawk looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hawk tries to stand but can't do so whilst Drogba controls his leg.
Drogba looks like he's trying to stand up.
Still in half guard, Hawk seems content to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Martin Hawk hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hawk tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Drogba gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hawk to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hawk trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hawk is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Drogba working a defensive guard here.
Hawk trying to control the position from guard on top but Drogba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawk content to stall in guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Martin Hawk.

Hawk scores a takedown into full mount!
Hawk has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Drogba's face.
Hawk scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Drogba blocking the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Hawk dominated that round.
That's time! Drogba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hawk drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hawk really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Drogba. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hawk won't allow Drogba to get back to his feet.

Drogba wriggles free and stands up.

Hawk drives through and clinches with Drogba against the cage.
Hawk stalling in the clinch.

Hawk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Drogba takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Hawk scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hawk decides to stand back up. Hawk steps back and let's Drogba get back to his feet.

Hawk gets the takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hawk has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Drogba wants to clinch but Hawk slips to the side

and Hawk counters by clinching up.

Drogba breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hawk closes this distance looking for a takedown but Drogba circles away.
Drogba shoots and misses
and Hawk counters with a nice body kick.
Drogba gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hawk counters with a nice double leg into side control. Drogba won't be happy with that.
Drogba is trying to control Hawk's posture but Hawk avoids it.
Drogba is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hawk asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hawk moves into full mount!
Drogba tries to buck Hawk off but Hawk takes his back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Hawk is controlling the position but Drogba somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk stops Drogba from getting back to his feet.
Drogba won't allow Hawk to pass to mount.
Drogba is not content to let Hawk control the position.
Drogba is trying to stand up here but Hawk is controlling him well.
Hawk is looking to advance position but Drogba won't allow it.
Hawk is trying to control. Drogba wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Martin Hawk has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hawk looks for a takedown but Drogba sprawls well.

Hawk gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Drogba to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hawk wants to control but Drogba passes easily into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hawk is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Drogba jumps into side control!

Drogba wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hawk, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Hawk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Drogba shoots and misses

and Hawk counters with a nice double leg into side control. Drogba won't be happy with that.

Hawk looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Drogba is not content to let Hawk control the position.
Drogba struggling a bit here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hawk has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Hawk with that takedown attempt.
Hawk fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hawk wants to clinch.
Drogba with a poor takedown

and Hawk counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hawk trying to control the position from guard on top but Drogba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hawk tries to free his leg and advance position but Drogba is retaining full guard.
Hawk is stalling in the full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hawk trying to control but Drogba is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Martin Hawk has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Hawk tries for a takedown but Drogba circles away easily

and Drogba counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hawk is looking for a triangle but Drogba pushes his legs off easily.
Hawk is trying to keep Drogba in close.

Drogba got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hawk has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Drogba has managed to get both his arms back between Hawk's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawk controls Drogba momentarily but Drogba frees himself.

Hawk looking for a guillotine here but Drogba defends easily.
Drogba in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Drogba trying to control the position from guard on top but Hawk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Drogba is fighting to break Hawk's control of his arms but Hawk is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Drogba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hawk is keeping the position for now.
Drogba is working hard here to advance position.
Hawk wants to control the position but Drogba says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Drogba missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Jerome Drogba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Martin Hawk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hawk trying to control but Drogba postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martin Hawk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hawk winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martin Hawk!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
63%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vito Scaletta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fernando Garcia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Scaletta
vs
Garcia

183 cm
23
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vito Scaletta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Fernando Garcia!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Garcia shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Garcia prevents Scaletta from improving his position.

Scaletta is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Garcia is tapping! Great win for Scaletta!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Vito Scaletta!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
61%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Hamilton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Lesner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hamilton
vs
Lesner

191 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
21
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anthony Hamilton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Liam Lesner!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lesner scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Liam Lesner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lesner throws an off balance right hand
letting Hamilton counter with a right hand.
Lesner throws a lazy uppercut
and Hamilton counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hamilton avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lesner throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hamilton counters with a straight right hand.

Hamilton closes the distance and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hamilton stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Lesner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hamilton has Lesner pressed against the cage, preventing Lesner from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Hamilton breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lesner moves out of range of the body kick.
Lesner slaps away a takedown attempt from Hamilton, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Lesner. Those never looked like landing.
Hamilton throws a leg kick but Lesner checks it.
Lesner throws a lazy right hand but Hamilton sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lesner's corner calls for a 1-2. Lesner obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Hamilton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lesner swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Hamilton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hamilton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lesner sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hamilton somewhat.
Lesner cracks Hamilton with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

It looks like Anthony Hamilton has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamilton wants to clinch up but Lesner keeps it at a distance.
Liam Lesner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hamilton fails with a takedown attempt.
Hamilton is breathing heavily.
Lesner gets in close and tags Hamilton with a short punch that almost sends Hamilton to the mat! Oh Hamilton is in big trouble! He turns his back on Lesner, trying to create some distance but Lesner rushes him, striking wildly and Hamilton goes down! The referee tackles Lesner into the cage to end the fight! Lesner is one violent man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:17 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Liam Lesner!
Liam Lesner is the new light heavyweight champion!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Simba MPumbu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Vinici (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

MPumbu
vs
Vinici

193 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

197 cm
21
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Simba MPumbu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kevin Vinici!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

MPumbu shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Vinici is trying to defend but MPumbu finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Vinici can do anything to dispel that myth.
MPumbu throwing shots but Vinici is blocking nicely.
Vinici moves into full guard.
Vinici looking to hit a scissor sweep but MPumbu is one step ahead there.
MPumbu looking to pass the guard.
Vinici has a closed guard, preventing MPumbu from standing up.
Vinici controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MPumbu has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vinici is proving hard to escape from.
Vinici has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but MPumbu has passed into side control.
Vinici is trying to control MPumbu's posture but MPumbu avoids it.
MPumbu in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Vinici is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on MPumbu's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Vinici looks like he's trying to stand up.
Vinici gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Vinici is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vinici is on top in guard.
MPumbu trying to keep a closed guard but Vinici is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vinici not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Vinici clinches up with MPumbu and pushes him back against the cage.
Vinici using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
MPumbu is breathing heavily.
MPumbu tries a knee to the head but Vinici blocks it.
Vinici has MPumbu pressed against the cage, preventing MPumbu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Vinici lands a takedown into guard.
MPumbu wants to control but Vinici passes easily into half guard.
MPumbu is trying to control but can't.
Vinici not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MPumbu trying to get back to full guard but Vinici takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
MPumbu tries to lock up and control but Vinici gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
MPumbu is wriggling around trying to escape.
Vinici looking to control and managing it successfully.
Vinici looking to finish MPumbu with some ground and pound. This is bad for MPumbu!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Vinici dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vinici swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vinici walks into a straight right hand from MPumbu.
Vinici punishes MPumbu's body with a nice straight punch.

Vinici moves into the clinch successfully.
Vinici lands a hook that snaps the head of MPumbu backwards.
Vinici is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Vinici stops a takedown attempt from MPumbu.
Vinici gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from MPumbu.

Vinici breaks the clinch.
MPumbu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vinici.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick misses from Vinici.
Vinici fails with the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from MPumbu as Vinici shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MPumbu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vinici sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten MPumbu somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simba MPumbu. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vinici pushes MPumbu up against the cage in a clinch.

Vinici breaks the clinch.

Vinici clinches with his opponent.
MPumbu changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Vinici fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Vinici throws a series of punches but MPumbu avoids them all with ease.

Vinici shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches MPumbu napping and manages to drive through into side control!
MPumbu is looking to reverse the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vinici decides to take the fight back to the feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from MPumbu enables Vinici to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. MPumbu manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Vinici controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
MPumbu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vinici on the ground.
MPumbu looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Vinici puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Vinici passes to side control.
Vinici working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vinici advances to mount.
Vinici takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
MPumbu takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Vinici looking to control and managing it successfully.
Vinici dominating with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MPumbu working to try and regain half guard.
Vinici content just to control the position here.

Vinici stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Vinici scores with a takedown into MPumbu's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vinici won't allow MPumbu to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin Vinici showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Vinici throws a head kick but MPumbu moves out of range.
MPumbu moves in looking to clinch but Vinici pushes him off.
MPumbu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vinici paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Vinici shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Vinici was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Vinici unloading with bombs!
MPumbu is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Vinici trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vinici scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vinici cracks MPumbu with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
MPumbu is trying desperately to improve position.
Vinici controlling the pace for now.
Vinici pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Vinici wants to control the pace but MPumbu is squirming around nicely.
Vinici landing punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vinici looking for a guillotine from mount but MPumbu is having none of it.
Vinici trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Vinici content just to control the position here.
MPumbu is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kevin Vinici has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vinici with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vinici lands a nice shot to the head.
Vinici looking to finish MPumbu with some ground and pound. This is bad for MPumbu!
Vinici sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Vinici is going oldschool here, as he tries to force MPumbu to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so MPumbu shrugs it off.
Vinici pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Vinici looking to control but MPumbu is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vinici is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. MPumbu can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Vinici looking to control but MPumbu is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
MPumbu holds of for dear life.
MPumbu is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin Vinici comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vinici has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kevin Vinici!
Kevin Vinici is the new heavyweight champion!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
50%

Main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Djimon Mahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronaldo Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mahama
vs
Silva

170 cm
24
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Djimon Mahama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ronaldo Silva!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahama darts in trying to clinch
and Silva cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Silva closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Mahama quickly recovers to half guard.
Silva scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Mahama actively working from the bottom here.

Mahama looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Silva wants to free his trapped foot but Mahama is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Silva throws a strike but Mahama avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Silva postures up and lands a big shot to Mahama's brow.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Mahama is keeping the position.

Mahama manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahama closes the distance looking to clinch

so Silva counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Mahama is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Silva is looking to advance position but Mahama has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Silva really wants to buck Mahama off and get back to his feet.
Silva tries to buck Mahama off but Mahama takes his back!
Silva is trying to get back to his feet but Mahama has full control of the position and if anything, Silva has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Silva looks gassed!
Mahama is looking to control Silva but Silva is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Mahama is persistently looking for the submission but Silva is defending it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silva is trying to stand back up.
Silva prevents Mahama from getting a body triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva trying to get back to his feet but Mahama is in full control for now.
Silva has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Mahama.
Silva looking very determined here, making life difficult for Mahama.
Silva holding both Mahama 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Mahama's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mahama misses with punches from the back.
Silva controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Djimon Mahama dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mahama lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Silva backs up against the cage.
Silva takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Mahama is looking to clinch but Silva is avoiding it.
Mahama fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Silva steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Mahama. That one must have hurt.
Silva shoots in but no luck this time.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt - Mahama sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Silva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mahama doesn't manage to clinch there - Silva circles away.
Mahama lands with a cross.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mahama darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Silva looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Mahama!
Silva unloading with bombs!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahama is bucking up trying to escape but Silva cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Djimon Mahama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mahama gets back to half guard.
Silva prevents Mahama from standing back up.
Mahama blocking the ground and pound attempt from Silva.
Mahama manages to get to full guard.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Silva won't allow Mahama to get back to his feet.
Mahama has momentary wrist control but Silva slips an elbow through the middle.

Mahama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Mahama had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Silva defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mahama has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Silva has managed to get both his arms back between Mahama's legs - danger averted.
Silva connects with a couple of short punches.
Mahama is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Silva landing some decent shots from guard.

Mahama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Silva gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva scoring with some ground and pound.
Silva cracks Mahama with a solid left hand.

Mahama working for a triangle but Silva defends it easily.

Mahama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Silva distracts Mahama with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Silva throws and elbow that misses. Mahama uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Silva's guard. Nice move by Mahama!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mahama off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Silva gets a takedown into half guard.
Mahama wants to control but Silva is keeping busy.
Silva working over Mahama with some ground and pound. Mahama looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva wants to free his trapped foot but Mahama is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mahama makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mahama.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Djimon Mahama 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.

Mahama stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mahama wants it to stay on the feet.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Mahama - that will leave a mark!

Silva moves into the clinch.
Silva has Mahama pressed against the cage, preventing Mahama from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Silva tries to score a body lock takedown but Mahama shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Silva as Mahama tries to tie him up.
Mahama is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Mahama pulls guard effortlessly.

Silva stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Mahama throws up his legs and catches Silva in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Silva tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Mahama! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Djimon Mahama!
Djimon Mahama is the new lightweight champion!