PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cameron Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xuribiba Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cameron Stevenson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Stevenson
vs
Silva

185 cm
22
245 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

205 cm
22
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cameron Stevenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Xuribiba Silva!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Russell Pearce and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva is looking to clinch but Stevenson is avoiding it.
Silva fails to land with a series of punches.
Silva throws a right and a left that both miss.
Silva misses with the combination.
Silva throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevenson.
Some wild striking there from Silva.
Some wild striking there from Silva.
Silva looks to land a combination but Stevenson avoids it well.
Stevenson dodges the punch combination from Silva.
Stevenson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Silva is fending him off so far but Stevenson persists. Nope, Silva circles away and we're back to standing.
Stevenson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Stevenson moves out of range as Silva strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stevenson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Silva is defending against the submission attempts here by Stevenson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Stevenson is working for a submission of some sort.

Stevenson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Silva sees it coming and defends easily.
Stevenson is breathing heavily.
Stevenson wants to advance to full mount but Silva doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Silva really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stevenson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Silva is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Stevenson stands and throws Silva's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Stevenson prevents Silva from escaping the position.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Silva has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson tries for a kimura but Silva is defending well.

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

Stevenson is trying to get an arm triangle but Silva is defending well.
Silva is pushing Stevenson's head away, looking to escape. Stevenson manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Silva is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Stevenson trying to control the action but Silva is working from the bottom.
Stevenson misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Silva tries to escape but Stevenson is in control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Silva throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Silva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stevenson shoots for a double leg takedown but Silva sprawls well. He's pushed Stevenson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stevenson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Silva is trying to buck Stevenson off.

Stevenson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Silva wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

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

Stevenson is trying to get an arm triangle but Silva is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Silva thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cameron Stevenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab from Silva finds it's way through Stevenson's defenses.

Silva gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stevenson tries for a takedown but Silva manages to get underhooks.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Silva just stands there and leans against the cage.
Silva pushes off an throws an elbow but Stevenson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Silva makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Silva uses from the top position.

Stevenson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Silva is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Stevenson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Silva's back instead.

Silva is trying to shake Stevenson off. He's managed it and has hopped back to his feet! Stevenson won't be happy about giving up the dominant position.
Silva tries to bum rush Stevenson with a series of wild strikes but Stevenson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stevenson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Silva.

Stevenson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Silva sprawls well initially but Stevenson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Stevenson seems to be looking for submissions.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Silva defends it well.

Stevenson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Silva doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stevenson.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Stevenson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Silva doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Stevenson.
Silva is trying to stand.

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.
Stevenson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stevenson is looking to stall here but Silva recovers full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva is looking to stand up but Stevenson isn't so interested in that idea.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Silva displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stevenson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cameron Stevenson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stevenson shoots for a takedown but Silva saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stevenson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Silva throws a hook but Stevenson avoids it easily.
Silva misses with a series of wild punches.
Silva scores with a punch to the head.
Stevenson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Silva pinned against the cage. Silva gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Silva misses with a few strikes there.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Silva as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cameron Stevenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Silva clinches up with Stevenson and pushes him back against the cage.
Stevenson takes a shot to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva cracks Stevenson with a nice body shot.
Silva creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Silva working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson is trying to drag Silva to the mat but Silva just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stevenson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Silva smiles and moves away.
Silva leaves Stevenson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Stevenson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Silva.

Silva darts in and clinches Stevenson up against the cage.
Silva slowing the pace effectively.
Stevenson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but Silva won't allow it.
Silva lands a body punch in the clinch.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but Silva won't allow it.
Silva stalling.
Stevenson jumps guard but Silva stands there with Stevenson around his waist. Stevenson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Stevenson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Silva prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Silva misses with a hook from the clinch.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Stevenson is blocking nicely.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Silva just misses with a elbow thrown towards Stevenson's brow.
Silva trying to control the position but instead, Stevenson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Silva into the cage.
Stevenson has Silva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Silva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Silva taking a breather.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but Silva won't allow it.
Silva lands a right hand.
Silva swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Silva prevents the takedown attempt.
Stevenson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Silva prevents it.
Silva content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Stevenson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Silva walks away with a smile on his face. Stevenson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Xuribiba Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silva looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Silva misses the shot to the body.
Stevenson fails with the takedown.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Silva throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stevenson dives in and grabs Silva's left leg, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes down on Stevenson's head and hops out.
Silva tries to clinch but Stevenson moves out of range.
Silva lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stevenson circles away quickly and effectively.
Stevenson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stevenson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Silva avoids it really well and circles away.
Silva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Silva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stevenson shoots in but no luck this time.
Silva misses with a series of wild punches.
Stevenson walks into a straight right hand from Silva.
Xuribiba Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silva looks to land a combination but Stevenson avoids it well.
Stevenson has a takedown stuffed.
Stevenson shoots in for a double leg but Silva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Silva wants to clinch.
Stevenson dives in and grabs Silva's left leg, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes down on Stevenson's head and hops out.
Stevenson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stevenson is defended easily by Silva.
Cameron Stevenson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Silva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xuribiba Silva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stevenson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cameron Stevenson!