PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gay Al (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva comes to the cage accompanied by Goldberg Theme. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Silva
vs
Al

201 cm
24
300 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

182 cm
25
211 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Determined

FNF Energy - (Sale!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lyoto Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gay Al!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Matheus Silva and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Silva is fending him off so far but Al persists. Nope, Silva circles away and we're back to standing.
Silva fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Al shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense.
Al fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Silva avoids it really well and circles away.
Lyoto Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gay Al.
Silva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A slow jab from Silva misses its intended target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Al is defended easily by Silva.
Silva connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Al's hands.
Al fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Silva shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Al pinned against the cage. Al gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Silva defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva closes the distance and clinches.
Silva is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Silva is looking to break free of the clinch but Al has double underhooks.
Silva wants to get back to striking at distance but Al won't allow it.

Silva breaks the clinch.
Al tries to close the distance and clinch but Silva swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Al with a lazy takedown attempt
and Silva counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al fails with a takedown attempt.
Al shoots in and drives through. Silva sprawls well.
Al misses with a takedown attempt
and Silva counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Silva misses with a wild combination.
A combination from Silva does no damage.
Silva misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Al misses with a takedown

and Silva counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al is looking to regain half guard here but Silva keeps moving and retains side control.
Silva will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
You can see the frustration on Al's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Al tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Al looks gassed!
Silva wants to control but Al is keeping him busy.
Al is trying to improve his position.
Al gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Al slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva stands up out of the half guard.
Silva fails with the takedown

and Al counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Al.
Al prevents Silva from getting back to his feet.
Silva 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.
Al loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Silva manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Al manages to get himself to full guard.

Al 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.
Al is looking to stand up but Silva isn't so interested in that idea.

Al had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Silva defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Al is working an open guard so Silva takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Al is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Silva is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Silva smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Silva swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Al counters by moving into the clinch.
Silva is trying to break the clinch but Al is controlling him.

Silva escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Al stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Al wants it to stay on the feet.
Al misses with the combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Al doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Silva counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al with a lazy takedown attempt
and Silva counters with a one-two to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Silva dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Silva lands a jab to Al's midsection.
Al with a lazy takedown attempt
and Silva counters with a stiff right hand.
Al doesn't manage to clinch there - Silva circles away.
Al fails with the takedown

and Silva holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Al tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lyoto Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gay Al.

Silva jumps guard.
Silva is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Al is controlling him.
Silva trying to control the position here.

Silva kicks Al off and gets to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva misses the shot to the body.
Silva throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Al misses with a takedown attempt

and Silva counters by moving into the clinch.

Silva manages to break the clinch.
Silva tries to clinch but Al moves out of range.
Al walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Silva defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Al.
Silva stuffs the takedown attempt from Al. Al gets slowly back to his feet.
Al blocks a jab.
Silva is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Al.
Silva misses with a combination

and Al counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Al is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Silva is looking to improve his position but Al isn't that keen on the idea.
A nice elbow there by Al.
Al lands a heavy elbow.
Al looking to control but Silva is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Al goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Silva turns into him and now he's in Al's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Al keeping full guard, as Silva tries to pass.
Silva pushes down on Al's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Al is looking for a sweep. Silva is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Silva wants to pass to mount but Al is defending the position.
Al wants to get back to full guard.
Silva misses with a head shot. Al uses the momentum to regain guard.

Al has his foot on Silva's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Silva works his way back into a safe position though.

Silva 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.
Al wants to sweep but no luck.

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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Silva lands with a right hand.
Al ducks under a wild hook from Silva.
Silva throws a nice looking combination but Al bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Silva swings for the body but Al moves out of range.
Al shoots in for a double leg but Silva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Al closes this distance looking for a takedown but Silva circles away.
Silva throws a right hand that Al ducks under and follows up with a left that Al also avoids with ease.
Silva lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Al needs to keep his hands up - Silva had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva misses with a combination

and Al counters with a nice double leg into side control. Silva won't be happy with that.
Silva is trying to control Al's posture but Al avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Silva dominated that second round.
That's time! Silva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Al has his takedown stuffed
and Silva counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lyoto Silva is winning the standup battle so far.
Al misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Al slips under a jab from Silva.
Al uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Silva.
Silva is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Al fails with the takedown
and Silva counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lyoto Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gay Al.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Al sprawls well. Al wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Silva gets slowly back to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Al shoots in for a double leg but Silva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Al doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Al takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Silva throws a right and a left that both miss.
Danga de danga de dang - Silva scores with a four punch combination!
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Al paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Al doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Silva connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jab, jab by Silva - just one landing.
Silva misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Al decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Al trying to control from half guard but Silva is working away.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Silva controlling the position well.
Silva's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Al missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Silva gets full guard.
Silva looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Al from controlling successfully.
Al preventing the sweep.
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.
Silva preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Silva wants to stand but Al is controlling the position.

Al 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Silva misses with a few strikes there.
Al shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Silva counters with a two punch combo.
Al shoots in and drives through. Silva sprawls well.
Al looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Silva is fending him off so far but Al persists. Nope, Silva circles away and we're back to standing.
Gay Al seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva throws a jab when Al was well out of range.

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 lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Silva thows a body shot but no joy.
Horrible takedown by Al or perhaps it was just good defense by Silva which made him look bad.
Silva with a jab.
Al takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Al shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Silva holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Silva lands with a right to the head.
Silva is pressed up against the cage. Al 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.
Al dodges the punch combination from Silva.
Silva looks to score with a jab to the body but Al is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Silva clearly takes that round.
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.

Al shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Al was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Silva is in a horrible position here. Al smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Al landing strikes from the mount and Silva is in trouble!
Silva is wriggling around trying to escape.
Silva wants to hold on but Al pushes him away.
Silva tries to reverse the position but Al maintains control.
A nice elbow there by Al.
Silva tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Al tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Silva is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Al lands a big elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries to hold on but Al postures up.
Al putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Al looking to control but Silva is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Al tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Al is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Silva can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Al is working for a guillotine from mount but Silva frees his head quite easily.
Silva is in all sorts of trouble here.
Silva wants to hold on but Al pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Silva really wants to buck Al off and get back to his feet.
Silva is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Al wants to control the pace but Silva is squirming around nicely.
Gay Al has got the better of the ground game so far.
Silva wants to get back to his feet.
Al with shots to the head and body - Silva looks very uncomfortable down there.
Al lands a heavy elbow.
Silva can't escape the position.
Al punishing his opponent with strikes.
Al manages to capitalize on a mistake by Silva to take his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al lands a shot to the body.
Al controls the position.
Silva tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Al can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Silva is looking to escape.
Silva really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Al working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Al is working for a guillotine from mount but Silva frees his head quite easily.

Al looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva regains half guard.
Al has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Silva is trying to stand back up but Al is controlling him
Al sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Silva defending well though.
Al throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Al is looking for a kimura here.

Al 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 Al.
Silva is pressing down on Al's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gay Al dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Silva throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Al counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Al trying to control the action but Silva is working from the bottom.
Al stops Silva from getting back to his feet.

Al is working for a submission of some sort.

Al looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Al working over Silva with some ground and pound. Silva looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Al is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al is thwarting Silva's attempts to control the position.
Al is keen to just control but Silva is a slippery customer.
Silva controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Silva throws and low kick but Al moves out of range easily.

Silva feints and as Al raises his hands in defense, Silva changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Al not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Al keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
Silva connects with a couple of short punches.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Al 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Silva throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Silva missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Al is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Silva is looking to stand up but Al won't let him.

Silva decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Nice shot lands for Silva.
Al shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Al fails with the takedown

and Silva counters with a shoot takedown. Al fights it but they end up in guard.
Silva has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Silva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al 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.
Al trying to control the position.
Silva wants to get up but he can't break Al's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Silva connects with a couple of short punches.
Lyoto Silva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Al is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Al 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.
Silva controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Silva stands up and waves to Al to follow him.
Al with a poor takedown
and Silva counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lyoto Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gay Al.
Silva throws a right and a left that both miss.
Al fails with the takedown
letting Silva counter with a right hand.

Silva moves into the clinch successfully.
Silva wants to break free but Al has control.
Gay Al has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Al throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyoto Silva showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Silva 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 49:46
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 49:46
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyoto Silva!