PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Zaginho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anderson Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Zaginho
vs
Silva

183 cm
22
188 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roberto Zaginho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anderson Silva!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Silva goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Zaginho circles away from the clinch attempt.
Zaginho will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zaginho shoots in but Silva avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Silva throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zaginho avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Silva gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Silva breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Silva shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Silva showed some decent athleticism there.

Zaginho looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Silva seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zaginho looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Silva wants to stand up but Zaginho has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Zaginho looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
It looks like Silva is going to stand back up.

Zaginho looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Zaginho is breathing heavily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Silva drives through and clinches with Zaginho against the cage.

That's two 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 is pressed up against the cage. Zaginho 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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Zaginho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zaginho paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Zaginho feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Silva looking to control.
Zaginho stops Silva from standing up.

Silva working for a triangle but Zaginho defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Zaginho thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zaginho is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Silva is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Silva has escaped and now he's on top!
Silva trying to stand up but can't free himself from Zaginho's guard.

Zaginho is working an open guard so Silva takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Zaginho shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Silva counters with a slapping leg kick.
Silva tries to clinch but Zaginho is having none of it.
Zaginho shoots for a double leg takedown but Silva sprawls well. He's pushed Zaginho's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Silva lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zaginho's sensitive parts.

Silva clinches up with Zaginho and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaginho blocks the elbow strike.
Silva is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Zaginho is keeping busy.
Zaginho drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Silva gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Silva creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Zaginho's defenses.
Silva is trying to drag Zaginho to the mat but Zaginho just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Zaginho wants a takedown.
Silva stalling the fight.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Silva dominated 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.

Zaginho fails with the takedown.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zaginho swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zaginho swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.
Zaginho keeps the fight on the outside.
Silva closes the distance and clinches up with Zaginho, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes Zaginho against the cage but Zaginho circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Silva moves into the clinch.
Zaginho keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Silva's efforts to push away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaginho wants a takedown but no success here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zaginho dodges an elbow strike from Silva.
Silva is pushing Zaginho up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Silva is trying to drag Zaginho to the mat but Zaginho just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zaginho.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Zaginho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zaginho tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zaginho is working for takedown but Silva is calmly controlling the position for now.

Silva's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zaginho fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two 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 has Zaginho up against the cage in a clinch.
Zaginho gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Silva.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Zaginho is blocking nicely.
Zaginho blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Zaginho blocks with his arms.
Silva looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Silva is trying to drag Zaginho to the mat but Zaginho just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Zaginho wants a takedown.
Silva trying to control the position but instead, Zaginho has worked for underhooks and has pushed Silva into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Zaginho lands a takedown into guard.

Zaginho drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Silva dives on top into guard.

Zaginho has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Silva is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Zaginho.
Zaginho tries to improve position but can't.

Silva is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zaginho is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaginho manages to get back to half guard.

Zaginho looking for submissions off his back.

Zaginho looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Silva missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Silva wants to stand up but Zaginho is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Zaginho is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Silva pulls his head out easily.
Zaginho tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Silva has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anderson Silva will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zaginho swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zaginho closes this distance looking for a takedown but Silva circles away.
Zaginho shoots for a double leg takedown but Silva sprawls well. He's pushed Zaginho's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Silva misses with a series of wild punches.
Zaginho takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Silva closes the distance and pushes Zaginho back into the cage.

Silva breaks from the clinch.
Silva shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Zaginho decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Silva's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zaginho keeps working.

Silva stands up and beckons Zaginho to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zaginho fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Silva avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Zaginho. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Silva clinches up with Zaginho and pushes him back against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Silva - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaginho drops back looking for a leg! Silva is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Silva manages to kick Zaginho off! Zaginho jumps back into Silva's guard.
Zaginho wants to pass the guard but Silva is keeping the position.

Silva stands up and beckons Zaginho to his feet.
Zaginho fails with the takedown

and Silva holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaginho gets underhooks to prevent Silva's takedown attempt.
Zaginho on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zaginho has him pressed against the cage.
Zaginho prevents Silva from breaking the clinch.
Zaginho can't get the takedown.
Silva lands with a right to the head.

Silva breaks the clinch.

Zaginho drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zaginho passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Silva!

Zaginho is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Silva has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Silva!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaginho 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.

Zaginho is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Silva defends well.
Silva tries to stand but Zaginho is controlling from the bottom.

Zaginho throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Zaginho 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.

Silva stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Silva wants it to stay on the feet.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zaginho swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Roberto Zaginho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva scores with a nice strike.
A solid body kick from Silva.

Silva clinches.

Silva breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Silva scores with a jab to the jaw.
Zaginho swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Silva putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Zaginho in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silva tries for a takedown but Zaginho manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zaginho gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Silva manages to break the clinch.
Zaginho circles away from the clinch attempt.

Silva closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Silva looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Zaginho is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Silva gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Silva crunches a lovely knee into Zaginho's ribcage.
Silva looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Silva drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Zaginho gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Roberto Zaginho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anderson Silva.
Silva has Zaginho pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zaginho manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Silva stalling the fight.

That's two 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.
Zaginho is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Silva pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Silva dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Zaginho is trying to trip Silva. He has hold of a leg but Silva is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Zaginho persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Zaginho has gone for a leg lock! Silva slips out almost immediately though and dives into Zaginho's guard.

Zaginho is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Silva defends well.
Silva seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Zaginho is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Silva is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zaginho has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Silva has managed to get both his arms back between Zaginho's legs - danger averted.
Silva wants to stand but Zaginho has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Silva wants to control from the top but Zaginho keeps moving.

Silva drops back looking for a leg! Zaginho is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zaginho manages to kick Silva off! Silva jumps back into Zaginho's guard.
Roberto Zaginho overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Zaginho working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Silva doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Silva manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Silva pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zaginho is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaginho is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zaginho is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Silva gets to his feet - Zaginho follows without any prompting.

Silva gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zaginho has Silva pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Zaginho pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Silva tumbling to the mat - Zaginho dives into Silva's guard.

Zaginho drops back, looking for a kneebar! Silva looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Silva looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Silva!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Zaginho had his way with Anderson Silva in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Silva rushes Zaginho and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Zaginho tries for a takedown but Silva manages to get underhooks.

Silva escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Silva darts in and clinches Zaginho up against the cage.
Silva has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Silva is stalling here.
Silva comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaginho wants a takedown.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Zaginho 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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Zaginho. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Silva gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva advances to half guard.
Silva passes the guard and advances to mount!
Zaginho is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Zaginho is squirming around, avoiding Silva's attempts to control the action.
Zaginho working to try and regain half guard.

That's two 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 manages to capitalize on a mistake by Zaginho to take his back!
Zaginho is keeping busy.
Zaginho rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Silva sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zaginho defending well though.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Zaginho tries for a takedown but Silva circles away easily

and Silva moves into the clinch.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zaginho blocks it with crossed arms.
Silva is working for takedown but Zaginho is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zaginho blocks it with crossed arms.

Zaginho has picked Silva up - he's going for a ride! Zaginho dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Zaginho seems to be working for a kimura but Silva defends the submission attempt.

Zaginho has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Silva defend it? Zaginho steps over the head and cranks it - Silva is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Zaginho!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Roberto Zaginho!