PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leonid Valentinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonardo Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Valentinov
vs
Silva

186 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
179 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 Rio de Janeiro, Leonid Valentinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leonardo Silva!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valentinov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Valentinov wants it to stay on the feet.
Silva has his takedown stuffed
and Silva takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Valentinov circles away.
Valentinov throws a series of strikes that have Silva backpedaling.
Valentinov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Silva backs up against the cage.
Valentinov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Silva misses the shot to the body.
Valentinov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Silva shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Valentinov defends it nicely.
Leonid Valentinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leonardo Silva.
Silva fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Silva throws a right and a left that Valentinov avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Valentinov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Silva gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Valentinov.
Silva gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Valentinov.
Silva on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Valentinov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Silva on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Silva takes one to the chin there.
Valentinov scores with the left hand. Silva knows he should have avoided that one.
Valentinov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Valentinov works over Silva's head and body with a nice combination.
Danga de danga de dang - Valentinov scores with a four punch combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Silva is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Valentinov.
Valentinov is working the combinations to good effect here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Valentinov shows good takedown defense.
Valentinov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Danga de danga de dang - Valentinov scores with a four punch combination!
Leonid Valentinov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silva throws a good cross that connects.
Silva looks gassed!
A right-left combo lands from Valentinov.
Valentinov throws a series of strikes that have Silva backpedaling.
Silva wants to clinch up but Valentinov keeps it at a distance.
Valentinov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Silva walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A left and a right from Valentinov both land. Nice combination.
Valentinov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Valentinov lands a jab to the nose.
Valentinov checks a low kick from Silva.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentinov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Valentinov misses with a two punch combination.
Valentinov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Silva slips a jab and a cross from Valentinov.
Silva throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Valentinov counters with a left and a right that stings Silva.
Silva has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Silva there as he acknowledges the shot.
Silva has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Silva misses with a wild body shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Valentinov as he connects with a hook.
Valentinov jabs Silva right on the nose. Silva blinks but takes it well.
Valentinov misses with a series of wild punches.
Silva shoots in looking for a takedown. Valentinov tries to sprawl out of it but Silva keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Valentinov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Valentinov.
Valentinov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Silva backs up against the cage.
A nice combination there by Valentinov.
Silva is trying desperately to land a takedown but Valentinov is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Silva.
Silva looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Valentinov throws a series of strikes that have Silva backpedaling.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Valentinov.
Valentinov throws a one two combo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valentinov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Valentinov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Silva takes a jab right on the kisser.
Valentinov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Silva momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leonid Valentinov dominated that 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.

Valentinov clobbers Silva with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Silva misses with the combination.
Valentinov connects with a nice looking jab.
Valentinov cracks Silva with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Silva looks to land a right hand but Valentinov moved out of range.
Silva takes one to the side of the head.
Valentinov with a nice cross.
Valentinov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Silva might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Valentinov has got the better of the exchanges.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Valentinov as he avoids it easily.
Valentinov lands with a straight right. Silva didn't see that one coming.
Leonid Valentinov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Valentinov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Valentinov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Silva's hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Valentinov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Valentinov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Valentinov misses with a double jab.
Sloppy strikes from Silva. Those never looked like landing.
Silva fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Valentinov avoids it really well and circles away.
Leonid Valentinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leonardo Silva.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Silva tries for a takedown but Valentinov circles away easily
and Valentinov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Silva showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Valentinov.
Silva tries to clinch but Valentinov moves away
and Valentinov counters with a straight right hand.
Valentinov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.
A jab from Valentinov does it's job there.
Silva takes a jab right on the kisser.
Silva throws a poor cross that misses
and Valentinov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Valentinov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Valentinov.
Valentinov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Silva in his tracks.
Valentinov misses with the combination.
Silva shoots and misses
and Valentinov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jab from Valentinov.
Leonid Valentinov is winning the standup battle so far.
Valentinov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Silva eats them both and turns towards Valentinov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Valentinov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Valentinov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Valentinov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Valentinov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Silva back to the cage. Valentinov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Valentinov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Silva under the eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentinov lands a jab.
Valentinov stalks Silva and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Silva's face. Silva staggers backwards, shaken.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Valentinov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Silva tries to clinch
and Valentinov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Valentinov lands with a hook. Silva tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Silva shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Valentinov counters with a nice uppercut.
Valentinov cracks Silva with an open hand slap.
Valentinov scores with the left hand. Silva knows he should have avoided that one.
Valentinov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Silva changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Valentinov tries to avoid it but Silva manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Valentinov to the ground. Valentinov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentinov catches Silva with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Valentinov scores with a jab to the head.
Valentinov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Valentinov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Silva can do to turn this around?
Valentinov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Silva has time to react.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentinov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Valentinov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Valentinov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Silva closes the distance and clinches up with Valentinov, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes Valentinov against the cage but Valentinov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Valentinov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valentinov with a jab.
Valentinov throws a series of punches but Silva avoids them all with ease.
Valentinov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leonid Valentinov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Valentinov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Silva under the eye.
Silva throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sloppy strikes from Valentinov. Those never looked like landing.
Valentinov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Silva's hands.
Silva swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Valentinov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Silva on the side of the head.
Valentinov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Valentinov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Valentinov lands an overhand right.
Silva pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Silva takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Silva tries to clinch up
and Valentinov counters with a one-two to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva throws a leg kick
and Valentinov counters with a three punch combo that has Silva backing up. Silva nods at Valentinov to acknowledge the strikes.
Silva is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Valentinov.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch but Valentinov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Valentinov misses with a double jab.
Valentinov scores with a jab to the head.
Valentinov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Valentinov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Silva fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Silva takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Valentinov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Valentinov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Some wild striking there from Valentinov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valentinov misses with a wild combination.
Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Silva fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Valentinov avoids it really well and circles away.
Valentinov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Silva is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
Sloppy strikes from Valentinov. Those never looked like landing.
Valentinov lands with an uppercut that bounces Silva off the cage and back into range.
Silva drops his hands momentarily and Valentinov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valentinov scores with a one two! Silva had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Valentinov lands an overhand right.
Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Valentinov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Leonid Valentinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leonardo Silva.
Silva tries to bum rush Valentinov with a series of wild strikes but Valentinov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Valentinov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Silva. Silva circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Silva takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Valentinov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Valentinov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Silva moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Silva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Valentinov's waist but Valentinov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Silva off to one side.
Silva ducks right into an uppercut from Valentinov.
Valentinov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valentinov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Silva backs up against the cage.
Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Valentinov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Valentinov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valentinov works over Silva's head and body with a nice combination.
Valentinov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Silva walks into a straight right hand from Valentinov.
Valentinov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Valentinov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valentinov scores with a one two! Silva had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Valentinov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Leonardo Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leonid Valentinov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Valentinov lands with a nice combination. Silva backs away looking to recover.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leonid Valentinov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Valentinov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight for Leonid Valentinov!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Leonid Valentinov!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Leonid Valentinov!

Leonid Valentinov wins by unanimous decision!