PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Da Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Durham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Da Silva comes to the cage accompanied by Drowning Pool - Bodies (Let The Bodies Hit The Floor) . Durham has chosen F**kin Problems as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Da Silva
vs
Durham

188 cm
28
203 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

170 cm
33
160 lbs
24 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Alpha Male

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Anderson Da Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Durham!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Colin Fotheringham and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Durham will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Durham swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Da Silva counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Durham pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Durham misses with a double jab.
A shot to the liver by Durham. Beautiful body shot.
Durham with a hook.
The fighters circling - Durham throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Durham misses with a two punch combination.
Durham misses with a double jab.
Durham is looking to clinch.
Durham changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Durham misses with a looping right.
Durham misses with a two punch combination.
Durham waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Da Silva.
Durham throws a right hand that misses

so Da Silva counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Durham trying to keep a closed guard but Da Silva is proving a slippery customer.

Durham pushes Da Silva off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durham throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Da Silva counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Da Silva 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.
Durham wants to get back to his feet.
Durham is looking to improve his position.
Da Silva wants to take a breather but Durham is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Durham tries to get to full guard but Da Silva has control of the leg.
Durham looks like he's trying to stand up.

Da Silva is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Durham is just riding it out for now. Da Silva eventually gives up the hold.
Da Silva is thwarting Durham's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durham is looking to improve his position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Da Silva trying to control the action but Durham is working from the bottom.
Da Silva will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Durham is trying to maintain the position but Da Silva is very close to passing his half guard.

Da Silva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Da Silva is working for a kimura but Durham is defending it quite comfortably.
Da Silva is keen to just control but Durham is a slippery customer.

Da Silva seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Da Silva is trying to work for a kimura but Durham is defending well.
Da Silva is keen to just control but Durham is a slippery customer.

Da Silva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Durham gets full guard.
Durham wants to get back to his feet but Da Silva is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Da Silva postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Da Silva wants to control from the top but Durham keeps moving.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Da Silva drops back, looking for a kneebar! Durham looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Durham looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Durham!
Sloppy strikes there by Durham.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Durham seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Da Silva sneaks back into half guard.
Da Silva wants to get back to his feet.
Da Silva is looking for a sweep. Durham is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Durham working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Da Silva is refusing to be controlled, as Durham sits in half guard.
Durham lands with a punch from half guard.
Da Silva is pressing down on Durham's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Durham cracks Da Silva with a solid left hand.
Da Silva is trying to control the position but Durham postures up.
Durham preventing the sweep.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Durham won't allow Da Silva to get back to his feet.
Durham keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Da Silva's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Durham accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Durham trying to control but Da Silva is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Anderson Da Silva will probably get the nod.
That's time! Da Silva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Da Silva looking to score a takedown here. Durham is defending well but Da Silva drives through and ends up in Durham's guard.
Durham has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Soul Supremacy - UK. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Durham not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Durham keeping moving, preventing Da Silva from controlling successfully.
Da Silva wants to pass the guard but Durham is keeping the position.
Da Silva trying to control but Durham is working from the bottom.
Da Silva won't allow Durham to sweep him here.
Durham controls Da Silva momentarily but Da Silva frees himself.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Durham will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A big right from Durham misses.
Durham connects with a crisp jab.
Durham cracks Da Silva with a good jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durham throws a hook but Da Silva blocks it.
Da Silva takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Durham throws a jab but it's blocked by Da Silva.
Durham thows a left - swing and a miss!
Durham swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Durham throws a right and a left that Da Silva avoids nicely.
Durham throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Da Silva walks into a stiff left hand from Durham.
Durham takes a swing at Da Silva's ribcage but misses.
Durham just misses with a punch to the body.
Durham swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Durham waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Da Silva.
A decent looking cross lands there for Durham.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durham misses with a wild body shot.
Durham throws an overhand right that lands on Da Silva's shoulder, as Da Silva tries to avoid the shot.
A punch combination from Durham misses.
Da Silva on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Durham ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Da Silva moves away.
Da Silva uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Durham.
Durham lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Durham misses with a hook

and Da Silva counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Da Silva.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Da Silva won't allow Durham to get back to his feet.
Durham is breathing heavily.
Da Silva passes Durham's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Durham is looking to improve his position.

Da Silva is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Durham doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Da Silva.
Da Silva trying to pass the guard but Durham defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durham wants to get back to his feet.
Da Silva uses his free foot to push down on Durham's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Durham.

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

Da Silva working for a submission but Durham is keeping him at bay.
Durham is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Durham is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Durham is desperately trying to improve his position but Da Silva has a good base and remains in mount.

Da Silva is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Durham can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Durham is desperately trying to improve his position but Da Silva has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Durham working to try and regain half guard.
Da Silva wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Da Silva can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Durham is looking to escape.
Durham has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Da Silva patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Da Silva tries to keep control of the position but Durham is staying busy.

Durham showing good submission defense here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Da Silva 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!

Sloppy strikes from Durham. Those never looked like landing.
Durham tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Da Silva was well out of range. Poor timing from Durham.
Da Silva dives in and grabs Durham's left leg, looking for a takedown. Durham pushes down on Da Silva's head and hops out.
Durham throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Durham fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Durham comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Da Silva keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Durham.
Durham ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Da Silva walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Durham misses with a double jab.
Durham wants to clinch up but Da Silva keeps it at a distance.
Da Silva steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Durham.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durham swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Da Silva counters by moving into the clinch.
Da Silva is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Durham gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Durham breaks from the clinch.
Durham will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A combination from Durham does no damage.
Mike Durham seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Durham takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Durham getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Durham throws a lazy uppercut

and Da Silva counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Durham is looking for a triangle but Da Silva pushes his legs off easily.
Da Silva lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Da 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.
Da Silva preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Da Silva drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Da Silva jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Durham wants to stand up but Da Silva is controlling him.
Da Silva trying to control but Durham is working from the bottom.
Da Silva tries to free his leg and advance position but Durham is retaining full guard.
Durham controls Da Silva momentarily but Da Silva frees himself.
Da Silva is pushing down on Durham's leg trying to pass to half guard. Durham is fighting to maintain full guard but Da Silva has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are battling for position here. Durham manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Da Silva drops back looking for a leg! Durham is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Durham manages to kick Da Silva off! Da Silva jumps back into Durham's guard.
Anderson Da Silva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Durham keeping moving, preventing Da Silva from controlling successfully.

Da 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva throws a big elbow that misses.
Da Silva postures up.
Da Silva tries to free his leg and advance position but Durham is retaining full guard.

Da Silva drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Durham manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Da Silva has Durham in his guard.
Durham scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Da Silva is trying to control the position but Durham postures up.
Durham slips nicely into half guard.
Da Silva wants to control but Durham is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Da Silva has hold of Durham's hands but Durham slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Da Silva.
Da Silva tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Durham missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Durham trying to control the position from guard on top but Da Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Durham trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Durham must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Da Silva wants to sweep but no luck.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Durham is stalling in the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Da Silva manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mike Durham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anderson Da Silva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Durham is squirming around, avoiding Da Silva's attempts to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Anderson Da Silva.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Da Silva, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anderson Da Silva!
After the fight, Anderson Da Silva was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.