PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalevi Holger Routakirves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Routakirves has chosen Miami Nights 1984 - Elevator of Love as his entrance music. Alex Silva has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Silva
vs
Holger Routakirves

180 cm
22
170 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

178 cm
29
169 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good knees
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kalevi Holger Routakirves!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva throws a half hearted mid kick.
Routakirves connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Routakirves has Silva up against the cage in a clinch.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Routakirves can't find room to land a body shot as Silva controls the action.
Routakirves managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
Silva is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Routakirves is keeping busy.
Routakirves avoiding damage as Silva throws knees to the body.
Routakirves misses with some punches.
Routakirves is trying to pull guard but Silva turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Routakirves 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.
Routakirves changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Silva fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Alex Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalevi Holger Routakirves.
Nice cross by Routakirves.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Routakirves has managed to clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Routakirves fails to land.
Routakirves wants to take the fight to the mat but Silva manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Silva is pressed up against the cage. Routakirves 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.
Silva is looking to land body kicks.
Alex Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Routakirves misses with a wild body shot.

Routakirves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Routakirves fails to land.
Routakirves lands a body shot.
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Routakirves has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Routakirves working aggressively here.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.
Silva landing knees to the head.

It looks like Kalevi Holger Routakirves has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Routakirves lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Routakirves.
Silva trying to stall but Routakirves improves his position.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.
Routakirves tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Silva's elbow.
Silva blocks an uppercut.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Routakirves fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Routakirves.
Routakirves avoiding damage as Silva throws knees to the body.
Routakirves on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Routakirves creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Routakirves blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Silva blocks a body shot from Routakirves.
Routakirves wants a takedown but no success here.
Silva tries to land knees in the clinch but Routakirves avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Routakirves is trying to pull guard but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Routakirves is looking for a takedown.
Silva is pressed up against the cage. Routakirves 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.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Silva throws a head kick but Routakirves moves out of range.
Routakirves just misses with a punch to the body.
Routakirves circles away from the clinch attempt.
Silva moves out of range of the strikes.
Silva darts in trying to clinch

and Routakirves counters with a shoot takedown. Silva fights it but they end up in guard.

Silva working for a triangle but Routakirves defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Silva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Silva has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Routakirves can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Routakirves thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Routakirves tries to free his leg and advance position but Silva is retaining full guard.
Routakirves makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kalevi Holger Routakirves will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kalevi Holger Routakirves's cut.
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.

Routakirves throws out a loose jab but Silva uses good head movement to avoid it.
Routakirves shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Silva but Silva pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've been told by Silva's head coaches at Nonprofit Vegas Elite $50 ($1000 value) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Silva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Routakirves manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Routakirves fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Silva wants to clinch up but Routakirves keeps it at a distance.
A chopping leg kick lands by Silva.
Silva closes the distance but Routakirves moves to the side
and Routakirves counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Routakirves circles away.
Silva tries to clinch but Routakirves is having none of it.

Silva clinches.
Silva lands a knee to the body.
Silva has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Silva using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Routakirves is defending well for now.
Silva unloads a knee to the mid-section. Routakirves lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Routakirves managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Routakirves blocks it with crossed arms.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Routakirves misses with the head strike.
Routakirves avoiding damage as Silva throws knees to the body.
Routakirves swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Silva scores a nice knee to the body.
Routakirves throws a punch but it's blocked by Silva.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Routakirves misses with a knee to the head.
Routakirves 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. Routakirves gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Alex Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalevi Holger Routakirves.
Routakirves avoids the head kick by Silva.
Silva is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Routakirves throws a hook but Silva avoids it easily.
Routakirves cracks a nice hook into Silva's ribs.
Silva tries to clinch up but Routakirves circles away and keeps his distance.
Silva looks to clinch
and Routakirves counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Routakirves takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Silva tries to clinch but Routakirves moves away
and Routakirves counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Silva wants to clinch up but Routakirves keeps it at a distance.
Silva tries to clinch but Routakirves moves out of range.
Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Routakirves circles away.
Routakirves missing with a left hand there. Silva was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Routakirves has managed to clinch.
Silva using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Routakirves blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Routakirves manages to break the clinch.
Silva tries to clinch up but Routakirves circles away and keeps his distance.
Silva closes the distance but Routakirves moves to the side
and Routakirves counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Silva slips a straight right by Routakirves.
Silva steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Routakirves.

Silva has closed the distance and engaged Routakirves in a clinch.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Routakirves is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Silva landing knees to the head.

Routakirves is rocked!
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Routakirves is blocking nicely.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Routakirves blocks it.
Silva is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Routakirves struggles to land a body shot inside as Silva controls his hands.
Silva stalling against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Routakirves has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Silva regains guard immediately.
Routakirves is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
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.
Routakirves is looking to work some ground and pound but Silva has wrist control.
Silva wants to sweep here but Routakirves controlling him for the moment.

Silva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Routakirves passes into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fighters are battling for position here. Silva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Routakirves wants to pass the guard but Silva is keeping the position.
Routakirves advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Silva dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kalevi Holger Routakirves's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. 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 moves in looking to clinch but Routakirves pushes him off.
Silva tries to clinch but Routakirves is having none of it.

Silva forces Routakirves back against the cage and clinches.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Routakirves blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.
Silva is pressed up against the cage. Routakirves 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.
Silva looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Routakirves on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Silva. Silva obviously looking to wear him down.
Silva tries to clinch but Routakirves is having none of it.
Silva wants to clinch up but Routakirves keeps it at a distance.

Silva moves into the clinch.

Routakirves breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Silva looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Routakirves checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Alex Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva moves into the clinch.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Routakirves tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Routakirves is blocking nicely.
Still in the clinch, Routakirves scores with a nice short uppercut.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Routakirves has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Routakirves 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.
Alex Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalevi Holger Routakirves.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Silva obliges.
Routakirves managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
Routakirves wants a takedown.
Silva content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Routakirves fails to pull guard.
Silva stalls.
Routakirves tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Silva smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Routakirves connects with a good right hand that stumbles Silva. Silva circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Silva thumps Routakirves with a low kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silva scores with a head kick. Routakirves tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Silva with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A clash of legs there as Routakirves blocks the low kick.
Silva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Routakirves manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Silva walks into a stiff left hand from Routakirves.
Routakirves swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.
Routakirves misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva moves into the clinch.
Silva is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Silva tries to land knees in the clinch but Routakirves avoids the damage to the body.
Routakirves fails to pull guard.
Routakirves tries to throw a body punch but Silva avoids it by throwing Routakirves back against the cage.
Routakirves tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Silva just stands there and leans against the cage.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Silva effectively controlling the action here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Silva obliges.
Routakirves tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Silva smiles and moves away.
Alex Silva is winning the standup battle so far.
Routakirves cracks a nice hook into Silva's ribs.

Silva takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva unloads a knee to the mid-section. Routakirves lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Routakirves is defending well for now.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Silva obliges.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Silva landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Routakirves jumps guard but Silva stands there with Routakirves around his waist. Routakirves gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alex Silva has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Routakirves jumps guard but Silva turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Routakirves has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Routakirves tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Silva smiles and moves away.
Nice straight punches there by Routakirves. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Routakirves.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28

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