PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marselo Viera Da Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Luigiano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Viera Da Silva
vs
Luigiano

194 cm
23
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marselo Viera Da Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mario Luigiano!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Daniel Franklin and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Silva wants to clinch up but Luigiano keeps it at a distance.
Da Silva tries to clinch up but Luigiano circles away and keeps his distance.
Da Silva tries to clinch but Luigiano is having none of it.
Luigiano drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Da Silva defends it well.
Da Silva throws a nice looking combination but Luigiano bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And Luigiano tries to counter it with a takedown but Da Silva pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A head kick from Da Silva lands but Luigiano takes it in his stride.
The fight stays on the outside here - Da Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Da Silva tries to clinch but Luigiano is having none of it.
Da Silva misses with a takedown attempt - Luigiano sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Silva tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Luigiano swivels and escapes.
Luigiano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Da Silva is fending him off so far but Luigiano persists. Nope, Da Silva circles away and we're back to standing.
Luigiano keeps the fight on the outside.
Luigiano fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Da Silva on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Luigiano fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Da Silva avoids it really well and circles away.
Luigiano shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Da Silva but Da Silva pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Marselo Viera Da Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Luigiano.
Luigiano avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Da Silva looks for a takedown but Luigiano sprawls well.
Luigiano shoots for a double leg takedown but Da Silva sprawls well. He's pushed Luigiano's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Da Silva wants to clinch.
And Luigiano tries to counter it with a takedown but Da Silva pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luigiano keeps the fight on the outside.
Luigiano tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Luigiano shoots for a takedown but Da Silva saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As Luigiano tries to get set, Da Silva tries to push him back and clinch up but Luigiano manages to avoid the attempt.

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

Da Silva pushes Luigiano off and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Da Silva gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Luigiano closes the distance and clinches up with Da Silva, looking for a takedown. Luigiano pushes Da Silva against the cage but Da Silva circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Da Silva tries to clinch up but Luigiano circles away and keeps his distance.
Da Silva fails to land the takedown.
Da Silva with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Luigiano to score with a decent uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Da Silva throws a head kick that Luigiano semi-blocks.
Da Silva is breathing heavily.
Luigiano shoots in looking for a takedown but Da Silva manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Luigiano's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Luigiano darts in looking for a takedown but Da Silva gets double underhooks and turns Luigiano into the cage.
Da Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Marselo Viera Da Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Da Silva takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Da Silva defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Luigiano.
Da Silva shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Luigiano sprawls well. Luigiano wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Da Silva gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva is looking to clinch but Luigiano is avoiding it.
Da Silva wants to clinch.
Luigiano is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Da Silva takes one to the chin there.
Da Silva shoots in but no luck this time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Da Silva.
Da Silva leaves Luigiano with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mario Luigiano will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Luigiano shoots in for a takedown but Da Silva shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As Luigiano tries to get set, Da Silva tries to push him back and clinch up but Luigiano manages to avoid the attempt.
Mario Luigiano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Da Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Luigiano swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Da Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Luigiano changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Da Silva shoots in for a double leg but Luigiano sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Luigiano tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Luigiano looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Luigiano fails to land the takedown.
Marselo Viera Da Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Luigiano.
Luigiano tries to score a power double leg takedown but Da Silva sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Luigiano somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luigiano swats away the attempt to clinch by Da Silva.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva moves in looking to clinch but Luigiano pushes him off.
Luigiano connects with a body shot.
Da Silva dives in for a single leg takedown but Luigiano sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Da Silva tries to clinch up but Luigiano circles away and keeps his distance.
Luigiano closes the distance and clinches up with Da Silva, looking for a takedown. Luigiano pushes Da Silva against the cage but Da Silva circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Luigiano swats away the attempt to clinch by Da Silva.
Luigiano drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Da Silva defends it well.
A lazy left from Luigiano finds it's target.
Luigiano shoots in for a takedown but Da Silva shows good takedown defense.
Luigiano tries for a takedown but Da Silva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Luigiano uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Da Silva has time to react.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Luigiano.
Da Silva takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Da Silva stuffs the takedown.
Da Silva tries to clinch up.
Da Silva needs to keep his hands up - Luigiano had a free shot at his head there.
Luigiano shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Da Silva as he avoids it easily.
As Luigiano looks to move away, Da Silva throws a big counter combo but Luigiano just gets out of the way.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No joy there for Da Silva, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Da Silva is looking to clinch.

Luigiano closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Luigiano lands in his opponent's guard.
Luigiano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Da Silva is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luigiano is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Da Silva controls Luigiano momentarily but Luigiano frees himself.
Luigiano looking to pass the guard.
Luigiano 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.
Da Silva wants to stand and escape but Luigiano is having none of it.
Luigiano pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Da Silva is keeping the position for now.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's four 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.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Da Silva walks into a stiff left hand from Luigiano.
Luigiano shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Da Silva pinned against the cage. Da Silva gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
It looked like Da Silva was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Da Silva throws a nice head kick!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Silva tries to clinch there but Luigiano circles away.
Luigiano drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Da Silva defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Luigiano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Da Silva tries to close the distance and clinch but Luigiano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Da Silva shoots in looking for a takedown. Luigiano tries to sprawl out of it but Da Silva keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Luigiano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Da Silva throws a right and a left that Luigiano avoids nicely.
Luigiano feints the counter takedown.
Da Silva tries to clinch there but Luigiano circles away.
Luigiano has a takedown stuffed.
Da Silva attempts a counter takedown but Luigiano avoids it well and moves away.
Da Silva is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Luigiano might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luigiano swats away the attempt to clinch by Da Silva.
And Luigiano tries to counter it with a takedown but Da Silva pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Da Silva misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva wants to clinch up but Luigiano keeps it at a distance.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Luigiano.
Da Silva dives in for a single leg takedown but Luigiano sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Luigiano tries to score a power double leg takedown but Da Silva sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Luigiano somewhat.
Luigiano closes the distance and clinches up with Da Silva, looking for a takedown. Luigiano pushes Da Silva against the cage but Da Silva circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Marselo Viera Da Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mario Luigiano.
Da Silva shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Luigiano but Luigiano pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Luigiano will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Da Silva is defended easily by Luigiano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luigiano fails with the takedown.

Luigiano drives through with a takedown into guard.
Luigiano is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Da Silva keeping full guard, as Luigiano tries to pass.
Luigiano slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva keeping full guard, as Luigiano tries to pass.
Luigiano postures up.
Luigiano wants to pass the guard but Da Silva is keeping the position.
Da Silva trying to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Luigiano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Luigiano misses with a takedown attempt - Da Silva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Luigiano has managed to clinch.

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.
Luigiano has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Da Silva avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Luigiano drags the fight down to the ground.

Luigiano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Da Silva doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Da Silva manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Luigiano is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Da Silva is aware though and is defending well.
Luigiano wants to sweep here but Da Silva controlling him for the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Luigiano can do anything to dispel that myth.

Da Silva avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Luigiano isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Da Silva stacks Luigiano on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Da Silva!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Luigiano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Luigiano has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Luigiano!