PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chip Saunders (ranked 5857 p4p, 6366 weight class) and Lino Silva (ranked 117 p4p, 193 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Saunders
vs
Silva

186 cm
24
230
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
265
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Prefers standup

Voodoo Nutrition

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chip Saunders!
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, Lino Silva!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Silva has Saunders up against the cage in a clinch.
Silva lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Saunders is pushing Silva 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 leaning against Saunders and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Saunders is breathing heavily.
Silva tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saunders's elbow.
Silva swings wildly with an uppercut but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Saunders avoiding damage as Silva throws knees to the body.
Saunders looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Silva lands with a left to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva lands a good knee to the midsection. Saunders won't want to take too many of those.
Silva lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A shot in the inside from Silva.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Silva throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Silva lands a body punch in the clinch.
Silva looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saunders is defending well for now.
Saunders managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
Silva lands with a left to the head.
Saunders looking for a takedown.
Silva swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Silva.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Silva digs a right hand into Saunders's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Saunders's gas tank.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saunders has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva tries to land knees in the clinch but Saunders avoids the damage to the body.
Silva prevents a takedown attempt there.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Saunders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Saunders.
Silva goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Saunders is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Silva to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chip Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saunders wants a takedown.
Silva tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Saunders blocks an elbow strike from Silva.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saunders takes a knee to the side of the body.
Silva tries to throw a body punch but Saunders avoids it by throwing Silva back against the cage.
Saunders on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Silva.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Saunders managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
Nice body punch from Silva - that landed with a thud.
Silva crunches a lovely knee into Saunders's ribcage.
Silva pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva throws an elbow that misses.
Silva throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Saunders blocks it with crossed arms.
Saunders has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Saunders unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Silva misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saunders managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
We've been informed that Silva has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Saunders's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Silva misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saunders avoiding damage as Silva throws knees to the body.
Saunders dodges an elbow strike from Silva.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the head but Silva blocks with his arms.

Saunders has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Silva uses from the top position.
Silva is looking to stand up but Saunders won't let him.

Saunders is working an open guard so Silva takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Lino Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saunders swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saunders tried to counter with a leg kick but Silva avoided it.
Silva moves in looking to clinch but Saunders pushes him off.
Saunders drops down looking for a counter takedown but Silva sprawls and moves away.
Silva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Saunders manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Silva fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Saunders, pushing him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saunders.
Silva unloads a knee to the mid-section. Saunders lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Silva misses with a punch to the body.
Silva creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Saunders's defenses.
Silva tries to throw a body punch but Saunders avoids it by throwing Silva back against the cage.
Silva misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Silva lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Silva scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Silva fails to land.
Silva tries a knee to the head but Saunders blocks it.
Silva tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lino Silva dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Saunders closes the distance and clinches up with Silva, looking for a takedown. Saunders pushes Silva against the cage but Silva circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Silva tries to clinch up but Saunders circles away and keeps his distance.
Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Chip Saunders is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saunders scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Silva clinches.
Silva lands a hook that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Saunders on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A short right from Silva.
Saunders avoids the elbow strike from Silva, against the cage.
Saunders tries to pull guard but Silva won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Saunders blocks with his arms.
Silva lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saunders tries to pull guard but Silva holds him up against the cage and eventually Saunders drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chip Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Silva smiles and moves away.
Saunders dives in for a single leg takedown but Silva sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Saunders.
Saunders goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Silva tries a body shot but Saunders blocks it.
Lino Silva seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Saunders prevents a body shot from Silva.
A right handed body shot lands from Silva.
Silva lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Silva misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Saunders is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Silva pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva is working Saunders over against the cage.
Saunders's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short uppercut from Silva.
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saunders is defending well for now.
Silva lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
Saunders takes a knee right on the jaw!
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!
Silva tries a body shot but Saunders blocks it.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.

Saunders is trying to trip Silva. He has hold of a leg but Silva is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Saunders persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Silva is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Saunders is controlling him.

Silva is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Saunders presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Silva has a couple of punches blocked by Saunders.
Silva tries a body shot but Saunders blocks it.
Silva lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Saunders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva misses with a body punch.
Silva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saunders tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Silva just stands there and leans against the cage.
Silva lands with a short shot to the head.
A shot in the inside from Silva.
Silva lands a nice elbow.
Silva misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saunders is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Silva gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Knees to the body from Silva.
Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Silva.

It looks like Chip Saunders has been cut.
Saunders avoiding damage as Silva throws knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, Silva scores with a nice short uppercut.
Silva misses with some punches.
Silva prevents a takedown attempt there.
Saunders on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saunders's elbow.
Saunders blocks an elbow strike from Silva.

Saunders pulls guard successfully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Saunders is proving hard to escape from.

Silva stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saunders swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Silva gets a clinch.
Silva lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Saunders's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right handed body shot lands from Silva.
Silva swings wildly with an uppercut but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.

Saunders has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Silva uses from the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lino Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Chip Saunders's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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 clinches up against the cage.
Silva lands a good knee to the midsection. Saunders won't want to take too many of those.
A short right from Silva on the inside.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.
Saunders prevents a body shot from Silva.
Saunders drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Silva gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Saunders blocks with his arms.
Silva tries a body shot but Saunders blocks it.
Silva lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva landing knees to the body.
Silva lands a hook that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
Silva lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saunders has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saunders on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saunders is defending well for now.
Silva struggles to land a body shot inside as Saunders controls his hands.
Silva throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Silva misses with a short punch on the inside.
Saunders drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Silva gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Silva misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saunders is trying to pull guard but Silva turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chip Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saunders tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Saunders blocks an elbow strike.
Silva scores with a hook to the body.
Silva misses with a hook to the ribs.
Silva crunches a lovely knee into Saunders's ribcage.
Silva lands a nice knee to the body.
Silva missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva lands a damaging elbow.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva lands with a left to the head.
Silva comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Silva lands a right hand.
Silva struggles to land a body shot inside as Saunders controls his hands.
Silva goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Silva trying to land knees to the body.
Saunders tries for a takedown but Silva manages to get underhooks.
Silva tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Saunders's elbow.
A short right from Silva.
Silva goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Saunders avoiding damage as Silva throws knees to the body.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva missing with knees to the body.
Silva tries a body shot but Saunders blocks it.
Saunders managing to block the knees to the body from Silva.
Saunders is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Saunders fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Saunders is trying to pull guard but Silva turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Silva misses with a knee to the head.
Silva pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Saunders breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saunders paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Saunders appears to be looking for a big counter.
Saunders avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Silva tries to clinch but Saunders moves away
and Saunders counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders circles away from the clinch attempt.
Silva moves to clinch but Saunders breaks away
and Saunders counters with a left and a right that stings Silva.

Silva moves into the clinch successfully.

Saunders tightens his grip and picks Silva up, before dumping him to the ground. Silva manages to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Silva is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Saunders is controlling him.
Silva has momentary wrist control but Saunders slips an elbow through the middle.
Saunders stops Silva from standing up.

Silva has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Saunders off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Silva stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Saunders.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lino Silva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Silva winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

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