PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Varban Botev (ranked 3654 p4p, 4333 weight class) and Anderson Silva (ranked 397 p4p, 434 weight class). Anderson Silva is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Botev
vs
Silva

187 cm
25
194
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
185
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Varban Botev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anderson Silva!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Patrick Alders and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Botev throws a poor cross that misses
and Silva counters with a two punch combo.
Botev misses with a hook
and Silva counters with a one-two to the body.
We've been hearing reports that Botev has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Silva cracks Botev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Silva shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Botev eats them both and turns towards Silva to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A shot to the body from Botev misses
and Silva counters with a left and a right that stings Botev.
Botev takes a swing at Silva's ribcage but misses.
Botev looks to score with a jab to the body but Silva is just out of range.
As Botev backs off Silva throws a huge counter combo but Botev manages to avoid it all.
Botev misses with a jab to the body
and Silva counters with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Botev misses with a wild body shot.
Botev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Silva counters with a nice uppercut.
Varban Botev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Botev misses with a looping right.

Botev darts in and clinches Silva up against the cage.

Silva's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice straight punches there by Silva. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Silva.

Botev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Botev wants the takedown. Silva is fighting it off but Botev persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Silva's guard against the cage.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Silva looks winded!
Silva being controlled here, momentarily.
Botev wants to pass the guard but Silva is keeping the position.
Botev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Botev stops Silva from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Botev 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.
Botev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Botev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Botev postures up and lands a big shot to Silva's brow.
Botev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Botev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Botev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Botev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Botev sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Botev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

It looks like Anderson Silva has been cut.
Botev postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Silva covers up, he's hurt! Botev keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Botev and the ref steps in to end the fight! Botev can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Varban Botev!
In his post fight interview, Varban Botev started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.