PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takaishi Minong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva's entrance music is Run. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Silva
vs
Minong

160 cm
19
138 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

172 cm
22
135 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Thiago Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takaishi Minong!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Minong moves into range and clinches up with Silva.
Silva changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Minong fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Silva shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Minong but Minong pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Minong changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Silva looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Silva is not content to let Minong control the position.

Minong decides to stand up, so the ref orders Silva to his feet.

Minong shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Silva's guard.
Minong passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minong scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Silva wants to improve his position but Minong is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minong is trying to control the action in half guard but Silva is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Silva throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Minong is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Silva has managed to free his arm - good work.
Silva tries to roll over but Minong keeps him under control.

Silva makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Silva drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Silva lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Minong down.
Minong throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Silva working the strikes but Minong uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Minong keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Silva is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Silva takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Silva seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva trying to mount his opponent but Minong defends it.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Silva stands up and beckons Minong to join him on the feet.

Silva darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Minong looks like he's trying to stand up.
Minong gets back to full guard.
Silva thows a big elbow that misses.
Silva might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Minong has momentary wrist control but Silva slips an elbow through the middle.
Minong controls Silva momentarily but Silva frees himself.
Minong striking off his back.
Minong wants to sweep but no luck.

Minong working for a triangle but Silva defends it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Minong utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minong controls Silva momentarily but Silva frees himself.
Silva throws a strike but Minong rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Silva strikes from his own guard.
Silva throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
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.
Silva can't keep his opponent in guard - Minong advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Minong is working for a submission of some sort.
Silva works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva wants to sweep here but Minong controlling him for the moment.
Silva is working hard here to advance position.
Minong working some strikes from top position.
Minong would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Minong preventing the sweep.
Minong postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Minong preventing the sweep.
Minong connects with a couple of short punches.
Minong slips nicely into half guard.
Minong trying to control the action but Silva is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Minong jumps into side control!
Silva is looking to reverse the position.

Minong stands up and we're back to a striking position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takaishi Minong dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Silva with a lazy takedown attempt

and Minong counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Silva!
Silva swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Minong looking to control but Silva is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Silva throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Silva tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Minong has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Silva wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Silva fending off the submission attempt from Minong.
Silva is keeping busy.
Silva avoids the strikes from Minong.
Good control from Minong.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silva rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minong trying to control the action but Silva is working from the bottom.
Silva is looking for a sweep. Minong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nice strikes from Minong there.
Silva is trying to stand.
Minong trying to control from half guard but Silva is working away.
Takaishi Minong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Silva wants to get back to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Minong tries to clinch there but Silva circles away.
Silva keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Minong tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Silva swivels and escapes.

Silva feints and as Minong raises his hands in defense, Silva changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Silva missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Minong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Silva throws and elbow that misses. Minong uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Silva's guard. Nice move by Minong!
Minong lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Minong drops back looking for a leg! Silva is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Silva manages to kick Minong off! Minong jumps back into Silva's guard.
Silva wants to sweep but no luck.

Minong stands up and waves to Silva to follow him.
Silva fails with the takedown.

Minong looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Silva is trying to get back to full guard.
Silva missing with punches from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva tries to get to full guard but Minong has control of the leg.
Minong trying to control from half guard but Silva is working away.
Silva is pressing down on Minong's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minong lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Silva will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Silva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Minong is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Minong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thiago Silva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Minong changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Silva tries to avoid it but Minong manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Silva to the ground. Silva escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thiago Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takaishi Minong.
Minong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Minong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Silva paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Silva closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Minong won't allow Silva to pass to mount.
Minong is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Silva's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Silva's back!
Silva rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Silva is looking to improve his position.
Minong scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Silva gets back to full guard.

Silva is working an open guard so Minong takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minong wants to clinch up but Silva keeps it at a distance.
Silva looks for a takedown but Minong sprawls well.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt

and Minong counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Silva!
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 to reverse the position but Minong maintains control.

Minong wants to finish this one by submission but Silva is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Minong.
Silva is desperately trying to improve his position but Minong has a good base and remains in mount.

Minong is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Minong clinches up with Silva and pushes him back against the cage.

Minong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Minong wants to clinch.
Minong tries to close the distance and clinch up but Silva swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silva avoids a kick to the body.
Minong fails in his attempt to clinch.

Silva closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Minong manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takaishi Minong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Silva with a poor takedown
and Minong counters with a three punch combo that has Silva backing up. Silva nods at Minong to acknowledge the strikes.
Minong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Silva darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Minong works his way to full guard. Good work.
Silva distracts Minong with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Silva throws a strike but Minong rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Minong wants to stand but Silva has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Minong from controlling successfully.
Silva throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Minong stopping the sweep attempt from Silva.

Minong drops back looking for a leg! Silva is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Silva manages to kick Minong off! Minong jumps back into Silva's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minong is working Silva over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Silva throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Silva closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Silva lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Silva wants to work for an arm triangle but Minong is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Silva looks to land a strike but Minong avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Minong not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Silva pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Minong is keeping the position for now.
Silva wants to stand and escape but instead Minong has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minong stops Silva from getting back to his feet.
Silva slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Silva wants to sweep here but Minong controlling him for the moment.
Minong wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Silva with a poor takedown

and Minong moves into the clinch.

Minong jumps into guard, dragging Silva to the mat.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Minong is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Minong is trying to control the position but Silva postures up.
Silva with a flurry of punches that miss.
Minong trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Silva lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Silva passes into half guard.

Minong has one foot on Silva's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Silva scores a takedown into full mount!
Minong sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Silva throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Minong manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Minong throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Silva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Minong pulls Silva in close to prevent any damage.
Silva lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but Minong blocks nicely.
Silva loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Minong striking off his back.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Silva accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Silva doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Minong counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Minong stands up.

Silva drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Silva prevents Minong from escaping the position.
Minong taking punishment in the form of punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silva lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Minong down.
Silva misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Thiago Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silva throws a strike aimed at the side of Minong's head but Minong avoids it well.
Silva working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Takaishi Minong.
Well Minong 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takaishi Minong!