PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shogun Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Thatcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva comes to the cage accompanied by ARMIN VAN BUUREN - SAIL. Thatcher is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Seven Nation Army- The White Stripes. Shogun Silva has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Silva
vs
Thatcher

185 cm
22
184 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

181 cm
22
183 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shogun Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Max Thatcher!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, John Mangel and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Silva shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thatcher's guard.
Thatcher tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Thatcher is keeping the position.
Thatcher wants to sweep but no luck.

Silva postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Thatcher is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Silva, into his guard.
Silva keeping moving, preventing Thatcher from controlling successfully.
Thatcher stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thatcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Silva escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thatcher gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Silva has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thatcher can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thatcher looking to pass the guard.
Thatcher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thatcher is looking to clinch.

Thatcher bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Thatcher trying to control the position but Silva is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is looking to reverse the position.

Thatcher looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Thatcher is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Silva is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Silva is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
The strikes coming from Thatcher are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Thatcher works to advance to full mount. Silva defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Thatcher prevents Silva from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is controlling an arm, preventing Thatcher from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Silva wants to hold on but Thatcher pushes him away.
Thatcher tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Thatcher with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Thatcher looks gassed!
Silva wants to control but Thatcher is having none of it.
Silva prevents Thatcher from taking his back.
Thatcher prevents Silva from getting the reversal.
Silva is working hard here to advance position.

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.
Thatcher mounts Silva! Really nice guard pass there!

Silva defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Thatcher.
Silva regains half guard.

Thatcher is working for a kimura but Silva is defending it quite comfortably.
Thatcher is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Max Thatcher will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Thatcher looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Silva.

Silva thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Thatcher is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thatcher is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Silva off and has taken his back!
Silva trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Silva showing good submission defense here.
Well, with Thatcher on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Silva is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Silva tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Silva is looking to get to half guard.
Silva tries to hold on but Thatcher postures up.

Thatcher is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Silva has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thatcher has control of Silva's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Silva regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Thatcher wants to get back to his feet but Silva is holding on tight.
Silva is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Silva is squirming around, avoiding Thatcher's attempts to control the action.
Silva tries to hold on but Thatcher pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is squirming around, avoiding Thatcher's attempts to control the action.
Silva is looking to improve his position but Thatcher isn't that keen on the idea.

Thatcher working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Silva is trying desperately to improve position.
Thatcher tries to control but Silva wriggling away.
Silva holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Thatcher tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

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.
Thatcher pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

Thatcher goes for an armbar but Silva turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Silva.

Silva drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Silva jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Silva wants to stand but Thatcher is controlling his posture from full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Thatcher throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Max Thatcher will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Silva has taken the fight to the clinch.
Thatcher looking for a takedown.
Silva prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Silva gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Silva trying to control but Thatcher is working from the bottom.
Thatcher wants to improve his position but instead Silva has moved into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thatcher with the active half guard here but Silva passes nicely into side control.
Thatcher sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Thatcher tries to get to full guard but Silva has control of the leg.
Silva is tying to control. Thatcher wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Thatcher is looking to improve his position.
Silva passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Silva thowing shots but they're missing.
Silva throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Thatcher because Silva loaded up on that one.
Thatcher keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Silva tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thatcher tries to reverse the position but Silva maintains control.
Shogun Silva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Silva tries to control but Thatcher wriggling away.
Thatcher is trying to escape the mount.
Thatcher is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Silva tries to control but Thatcher wriggling away.

Silva is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Thatcher can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Silva avoids the attempt from Thatcher to control.
Thatcher is wriggling around trying to escape.
Thatcher sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Silva thows a huge punch but Thatcher dodges it nicely.
Shogun Silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva thows a huge punch but Thatcher dodges it nicely.
Thatcher regains full guard. Nicely done.
Max Thatcher is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thatcher working a defensive guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shogun Silva showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thatcher has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Thatcher!