HOFFMAN ESTATES, ILL. -- This is the Strikeforce live blog for Antonio Silva vs. Fabricio Werdum, the opening bout on the CBS card.The final EliteXC heavyweight champion Silva takes on ADCC grappling champion Werdum with the victor possibly facing the winner of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers at a later date in a no. 1 contender bout to determine Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem's next defense.
The live blog begins below.
Round 1: They begin pacing in place. Werdum misses a high kick. SIlva throws a leg kick. Werdum enters punching to close the distance for the clinch but Silva counters with big hands, dropping Werdum. Silva ground and pounds. SIlva is beating Werdum with right hands. Werdum survives the flurry by grabbing a single-leg. Silva lets Werdum up. Werdum connects on a leg kick. Werdum looks to clinch. He throws a low kick and a high kick. Werdum enters clinch but Silva powerfully shrugs Werdum off to the floor. Werdum stands up. Silva lands a loud leg kick. Werdum hits Silva with a one-two and clinches. Werdum presses Silva against the cage. Werdum connects with punches upon disengaging from clinch. Werdum lands a leg kick and ducks a punch to look for the takedown. They exchange punches. Werdum throws slow flashy kicks and Silva simply walks away. Silva hits with an inside leg kick. Silva presses Werdum against the cage. Silva lands a knee and Werdum falls to his back. Silva looks to pound away. Silva lets Werdum stand with seconds left.
FanHouse scores the round 10-9 for Silva.
Round 2: Werdum with a huge looping right punch. Werdum falls to his back. Silva looks to pass and Werdum spins back into open guard. Silva enters on top of Werdum but Werdum sweeps him to take top control. Silva escapes to his feet but eats a knee on his way up. Werdum with punches to the body and SIlva clinches, looking for a trip takedown. The referee separates them with 1:58 remaining in the round. Werdum lands a leg kick. They clinch and Werdum throws right hands. Werdum lowers for the single leg and gets it, landing in Silva's halfguard. Werdum passes to side with 43 seconds left. Silva escapes but gets caught in a toehold that Werdum doesn't really try to finish with. Silva looks to climb into Werdum's halfguard.
FanHouse scores the round 10-9 for Werdum.
Round 3: Werdum lands an inside leg kick and Silva answers with a kick to Werdum's outside left leg. Werdum taps a leg kick. Werdum ducks a right hand. A knee is thrown and they clinch. Silva leaves with a right and left hook. Werdum shoots for the single-leg and finishes it. Werdum takes Silva's back. Silva stands up and avoids Werdum's attempt at putting a right hook in. They clinch. Silva lands a right. Werdum bobs and weaves and clinches. Werdum exits with a a knee that glances Silva's head. Werdum attempts a single-leg and Silva spins out. Werdum throws a knee with a Muay Thai clinch. They separate with 1:34 left. Silva lands punches. Werdum clinches and misses a knee. They clinch again and this time Werdum stuns SIlva with a knee. Silva drops to his knees and Werdum controls Silva's back while landing right hands. Silva pulls halfguard. Werdum drops right hands. Werdum tries to pass but Silva won't let him.
FanHouse scores the round 10-9 for Werdum and the fight 29-28 for Werdum.
Werdum wins via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
