James Krause picks Claudio Silva apart in decision win
James Krause kept the fight on the feet to out strike Claudio Silva in a unanimous decision win at UFC on ESPN+ 38 on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The long-awaited matchup between featherweights Brian Ortega and Chan Sung Jung headlines the event.
For the fourth-straight week, the Flash Forum in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi will serve as the home for the UFC. Former women’s flyweight title contender Katlyn Chookagian meets the former champion Jessica Andrade in the co-main event.
Keeping the action moving on the main card is a welterweight matchup between James Krause and Claudio Silva.
Krause steps in on two-weeks notice to replace Muslim Salikhov, who withdrew from the bout due to undisclosed reasons. Krause is coming off his first octagon defeat in five years. He suffered a split decision loss to Trevin Giles at UFC 247 this past February.
The defeat snapped a a six-fight win streak for the 34-year-old. His most recent win is a third-round knockout against Sergio Moraes at UFC Fight Night 164 in November 2019.
Silva is on a 14-fight win streak, having only lost his professional debut in 2007. The 38-year-old is unbeaten in all five of his octagon appearances.
Silva has not fought in over a year, most recently submitting Cole Williams in the first round at UFC on ESPN 5 in August 2019. His other victories came over Danny Roberts, Nordine Taleb, Bradley Scott and the No. 3 ranked UFC welterweight Leon Edwards.
Here is how the welterweight bout between James Krause and Claudio Silva went down at UFC on ESPN+ 38, including round-by-round scoring. For full results of the event, check them out right here.
ROUND 1
Both men tap gloves and we’re underway. Silva stays center, both men not afraid to engage. Krause lands a nice counter right as Silva pops the jab. Silva is having a tough time cutting down the distance. Krause is countering nicely, tagging Silva as he comes in close. Silva throws an overhand left of his own. Krause’s right hand on display. Good timing from Silva with a takedown. Silva is glued to the back of Krause. Krause is trying to scramble and shake Silva loose. Krause is on his feet and trying to break Silva’s grip. Silva unable to keep control of Krause. Krause’s striking is on another level. Krause is in and out, making Silva miss. Krause defends a takedown attempt. Silva starting to show signs of fatigue. Silva lands a straight left. Krause tags Silva with a right cross. Krause backs Silva up. Silva shoots for a takedown and Krause defends.
MyMMANews.com scores it 10-9 Krause
"My knee's torn."@TheJamesKrause reveals a potential injury after a HUGE RD 1.
[ #InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi ] pic.twitter.com/IlerkI8krP
— UFC (@ufc) October 17, 2020
ROUND 2
Krause lands a looping right hook early on in the second. Krause walking down Silva a bit. Krause is finding a home for the right home. Silva looks tired, Krause is clearly the fresher fighter. Silva goes for a takedown attempt, but Krause able to step away and stay on his feet. Krause tags Silva again with the right as Silva comes in closer. Krause lands body, head and body with a one, two, one combination. Silva lands a left hand, but misses with an overhand right. Silva looking for the knockout punch, letting his hands go. Krause is more technical, landing straight punches. Silva shoots for a takedown and fails. Krause lands a left hand. Silva with a right hand. Krause comes forward, eats a right hand. Krause is mixing it up with straight punches to the body. Both men exchange, Krause gets the better of it. Krause lands a knee, Silva comes forward. Closer round than the first, but Krause got the better of the exchanges.
MyMMANews.com scores it 20-18 Krause
ROUND 3
Commentators says Krause’s knee is hurt. Krause eats a combination from Silva. Krause takes a kick to the body. Silva landing leg kicks, buckling the leg of Krause. Silva eats a right cross from Krause. Krause is still landing clean on the counter. Krause pops the jab as Silva comes in. Silva is not throwing as many looping strikes, but landing. Silva lands another inside leg kick. Krause pops the right hand out. Silva misses with overhand right. Krause lands a right to the body. Krause shoots for the takedown and Silva defends. Krause goes to the body again. Silva still throwing wild. Silva eats another right hand. Krause appears to be landing more, although Silva is throwing with higher volume. Silva lands another low kick. Both men finish the fight on their feet.
MyMMANews.com scores it 30-27 Krause
Official result: James Krause def. Claudio Silva via unanimous decision [30-27 3x]
On a bad leg 🤭@TheJamesKrause halts Silva's win streak with just weeks notice
[ Action continues on #ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/qjz910JWo6
— UFC (@ufc) October 18, 2020
