PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jay Silva (ranked 2090 p4p, 1483 weight class) and Thomas Evans (ranked 327 p4p, 223 weight class). Thomas Evans will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Silva
vs
Evans

190 cm
26
192
4 - 1 - 0

179 cm
26
178
4 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jay Silva!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thomas Evans!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Evans is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Silva's half guard.

Silva manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Silva fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Evans, pushing him back against the cage.
Evans is working for takedown but Silva is calmly controlling the position for now.

Silva successfully pulls guard.
Silva can't keep his opponent in guard - Evans advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Silva has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Silva pushes Evans off and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silva moves in looking to clinch but Evans pushes him off.

Evans gets the takedown into side control.

Silva explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Silva forces Evans back against the cage and clinches.

Evans manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans tries a head kick but it misses.
Evans tries for a takedown but Silva circles away easily

and Silva counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Silva seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Evans is trying to get back to full guard.
Silva controlling the action here.

Silva stands up from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Evans tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Silva swivels and escapes.
Jay Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Evans.
Evans looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Evans tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Silva defends well and Evans ends up having to push Silva into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Evans circles away from the clinch attempt.

Silva throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Evans tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Silva is in Evans's guard.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Evans is keeping the position.
Silva passes Evans's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Evans wants to control but Silva is keeping busy.
Silva content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva decides to return to a standing position.
An inside leg kick lands from Evans.

Silva has closed the distance and engaged Evans in a clinch.
Evans looking to stall.

Evans's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Evans moves in looking to clinch but Silva pushes him off.

Silva takes the fight into the clinch.
Silva tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Evans just stands there and leans against the cage.

Silva breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Evans wants to clinch

and Silva counters with a nice double leg into side control. Evans won't be happy with that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A lull in the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Evans tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Evans trying to remain calm as Silva controls from the top position.
Evans manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Silva stalling.
Silva looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Silva dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Evans on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Evans clinches up against the cage.
Silva is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Evans can do to turn this around?
Evans misses with a knee strike.
Silva misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Evans.
Silva is trying to pull guard but Evans turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Silva can't get the takedown.
Evans is trying to push Silva away but Silva has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Evans throws an elbow but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans slows down the pace here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Evans as Silva tries to tie him up.

Evans successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Evans is looking for a triangle but Silva pushes his legs off easily.
Silva wants to control from the top but Evans keeps moving.
Silva showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Evans trying to control the position.
Evans wants to stand up but Silva is controlling him.

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.
Evans controls Silva momentarily but Silva frees himself.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Evans lets loose with a powerful body kick. Silva will feel that in the morning.
Nice sprawl there from Evans as Silva shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jay Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Evans clinches.
Silva is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Evans gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Evans tries to pull guard but Silva forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Evans breaks the clinch.
Jay Silva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Evans has Silva up against the cage in a clinch.
Evans wants to break free but Silva has control.
Evans tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Silva smiles and moves away.
Evans swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.
Evans changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Evans fails in his attempt to clinch.
Silva tries to clinch but Evans moves out of range.
Evans only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Evans tries to score a power double leg takedown but Silva sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Evans somewhat.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Silva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Evans misses with a body kick.

Silva shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Silva is standing up over Evans. Evans looks to escape but Silva dives into side control.
Silva will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Evans dodges the ground and pound from Silva.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Evans explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Evans's waist but Evans gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Silva off to one side.

Silva has Evans up against the cage in a clinch.
Silva fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Evans showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Evans fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Silva slaps away a takedown attempt from Evans, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Silva dives in for a single leg takedown but Evans sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Silva tries to pull guard but Evans won't allow it.
Silva is trying to pull guard but Evans turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jay Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Evans content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Silva tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Evans smiles and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Evans's waist but Evans gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Silva off to one side.
Evans shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Evans tries for a takedown but Silva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Silva is looking for a counter combo.

Silva shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Evans is trying to defend but Silva finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Evans is trying to maintain the position but Silva is very close to passing his half guard.
Silva missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Silva trying to control from Evans's half guard. Evans has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Silva is pushing down on Evans's leg trying to pass to half guard. Evans is fighting to maintain full guard but Silva has managed to sneak the leg through.
Silva sitting and controlling from the half guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Silva was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Evans can't do much from the bottom here.
Silva wants to lay and pray for a moment but Evans keeps working.
Evans can't do much from the bottom here.
Evans looks to move to half guard but instead Silva has passed into mount! Damn!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva lands a big shot there that rocks Evans but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Evans is trying to escape the mount.
Silva controlling from mount.
Silva lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Evans hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Evans is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Silva controlling his opponent.
Silva lands a nice shot to the head.
Silva tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva tries to control but Evans wriggling away.
Silva with the ground and pound from mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Silva clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Silva defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Evans.

Evans gets caught flat footed, as Silva shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Silva slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Evans controls Silva momentarily but Silva frees himself.
Silva 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.
Evans throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Evans will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva content to stall in guard here.
Evans trying to control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Silva stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Silva wants to clinch up but Evans keeps it at a distance.
Evans feints the counter takedown.
Silva throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Silva stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Silva wants it to stay on the feet.
Evans shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Silva pinned against the cage. Silva gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jay Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Evans.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Silva misses with a head kick.
Evans moves out of range of the body kick.
Evans shoots in for a double leg but Silva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Silva shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Evans manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Silva preventing the sweep.
Silva tries to free his leg and advance position but Evans is retaining full guard.
Evans is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Silva 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva scoring with punches to the head and body.
Silva is pushing down on Evans's leg trying to pass to half guard. Evans is fighting to maintain full guard but Silva has managed to sneak the leg through.
Silva prevents Evans from improving his position.
Evans wants to get back to his feet.
Silva takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Well, if Silva is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four 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 missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Evans has a hand on Silva's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Silva takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Evans taking shots to the head.

It looks like Thomas Evans has been cut.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Silva stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Silva looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Silva had his way with Thomas Evans in that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Evans's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Evans circles away from the clinch attempt.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Evans shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Evans shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Silva pinned against the cage. Silva gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Silva tries to clinch but Evans moves out of range.
Evans scores with a push kick.

Evans closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Silva's guard.

Silva scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Silva closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Evans to the mat! Evans manages to get full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva throws an elbow that misses. Evans uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Silva's guard. Nice move by Evans!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva controlling Evans's posture.
Evans with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Evans trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silva is trying to keep Evans in close.
Silva on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Silva tries to get out of the position.

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.
Evans is looking to work some ground and pound but Silva has wrist control.
Evans is fighting to break Silva's control of his arms but Silva is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Silva wants to stand and escape but Evans is having none of it.

Silva looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Evans wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Silva tries to clinch there but Evans circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Evans pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Evans as he avoids it easily.
Silva shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Evans but Evans pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jay Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Evans throws a quick inside leg kick.
Evans shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Silva as he avoids it easily.
Silva will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Evans darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Silva pushes Evans off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Evans is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Silva's half guard.
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 looking for submissions off his back.
Evans lands with a punch from half guard.

Silva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Evans looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Silva with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Thomas Evans.
I think Silva has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 48:47
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jay Silva!
Jay Silva retains his middleweight title!