PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryder Stephens (ranked 2157 p4p, 4548 weight class) and Gerson Silva (ranked 250 p4p, 461 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Stephens
vs
Silva

180 cm
26
160
4 - 4 - 0

165 cm
26
165
1 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Underpant Gnomes
Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ryder Stephens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Gerson Silva!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stephens doesn't seem bothered though.
Stephens looks for the body kick but Silva saw that one coming.
A little jabbing left from Silva on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Silva throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stephens.
Stephens throws a sloppy head kick and Silva moves out of range easily.
Stephens throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Silva scores with a takedown into Stephens's guard.
Stephens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Stephens has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Silva throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stephens works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Silva looking to sit in guard and control but Stephens gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stephens wants to pass the guard but Silva is keeping the position.
Stephens will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Stephens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've been hearing good reports from Stephens's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silva is keeping the position for now.
Stephens trying to control but Silva is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stephens tries to free his leg and advance position but Silva is retaining full guard.
Stephens controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Silva looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Stephens wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
Stephens engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stephens looking to sit in guard and control but Silva gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

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

Stephens has his foot on Silva's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Silva works his way back into a safe position though.

Stephens has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stephens is trying to control the position but Silva postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Silva avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Silva must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stephens wants to sweep here but Silva controlling him for the moment.
Silva wants to control from the top but Stephens keeps moving.
Silva postures up in Stephens's guard and throws a big left but Stephens blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Silva accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stephens being controlled here, momentarily.

Stephens is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Silva defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva content to sit in guard, stalling... Great. Oh but he could get punished here because Stephens has locked up a guillotine! Stephens's face is contorted as he sqeezes tight on the submission attempt - will he finish? Silva is holding on here and Stephens must be using up a lot of energy. Silva has gone limp! He's out! He's out cold! Stephens gets to his feet, tossing aside his stricken foe. Arms raised, he milks the applause from the crowd. Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Ryder Stephens!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Ryder Stephens waved his t-shirt featuring Highland Clothing's logo in front of the cameras.