PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alessio Ricci (ranked 2668 p4p, 3991 weight class) and Paulo Silva (ranked 269 p4p, 364 weight class). Ricci kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Slipknot - Yen. Alessio Ricci has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ricci
vs
Silva

172 cm
25
152
6 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
155
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alessio Ricci!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Silva!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Silva drives through and clinches with Ricci against the cage.

Ricci decides to pull guard.
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Ricci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silva looking to sit in guard and control but Ricci gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ricci advances to half guard.
Ricci trying to pass the guard but Silva defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ricci jumps into side control!
Ricci is staying tight to Silva's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Silva is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva can't do much from the bottom here.
Ricci controlling the position from side mount.
Silva wants to control but Ricci postures up.
Silva is trying to get back to half guard.
Ricci working away.
Ricci slows the pace down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Ricci forces Silva back against the cage and clinches.

Silva jumps guard.
Ricci wants to pass the guard but Silva is keeping the position.

Silva is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Ricci rolls with it to try and escape but Silva cranks on the arm and Ricci is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Paulo Silva!
Paulo Silva is the new featherweight champion!