PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ralf Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Durham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva comes to the cage accompanied by i gotta feeling. Durham is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by 3 6 Mafia - It's a fight. Ralf Silva had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 267.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Ralf Silva has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Silva
vs
Durham

210 cm
18
275 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
271 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

UCF NUTRITION
Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ralf Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Durham!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Durham sprawls well. Durham wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Silva gets slowly back to his feet.

Durham throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Silva was covering up waiting for the punch and Durham finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Durham is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Durham trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Durham has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Silva is proving hard to escape from.
Durham controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durham wants to pass the guard but Silva is keeping the position.
Silva looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Durham stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Durham with a poor takedown

and Silva counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Durham's guard now.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Durham trying to control the position.

Durham is looking for a triangle but Silva pushes his legs off easily.
Silva will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Durham tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Durham had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Silva is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Durham Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Silva's back instead.
Durham slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Durham is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Silva defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Silva showing good submission defense here.
Durham has the hooks in. Silva is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Silva trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Silva preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Durham.

Durham is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Silva knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Silva for a finish.

Durham has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Silva has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durham doesn't have the hooks in and Silva manages to turn into his guard.

Durham is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Silva has his hands clasped together but Durham extends an breaks Silva's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Durham.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mike Durham!