PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jim Saliva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeronimo Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jim Saliva had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Saliva
vs
Silva

182 cm
23
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
145 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

CBK MMA Nutrition
Asphyxiation Ltd.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jim Saliva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jeronimo Silva!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Eddie Farnsworth and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saliva rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silva is defended easily by Saliva.
Jim Saliva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saliva scores with a three punch combo!
Silva takes one to the side of the head.
Saliva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt - Saliva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Saliva scores with a three punch combo!
Saliva throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Saliva throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Silva throws a head kick that misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Saliva.
Silva shoots in but no luck this time.
Jim Saliva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeronimo Silva.
Saliva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Horrible takedown by Silva or perhaps it was just good defense by Saliva which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Saliva darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Saliva lands with a kick to the ribs.
Saliva scores with a kick to the body.
Saliva connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Silva has a takedown stuffed.
Saliva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saliva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saliva lands a really nice looking cross but Silva seems unphased.
A nice combination there by Saliva.
Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Saliva circles away.
Saliva is working the combinations to good effect here.
Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Saliva circles away.

Silva gets the takedown into side control.
Silva tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saliva is pushing Silva's head away, looking to escape. Silva manages to hold on to the position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva controlling the position from side mount.
Silva trying to control the action but Saliva is working from the bottom.

Silva has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silva is defended easily by Saliva.
Saliva scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Silva takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Saliva throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Saliva misses with a jab, cross combination.
Saliva dips to his left and cracks Silva with an uppercut!
Saliva stalks Silva and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Silva's face. Silva staggers backwards, shaken.

Silva scores a takedown into full mount!
Silva throws some wild stikes that Saliva manages to avoid easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Saliva because Silva loaded up on that one.
Silva can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Saliva is looking to escape.
Saliva is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Silva controlling his opponent.
Saliva is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva throws some wild stikes that Saliva manages to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Saliva dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Saliva circles away.
Silva has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Saliva misses with a jab, cross combination.
Saliva rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Silva takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Jim Saliva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saliva smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Silva bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Saliva is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Silva is controlling him well.
Saliva is not content to let Silva control the position.

Silva looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Silva goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Saliva has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Silva but great work by Saliva.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saliva stands up and beckons Silva to his feet.
A punch combination from Saliva misses.
Saliva misses with a two punch combination.
Saliva lands a jab.
Saliva throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Saliva shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Silva feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Silva wants to control from the top but Saliva keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Saliva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Saliva wants to stand and escape but Silva is having none of it.
Saliva keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
Silva is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Saliva is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Saliva lands a jab.
Saliva misses with a double jab.
Saliva throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Silva feints and as Saliva raises his hands in defense, Silva changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Silva drops back, looking for a kneebar! Saliva looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Saliva looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Saliva!
Silva tries to bench press Saliva off him but Saliva keeps the position.
Saliva trying to control the position but Silva is working away.
Silva wants to control but Saliva postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saliva decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Saliva is looking to land body kicks.
Silva showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saliva.
Saliva throws a series of punches but Silva avoids them all with ease.

Silva scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
An elbow from Silva crashes against the mat.
Silva wants to control but Saliva is keeping him busy.
Silva tries to move into full mount but can't pass Saliva's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeronimo Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Silva shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Silva shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Saliva but Saliva pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Silva tries for a takedown but Saliva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jim Saliva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeronimo Silva.
Silva takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Saliva looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Saliva scores with a three punch combo!
Left hook, right uppercut from Saliva.
Silva looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Saliva lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Saliva!
Silva takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt - Saliva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saliva throws a right hand that Silva ducks under and follows up with a left that Silva also avoids with ease.
Saliva stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Saliva wants it to stay on the feet.
Silva on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Silva has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Silva has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Silva there as he acknowledges the shot.
Silva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saliva's waist but Saliva gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Silva off to one side.
Saliva lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Silva backs up against the cage.
Saliva swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Silva.
Saliva is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Saliva lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Saliva.
Silva slips a jab and a cross from Saliva.
Saliva scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Saliva lands a nice leg kick that just misses Silva's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saliva paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Saliva swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Saliva tries to bum rush Silva with a series of wild strikes but Silva uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saliva displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Silva.
Horrible takedown by Silva or perhaps it was just good defense by Saliva which made him look bad.
Saliva throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Saliva misses with a series of wild punches.
Saliva lands a two punch combo.
Saliva rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saliva lands a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva slips a jab and a cross from Saliva.
Jim Saliva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silva is defended easily by Saliva.
Silva tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saliva swivels and escapes.
Silva chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Saliva can pounce on him.
Saliva bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Silva's head backwards.
Saliva displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Silva.
Saliva throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Silva showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saliva.

Silva shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Saliva tries to kick Silva off but Silva keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Silva tries to pass the half guard into mount. Saliva knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Silva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Saliva is trying to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Saliva showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Saliva 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jim Saliva!