PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ashley Morrison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Silva
vs
Morrison

180 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
191 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricardo Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ashley Morrison!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Anthony Taglia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Silva changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Morrison looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Silva is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Morrison knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Silva working away.

Silva swings around for an armbar but Morrison sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Silva's guard.
Morrison passes Silva's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Morrison trying to control the action but Silva is working from the bottom.
Morrison content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Silva wants to improve his position but Morrison is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva looking for submissions off his back.
Silva is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Silva with the active half guard here but Morrison passes nicely into side control.

Morrison tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Morrison thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Morrison is looking to take a break and control but Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Silva tries to buck Morrison off but Morrison is having none of it.
Silva manages to work his way to half guard, despite Morrison's best efforts.
Silva wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Morrison has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Silva really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morrison can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Silva is looking to escape.
Silva regains half guard.
Morrison uses his free foot to push down on Silva's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Silva.
Morrison trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Morrison looking to secure an arm triangle but Silva defends it well.
Silva is desperately trying to improve his position but Morrison has a good base and remains in mount.
Morrison can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Silva is looking to escape.
Morrison lands a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ashley Morrison dominated that round.
That's time! Silva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Silva has a takedown stuffed.
Ricardo Silva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Morrison fails with the takedown

and Silva holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Silva breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Morrison will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Silva with a poor takedown
and Morrison counters with a series of strikes. Silva will be more careful next time no doubt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Morrison counters with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silva with a poor takedown
and Morrison counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Silva thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ricardo Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva tries for a takedown but Morrison circles away easily
and Morrison counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Morrison misses with a double jab

and Silva counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Morrison has managed to free his arm - good work.
Morrison taking some punishment here, with Silva in his half guard.

Morrison looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Silva seems to be working for a kimura but Morrison defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva moves into full mount! Morrison won't be happy about that!

Silva looking to secure an arm triangle but Morrison defends it well.

Silva jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Morrison is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Morrison and Silva has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Silva tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Morrison manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Morrison doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Silva.
Silva is pressing down on Morrison's thigh, looking to free his foot. Morrison is holding on for now.
Silva knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Morrison on the ground.

Silva is working for a kimura but Morrison is defending it quite comfortably.
Silva works his way into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Silva wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Morrison taking shots to the head.
Morrison can't escape the position.

Silva working for a submission but Morrison is keeping him at bay.
Silva wants to take Morrison's back here but Morrison is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Silva dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Silva shoots for a takedown but Morrison saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Silva tries to clinch up but Morrison circles away and keeps his distance.
Silva with a lazy takedown attempt
and Morrison counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Silva lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Silva with a poor takedown
and Morrison counters with a left to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Morrison counters with a nice uppercut.
Morrison misses with a double jab

and Silva counters with a nice double leg into side control. Morrison won't be happy with that.

Silva is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Morrison has escaped the position, nice work there.
The strikes coming from Silva are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Morrison takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Silva has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Silva tries to advance to mount but can't.
Morrison gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Silva working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Morrison slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Nice strikes from Silva there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrison is positioning himself well to prevent Silva advancing to mount.

Silva is looking for a kimura here.
Silva looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Morrison's head.

Silva is looking for a kimura but Morrison is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Silva to get the leverage.

Silva is looking for a kimura here.
Silva with the ground and pound but Morrison uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morrison 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.
Ricardo Silva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Silva advances position into side control!
Morrison is looking for a sweep.

Silva thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Morrison regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Morrison is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Silva pulls his head out easily.

Silva is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Morrison wants to get back to full guard.

Silva is looking for a kimura here.
Morrison keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Morrison is trying to control but Silva manages to pass to mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricardo Silva showed his dominance in that final round.
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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Silva!