PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Benson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benson has chosen Emergence Of Talents as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Silva
vs
Benson

182 cm
23
190 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

185 cm
23
190 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricardo Silva!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ben Benson!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Dean Styles and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice jab there from Benson.
Silva throws a series of punches but Benson avoids them all with ease.
A looping hook to the body misses from Silva. Benson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Benson throws the kick towards the body but Silva avoids it.
Benson misses with an uppercut.

Silva darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Benson is trying to stand up here but Silva is controlling him well.

Silva wants to work for an arm triangle but Benson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Silva looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Benson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura but Benson is defending well.

Silva is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Benson defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Benson doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Silva.

Benson is defending against the submission attempts here by Silva.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Silva is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Silva trying to advance position but Benson counters by regaining guard.
Silva trying to move into half guard but instead Benson has managed to sweep!

Silva throws his legs up looking for a submission but Benson uses it to pass to side control.
Benson is looking to take a break and control but Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva being controlled for a moment.
Silva is looking for a sweep.

Benson stands up and beckons Silva to his feet.
Silva scores with a nice right hand.
Silva lands a nice hook to Benson's body. Benson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nice takedown defense from Benson. No joy for Silva on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benson throws a jab when Silva was well out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Silva.
Silva changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Benson cracks Silva with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Horrible takedown by Silva or perhaps it was just good defense by Benson which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Benson circles away.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Benson looks to score with a jab to the body but Silva is just out of range.
Ben Benson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silva shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Benson defends it nicely.
Benson throws a predictable looking body shot

and Silva counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Benson's guard now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Benson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Silva drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Benson dives on top into guard.
Benson wanted to stand there but Silva had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ricardo Silva will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Benson swings for the body but Silva moves out of range.
Silva dives in and grabs Benson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Benson pushes down on Silva's head and hops out.
Benson misses with a double jab.
Silva ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Silva shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Benson's guard.
Silva slips nicely into half guard.

Silva is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Benson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Silva is working for a kimura but Benson is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson is trying to stand.
Silva missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Silva is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Benson as he works his way to full guard.
Silva is looking to work some ground and pound but Benson has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Benson throws an overhand right that lands on Silva's shoulder, as Silva tries to avoid the shot.
Silva lands a head shot.
Benson throws a shot to the body.
Benson misses with a body kick.
Silva uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Benson.

Silva closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Benson to the mat! Benson manages to get full guard.

Silva has gone for a leg lock! Benson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Silva's guard.

Benson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Silva looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Benson is positioning himself well to prevent Silva advancing to mount.
Silva prevents Benson from standing back up.
Silva sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Benson defending well though.

Silva is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Silva stops Benson from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Silva.
Benson manages to get to full guard.

Silva drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Benson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Silva has Benson in his guard.
Silva wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ricardo Silva will probably get the nod.
That's time! Silva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Benson throws out a loose jab but Silva uses good head movement to avoid it.
Benson throws a body punch but Silva moves out of range.
Silva throws a right hand that Benson ducks under and follows up with a left that Benson also avoids with ease.
Benson walks into a straight right hand from Silva.
Nice takedown defense from Benson. No joy for Silva on that attempt.
Benson throws a hook to the side of Silva's head but Silva sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Benson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benson. Silva does a little dance to reset his feet.
Silva shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Benson pinned against the cage. Benson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice defenses there by Silva.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benson swings for the body but Silva moves out of range.
Silva throws a hook to the side of Benson's head but Benson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Benson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Silva just misses with a punch to the body.
Horrible takedown by Silva or perhaps it was just good defense by Benson which made him look bad.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson slips a jab from Silva.
Benson misses with a few strikes there.
Silva misses the jab.

Silva darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Silva trying to mount his opponent but Benson defends it.

Silva is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Benson tries to kick Silva off but Silva keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva seems to be looking for submissions.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura but Benson is defending well.
Silva prevents Benson from standing back up.
Silva is thwarting Benson's attempts to control the position.
Silva trying to pass the guard but Benson defending well.

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.
Silva swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Benson counters with a left and a right that stings Silva.
Silva swings for the body but Benson moves out of range.

Benson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Silva pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benson is keeping the position for now.
Silva throws a strike but Benson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Benson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Silva is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Silva is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Benson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Silva clearly takes that round.
That's time! Silva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Silva throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Benson looks to score with a jab to the body but Silva is just out of range.
Silva gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Benson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Silva looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Benson is fending him off so far but Silva persists. Nope, Benson circles away and we're back to standing.

Silva darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Silva thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Benson to regain full guard.

Silva has gone for a leg lock! Benson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Silva's guard.

Benson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silva.
The fighters circling - Silva throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Silva ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Benson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Benson throws a hook but Silva blocks it.
A swing and a miss from Silva.
Silva lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Benson backs up against the cage.
Benson stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Benson tries to avoid it but Silva manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Benson to the ground. Benson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Silva keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Benson.
Benson tests Silva's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Benson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Benson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Silva was well out of range. Poor timing from Benson.
Benson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Silva.
Ricardo Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Benson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Silva fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Benson avoids it really well and circles away.
Benson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Silva rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Benson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Silva thows a body shot but no joy.
Silva moves out of range of the body kick from Benson.
Silva tries to score a power double leg takedown but Benson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Silva somewhat.
Benson lands a nice hook to Silva's body. Silva takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Benson misses with a jab to the body

and Silva counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Silva stops Benson from standing up.
Benson has Silva pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Silva pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Benson is keeping the position for now.
Silva is working hard here to advance position.

Silva drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Benson dives on top into guard.

Silva throws his legs up looking for a submission but Benson uses it to pass to side control.
Silva is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Silva looks to move to half guard but instead Benson has passed into mount! Damn!

Benson is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Benson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Benson dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Benson takes a swing at Silva's ribcage but misses.
The fighters circling - Benson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Silva connects with a nice looking jab.
Benson misses with the combination.
Silva fails to land with a series of punches.
Silva lands a right hook to the body.
Benson misses with a wild combination.
Silva is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Benson.
A punch combination from Silva misses.

Silva shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Benson pushes Silva off looking to stand but Silva dives back in and keeps control.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries to pass to full mount but Benson defends it.

Silva is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Silva is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Silva is pressing down on Benson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Benson is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Silva is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Silva with the ground and pound but Benson uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Benson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Benson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Silva swings away with a body shot that misses
and Benson counters with a straight right hand.
Benson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Silva takes a step back to recover.
A looping hook to the body misses from Benson. Silva does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Benson looks to land a combination but Silva avoids it well.
Silva shoots in looking for a takedown. Benson tries to sprawl out of it but Silva keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Benson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Benson looks to land a left hand but Silva moved out of range nicely.
Benson swings for the body but Silva moves out of range.
Silva with a poor takedown
and Benson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Silva takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Silva.
Silva creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Benson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Silva thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Benson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Benson rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Silva's guard! Nice work there by Benson!
Ben Benson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silva has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Benson has passed into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silva tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Benson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ricardo Silva.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 49:46
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 49:46
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Silva!
Ricardo Silva retains his middleweight title!