PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikael Granlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). George Silva will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Granlund
vs
Silva

182 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

189 cm
22
189 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Control Nutrition

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikael Granlund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, George Silva!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Granlund.
Granlund looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Silva is avoiding damage well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Silva can do anything to dispel that myth.
Granlund is chipping away with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Granlund wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Silva, who protects the arm well.
Silva parries the strikes from Granlund easily there. Granlund is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Silva to escape.
Granlund scores with a couple of short elbows.
Granlund working the ground and pound but Silva is defending the strikes.
Silva is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Granlund is controlling him well.
Silva prevents Granlund from improving position.

Granlund is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Silva knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Silva defending against the ground and pound.
Silva pushes Granlund away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Granlund gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Granlund lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Silva down.
Silva takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Granlund is trying to get an arm triangle but Silva is defending well.

Granlund wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Silva, who protects the arm well.
Granlund is breathing heavily.
Silva is trying to buck Granlund off.
Granlund connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Silva some visible discomfort.
Silva pushes Granlund away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Granlund gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Granlund is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Silva has escaped the position, nice work there.
The strikes coming from Granlund are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Granlund scores with punches from side control.

Granlund is trying to get an arm triangle but Silva is defending well.
Silva is trying to buck Granlund off.
Granlund has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva prevents Granlund from improving position.
Granlund working the ground and pound but Silva is defending the strikes.
Silva tries to escape but Granlund is in control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Granlund tries to score a power double leg takedown but Silva sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Granlund somewhat.
Granlund shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Granlund shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikael Granlund. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Silva lands with a right hand.
Silva throws a low kick but it's checked well by Granlund.
Silva throws a right hand that Granlund ducks under and follows up with a left that Granlund also avoids with ease.
Mikael Granlund seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Granlund needs to keep his hands up - Silva had a free shot at his head there.
Granlund shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Silva as he avoids it easily.
Silva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Silva connects with a body shot.
Silva changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Silva lands with an uppercut that bounces Granlund off the cage and back into rage.
Nice shot by Silva.
Silva lands with a good body shot.
Silva keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Silva wants to slow Granlund down by chopping away at his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Granlund avoids a kick to the body.
Granlund shoots in for a double leg but Silva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Silva catches Granlund with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Granlund takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Silva lands with a shot to the body.
Granlund shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
George Silva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Good exchange - Silva coming out on top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Granlund misses with a takedown attempt - Silva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Silva stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Silva wants it to stay on the feet.
Granlund takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Granlund shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Silva sprawls well. Silva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Granlund gets slowly back to his feet.
Silva throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but George 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!

Granlund slips under a jab.
Granlund fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Silva moves into range and connects with a jab.
Silva leaves Granlund with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Granlund shoots in for a double leg but Silva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikael Granlund. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Granlund on the side of the head.

Granlund is rocked!
A swing and a miss from Silva.
Oh Granlund is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Granlund moves away from the strike by Silva.
Granlund seems to have got his legs back now.
Mikael Granlund is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva missing with a left hand there. Granlund was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Granlund drops his hands momentarily and Silva takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Silva cracks Granlund on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Granlund falls backwards against the cage. Silva follows up with more strikes that drop Granlund to his knees. Silva keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Granlund! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). George Silva!