PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jon Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rogelio Baltazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Silva
vs
Baltazar

178 cm
21
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
168 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jon Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rogelio Baltazar!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva throws a head kick but Baltazar moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Baltazar.

Silva closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Baltazar to the mat! Baltazar manages to get full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Silva drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Baltazar dives on top into guard.
Silva wants to sweep but no luck.

Silva has an active guard here but Baltazar has managed to pass into half guard.
Silva trying to hold on to Baltazar's head to control him but Baltazar postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltazar wants to get back to his feet.

Silva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Silva tries to get to full guard but Baltazar has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Baltazar misses with the combination.
Silva walks into a straight right hand from Baltazar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Silva looking to sit in guard and control but Baltazar gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Baltazar won't allow Silva to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baltazar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Baltazar has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Silva is proving hard to escape from.
Silva looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Silva has his foot on Baltazar's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Baltazar works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Baltazar misses with an uppercut.
Silva ducks under a wild hook from Baltazar.
Baltazar looks to land a left hand but Silva moved out of range nicely.
Baltazar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Silva.
Baltazar stuffs the takedown attempt from Silva. Silva gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva dives in and grabs Baltazar's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baltazar pushes down on Silva's head and hops out.
Silva lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Baltazar misses with a straight left.
Baltazar lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Silva backs up against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baltazar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Baltazar wants it to stay on the feet.

Silva gets a clinch.
Silva fails to pull guard.
Silva has Baltazar pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baltazar is looking to break free of the clinch but Silva has double underhooks.
Baltazar stops a takedown attempt from Silva.
Silva is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Silva tries to circle away but Baltazar has him pinned against the cage.
Silva wants a takedown but no success here.
Silva wants a takedown.
Baltazar tries to circle away but Silva has him pinned against the cage.
Baltazar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Baltazar is looking to break free of the clinch but Silva has double underhooks.
Silva wants a takedown.
Baltazar tries to break free but Silva pushes him back against the cage.
Silva keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Baltazar's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltazar wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Silva is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Baltazar gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Silva keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Baltazar's efforts to push away.
Silva tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Baltazar just stands there and leans against the cage.

Baltazar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Silva drops his hands momentarily and Baltazar takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Silva takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Silva uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Baltazar.
Silva defending well as Baltazar loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva fails with the takedown.
Baltazar lands a jab to the head.
Baltazar looks to land a right hand but Silva moved out of range.
Baltazar lands a nice shot that snaps Silva's head back.
Baltazar with a jab.
Rogelio Baltazar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baltazar fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Silva on the side of the head.
Baltazar uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Silva has time to react.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rogelio Baltazar 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 has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Baltazar finds it's way round the side to connect with Silva's head.
Silva looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baltazar is fending him off so far but Silva persists. Nope, Baltazar circles away and we're back to standing.
Silva closes the distance and clinches up with Baltazar, looking for a takedown. Silva pushes Baltazar against the cage but Baltazar circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Silva uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Baltazar.
Silva steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baltazar.
Silva defending well as Baltazar loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Silva takes the fight into the clinch.
Baltazar wants to get back to striking at distance but Silva won't allow it.
Silva tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva gets control of Baltazar's arms and successfully pulls guard. Silva will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva working a defensive guard here.
Baltazar wants to stand but Silva is controlling his posture from full guard.

Silva has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Baltazar is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Silva.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Silva can't do much from the bottom here.
Silva tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Baltazar decides to stand back up. Baltazar steps back and let's Silva get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva throws a half hearted mid kick.
Baltazar keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Baltazar connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Silva bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Silva dives in and grabs Baltazar's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baltazar pushes down on Silva's head and hops out.
Baltazar lunges at Silva with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Silva's hand.
Silva staying out of range there.
Baltazar fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Baltazar might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Silva takes one to the side of the head.
Silva takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Silva closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Silva swings around for an armbar but Baltazar sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Silva's guard.
Silva looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Baltazar puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Silva is looking for a sweep. Baltazar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rogelio Baltazar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Baltazar has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rogelio Baltazar!