PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Caio Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Paiva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva comes to the cage accompanied by Forever. Rafael Paiva has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Silva
vs
Paiva

174 cm
22
188 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

193 cm
24
195 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

WIN Nutritional
WIN Nutritional

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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Caio Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Paiva!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good standup being displayed there by Paiva as he connects with a hook.
Paiva scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Some wild striking there from Paiva.
Silva fails with the takedown.

Silva looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Silva won't allow Paiva to get back to his feet.
Silva wants to control from the top but Paiva keeps moving.

Silva postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Paiva is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Silva, into his guard.
Paiva trying to stand up but can't free himself from Silva's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva is working an open guard so Paiva takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Silva uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Paiva.
Paiva throws a right and a left that both miss.
Paiva looks gassed!
Silva looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Silva connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A combination from Paiva does no damage.
Silva shoots in but Paiva avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caio Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Paiva misses.
Paiva throws a nice looking combination but Silva bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Paiva shows good takedown defense.
Paiva throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Silva looks for a takedown but Paiva sprawls well.
Silva slips a jab and a cross from Paiva.
A punch lands to the side of Silva 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Paiva scores with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paiva misses with a double jab.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paiva as he avoids it easily.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Paiva keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Silva feints and as Paiva raises his hands in defense, Silva changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Paiva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silva is looking to advance position but Paiva has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Paiva takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Silva working to try and regain half guard.

Paiva is standing up, even though he is in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva looks for a takedown but Paiva sprawls well.
Paiva lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Paiva stuffs the takedown.
Paiva lands with a nice combination. Silva backs away looking to recover.
Paiva looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Paiva lands with an uppercut that bounces Silva off the cage and back into rage.
Caio Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Paiva swivels and escapes.
Paiva throws a right and a left that Silva avoids nicely.
Paiva misses with a straight left.
Some wild striking there from Paiva.
Silva tries for a takedown but Paiva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Silva shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Paiva pinned against the cage. Paiva gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paiva swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Paiva stuffs the takedown.
Paiva lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silva circles away quickly and effectively.
Silva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Paiva's waist but Paiva gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Silva off to one side.
Some wild striking there from Paiva.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Paiva rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Silva changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Paiva tries to avoid it but Silva manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Paiva to the ground. Paiva escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Paiva lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silva circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silva is defended easily by Paiva.
Silva tries to score a power double leg takedown but Paiva sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Silva somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Paiva moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt - Paiva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Paiva fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Silva takes one to the chin there.
Paiva keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Paiva works over Silva's head and body with a nice combination.
A punch combination from Paiva misses.
Paiva scores with a body shot.
Paiva dips to his left and cracks Silva with an uppercut!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice sprawl there from Paiva as Silva shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caio Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva avoids a punch combination nicely.
Paiva closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silva is defended easily by Paiva.
Rafael Paiva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paiva fails to land with a series of punches.
Left hook, right uppercut from Paiva.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paiva as he avoids it easily.
Paiva looks to land a combination. Silva sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Silva shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Paiva defends it nicely.

Silva fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Paiva sprawls well initially but Silva persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Paiva can do anything to dispel that myth.

Paiva manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Paiva goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Silva shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Paiva napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Silva wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Paiva, who protects the arm well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paiva bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Silva tries for a takedown but Paiva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Paiva misses with a body shot.
Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Paiva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rafael Paiva seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Paiva fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Paiva connects with a crisp jab.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Paiva sprawls well. Paiva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Silva gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Paiva lands a nice hook to Silva's body. Silva takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Silva shoots in but Paiva avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Paiva looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Paiva moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Silva decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Paiva has managed to free his arm - good work.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paiva is defending against the submission attempts here by Silva.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Paiva has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Paiva manages to escape and get back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Paiva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Horrible takedown by Silva or perhaps it was just good defense by Paiva which made him look bad.
Paiva is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Paiva throws a series of punches but Silva avoids them all with ease.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Paiva shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Paiva scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paiva circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caio Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paiva defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Silva.
Silva looks for a takedown but Paiva sprawls well.
Paiva throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Paiva has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Paiva sizes up Silva with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Paiva looks to land a combination but Silva avoids it well.
Paiva goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Silva shoots for a takedown but Paiva saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Paiva leaves Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good exchange - Paiva coming out on top.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Paiva shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paiva scores with a jab.
Silva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Paiva's waist but Paiva gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Silva off to one side.
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.
Caio Silva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Paiva. No joy for Silva on that attempt.
Silva shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Paiva pinned against the cage. Paiva gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Paiva throws a shot to the body.
Paiva lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silva circles away quickly and effectively.

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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Silva drops back, looking for a kneebar! Paiva looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Paiva looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Paiva!

Paiva decides to stand back up. Paiva steps back and let's Silva get back to his feet.
Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paiva circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva takes one to the chin there.
Paiva throws a one two combo.
Silva looks for a takedown but Paiva sprawls well.
Silva shoots in for a double leg but Paiva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Silva takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice sprawl there from Paiva as Silva shoots in.
Silva takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice uppercut there from Paiva.
Paiva slaps away a takedown attempt from Silva, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Paiva scores with a punch to the head.
Paiva throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A big left from Paiva misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paiva circles away.
Silva tries for a takedown but Paiva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt - Paiva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Silva has a takedown stuffed.
Paiva throws a right hand that Silva ducks under and follows up with a left that Silva also avoids with ease.
Silva tries for a takedown but Paiva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Paiva.
Silva fails with the takedown.
Paiva misses with the combination.
Paiva swinging wildly here.
Silva shoots in for a double leg but Paiva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Paiva comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Silva is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Paiva leaves Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Paiva misses with a body shot.
Paiva swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Paiva leaves Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Paiva looks to land a combination but Silva avoids it well.
Silva tries for a takedown but Paiva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Paiva lands a two punch combo.
Silva with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Paiva to score with a decent uppercut.
Rafael Paiva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Paiva lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

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.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Silva drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Paiva manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Silva has Paiva in his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Paiva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Paiva winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Paiva!