PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Finch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva's entrance music is Dropkick Murphys - "I'm Shipping Up to Boston". A fine choice. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Silva
vs
Finch

188 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

184 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Heavy handed

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ryan Finch!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Felipe Paraventi and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Silva decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Finch avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Silva.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Silva seems to be looking for submissions.
Finch tries to get to full guard but Silva has control of the leg.

Silva seems to be looking for submissions.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Finch regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Finch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silva stopping the sweep attempt from Finch.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Finch can do anything to dispel that myth.
Finch is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Silva is looking for a sweep. Finch is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Finch slips a nice elbow through Silva's hands, connecting with Silva's forehead.
Silva 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.
Finch lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ground and pound from Finch.
Finch lands with a punch from half guard.

Silva is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Oh Silva is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Finch is looking for a kimura here.
Silva flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Silva seems to have got his legs back now.

Silva is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Finch pulls his head out easily.
Silva is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Finch is thwarting Silva's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Finch throws a leg kick but Silva checks it.
Silva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Silva shoots in and drives through. Finch sprawls well.

Finch shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Finch showed some decent athleticism there.
Finch frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Silva is looking to improve his position but Finch isn't that keen on the idea.
Silva slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Silva is looking to improve his position.
Finch is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Finch working over Silva with some ground and pound. Silva looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva tries to roll over but Finch keeps him under control.
Finch scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Silva is looking to improve his position.

Silva looking for submissions off his back.
Finch wants to free his trapped foot but Silva is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Silva gets full guard.

Silva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Finch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Silva is tightening it up a little... Finch has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Finch reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Finch taps out! nice BJJ there by Silva!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Antonio Silva!