PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paolo Da Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Rice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Da Silva comes to the cage accompanied by Capoeira do Brasil (Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66). Rice has chosen AC/DC - Thunderstruck as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Da Silva
vs
Rice

185 cm
25
185 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

175 cm
25
185 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Paolo Da Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Rice!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Da Silva lands a really nice looking cross but Rice seems unphased.
Rice throws a right and a left that Da Silva avoids nicely.
Da Silva smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rice looks to land a combination but Da Silva avoids it well.
Steve Rice seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Da Silva uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Da Silva feints a jab promting Rice to slip. Da Silva then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Rice slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rice misses with a double jab.
Rice walks into a straight right hand from Da Silva.

Da Silva closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Da Silva throwing strikes but Rice manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Da Silva is looking for a sweep.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rice misses with the ground and pound.
Da Silva is trying to control Rice's posture but Rice avoids it.
Rice in side control, throwing shots but Da Silva defends.
Rice scores with punches from side control.
Rice in side control, throwing shots but Da Silva defends.
Da Silva manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Da Silva trying to hold on to Rice's head to control him but Rice postures up.

Da Silva looking for submissions off his back.
Da Silva is pressing down on Rice's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rice is looking to work some ground and pound but Da Silva has wrist control.
Rice must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rice postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Da 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.
Da Silva lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rice!
Da Silva throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Poor strikes thrown by Da Silva there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Da Silva misses with a head shot.
Da Silva sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Da Silva misses with a head shot.
Da Silva controlling from mount.

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.
Da Silva putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Da Silva sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Rice really wants to buck Da Silva off and get back to his feet.
Da Silva is landing with some decent strikes but Rice is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Da Silva throwing strikes here but Rice is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Rice wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Da Silva.
Da Silva with a couple of short strikes.
Da Silva unloading with bombs!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva drops a big elbow. That's hurt Rice! More shots from Da Silva and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Paolo Da Silva!