PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rickson Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vince Tuzzio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Silva
vs
Tuzzio

172 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rickson Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vince Tuzzio!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Silva shoots in and bounces Tuzzio off the cage to secure the takedown into 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.
Tuzzio looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Silva distracts Tuzzio with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tuzzio keeping full guard, as Silva tries to pass.
Tuzzio wants to improve his position but instead Silva has moved into half guard.

Silva is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuzzio wants to get back to full guard.
Tuzzio is trying to stand up here but Silva is controlling him well.
Tuzzio blocking the ground and pound attempt from Silva.
Tuzzio tries to get to full guard but Silva has control of the leg.

Tuzzio is defending against the submission attempts here by Silva.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva prevents Tuzzio from improving his position.

Silva is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva wants to work for an arm triangle but Tuzzio is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tuzzio throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Silva seems to be working for a kimura but Tuzzio defends the submission attempt.

Tuzzio looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuzzio is looking to improve his position.
Tuzzio is looking to control Silva's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tuzzio avoid being mounted?

Silva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Silva dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Horrible takedown by Silva or perhaps it was just good defense by Tuzzio which made him look bad.

Tuzzio fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Silva sprawls well initially but Tuzzio persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silva is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Silva moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuzzio trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tuzzio sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Silva's guard.
Tuzzio landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Tuzzio is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Silva manages to get to full guard.
Tuzzio working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuzzio chips away with some ground and pound.

Silva throws his legs up looking for a submission but Tuzzio uses it to pass to side control.
Tuzzio in side control lands a decent elbow.
Silva is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tuzzio's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Tuzzio is keen to just control but Silva is a slippery customer.
Tuzzio is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tuzzio is looking to advance position but Silva won't allow it.
Tuzzio thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Silva's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rickson Silva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tuzzio wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.

Silva looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tuzzio trying to control but Silva is working from the bottom.
Tuzzio throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Tuzzio is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Silva is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Silva has escaped and now he's on top!

Tuzzio escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Silva gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuzzio looking for a sweep. Not yet Tuzzio, not yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva stops Tuzzio from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vince Tuzzio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tuzzio shoots in and bounces Silva off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Silva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Silva looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Tuzzio passes into half guard.
Tuzzio throwing shots but Silva is blocking nicely.
Silva is looking to get back to full guard here but Tuzzio has managed to pass to side control instead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva prevents Tuzzio from improving position.
Silva tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tuzzio wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Silva sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Tuzzio wants to free his trapped foot but Silva is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tuzzio looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Silva is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tuzzio's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tuzzio's back!

Silva looking for the RNC.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Tuzzio taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rickson Silva!