PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julio Sobral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva has chosen MC Primo - Diretoria as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sobral
vs
Silva

181 cm
20
168 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

170 cm
29
160 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very quick

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Down Under! - Supplements (AXES)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Sobral!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rob Silva!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva missing with a left hand there. Sobral was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sobral fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sobral misses with an uppercut.
Sobral is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Silva gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sobral stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Silva has control of Sobral's left arm, preventing Sobral from doing any damage.
Silva working a defensive guard here.
Sobral passes Silva's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sobral wants to control but Silva is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sobral has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Silva looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Silva pulls Sobral in close to prevent any damage.
Sobral wants to pass the guard but Silva is keeping the position.
Sobral wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
Sobral content to stall in guard here.
Sobral being controlled here momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Julio Sobral just wasn't active enough.
Nice takedown defense from Silva. No joy for Sobral on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobral throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Sobral rushes Silva and presses him up against the cage.

Sobral escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sobral tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Silva was well out of range. Poor timing from Sobral.
Sobral tries to close the distance and clinch but Silva swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice shot lands for Silva.
Sobral dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sobral ducks under a wild hook from Silva.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobral shoots in but no luck this time.
Silva throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sobral slips under a jab.
Sobral throws a lazy right hand but Silva sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Silva scores with a hook to the body. Sobral takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sobral looks to land a right hand but Silva moved out of range.
Silva stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Silva wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Sobral. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sobral. Silva does a little dance to reset his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sobral.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobral misses with a hook to the body

and Silva counters with a shoot takedown. Sobral fights it but they end up in guard.
Sobral will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Silva lands a couple of decent looking shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sobral looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobral is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silva working some strikes from top position.
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobral is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Silva drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Sobral dives on top into guard.
Sobral trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sobral is pushing down on Silva's leg trying to pass to half guard. Silva is fighting to maintain full guard but Sobral has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sobral slows the pace down in half guard.
Silva moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rob Silva will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Silva's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sobral under the eye.
Sobral tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Silva was well out of range. Poor timing from Sobral.

Silva shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sobral napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Silva throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sobral is looking to regain half guard here but Silva keeps moving and retains side control.
Sobral is working hard here to advance position.
Silva wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sobral keeps working.
An elbow from Silva crashes against the mat.
Silva working the ground and pound.
Silva grinds an elbow into Sobral's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sobral manages to get back to half guard.

Silva is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sobral defends it well.
Silva wants to free his trapped foot but Sobral is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sobral wants to control but Silva is keeping busy.

Sobral actively working from the bottom here.
Silva has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Silva sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sobral defending well though.

Sobral is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Silva pulls his head out easily.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sobral has managed to free his arm - good work.
Silva wants to control but Sobral is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Silva is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Silva connects with a nice short shot to Sobral's temple.
Sobral on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Sobral actively working from the bottom here.
Sobral blocking the ground and pound attempt from Silva.
Silva winds up and cracks Sobral with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sobral on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sobral manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva content to stall in guard here.
Silva loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Silva got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sobral has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Silva has managed to get both his arms back between Sobral's legs - danger averted.

Sobral has his foot on Silva's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Silva works his way back into a safe position though.
Silva wants to control from the top but Sobral keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Silva accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Sobral is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rob Silva has got the better of the ground game so far.
Silva stands up over Sobral, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Sobral working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Silva doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Silva manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sobral had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Silva defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silva in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but Sobral blocks nicely.
Silva wants to control from the top but Sobral keeps moving.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Sobral is keeping the position.
Silva engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silva throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sobral works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Sobral throws a sloppy body shot
and Silva counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sobral misses with a takedown
and Silva counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sobral swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sobral misses the body punch

and Silva counters with a takedown into side control.
Silva scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Sobral to see if he's OK.
Sobral is trying to work for a sweep but Silva has mounted him!
Sobral tries to reverse the position but Silva maintains control.
Silva dominating with strikes here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silva tries to control but Sobral wriggling away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sobral sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Silva lands with a punch from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Silva slows the pace down in half guard.
Sobral taking some punishment here, with Silva in his half guard.
Silva scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Silva throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sobral trying to hold on to Silva's head to control him but Silva postures up.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sobral's head.
Sobral wants to get back to full guard.
Sobral wants to get back to full guard but Silva has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva working the ground and pound from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sobral is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sobral gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Silva content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Silva is looking for a kimura but Sobral is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Silva to get the leverage.
Sobral wants to improve his position but Silva is controlling well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sobral manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Silva is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sobral preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Silva passes into half guard.
Sobral is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sobral is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Silva's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Silva's back!
Sobral is looking to control Silva but Silva is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Sobral not allowing Silva to control his hands.
Julio Sobral has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Will Sobral go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Sobral is looking for the choke from the back position but Silva is controlling his hands well.
Silva trying to control the hands but Sobral breaks the grip.
Silva tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva tries to hold on but Sobral pushes him away.

Sobral wants to finish this one by submission but Silva is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Sobral.
Silva regains half guard.
Sobral tries to pass the half guard into mount. Silva knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Silva is holding on to half guard well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Silva is trying to maintain the position but Sobral is very close to passing his half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Silva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Silva 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rob Silva!