PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Justin Murray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Justin Murray has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Silva
vs
Murray

193 cm
21
185 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

185 cm
20
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Solid
PURE

Crippler's Corner

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Xavier Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Justin Murray!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Murray gets a takedown into half guard.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Silva regains full guard. Nicely done.

Silva has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Murray can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Silva wants to sweep here but Murray controlling him for the moment.

Murray drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Murray jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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

Murray is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Silva looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Silva looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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.

Silva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Murray doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Murray manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Silva can't keep his opponent in guard - Murray advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Murray looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Murray seems to be looking for submissions.

Murray is looking for a kimura here.

Murray is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Silva is just riding it out for now. Murray eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Murray seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Silva does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Murray looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Silva is pressing down on Murray's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Silva manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Murray manages to get himself to full guard.

Murray is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Murray manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva taking shots to the head.

Murray is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Silva is surviving well by controlling Murray's body position as best he can.

Murray is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Silva is surviving well by controlling Murray's body position as best he can.
Silva tries to reverse the position but Murray maintains control.

Murray working for a guillotine from mount but Silva is in no mood to give up.

Murray has hold of Silva's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Silva manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Silva really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Murray has control of Silva's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Silva regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Murray moves to the back.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Murray looking to break Silva's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Silva remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Murray will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Murray is trying to stick to Silva's back but Silva is turning into Murray. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Murray's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Silva.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Murray looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Murray keeping full guard, as Silva tries to pass.
Silva works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Silva uses his free foot to push down on Murray's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Murray.

Silva moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Murray has worked his arm free - good work by Murray!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Murray 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.

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.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Murray is keeping the position.

Silva drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Silva jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Murray has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Murray looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Murray throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Murray is breathing heavily.

Silva drops back looking for a leg! Murray is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Murray manages to kick Silva off! Silva jumps back into Murray's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murray is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Murray 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Murray fails with the takedown

and Silva counters with a shoot takedown. Murray fights it but they end up in guard.
Murray wants to sweep but no luck.

Murray has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Silva avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Xavier Silva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva keeping full guard, as Murray tries to pass.
Silva scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Silva manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Murray working to try and regain half guard.

Silva working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Silva looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva with a couple of short strikes.
Murray working to try and regain half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Murray can do anything to dispel that myth.
Murray is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Silva working for a submission but Murray is keeping him at bay.

Murray defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Silva.
Silva takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Murray manages to reverse the position and now he's in Silva's guard. Nice work there by Murray.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murray preventing the sweep.

Silva looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Silva had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Murray is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Silva Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Murray's back instead.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Silva working for a choke but Murray is defending well.

Silva is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Murray is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Silva dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Murray darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Silva regains full guard. Nicely done.

Silva is looking for a triangle but Murray pushes his legs off easily.

Silva working for a triangle but Murray defends it easily.

Silva had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Murray is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Silva Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Murray's back instead.
Murray takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva looking for the RNC.
Murray turns into Silva and is now in his guard.
Murray advances position into side control!
Silva is trying to get back to half guard.
Murray wants to lay and pray for a moment but Silva keeps working.
Silva is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Murray is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Silva is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Murray's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Silva won't allow Murray to pass to mount.

Murray seems to be working for a kimura but Silva defends the submission attempt.
Silva is trying to get back to full guard.

Silva actively working from the bottom here.
Silva tries to roll over but Murray keeps him under control.
Murray is trying to control the action in half guard but Silva is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Murray closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Silva shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Silva with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Murray is trying desperately to improve position.
Silva landing strikes, looking to finish!

Silva looking to secure an arm triangle but Murray defends it well.
Silva moves to take his opponent's back.

Silva is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Murray defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Silva is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Murray is defending well though. Silva let's go of the attempt for now.
Silva is hanging on to Murray's back as he tries to escape.

Silva looking for the choke from the back.
Silva doesn't have the hooks in and Murray manages to turn into his guard.

Silva looking for a guillotine here but Murray defends easily.
Silva manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silva moves to the back position.

Silva patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Silva showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Silva has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

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