PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sebastiao da Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junior Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

da Silva
vs
Gracie

175 cm
29
162 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

179 cm
28
158 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sebastiao da Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Junior Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Gracie tries to sprawl but da Silva drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but da Silva has control of the leg.

da Silva is looking for a kimura here.
Gracie tries to roll over but da Silva keeps him under control.

da Silva seems to be looking for submissions.
da Silva moves into full mount! Gracie won't be happy about that!
Gracie is squirming around, avoiding da Silva's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie regains half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie wants to improve his position but da Silva is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

da Silva wants to work for an arm triangle but Gracie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.
da Silva pushes down on Gracie's leg and manages to get into half guard.

da Silva is trying to work for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.

da Silva is trying to work for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Gracie gets back to full guard.
da Silva sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gracie's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

da Silva is trying to work for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Gracie tries to roll over but da Silva keeps him under control.

da Silva is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gracie has managed to free his arm - good work.

da Silva is working for a submission of some sort.
Gracie tries to roll over but da Silva keeps him under control.

da Silva is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gracie doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time da Silva.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gracie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gracie lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for da Silva!
da Silva is looking to improve his position but Gracie isn't that keen on the idea.
Gracie is stalling here but it's allowed da Silva to get half guard.
da Silva is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but da Silva sees it coming and defends easily.
da Silva is staying active underneath Gracie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but da Silva is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

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

da Silva looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but da Silva is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but da Silva is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sebastiao da Silva will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown

and da Silva counters with a nice double leg into guard.
da Silva works a leg free and moves into half guard.
da Silva passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Gracie!
Gracie is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
da Silva controlling the position easily from mount.
Gracie is desperately trying to improve his position but da Silva has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
da Silva moves to the back.
da Silva is trying to stick to Gracie's back but Gracie is turning into da Silva. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in da Silva's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.

da Silva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
da Silva manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gracie manages to get himself to full guard.
Sebastiao da Silva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing da Silva from controlling successfully.
da Silva preventing the sweep.

da Silva 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.
Gracie is looking to sweep but instead, da Silva has passed into half guard.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gracie bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in da Silva's guard.
da Silva wants to sweep but no luck.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
da Silva wants to sweep here but Gracie controlling him for the moment.
Gracie works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gracie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
da Silva is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.
da Silva manages to get to full guard.
Gracie won't allow da Silva to sweep him here.
da Silva lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gracie!
da Silva looking to control but Gracie is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

da Silva has hold of Gracie's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Gracie manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
da Silva mounts Gracie! Really nice guard pass there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from da Silva.
Gracie is working to get back to half guard.

da Silva has control of Gracie's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Gracie regains control of the situation pretty easily.

da Silva looking to secure an arm triangle but Gracie defends it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie is desperately trying to improve his position but da Silva has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sebastiao da Silva dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and da Silva counters with a body kick that stops Gracie in his tracks momentarily.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but da Silva defends the submission attempt.
da Silva gets full guard.
da Silva is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but da Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gracie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! da Silva is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing da Silva from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

da Silva got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, da Silva has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
da Silva is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
da Silva wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gracie is on top in guard.
da Silva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
da Silva is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Gracie 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.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but da Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

da Silva stands and steps away. Gracie gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. da Silva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sebastiao da Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junior Gracie.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gracie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from da Silva. Those never looked like landing.
Gracie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

da Silva drives through with a takedown into Gracie's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
da Silva looking to sit in guard and control but Gracie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
da Silva wants to sweep but no luck.

Gracie has gone for a leg lock! da Silva slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gracie's guard.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing da Silva from controlling successfully.
da Silva has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

da Silva avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
da Silva wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie 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 wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

We're going to have a standup here because Sebastiao da Silva wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Gracie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Junior Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
da Silva fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Sebastiao da Silva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
da Silva swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

da Silva drives through with a takedown into Gracie's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sebastiao da Silva showed his dominance in that final round.
Well da Silva has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sebastiao da Silva!
Our winner, Sebastiao da Silva, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.