PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hong Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pablo Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li comes into the arena with The Mars Volta - blaring out of the sound system. Silva is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Amazing by Kanye West ft. Young Jeezy. 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.

Li
vs
Silva

167 cm
33
119 lbs
16 - 18 - 1

172 cm
24
142 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
KO power

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Alpha-Male Nutritional Supplements (q160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 18 - 1, fighting out of New York, Hong Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Pablo Silva!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Silva throws a good cross that connects.
Silva avoids a punch combination nicely.
Silva swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Silva swats away the attempt to clinch by Li.

Silva shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Li's 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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Li knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Silva on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Silva jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Silva wants to control from the top but Li keeps moving.
Silva throws a strike but Li rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Li stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Silva is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Li is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Silva, into his guard.
Silva controlling Li's posture.
Li preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Silva pulls Li in to control the position.
Li really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Li with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Li steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Silva.
Hong Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Li will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The fight stays on the outside here - Li looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva throws a good cross that connects.
Li tries a low kick but Silva avoids it.
Li throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Silva scores with a nice head shot.
Hong Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Li throws a sloppy head kick and Silva moves out of range easily.
Li throws a series of punches but Silva avoids them all with ease.
Hong Li is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva tests Li's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Li scores with a head kick. Silva tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Li is looking to clinch but Silva is avoiding it.
Li misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Silva scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Silva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Li takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Silva has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Pablo Silva has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The fight stays on the outside here - Li looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Li looks to throw the jab but Silva is out of range.
Silva checks a leg kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Li.
Silva cracks a nice hook into Li's ribs.
Silva connects with a good right hand that stumbles Li. Li circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Silva throws a looping overhand right but Li ducks down to avoid it.
Silva uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Li moves to clinch but Silva breaks away

and Silva counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Silva.
Silva stands and throws Li's legs to the side, diving into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Silva throwing strikes but Li manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Silva is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Silva trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Silva is pressing down on Li's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Silva pulls Li in close to his closed guard and prevents Li from doing any damage or advancing position.
Silva is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Silva is working for a kimura but Li is defending it quite comfortably.
Well, if Silva is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Li wants to control but Silva is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Li's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva is looking for a kimura but Li is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Silva to get the leverage.
Silva is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Silva with a couple of short strikes.

It looks like Hong Li has been cut.
Silva misses with a head shot.

Silva goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Li is on top in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Li drops back, looking for a kneebar! Silva looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Silva looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Silva!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Silva is looking to take a break and control but Li is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Li takes one on the button.
Silva lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Li is rocked!
Li scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Oh Li is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Li looks to clinch

and Silva counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Silva seems to be looking for submissions.
Silva not doing much here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Silva in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Li tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Silva!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Pablo Silva!
In his post fight interview, Pablo Silva started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.