PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Ithamar (ranked 2518 p4p, 123 weight class) and Adriano Silva (ranked 4171 p4p, 196 weight class). Ithamar comes to the cage accompanied by Yamma Ensemble Psalms 104. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Ithamar
vs
Silva

176 cm
20
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

176 cm
29
135 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ezekiel Ithamar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Adriano Silva!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Felipe Paraventi and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva lands a jab to Ithamar's midsection.
Silva scores with the left hand. Ithamar knows he should have avoided that one.

Ithamar instigates a clinch.
Silva is looking to break free of the clinch but Ithamar has double underhooks.
Ithamar drops down looking for an ankle pick but Silva pulls his leg out and moves away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Silva.
Silva lands with a thumping leg kick.
Silva slaps away a takedown attempt from Ithamar, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ithamar defends it nicely.
Ithamar shoots in looking for a takedown. Silva tries to sprawl out of it but Ithamar keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Silva manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Silva feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Ithamar. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Ithamar will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ithamar shoots in but Silva avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ithamar goes for a double leg but Silva avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Silva continues to drive forward.

Ithamar moves into the clinch.
Ithamar using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ithamar looking for a takedown.
Ithamar drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Silva is pressed up against the cage. Ithamar has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Silva down to the mat. Silva avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva digs a good hook to Ithamar's body.
Silva connects with a body shot that sends Ithamar's belly button to the back.

Ithamar darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice strikes from Ithamar there.
Silva wants to get back to his feet.
Silva tries to roll over but Ithamar keeps him under control.
Silva is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Silva gets full guard.
Ithamar stays in close to Silva's body and controls the position.
Silva working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ithamar.
Ithamar sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ithamar tries to free his leg and advance position but Silva is retaining full guard.
Silva can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ithamar controls the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Ithamar closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Silva's guard.
Silva wants to sweep but no luck.
Ithamar slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ithamar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ithamar stands and throws Silva's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Ithamar wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Silva, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adriano Silva dominated that round.
That's time! Ithamar's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Silva throws a one two combo.
Ithamar tries for a takedown but Silva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Silva lands with a right hand.
Ithamar takes one to the side of the head.
Silva staying out of range there.
Silva with the counter takedown but Ithamar avoids it easily.
Silva lands a nice looking body shot.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ithamar as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ithamar shoots in but Silva avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Silva is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Silva scores with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Silva with a nice cross.
Silva shoots for a double leg takedown but Ithamar sprawls well. He's pushed Silva's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Ithamar drives through and clinches with Silva against the cage.
Silva has a couple of punches blocked by Ithamar.

Silva breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Silva throws a jab when Ithamar was well out of range.
Ithamar feinted with a counter takedown.

Ithamar shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Silva's guard.
Ithamar looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ithamar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ithamar sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ezekiel Ithamar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ithamar passes Silva's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ithamar with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Silva manages to escape and get back to his feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ithamar manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Silva on his heels. He'll look to pass Silva's guard now, I'm sure.
Silva is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Ithamar dives into side control.

Ithamar goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Silva has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ithamar but great work by Silva.
Silva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar struggling a bit here.

Silva is trying to get an arm triangle but Ithamar is defending well.
Silva taking a breather here.
Silva wants to control but Ithamar is keeping him busy.

Silva is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ithamar has escaped the position, nice work there.
Ithamar is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ithamar wants to control but Silva postures up.
Ithamar is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Silva off and has taken his back!
Silva looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Ithamar landing with strikes.

Silva preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Ithamar.
Ithamar lands a shot to the head.

Ithamar has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Silva has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Adriano Silva will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ithamar is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Silva scores with a jab. Ithamar acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Ithamar shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ithamar was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Silva explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Silva lands with a hook. Ithamar tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ithamar ducks right into an uppercut from Silva.
Silva leaves Ithamar with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ithamar changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Silva tries to avoid it but Ithamar manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Silva to the ground. Silva escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Ithamar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ithamar at a distance.

Ithamar drives through and clinches with Silva against the cage.
Ithamar is working for takedown but Silva is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ithamar wants to take the fight to the mat but Silva manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Silva wants to get back to striking at distance but Ithamar won't allow it.
Silva scores with a shoulder strike.
Ithamar is trying to drag Silva to the mat but Silva just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Silva as Ithamar tries to tie him up.
Silva is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Silva blocking some punches.
Ithamar looking for a takedown.
Ithamar wants a takedown.
Silva is trying to break free.
Silva wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ithamar is looking for a takedown.
Ithamar has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Silva avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Silva gets underhooks to prevent Ithamar's takedown attempt.
Ithamar has Silva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Silva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Silva looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Silva is pressed up against the cage. Ithamar has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Silva down to the mat. Silva avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ezekiel Ithamar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ithamar takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Silva lands with a cross.
Silva connects with the punch.
Silva digs a good body shot into Ithamar's ribs.
Silva lands a nice shot that snaps Ithamar's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva leaves Ithamar with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Silva lands an overhand right.
Ithamar shoots for a takedown but Silva saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ithamar is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Silva throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Nice body kick there by Silva.
Silva scores with a hook.
Silva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ithamar as he avoids it easily.
Ithamar half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Ithamar throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Silva was covering up waiting for the punch and Ithamar finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ithamar tries to free his leg and advance position but Silva is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Silva is on top in guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ithamar is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Silva slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ithamar is looking to reverse the position.
Silva tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Ithamar is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adriano Silva really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Silva works Ithamar's body with a nice hook.
Ithamar fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Silva changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ithamar shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Silva sprawls well. Silva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ithamar gets slowly back to his feet.
Ithamar takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ithamar looks for a takedown but Silva sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Ithamar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva jabs Ithamar right on the nose. Ithamar blinks but takes it well.
Ithamar misses with a takedown attempt - Silva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva throws a series of punches but Ithamar avoids them all with ease.
Ithamar shoots for a double leg takedown but Silva sprawls well. He's pushed Ithamar's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Silva throws a series of strikes that have Ithamar backpedaling.
Silva works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ithamar on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ithamar drops his hands momentarily and Silva takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ithamar is defended easily by Silva.
Ithamar fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Silva punishes Ithamar's body with a nice straight punch.

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

Ithamar looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ithamar wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
Silva wants to control the position but Ithamar says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ithamar is looking to take a break and control but Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Silva looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ithamar is looking for a kimura but Silva is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ithamar to get the leverage.
Ithamar slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar trying to pass the guard but Silva defending well.
Ithamar is trying to control. Silva wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Silva wants to improve his position but Ithamar is controlling well.
Ithamar trying to control the pace.

Ithamar is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Silva has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ithamar thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Silva's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ithamar throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Silva is trying to escape back to his feet but Ithamar uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Ithamar fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ithamar has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Silva is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ithamar controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adriano Silva dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ithamar shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Silva defends it nicely.
Ithamar takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Silva swinging wildly here.
Ithamar will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ithamar looking to score a takedown here. Silva is defending well but Ithamar drives through and ends up in Silva's guard.
Ithamar throws a strike but Silva rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ithamar has control of Silva's left arm, preventing Silva from doing any damage.
Silva stopping the sweep attempt from Ithamar.
Silva trying to control but Ithamar is working from the bottom.
Ithamar looking for a sweep. Not yet Ithamar, not yet.
Ithamar lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ithamar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ithamar throwing strikes from guard but Silva blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar controls from within his opponent's guard.
Silva tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Silva wants to hit a switch here but Ithamar passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Silva there!
Silva is squirming around, avoiding Ithamar's attempts to control the action.
Ithamar tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva wants to control but Ithamar is having none of it.
Ithamar can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Silva is looking to escape.
Silva tries to lock up and control but Ithamar gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Ithamar wants to finish this one by submission but Silva is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ithamar.

Ithamar looking for a guillotine from mount but Silva is having none of it.
Ithamar trying to control but Silva is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ithamar looking to ground and pound but Silva is blocking nicely.
Silva is squirming around, avoiding Ithamar's attempts to control the action.
Ithamar thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Ithamar lands a nice shot to the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ithamar 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.
Ithamar lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Silva hang on?

And that's the end of the fight!
Ezekiel Ithamar showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Silva has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 46:49
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adriano Silva!
Adriano Silva is the new bantamweight champion!
Ezekiel Ithamar spoke after the fight, saying 'So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.'.