PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard Silva (ranked 2916 p4p, 270 weight class) and Bonzela Franco (ranked 5136 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Architects-Doomsday. Franco is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Anti Heroi. 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.

Silva
vs
Franco

193 cm
32
227 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

193 cm
24
239 lbs
3 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Richard Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bonzela Franco!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Chad Campbell and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Franco shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Silva napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Silva is trying to improve his position.
Silva has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Silva is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Franco off and has taken his back!
Franco tries to break free.

Silva patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Franco is in bad spot here.
Franco manages to reverse the position and now he's in Silva's guard. Nice work there by Franco.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Silva had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Franco defends it easily.

Silva is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Franco trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Franco missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Silva working for a triangle but Franco defends it easily.
Franco trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Franco passes Silva's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Silva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Silva looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Franco loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
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.

Silva prevents Franco from improving his position.
Silva blocks the strikes from Franco.
Franco 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!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Franco is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Silva is defending well though. Franco let's go of the attempt for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva rolls, trying to escape but Franco keeps control of the position.
Silva breaks Franco's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Silva connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Franco is keeping the position.
Franco throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Franco throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Silva postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Franco looking for a sweep. Not yet Franco, not yet.

Franco looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Silva has picked Franco up and slammed him! Franco can't keep hold of the triangle and Silva manages to pass to side control!
Franco tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Silva prevents Franco from getting the reversal.
Silva avoids the attempt from Franco to control.
Franco working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Franco?
Franco tries to hold on but Silva pushes him away.
Silva prevents Franco from getting the reversal.
Silva unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Franco wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Silva celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Richard Silva!
During a confident post fight interview, Richard Silva thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
The defeated Bonzela Franco had this to say: 'I will fight again and i will win'.