PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Castro (ranked 3909 p4p, 383 weight class) and Rodrygo Da Silva (ranked 1556 p4p, 184 weight class). Castro's entrance music is Win. A fine choice. Rodrygo Da Silva is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Castro
vs
Da Silva

175 cm
22
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
159 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Castro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodrygo Da Silva!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Castro drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Castro throws a big right hand that misses.
Castro wants to control from the top but Da Silva keeps moving.
Da Silva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Castro looking to pass the guard.
Castro trying to control but Da Silva is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castro is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Da Silva is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro throwing strikes from guard but Da Silva blocks nicely.
Da Silva wants to stand and escape but Castro is having none of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Da Silva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Castro appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Da Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Castro swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Castro clinches up with Da Silva and pushes him back against the cage.

Castro is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Da Silva can't fight it off and eventually Castro manages to take the fight to the floor. Da Silva looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Castro trying to control but Da Silva is working from the bottom.
Da Silva lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Castro has his hands on Da Silva's head, controlling the position.
Castro controls Da Silva momentarily but Da Silva frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Castro looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Castro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Da Silva doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Da Silva manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Castro keeping full guard, as Da Silva tries to pass.
Castro keeping moving, preventing Da Silva from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Da Silva missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Da Silva has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Castro is proving hard to escape from.
Castro has Da Silva pulled in close to control his posture.
Castro wants to sweep here but Da Silva controlling him for the moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Castro looking for a guillotine here but Da Silva defends easily.

Castro throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Da Silva escapes and throws Castro's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Castro gets back to half guard.
Castro trying to control but Da Silva postures up.
Castro is looking to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Da Silva passes to full mount!
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 Joe Castro will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Castro closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Castro fails to land.
Da Silva is trying to pull guard but Castro has him pressed against the cage.
Castro missing with knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Castro as the two fighters clinch.

Castro lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Da Silva is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Castro scores with a couple of nice shots.
Castro is trying to control. Da Silva wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Silva is looking to escape.
Joe Castro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Castro is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Castro thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Da Silva's head.
We've been hearing good reports from Castro's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Da Silva defending well though.
Castro tries to pass the half guard into mount. Da Silva knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Castro is working for a kimura but Da Silva is defending it quite comfortably.
Da Silva tries to get to full guard but Castro has control of the leg.
Castro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Da Silva can do to turn this around?
Castro controlling the action here.

That's two 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.
Da Silva tries to roll over but Castro keeps him under control.
Castro is looking to advance position but Da Silva won't allow it.
Castro is working hard here to advance position.
Da Silva trying to control here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Da Silva shoots in for a takedown but Castro shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Da Silva fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Da Silva darts in looking for a takedown but Castro gets double underhooks and turns Da Silva into the cage.
Joe Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodrygo Da Silva.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Castro clinches up with Da Silva and pushes him back against the cage.
Da Silva managing to block the knees to the body from Castro.
Stalling in the clinch from Castro.
Da Silva looking for a takedown.
Da Silva wants to break the clinch but can't.
Castro throws a head punch that misses.
Castro wants to break the clinch but can't.
Castro tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Da Silva avoids it.
A hook to the body from Castro.
Castro misses with an elbow over the top.
Da Silva has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Castro after a bit of a struggle.
Come on Castro - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Castro for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Castro tightens his grip and picks Da Silva up, before dumping him to the ground. Da Silva manages to land in guard.
Da Silva throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Castro trying to control but Da Silva is working from the bottom.
Da Silva looking to control.
Castro throwing strikes but missing.
Castro passes Da Silva's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Castro working over Da Silva with some ground and pound. Da Silva looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Castro dominated that second 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.

Da Silva gets tackled into the cage by Castro. Castro maintains the clinch.
Da Silva tries for a takedown. No joy.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Da Silva blocks an elbow strike.

Castro has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Da Silva clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Castro avoiding Da Silva 's attempts to control his hands.
Castro struggling to keep hold of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Castro is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Castro tightening his grip on Da Silva, looking for the choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro controlling well, preventing Da Silva from escaping the position.
Da Silva just trying to survive but Castro is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Da Silva fending off the submission attempt from Castro.
Da Silva is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Da Silva is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Da Silva covering up well and avoiding damage.

Castro working for the choke.

Castro is persistently looking for the submission but Da Silva is defending it well.
Castro keeps control of the position as Da Silva tries to break free.
Da Silva trying to control the action but Castro just sinks the hooks in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Da Silva defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Da Silva is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Castro working for the choke.

Da Silva defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Castro is throwing strikes but Da Silva counters by rolling into a better position. After a scramble, Da Silva regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Castro.
Castro is trying to control. Da Silva wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Da Silva wants to get back to full guard.
Castro takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Castro is looking to take a break and control but Da Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Castro stops Da Silva from getting back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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

Castro is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Castro clearly takes that round.
That's time! Castro's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Da Silva lands a nice looking body shot.
Horrible takedown attempt by Da Silva or perhaps it was just good defense by Castro, which made it look bad.
Da Silva tries to clinch up.
Castro looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Da Silva tries to clinch but Castro moves out of range.
Castro seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

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

Da Silva kicks Castro off and gets to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joe Castro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Da Silva gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Castro trying to control the position from guard on top but Da Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva looking to control.
Castro is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Da Silva keeping moving, preventing Castro from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Castro accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Da Silva preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Castro preventing the sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Castro throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two 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.
Da Silva with a hook.
Castro throws the left hand but Da Silva avoids the punch easily.
Da Silva misses with a takedown attempt

and Castro counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Da Silva!
Castro scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Da Silva to see if he's OK.
Castro wants to control but Da Silva is keeping him busy.
Castro taking a breather here.

Castro tries for a kimura but Da Silva is defending well.
Castro trying to control the position but Da Silva is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva wants to control but Castro postures up.
Castro is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Da Silva will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

Castro is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Da Silva knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Castro throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Da Silva takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Da Silva struggling a bit here.
Da Silva is trying to get back to half guard.

Castro thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Castro working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Silva wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Da Silva tries to buck Castro off but Castro is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Castro had his way with Rodrygo Da Silva in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Da Silva scores with a shot to the body.

Castro closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Castro has Da Silva pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Castro pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Da Silva tumbling to the mat - Castro dives into Da Silva's guard.
Castro wants to pass the guard but Da Silva is keeping the position.
Da Silva tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Da Silva looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castro won't allow Da Silva to get back to his feet.
Castro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Castro is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva trying to control the position.
Castro trying to control the position from guard on top but Da Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Castro clinches.
Da Silva tries to score a body lock takedown but Castro shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Castro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Castro darts in and clinches Da Silva up against the cage.
Da Silva fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Castro gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Da Silva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva keeping moving, preventing Castro from controlling successfully.

Da Silva is looking for a triangle but Castro pushes his legs off easily.
Castro sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Da Silva has momentary wrist control but Castro slips an elbow through the middle.
Castro trying to control but Da Silva is working from the bottom.

Castro got a little sloppy there for a moment and Da Silva has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Castro has managed to get both his arms back between Da Silva's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva working a defensive guard here.

Da Silva has his foot on Castro's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Castro works his way back into a safe position though.
Da Silva wants to stand and escape but Castro is having none of it.
Castro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Castro passes Da Silva's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Castro is controlling the pace.
Castro looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Joe Castro is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Castro wants to work for an arm triangle but Da Silva is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Castro passes to full mount!
Da Silva is squirming around, avoiding Castro's attempts to control the action.

Castro is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Da Silva is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Da Silva flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Castro anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Da Silva and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Castro slips an arm under Da Silva chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Castro has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Castro is squeezing on Da Silva like an anaconda would it's prey. Da Silva fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joe Castro!
Joe Castro bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.