PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maruim Silva (ranked 2656 p4p, 2624 weight class) and Lamont Banner (ranked 292 p4p, 288 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Silva
vs
Banner

170 cm
32
155
17 - 5 - 0

171 cm
43
160
34 - 26 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
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 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maruim Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 26 - 1, fighting out of New York, Lamont Banner !
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Silva.
Silva gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Banner counters with a stiff right hand.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silva is defended easily by Banner .
Banner looks like he wants to counter punch here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maruim Silva. 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 fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Banner , pushing him back against the cage.

Banner jumps into guard, dragging Silva to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.

Banner working for a triangle but Silva defends it easily.
Silva wants to control from the top but Banner keeps moving.

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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Banner throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Banner has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Silva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Silva tries to free his leg and advance position but Banner is retaining full guard.

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.
Silva is pushing down on Banner 's leg trying to pass to half guard. Banner is fighting to maintain full guard but Silva has managed to sneak the leg through.
Banner desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Banner looking for submissions off his back.

Silva wants to work for an arm triangle but Banner is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Banner is not content to let Silva control the position.
Silva is really struggling to control Banner but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Banner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Banner slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Banner is trying to keep Silva in close.

Banner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Silva defends well.

Silva drops back looking for a leg! Banner is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Banner manages to kick Silva off! Silva jumps back into Banner 's guard.
Banner can't keep his opponent in guard - Silva advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Silva works his way into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Silva tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Silva has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Banner is looking to regain half guard here but Silva keeps moving and retains side control.
Silva wants to control but Banner is keeping him busy.

Silva tries for a kimura but Banner is defending well.

Silva swings around for an armbar but Banner sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Silva's guard.
Banner must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
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.

Banner is not content to let Silva control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lamont Banner will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Silva.
Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Banner circles away.
Banner throws out a counter right but Silva avoids it with no problem.
Maruim Silva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Silva tries to clinch up but Banner circles away and keeps his distance.
Silva gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Banner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Silva slips under a jab from Banner .
Silva appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Silva clinches up with Banner and pushes him back against the cage.
Silva can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maruim Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Silva ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Silva no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Banner drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Banner jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Silva has his foot on Banner 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Banner works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Silva is looking for a triangle but Banner pushes his legs off easily.
Silva keeping full guard, as Banner tries to pass.
Banner wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
Silva looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Banner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silva is keeping the position for now.

Banner is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Silva is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Silva has escaped and now he's on top!

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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Banner 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!
Silva manages to reverse the position and now he's in Banner 's guard. Nice work there by Silva.

Banner working for submissions but it's allowed Silva to get to half guard.
Silva is pressing down on Banner 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Banner is holding on for now.
Silva seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Banner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Banner looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Banner is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Banner is defending well.

Banner looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Banner is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Silva jumps into side control!

Silva is working to tighten his grip on Banner 's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Banner has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Silva is really squeezing tight and eventually Banner passes out! Silva breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Maruim Silva!
A victorious Maruim Silva thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.