PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Edilberto Bayagbag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and james silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Edilberto Bayagbag has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Bayagbag
vs
silva

189 cm
18
188 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Edilberto Bayagbag!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, james silva!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Elvis Blanc and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

silva drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
silva won't allow Bayagbag to sweep him here.

Bayagbag escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. silva gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
silva landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bayagbag seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
silva pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bayagbag is keeping the position for now.
Bayagbag wants to sweep but no luck.

silva got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bayagbag has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, silva has managed to get both his arms back between Bayagbag's legs - danger averted.
silva wants to control from the top but Bayagbag keeps moving.
Bayagbag is trying to keep silva in close.
Bayagbag is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
silva wants to control from the top but Bayagbag keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bayagbag is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and silva defends well.
Bayagbag wants to sweep but no luck.
silva trying to control the position from guard on top but Bayagbag is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bayagbag is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bayagbag lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for silva!

Bayagbag swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and silva is now in Bayagbag's guard. A big mistake from Bayagbag there, giving up the dominant position!
Bayagbag is breathing heavily.
silva looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
silva is looking to advance position but Bayagbag has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Bayagbag moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, silva has worked his arm free - good work by silva!
silva prevents Bayagbag from improving position.

Bayagbag wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by silva, who protects the arm well.
silva is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bayagbag off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
silva missing with strikes.
Bayagbag is really stuck here.
Bayagbag trying to control but not successfully.
silva doesn't have the hooks in and Bayagbag manages to turn into his guard.

Bayagbag has gone for a leg lock! silva slips out almost immediately though and dives into Bayagbag's guard.
silva passes into half guard.
Bayagbag blocking the ground and pound attempt from silva.
silva not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Bayagbag manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Bayagbag stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bayagbag wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
silva shoots in for a double leg but Bayagbag sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bayagbag stuffs the takedown.
Edilberto Bayagbag has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of james silva.
silva shoots in but Bayagbag avoids the takedown attempt easily.
silva tries for a takedown but Bayagbag sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bayagbag gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and silva counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
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 Edilberto Bayagbag will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Edilberto Bayagbag's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

silva with a poor takedown

and Bayagbag counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
silva avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bayagbag.

Bayagbag is sneakily working for an arm triangle but silva sees it coming and defends easily.

Bayagbag is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and silva defends it well.
silva has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bayagbag is working away from the top position though.

Bayagbag seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
silva tries to kick Bayagbag off but Bayagbag keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
silva is breathing heavily.

Bayagbag is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Bayagbag seems to be looking for submissions.
Bayagbag wants to take a breather but silva is having none of it.
silva trying to control here.

Bayagbag is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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.

Bayagbag seems to be working for a kimura but silva defends the submission attempt.
silva is trying to stand back up but Bayagbag is controlling him
Bayagbag thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bayagbag thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed silva's head.

Bayagbag is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Edilberto Bayagbag overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bayagbag is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Bayagbag is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Bayagbag wants to stand up but silva is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
silva tries to kick Bayagbag off but Bayagbag keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
silva wants to control but Bayagbag is keeping busy.

Bayagbag is trying to work for a kimura but silva is defending well.

Bayagbag is sneakily working for an arm triangle but silva sees it coming and defends easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bayagbag thows a huge punch but silva dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edilberto Bayagbag dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Edilberto Bayagbag's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

silva tries to clinch but Bayagbag moves out of range.
Bayagbag shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts silva as he jumps to the side.
silva with a poor takedown

and Bayagbag counters with a takedown into side control.

Bayagbag is trying to get an arm triangle but silva is defending well.
silva is pushing Bayagbag's head away, looking to escape. Bayagbag manages to hold on to the position though.

Bayagbag stands up and we're back to a striking position.
silva tries to clinch but Bayagbag is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
silva tries to clinch but Bayagbag moves out of range.
silva shoots and misses

and Bayagbag counters with a takedown into side control.

Bayagbag is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. silva knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Bayagbag decides to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
silva is looking to clinch.
Bayagbag tries for a takedown but silva circles away easily

and silva counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
silva wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bayagbag has him pressed against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bayagbag looking to stall.
Bayagbag jumps guard but silva stands there with Bayagbag around his waist. Bayagbag gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edilberto Bayagbag. That's going to take a lot out of him.

silva breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bayagbag throws a wild body kick that silva sees coming a mile off.
james silva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bayagbag is trying hard to land a takedown here. silva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
silva shoots and misses

and Bayagbag counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Edilberto Bayagbag is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bayagbag missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bayagbag passes silva's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bayagbag perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Bayagbag decides to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
silva misses with a takedown

and Bayagbag counters with a single leg into guard. silva didn't expect that.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
silva working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bayagbag.

Bayagbag 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.

Bayagbag 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 crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bayagbag stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Edilberto Bayagbag showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bayagbag, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Edilberto Bayagbag!