PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Banha Silvia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Helio Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Banha Silvia has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Silvia
vs
Gracie

185 cm
20
185 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight 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, Banha Silvia!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Helio Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Thiago Cunha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie clinches up with Silvia and pushes him back against the cage.

Gracie decides to pull guard.
Gracie trying to control the position.
Silvia has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Silvia from standing up.

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Silvia wants to get up but he can't break Gracie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Silvia stands up and waves to Gracie to follow him.
Silvia lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Silvia keeps it at a distance.
Silvia displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gracie.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Silvia but Silvia pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Silvia darts in trying to clinch

and Gracie counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Silvia!
Gracie tries to control but Silvia wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Silvia is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Silvia and Gracie has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Silvia is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Gracie asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Silvia, who protects the arm well.
Gracie looks gassed!
Silvia is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Silvia wants to get back to his feet but Gracie drags him back down.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Silvia is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gracie wants to take a breather but Silvia manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Gracie.

Silvia pushes Gracie off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Silvia lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Silvia.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helio Gracie dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Silvia finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Silvia misses with a few strikes there.
Silvia throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Silvia sprawls well. Silvia wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Gracie takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Silvia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvia looks to land a body kick but Gracie moved away.
Silvia scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Gracie should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Silvia with a jab.

Silvia has managed to clinch.
Silvia changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gracie fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Gracie darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Silvia is defending well.

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

Gracie is working for a kimura but Silvia is defending it quite comfortably.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Silvia tries to kick Gracie off but Gracie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvia won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Silvia is trying to stand up here but Gracie is controlling him well.
Gracie is pressing down on Silvia's thigh, looking to free his foot. Silvia is holding on for now.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Silvia sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Banha Silvia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Helio Gracie.
Silvia tries to clinch up

and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Silvia is retaining full guard.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Silvia's guard.

Gracie looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Silvia is trying to stand back up but Gracie is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helio Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Silvia wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Silvia is looking to land body kicks.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Silvia throws a head kick that misses.
Silvia tries to clinch there but Gracie circles away.
Silvia stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Silvia wants it to stay on the feet.
Silvia fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie tries to clinch up.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Gracie has eaten all the pies!
Silvia tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gracie swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Silvia tries to kick Gracie off but Gracie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Silvia is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.
Silvia is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura but Silvia is defending well.
Silvia is trying to stand back up but Gracie is controlling him

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gracie wants to clinch.
Silvia ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvia shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Silvia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Silvia scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gracie doesn't seem bothered though.
Silvia tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Silvia keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Helio Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silvia is keeping the position for now.
Gracie advances to half guard.
Silvia wants to get back to his feet.
Gracie trying to advance position but Silvia counters by regaining guard.
Silvia wants to stand and escape but Gracie is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silvia trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helio Gracie really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Silvia misses with a low kick.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gracie passes to full mount!

Gracie goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Silvia is on top in guard.
Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gracie is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silvia stands and steps away. Gracie gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Silvia connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gracie's hands.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt

and Gracie moves into the clinch.
Gracie is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Gracie jumps guard and drags Silvia to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Silvia pushes his legs off easily.

Silvia decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gracie, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to clinch
and Silvia counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Silvia is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Gracie misses with a takedown
and Silvia makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Gracie really felt that one!
Silvia pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Silvia lands with a right hand.
Gracie takes one to the chin there.
Silvia is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Silvia.
Silvia is looking to clinch.
Banha Silvia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvia throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Banha Silvia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silvia misses with the combination.
Silvia plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Gracie is looking to clinch but Silvia is avoiding it.
Silvia moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Silvia keeps the fight on the outside.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Silvia.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and Silvia counters with a left to the body.
Silvia circles away from the clinch attempt.
Silvia tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Silvia fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gracie tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Silvia makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Silvia throws a leg kick but Gracie sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nice body punch from Silvia.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Banha Silvia will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Silvia throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Silvia tries to clinch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie tries to clinch there but Silvia circles away.
A head kick misses from Silvia.
Silvia throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Silvia throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie wants to clinch but Silvia slips to the side
enabling Silvia to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie tries to clinch up.
Gracie misses with a takedown
and Silvia cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvia misses with a kick to the body.
Gracie closes the distance but Silvia moves to the side
and Silvia counters with a three punch combo that has Gracie backing up. Gracie nods at Silvia to acknowledge the strikes.
Silvia turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gracie is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Silvia throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracie drops his hands momentarily and Silvia takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Gracie gets a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Silvia sees it coming and defends easily.
Gracie wants to advance to full mount but Silvia doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Silvia wants to get back to his feet but Gracie is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Silvia uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Silvia.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Silvia.
Silvia doesn't manage to clinch there - Gracie circles away.
Gracie doesn't manage to clinch there - Silvia circles away.
Silvia turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Silvia goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gracie takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and Silvia counters with a right hand to the body.
Silvia throws a leg kick but Gracie moved away.
Silvia tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.
Silvia throws a good cross that connects.
Gracie tries to move into range but Silvia moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Silvia misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Silvia circles away easily

and Silvia moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Banha Silvia showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gracie 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 47:48
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Helio Gracie!
Helio Gracie is the new middleweight champion!