PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mandla Bangizwe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silva is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Human Sacrifice. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Rich Silva was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Bangizwe
vs
Silva

194 cm
29
230 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

193 cm
25
267 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Mandla Bangizwe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rich Silva!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva throws a leg kick
and Bangizwe counters with a nice body kick.
Silva throws a right and a left that both miss.
Silva moves out of range of the body kick from Bangizwe.

Silva gets the takedown into side control.
Silva fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Bangizwe is working to avoid the ground and pound but Silva connects with a decent elbow.

Silva is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bangizwe knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Silva creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Bangizwe sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bangizwe parries the strikes from Silva easily there. Silva is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Bangizwe to escape.
Silva remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Silva misses with the ground and pound.

Silva swings around for an armbar but Bangizwe sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Silva's guard.

Silva is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bangizwe would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Silva working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Bangizwe has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe prevents Silva from improving his position.
Silva has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Silva trying to control here.
Bangizwe wants to pass to mount but Silva is defending the position.
Silva moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bangizwe sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Silva's guard.
Bangizwe trying to control from half guard but Silva is working away.
Silva tries to get to full guard but Bangizwe has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva missing with punches from the bottom.

Bangizwe is looking for a kimura but Silva is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bangizwe to get the leverage.
Silva is trying to maintain the position but Bangizwe is very close to passing his half guard.
Bangizwe is looking to take a break and control but Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Silva trying to control but Bangizwe postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Silva tries to roll over but Bangizwe keeps him under control.
Silva punching from the bottom.
Silva is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bangizwe's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bangizwe's back!
Silva wants to control the position but Bangizwe frees himself and scrambles - Silva manages to regain control in side control.

Silva tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Silva wants to take a breather but Bangizwe manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Silva.
Bangizwe keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rich Silva will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Silva on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bangizwe. Bangizwe obviously looking to wear him down.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bangizwe.

Silva gets a double leg takedown into Bangizwe's guard.
Silva stands and throws Bangizwe's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Bangizwe tries to buck Silva off but Silva is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries to move to mount but Bangizwe blocks the move with his legs.
Bangizwe wants to control but Silva postures up.
Silva in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Bangizwe defending against the ground and pound.
Silva lands a nice forearm strike.
Bangizwe prevents Silva from improving position.
Silva misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Bangizwe avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Silva.

Silva working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Silva thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Silva working the strikes but Bangizwe uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Silva throwing shots but Bangizwe is blocking nicely.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bangizwe's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Silva stalling.
Bangizwe 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 breaks Bangizwe's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Silva throws and elbow that misses. Bangizwe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Silva's guard. Nice move by Bangizwe!

Silva is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Bangizwe rolls with it to try and escape but Silva cranks on the arm and Bangizwe is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rich Silva!
Rich Silva is the new heavyweight champion!