PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matt Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chauncey Silvestre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Miller comes to the cage accompanied by Johnny Cash - Hurt. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Miller
vs
Silvestre

173 cm
31
159 lbs
28 - 9 - 1

171 cm
33
153 lbs
29 - 13 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Knox Energy

Conquer
Convicted Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Matt Miller!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Chauncey Silvestre!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silvestre misses with a lunging right hand

and Miller counters with a nice double leg into side control. Silvestre won't be happy with that.
Silvestre managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Miller.
Sloppy strikes there by Miller.
Miller lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Silvestre down.
Silvestre managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Miller.
Silvestre tries to improve position but can't.
Miller lands an elbow.
Silvestre manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silvestre is trying to control. Miller wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Miller is concentrating on defense, preventing Silvestre from advancing position.
Silvestre missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Miller won't allow Silvestre to pass to mount.
Miller is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silvestre seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Silvestre trying to control from half guard but Miller is working away.
Silvestre working the head and body with strikes.
Silvestre not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Miller wants to improve his position but Silvestre is controlling well.
Silvestre with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Miller trying to control here.
Silvestre thows a huge punch but Miller dodges it nicely.
Miller trying to control but Silvestre postures up.
Miller tries to get to full guard but Silvestre has control of the leg.
Miller controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silvestre prevents Miller from improving his position.
Silvestre is trying to control. Miller wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Silvestre tests Miller's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Miller will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A clash of legs there as Miller blocks the low kick.
Silvestre moves out of range of the body kick from Miller.
Miller listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice takedown defense from Miller. No joy for Silvestre on that attempt.
Miller is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Silvestre takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nice shot by Silvestre.

Miller fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Silvestre, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Silvestre escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Silvestre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Miller.
Miller misses with a kick to the body.
Silvestre dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Miller. That did some damage!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Silvestre walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Miller checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Miller lands a nice shot to the body.
Silvestre displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Miller.
Silvestre's coach down at Training Ground was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Silvestre's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Silvestre uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Miller.
Silvestre lands with an overhand left.
A head kick misses from Silvestre.

Miller tries to sprawl but Silvestre drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Silvestre not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Silvestre not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Silvestre thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Miller's head.
The fighters are battling for position here. Miller manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Silvestre stopping the sweep attempt from Miller.
Silvestre sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Miller's guard.
Miller wants to improve his position but Silvestre is controlling well.
Silvestre not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Miller tries to get to full guard but Silvestre has control of the leg.
Miller has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Miller trying to control but Silvestre postures up.
Miller is concentrating on defense, preventing Silvestre from advancing position.
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 Matt Miller will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Silvestre throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Silvestre avoids the body shot from Miller.
Silvestre shoots in looking for a takedown but Miller manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Silvestre's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Silvestre drops his hands momentarily and Miller takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Silvestre throws a chopping leg kick but Miller manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Miller throws a hook to the side of Silvestre's head but Silvestre sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Silvestre takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Silvestre throws a shot from downtown. Miller moves away and avoids it.
Silvestre throws a jab but it's blocked by Miller.
Silvestre scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Miller uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Silvestre.
Silvestre scores with a decent looking hook.
Silvestre throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Miller shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Silvestre as he jumps to the side.
Silvestre checks the leg kick nicely there.
Silvestre tried to score with a low kick but Miller checks it.
Miller scores with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller slips a straight right by Silvestre.
Miller throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Miller lands a glancing blow to the side of Silvestre's head.
Miller just misses with a punch to the body.
Silvestre avoids the body shot from Miller.
Miller misses with a wild body shot.
Miller just misses with a punch to the body.
Silvestre fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Silvestre uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Miller.
Decent striking displayed by Silvestre there.

Silvestre closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Miller blocking the ground and pound attempt from Silvestre.
Miller is looking to improve his position.
Miller is pressing down on Silvestre's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Miller managing to control the position.
Miller is looking to sweep but instead, Silvestre has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miller preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Miller avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Silvestre.
Silvestre seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Miller does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Silvestre throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Miller avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Silvestre.
Silvestre thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Miller gets back to full guard.
Silvestre throwing strikes but missing.
Silvestre pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Miller is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvestre trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Miller looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Silvestre working some strikes from top position.
Miller wants to sweep here but Silvestre controlling him for the moment.
Miller working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Silvestre.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Silvestre from controlling successfully.
Silvestre throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Miller works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Silvestre trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silvestre throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Miller holds on and takes a little breather.
Silvestre trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miller is trying to control the position but Silvestre postures up.

Chauncey Silvestre has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Miller.
Silvestre lands a head shot.
Silvestre slaps away a takedown attempt from Miller, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Silvestre takes a jab right on the kisser.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silvestre scoring well with a low kick there.
Silvestre takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Silvestre slips a jab from Miller.
Nice straight punches there by Silvestre. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Silvestre.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chauncey Silvestre showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Miller throws a leg kick which misses Silvestre's front leg but catches the back leg as Silvestre tries to avoid it.
Silvestre pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Miller misses the jab.
Silvestre lands a leg kick that knocks Miller off balance momentarily.
Silvestre misses with a wild body shot.
Silvestre is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Silvestre lands with a right hand.
Silvestre scores with a shot to the body.
Miller tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Silvestre was well out of range. Poor timing from Miller.
Silvestre with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Miller scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Miller swings for the body but Silvestre moves out of range.
Silvestre closes this distance looking for a takedown but Miller circles away.
Miller misses with a looping left.
Silvestre thows a left - swing and a miss!
Miller finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Silvestre darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvestre lands a nice shot that snaps Miller's head back.
Silvestre slips a straight right by Miller.
Miller throws a jab when Silvestre was well out of range.
Silvestre throws a leg kick but Miller sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Miller wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Silvestre scores with a body shot.
Silvestre throws a lazy right hand but Miller sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice body kick from Silvestre.
Silvestre thuds his right hand into Miller's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Chauncey Silvestre seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Silvestre throws a leg kick which misses Miller's front leg but catches the back leg as Miller tries to avoid it.
Miller looks to land a left hand but Silvestre moved out of range nicely.
Silvestre fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Miller manages to avoid it.
Chauncey Silvestre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown by Miller or perhaps it was just good defense by Silvestre which made him look bad.
Miller checks the leg kick nicely there.
Silvestre tries a low kick but Miller avoids it.
Miller walks into a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Miller there as he acknowledges the shot.
Silvestre scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Miller doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Miller throws a hook to the side of Silvestre's head but Silvestre sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Miller lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice body kick there by Miller.
Silvestre drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Silvestre plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Miller checks the leg kick nicely there.
Good standup being displayed there by Miller as he connects with a hook.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Silvestre, right into the meat.
A chopping leg kick lands by Silvestre.
Silvestre lands a slapping body shot.
Miller takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice sprawl there from Miller as Silvestre shoots in.
Donk. Silvestre catches Miller right on the button with a cross.
Silvestre misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Miller. Silvestre does a little dance to reset his feet.

Miller closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Miller thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Silvestre's head.
Silvestre pushes Miller off looking to stand but Miller dives back in and keeps control.
Miller thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Silvestre's head.
Silvestre trying to control but Miller postures up.
Silvestre manages to get to full guard.
Miller postures up in Silvestre's guard and throws a big left but Silvestre blocks it.
Silvestre trying to keep a closed guard but Miller is proving a slippery customer.
Miller connects with a couple of short punches.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Silvestre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Matt Miller overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silvestre trying to keep a closed guard but Miller is proving a slippery customer.
Miller chips away with some ground and pound.
Miller is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miller working some strikes from top position.
Silvestre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Miller wants to control from the top but Silvestre keeps moving.
Miller pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silvestre is keeping the position for now.
Miller preventing the sweep.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Silvestre seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Chauncey Silvestre just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

A left lands for Silvestre.
A swing and a miss from Silvestre.
Silvestre feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Miller's calf.
Silvestre scores with a jab.
Silvestre keeps the fight on the outside.
Silvestre fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Miller manages to avoid it.
Silvestre lands a front kick.
Miller fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Silvestre.
Silvestre throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Silvestre takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Miller fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Silvestre looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Miller misses with a low kick.
Miller looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Miller has a takedown stuffed.
Miller is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Silvestre throws a head kick but Miller moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvestre throws a sloppy head kick and Miller moves out of range easily.
Miller throws a hook but Silvestre blocks it.
Silvestre steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Miller.
Silvestre misses with a hook

and Miller counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Silvestre's guard now.
Silvestre keeping moving, preventing Miller from controlling successfully.
Miller is in close to Silvestre's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Silvestre is trying to keep Miller in close.
Silvestre wants to sweep but no luck.
Miller throwing strikes from guard but Silvestre blocks nicely.
Silvestre looking to control.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Silvestre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silvestre is keeping the position for now.
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!
Miller with a nice head shot there.
Silvestre looking to control.
Miller is looking to work some ground and pound but Silvestre has wrist control.
Silvestre manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Miller can't escape the position.
Silvestre controlling the position easily from mount.
Miller is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvestre putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Silvestre cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Silvestre looking to finish Miller with some ground and pound. This is bad for Miller!
Miller tries to hold on but Silvestre postures up.
Miller is wriggling around trying to escape.
Miller wants to hold on but Silvestre pushes him away.
Miller really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Miller tries to hold on but Silvestre postures up.
Silvestre is landing with some decent strikes but Miller is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Miller is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Miller takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Miller tries to lock up and control but Silvestre gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Silvestre trying to control but Miller is having none of it.
Miller is looking to improve his position but Silvestre isn't that keen on the idea.
Miller takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Miller bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Miller distracts Silvestre with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Miller is fighting to break Silvestre's control of his arms but Silvestre is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Miller trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Silvestre seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Chauncey Silvestre will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Silvestre connects with a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Silvestre checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Silvestre misses with a leg kick.
Miller keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Miller ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Miller jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Silvestre moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Miller checks a low kick from Silvestre.
Miller takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A shot to the body from Silvestre misses

and Miller counters with a shoot takedown. Silvestre fights it but they end up in guard.
Miller tries to free his leg and advance position but Silvestre is retaining full guard.
Silvestre is trying to keep Miller in close.
Silvestre might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Miller haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvestre keeping moving, preventing Miller from controlling successfully.
Silvestre working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Miller.
Miller won't allow Silvestre to sweep him here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Miller postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Silvestre looking to control.
Miller postures up in Silvestre's guard and throws a big left but Silvestre blocks it.
Silvestre has momentary wrist control but Miller slips an elbow through the middle.
Miller with a flurry of punches that miss.
Silvestre keeping full guard, as Miller tries to pass.
Silvestre wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silvestre is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Miller wants to pass the guard but Silvestre is keeping the position.
Miller is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Silvestre is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Miller throwing strikes from guard but Silvestre blocks nicely.
Miller tries to free his leg and advance position but Silvestre is retaining full guard.
Miller postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silvestre has momentary wrist control but Miller slips an elbow through the middle.
Miller is in close to Silvestre's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Miller wants to control from the top but Silvestre keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvestre trying to control the position.
Silvestre manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Miller manages to get himself to full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Miller holds on and takes a little breather.
Miller lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Silvestre!
Silvestre taking shots to the head.
Matt Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silvestre tries to reverse the position but Miller maintains control.
Miller is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silvestre is working to get back to half guard.
Miller scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Silvestre?
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!
Miller postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Silvestre looks a forlorn figure.
Miller with a couple of short strikes.
Miller unloads with some shots from mount but Silvestre bucks and avoids them well.
Miller landing shots from mount.
Miller with shots to the head and body - Silvestre looks very uncomfortable down there.
Silvestre is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Miller scoring with strikes but Silvestre is staying in there.
Silvestre is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Miller showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Silvestre 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Matt Miller!
Matt Miller is the new featherweight champion!
Our winner, Matt Miller, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.