PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John McClain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McClain is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC. John McClain will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Silva
vs
McClain

188 cm
26
189 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

185 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rafael Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, John McClain!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from McClain misses.
McClain throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Silva defending well as McClain loads up on a big left hand.
McClain keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Silva lands with a thumping leg kick.
Silva lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as McClain backs up against the cage.
Silva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Silva tries to score a power double leg takedown but McClain sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Silva somewhat.
McClain misses with a looping left.
Silva tries to clinch there but McClain circles away.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but McClain swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A combination from McClain does no damage.
Silva dives in and grabs McClain's left leg, looking for a takedown. McClain pushes down on Silva's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McClain misses with a series of wild punches.
McClain connects with the punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Silva shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McClain misses with a straight left.

Silva closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McClain to the mat! McClain manages to get full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Silva passes McClain's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries to pass the half guard into mount. McClain knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Silva not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Silva is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McClain is defending against the submission attempts here by Silva.
Silva sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McClain defending well though.

Silva is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Silva throwing shots but McClain is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McClain wants to get back to his feet.

Silva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Silva missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Silva has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
McClain has hold of Silva's hands but Silva slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Silva stops McClain from getting back to his feet.
Ground and pound from Silva.
Silva 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silva missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Silva is working for a kimura but McClain is defending it quite comfortably.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McClain's head.
McClain is looking to escape.

Silva is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! McClain is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rafael Silva!
A relieved looking Rafael Silva thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.