PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aaron DeBay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

DeBay
vs
Silva

166 cm
20
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
154 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aaron DeBay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rafael Silva!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Gregory Folan and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but DeBay paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Silva shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Silva showed some decent athleticism there.
Silva seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but DeBay does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
DeBay avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Silva.
Silva tries to pass the half guard into mount. DeBay knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Silva is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Silva misses with a head shot. DeBay uses the momentum to regain guard.
Silva throwing strikes but missing.
Silva postures up in DeBay's guard and throws a big left but DeBay blocks it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeBay prevents a takedown attempt there.

Silva has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed DeBay clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
DeBay wants to escape the position.
Silva is throwing shots to the body but DeBay manages to wriggle free. Silva pounces on him again and ends up in DeBay's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
DeBay is trying to control the position but Silva postures up.

Silva 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.

Silva has gone for a leg lock! DeBay slips out almost immediately though and dives into Silva's guard.

Silva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. DeBay doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. DeBay manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Silva looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Silva wants to sweep here but DeBay controlling him for the moment.
Silva has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

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

DeBay is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Silva's half guard.
DeBay looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Silva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Silva keeping moving, preventing DeBay from controlling successfully.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Silva escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. DeBay gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
DeBay wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva looking for a sweep. Not yet Silva, not yet.
DeBay wanted to stand there but Silva had control of the position.
DeBay is stalling in the full guard.
Silva controls DeBay momentarily but DeBay frees himself.
DeBay trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silva 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.
Silva lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for DeBay!
Silva can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as DeBay is looking to escape.

That's four 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.
DeBay slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Silva seems to be looking for submissions.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed DeBay's head.
DeBay avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Silva.

Silva is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
DeBay is doing well to control the position and prevent Silva from advancing to side control.
Silva with the ground and pound but DeBay uses the opportunity to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rafael Silva will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Silva closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Silva lands in his opponent's guard.

Silva drops back, looking for a kneebar! DeBay looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. DeBay looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from DeBay!

DeBay decides to take the fight back to the feet.
DeBay looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Silva throws a series of strikes that have DeBay backpedaling.
Silva misses with a takedown

and DeBay counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by DeBay.
DeBay distracts Silva with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silva looking for a sweep. Not yet Silva, not yet.
Aaron DeBay overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva keeping moving, preventing DeBay from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Silva is looking for a triangle but DeBay pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
DeBay trying to control but Silva is working from the bottom.
DeBay postures up and lands a big shot to Silva's brow.
Silva working a defensive guard here.

DeBay drops back, looking for a kneebar! Silva looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Silva looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Silva!
Silva in side control, throwing shots but DeBay defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Silva trying to control the action but DeBay is working from the bottom.
Silva working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
DeBay is not content to let Silva control the position.
The ground and pound from Silva seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Silva tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
DeBay can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Silva lands with a nice body punch.

Silva has taken the fight to the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Silva.
DeBay tries to circle away but Silva has him pinned against the cage.
DeBay unloads a knee to the mid-section. Silva lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

DeBay is fighting off a takedown attempt but Silva is just too persistent for him and manages to trip DeBay to the mat. DeBay regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
DeBay wants to sweep here but Silva controlling him for the moment.

Silva drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Silva jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but DeBay blocks nicely.
Silva wants to control from the top but DeBay keeps moving.
Silva passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeBay is looking for a sweep.
Silva throwing shots but missing, from side control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Silva falls off balance throwing a combination
and DeBay counters with a nice kick to the body.
Aaron DeBay is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
DeBay stuffs the takedown attempt from Silva. Silva gets slowly back to his feet.
Aaron DeBay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Silva.
Silva swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and DeBay counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Silva!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silva wants to control but DeBay is having none of it.

DeBay working for a submission but Silva is keeping him at bay.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
DeBay sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aaron DeBay will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Silva wants to clinch up but DeBay keeps it at a distance.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt

and DeBay holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

DeBay breaks the clinch.
Silva closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A head kick misses from Silva.
DeBay misses with a takedown

and Silva counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Silva successfully pulls guard.
Silva will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Silva trying to keep a closed guard but DeBay is proving a slippery customer.

DeBay drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and DeBay jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
DeBay throws a strike but Silva rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
DeBay keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. DeBay swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Silva stopping the sweep attempt from DeBay.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Silva with a lazy takedown attempt

and DeBay counters with a nice double leg into side control. Silva won't be happy with that.
Silva sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Silva is looking for a sweep. DeBay is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Silva gets back to full guard.
DeBay thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeBay wanted to stand there but Silva had control of the position.
Silva wants to stand but DeBay is controlling the position.
Silva manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. DeBay manages to get himself to full guard.
Silva showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Silva postures up in DeBay's guard and throws a big left but DeBay blocks it.
Silva wants to pass the guard but DeBay is keeping the position.
DeBay keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Silva drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Silva jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
DeBay manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Silva manages to get himself to full guard.

Silva escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. DeBay gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Silva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Silva utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Silva is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. DeBay is aware though and is defending well.
DeBay stopping the sweep attempt from Silva.

DeBay gets to his feet - Silva follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Silva.
Aaron DeBay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Silva.
DeBay lands a glancing blow to the side of Silva's head.
Silva connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed DeBay momentarily.

DeBay shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Silva manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Silva is trying to control the position from the bottom.
DeBay has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

DeBay got a little sloppy there for a moment and Silva has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, DeBay has managed to get both his arms back between Silva's legs - danger averted.
DeBay trying to control the position from guard on top but Silva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rafael Silva.
I think Silva 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rafael Silva!