PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tiago Silvain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Falls (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silvain comes to the cage accompanied by Eminem - Space Bound . Falls has chosen "Fat Bottom Girls" - Queen as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Silvain
vs
Falls

188 cm
24
220 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

179 cm
26
215 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Tiago Silvain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Matt Falls!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Daniel Bishop and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Falls wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Silvain scores with a push kick.
Silvain works Falls's body with a nice hook.
Good work by Falls as he checks the leg kick.
Silvain scores with a head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silvain misses with a low kick.
Falls jabs at Silvain's body.
Falls shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Falls shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Silvain as he avoids it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Silvain.
Falls looks gassed!

Silvain moves into the clinch successfully.
Silvain working aggressively here.
Falls tries to throw a body punch but Silvain avoids it by throwing Falls back against the cage.
Silvain lands with a short shot to the head.
Silvain lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Silvain prevents the takedown attempt.
Tiago Silvain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Falls.
Silvain lands a left hand that snaps the head of Falls backwards.
Falls looking for a takedown.
Silvain just leaning against Falls, taking a breather.
Silvain prevents the takedown attempt.
Silvain lands a knee to the head.
Silvain tries to stall but Falls uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Silvain looking to throw knees to the head but Falls is blocking nicely.
Falls takes an elbow to the forehead.
Silvain tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvain pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Silvain looking to slow down the pace here.
Silvain lands an elbow that stopped Falls in his tracks for a moment.
Falls tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Silvain avoids it.
Falls dodges an elbow strike from Silvain.
Silvain is struggling to control the position.
Silvain dodges an elbow strike from Falls.
Silvain gets underhooks to prevent Falls's takedown attempt.
Silvain pressing his opponent against the cage.
Falls is looking to control Silvain's arms but Silvain gets an underhook and turns him. Now Falls has his back to the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Falls drops down looking for an ankle pick but Silvain pulls his leg out and moves away.
Falls shoots in and drives through. Silvain sprawls well.
Falls circles away from the clinch attempt.
Silvain scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A nice leg kick lands there from Silvain.
Tiago Silvain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silvain tries to close the distance and clinch up but Falls swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Silvain gets caught flat footed, as Falls shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silvain is trying to keep Falls in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Falls preventing the sweep.
Silvain is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Silvain is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Silvain's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Falls shoots in and drives through. Silvain sprawls well.
Silvain misses with a low kick.

Silvain drives through and clinches with Falls against the cage.
Silvain misses with a knee strike.
A short body shot lands from Falls as the two fighters clinch.
Falls has Silvain pressed against the cage, preventing Silvain from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Falls tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Silvain avoids it.
Falls lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Falls goes for a takedown in the clinch but Silvain prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falls misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Silvain on the inside.
Falls misses with a punch to the body.
Falls on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Falls lands a body shot.
Falls goes for a takedown in the clinch but Silvain prevents it.
Falls tries for a takedown. No joy.
Silvain softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Falls is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Silvain pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Silvain lands a left hand that snaps the head of Falls backwards.
A body shot lands from Silvain.
Falls avoids the elbow strike from Silvain, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Silvain.
Silvain throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fallss head.
Silvain tries to land a knee to the head but Falls blocks with his arms.
Silvain landing knees to the head.
Falls has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Silvain is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The referee is keeping an eye on Silvain - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Silvain lands a knee to the head.
Falls has Silvain pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Silvain manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Silvain throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Falls blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silvain avoiding damage as Falls throws knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Silvain.
Silvain gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Falls.
Silvain prevents a takedown attempt there.
Silvain will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Falls up against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Silvain just misses with a elbow thrown towards Falls's brow.
Falls changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Silvain fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Silvain lands a nice looking body kick.
Silvain tries to close the distance and clinch but Falls swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Crunch! Silvain slams his shin into Falls's torso.
Horrible takedown by Falls or perhaps it was just good defense by Silvain which made him look bad.
Crunch! Silvain slams his shin into Falls's torso.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Silvain lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Falls fails with a takedown attempt.
Silvain tries to clinch but Falls is having none of it.
Falls fails with the takedown
and Silvain counters with a nice body kick.
Silvain tries a head kick but it misses.
Silvain lands with a slapping head kick.
Silvain tries to clinch but Falls moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Silvain.
Silvain scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A punch combination from Silvain misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Silvain working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Silvain stops a takedown attempt from Falls.
Tiago Silvain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Falls.
Silvain scores with a nice hook to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Silvain is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falls misses with a body punch.
Silvain managing to block the knees to the body from Falls.

Silvain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Silvain has managed to clinch.

Falls is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Silvain can't fight it off and eventually Falls manages to take the fight to the floor. Silvain looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Falls throwing strikes from guard but Silvain blocks nicely.
Falls trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Silvain manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Silvain controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Falls wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Falls keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Silvain trying to control but Falls is having none of it.
Falls is desperately trying to improve his position but Silvain has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falls slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Silvain wants to control but Falls is keeping him busy.

Tiago Silvain has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Silvain tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Falls manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Falls misses with a combination

and Silvain counters by clinching up.

Falls turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Falls manages to end up in side control.
Falls working away.
Falls misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Falls throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Silvain is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Falls wants to control but Silvain is keeping him busy.
Silvain struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Falls scores with punches from side control.
Falls creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Falls working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Silvain struggling a bit here.
Silvain takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Falls has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Falls scores with punches from side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silvain wants to control but Falls postures up.
Falls throws an elbow but Silvain slips to the side and avoids it well.
Silvain is looking to regain half guard here but Falls keeps moving and retains side control.
Falls working the head with strikes.
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 Tiago Silvain will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Silvain cracks the inside of Falls's front leg.
Silvain with a hook.
Silvain misses the jab.

Falls drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Falls is working Silvain over with some ground and pound from side control.
Check out the look on Falls's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Silvain defending against the ground and pound.
Falls working away.
Silvain on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Silvain is trying to improve his position.
Silvain wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Falls is looking to take a break and control but Silvain is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Falls might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Silvain kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falls working away.
Falls in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Falls thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sloppy strikes there by Falls.
Silvain is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Silvain's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Falls scoring with punches from side control.

Falls swings around for an armbar but Silvain sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Falls's guard.
Falls seems keen to control Silvain's posture.
Matt Falls has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Falls trying to control the position.
Silvain is stalling in the full guard.
Silvain has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Falls is proving hard to escape from.

Falls manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Falls throws an off balance right hand
and Silvain counters with a left to the body.
Falls takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Falls tries for a takedown but Silvain circles away easily
and Silvain counters with a low kick, right behind Falls 's knee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falls takes a kick to the side of the head.
Falls misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Silvain lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Silvain feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Falls's calf.
Falls throws a looping overhand right but Silvain ducks down to avoid it.
Falls with a poor takedown
and Silvain counters with a right hand to the body.
Tiago Silvain is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Silvain jabs at Falls's body.
Falls chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Silvain can pounce on him.
Tiago Silvain is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Silvain closes the distance and clinches.
Falls can't get the takedown.
Tiago Silvain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Falls.
Silvain throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fallss head.
Falls tries for a takedown but Silvain manages to get underhooks.
Silvain with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Falls misses with a hook from the clinch.
Falls looking for a takedown.
A knee to the head by Silvain.
Falls missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silvain using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Silvain's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Silvain - that will leave a mark!
Silvain throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Falls.
Silvain throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Falls.
Both fighters circling a little - Silvain finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Silvain tries to clinch but Falls moves out of range.
Tiago Silvain is winning the standup battle so far.

Silvain has closed the distance and engaged Falls in a clinch.
Falls has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Silvain.
Silvain is pressed up against the cage. Falls has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Silvain down to the mat. Silvain avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Falls showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Silvain.

Silvain closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Falls tries a body shot but Silvain blocks it.
Silvain with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silvain misses with an elbow strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Silvain.
Falls pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tiago Silvain.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Silvain, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tiago Silvain!