PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rickson Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danilo Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Danilo Lopez struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.5lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Rickson Silva has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Silva
vs
Lopez

172 cm
24
145 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

167 cm
22
154 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rickson Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Danilo Lopez!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Daniel Cesar and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lopez connects with a jab.
The fighters circling - Lopez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lopez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lopez swings for the body but Silva moves out of range.
Lopez scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Silva takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Silva shoots in looking for a takedown but Lopez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Silva's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lopez stuns Silva with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lopez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Silva manages to avoid it.
Lopez connects with a good right hand that stumbles Silva. Silva circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jab from Lopez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez throws a leg kick that is checked

and Silva counters with a shoot takedown. Lopez fights it but they end up in guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is working hard here to advance position.
Silva is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva wants to get back to his feet but Lopez drags him back down.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Lopez shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickson Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lopez doesn't manage to clinch there - Silva circles away.
Lopez throws a series of strikes that have Silva backpedaling.
Silva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lopez circles away.
Lopez scores with a jab to the body.
Lopez lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Danilo Lopez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lopez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Silva was covering up waiting for the punch and Lopez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Lopez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Silva's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Silva throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Lopez escapes and throws Silva's legs to the side, diving into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danilo Lopez dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Silva takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Lopez scores with a three punch combo!
Lopez throws out a leg kick but Silva moves out of range and Lopez only half commits.
Lopez leaves Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Silva shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Lopez closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Silva quickly recovers to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lopez wants to stand up but Silva has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Silva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Silva tries to get to full guard but Lopez has control of the leg.
Silva moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva throws his legs up looking for a submission but Lopez uses it to pass to side control.
Silva is trying to get back to half guard.
Silva sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva wants to get back to full guard but Lopez has passed into side control.
Silva is looking to regain half guard here but Lopez keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Silva is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lopez off and has taken his back!

Silva is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Danilo Lopez will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Silva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Silva changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lopez tries to avoid it but Silva manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lopez to the ground. Lopez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lopez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lopez is trying to break the clinch but Silva is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lopez stops a takedown attempt from Silva.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickson Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva can't get the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva has Lopez pressed against the cage, preventing Lopez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Silva wants a takedown but no success here.
Lopez has had enough of the clinch but Silva keeps him there for the moment.
Lopez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lopez can't break the clinch.
Lopez lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Lopez successfully pulls guard.
Lopez is looking to stand up but Silva isn't so interested in that idea.

Silva is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Lopez is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Lopez has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Silva has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lopez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Lopez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lopez stands up and waves to Silva to follow him.
Silva on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Lopez.
Lopez throws a chopping leg kick but Silva manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Silva gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Lopez counter with a right hand.

Lopez changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Silva looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Silva is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Danilo Lopez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lopez winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Danilo Lopez!