PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Manus Grant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fred Silverman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Grant might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Thunderstruck - AC/DC. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Grant
vs
Silverman

170 cm
20
140 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

160 cm
32
114 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Manus Grant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Fred Silverman!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grant scores with a punch to the head.
Grant throws a jab but it's blocked by Silverman.
Grant misses with a body shot.
Grant swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Silverman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Grant throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Grant misses with a double jab
and Grant takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Grant takes a swing at Silverman's ribcage but misses.
Silverman bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Grant's head backwards.
Grant tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Silverman was well out of range. Poor timing from Grant.

Silverman fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Grant to the ground. Silverman is now in Grant's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Grant keeping full guard, as Silverman tries to pass.
Grant is trying to keep Silverman in close.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grant lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Silverman!
Silverman is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grant wants to control the pace but Silverman is squirming around nicely.
Grant is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Silverman is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Silverman is looking to improve his position but Grant isn't that keen on the idea.
Grant looking to control but Silverman is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grant controlling the pace for now.
Grant trying to control but Silverman is having none of it.
Grant tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Manus Grant wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Grant misses with a body shot.

Silverman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Silverman working the head and body with strikes.
Grant regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Silverman.
Silverman works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Silverman is working for a submission of some sort.

Grant pushes Silverman off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grant misses the shot to the body.
Grant ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Silverman scores with a spinning back kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Silverman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Grant is looking to wear down Silverman with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
No joy there for Silverman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Silverman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Grant swivels and escapes.
Grant rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silverman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Grant misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Silverman.
Grant swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Silverman counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Silverman is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silverman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Fred Silverman will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Silverman shoots in but Grant avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Grant swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grant takes a swing at Silverman's ribcage but misses.
Grant throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Grant just misses with a punch to the body.
Grant throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Silverman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grant.
Silverman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Silverman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Grant avoids it really well and circles away.
Manus Grant has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fred Silverman.
Silverman ducks right into an uppercut from Grant.
Silverman has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grant with a hook.

Grant gets caught flat footed, as Silverman shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Grant looking to control.
Silverman sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Silverman trying to control the position from guard on top but Grant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grant working a defensive guard here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Silverman sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Grant's guard.
Silverman is trying to control the action in half guard but Grant is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Silverman is trying to work for a kimura but Grant is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grant trying to hold on to Silverman's head to control him but Silverman postures up.
Grant is trying is best to control the position here.

Silverman is working for a submission of some sort.
Grant is pressing down on Silverman's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Silverman trying to control the position from guard on top but Grant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Grant is on top in guard.
Grant tries to stand but Silverman is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silverman looking to control.
Silverman keeping full guard, as Grant tries to pass.
Grant slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Grant trying to control but Silverman is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Grant bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Manus Grant is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Silverman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grant sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Silverman somewhat.
Manus Grant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grant thuds his right hand into Silverman's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Manus Grant is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A combination from Silverman does no damage.
Grant lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Grant is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Silverman drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Silverman misses with a takedown attempt
and Grant counters with a two punch combo.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grant has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Silverman finds it's way round the side to connect with Grant's head.
Manus Grant is winning the standup battle so far.
Grant tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Silverman is able to avoid easily.
Silverman avoids the body shot from Grant.
A big right from Grant misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manus Grant dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Grant comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Grant moves out of range of the strikes.
Grant misses with a hook to the body
and Silverman counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Silverman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grant.
Grant lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Jab by Grant.
Grant closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Grant throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grant misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Silverman counters with a nice uppercut.
Grant lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Silverman circles away quickly and effectively.
Silverman misses with a takedown attempt - Grant sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Grant misses with a hook to the body
and Silverman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Grant throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Silverman.
Grant misses with a hook to the body

and Silverman counters with a single leg into guard. Grant didn't expect that.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grant keeping moving, preventing Silverman from controlling successfully.
Silverman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Grant is keeping the position for now.
Grant is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Grant pulls Silverman in close to prevent any damage.
Silverman throwing strikes from guard but Grant blocks nicely.
Silverman advances to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Grant manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Fred Silverman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Silverman slips nicely into half guard.

Silverman is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silverman is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Grant has managed to free his arm - good work.
Grant is trying to stand up here but Silverman is controlling him well.

Silverman is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Silverman is looking for a kimura here.
Grant has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Silverman is working away from the top position though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grant slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silverman stands and throws Grant's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Grant is trying to improve his position.

Silverman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Grant is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Grant struggling a bit here.

Silverman goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Grant rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Silverman's guard! Nice work there by Grant!
Grant looking to sit in guard and control but Silverman gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silverman looking to pass the guard.
Grant tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Silverman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Grant is trying to keep Silverman in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Grant wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Silverman trying to control but Grant is working from the bottom.
Silverman throwing strikes but missing.
Grant being controlled here, momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fred Silverman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Silverman 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fred Silverman!
A victorious Fred Silverman thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.