PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Urijah Faber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Silva
vs
Faber

170 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 Tokyo, Shawn Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Urijah Faber!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Silva has his takedown stuffed
and Faber counters with a head kick. That will keep Silva thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
A head kick by Silva misses

and Faber counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Faber tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Faber content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Silva blocks an uppercut.
Silva goes for a takedown in the clinch but Faber prevents it.
Faber controlling the action here for a moment.
Faber fails to pull guard.
Silva can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shawn Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Faber breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Faber has closed the distance and engaged Silva in a clinch.
Silva is trying to pull guard but Faber has him pressed against the cage.
Faber has Silva pushed against the cage.
Silva tries to break free but Faber pushes him back against the cage.
Faber has Silva pressed against the cage, preventing Silva from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Silva tries to circle away but Faber has him pinned against the cage.

Faber breaks from the clinch.
Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Faber sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Silva takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Faber keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Silva throws a series of punches but Faber moves out of range.
Faber fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva fails with the takedown.
Faber is trying hard to land a takedown here. Silva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Silva tries to land a front kick but Faber steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Faber closes the distance but Silva moves to the side

and Silva counters by moving into the clinch.
Faber doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Silva is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Silva has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Faber pulls guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

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

Silva looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Silva is breathing heavily.
Faber wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Faber slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Silva is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva is trying to improve his position.
Silva is not content to let Faber control the position.
Silva is trying to control Faber's posture but Faber avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Faber stands up and beckons Silva to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva shoots in for a double leg but Faber sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Silva shoots in for a double leg but Faber sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Urijah Faber dominated that round.
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.

Silva leaves Faber with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Faber shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense.
Silva shoots in for a takedown but Faber shows good takedown defense.
Faber rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Silva moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Faber shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Silva sprawls well. Silva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Faber gets slowly back to his feet.
Shawn Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Urijah Faber.
Faber misses with a takedown attempt - Silva sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Faber shoots in for a takedown but Silva shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Faber tries to clinch there but Silva circles away.
Faber is breathing heavily.

Silva darts in and clinches Faber up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Faber tries a knee to the head but Silva blocks it.

Faber successfully pulls guard.

Faber working for submissions but it's allowed Silva to get to half guard.

Silva is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Faber defends it well.

Silva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Silva in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faber trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Poor strikes thrown by Silva there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Faber is working to get back to half guard.
Faber tries to control Silva's body but Silva pushes him off. Faber squirms to his side and now Silva has his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Faber defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Faber is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Faber.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faber is looking to clinch.

Silva gets a clinch.
Silva tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Faber avoids it.
Silva tries for a takedown. No joy.
Silva is working Faber over against the cage.
Faber jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Silva walks away with a smile on his face. Faber gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
No luck for Silva with that takedown attempt.
Faber shoots in looking for a takedown but Silva manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Faber's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice sprawl there from Faber as Silva shoots in.
Silva lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Silva misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
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 Shawn Silva will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A swing and a miss from Silva.
Silva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Silva rushes Faber and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Silva tries to score a body lock takedown but Faber shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Faber drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Silva gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Silva lands a shot to the body.
Faber tries to score a body lock takedown but Silva shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Faber pulls Silva into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Silva wants to control from the top but Faber keeps moving.
Faber is trying to control the position but Silva postures up.
Faber manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Faber takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Silva is desperately trying to improve his position but Faber has a good base and remains in mount.
Silva wants to control but Faber is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva gets back to half guard.
Faber is looking to pass Silva's guard but actually Silva recovers to full guard.
Faber trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Silva throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Faber escapes and throws Silva's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Silva is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Faber decides to stand up, so the ref orders Silva to his feet.
Faber is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Silva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A shot to the liver by Silva. Beautiful body shot.
Silva lands a jab to Faber's midsection.

Faber shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Silva is positioning himself well to prevent Faber advancing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faber is keen to just control but Silva is a slippery customer.
Silva is looking for a sweep. Faber is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Faber stops Silva from getting back to his feet.
Silva is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Urijah Faber.

Silva moves into range and clinches up with Faber.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva is trying to pull guard but Faber has him pressed 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 Shawn Silva.
I think Silva has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Urijah Faber!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Urijah Faber!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Urijah Faber!

Urijah Faber wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Urijah Faber thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.