PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eric Ashton (ranked 463 p4p, 61 weight class) and Starling Silva (ranked 1767 p4p, 215 weight class). Ashton comes to the cage accompanied by Zombie Nation. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ashton
vs
Silva

182 cm
32
189 lbs
23 - 22 - 1

191 cm
32
188 lbs
15 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Eric Ashton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Starling Silva!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ashton misses with an attempted mid kick.
It seemed like Silva was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Eric Ashton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ashton misses with a jab to the body
and Silva counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A lazy body kick from Silva

and Ashton counters with a takedown into side control.
Silva is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ashton is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Silva is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ashton in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Silva struggling a bit here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silva tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ashton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva stops Ashton from passing to mount.

Ashton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Silva, who protects the arm well.
Silva wants to control but Ashton postures up.
Silva isn't going anywhere.

Ashton tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ashton has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ashton tries to advance to mount but can't.

Ashton is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Silva has escaped the position, nice work there.

Ashton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Silva, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Silva is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ashton's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Silva is looking to improve his position.
Ashton trying to mount his opponent but Silva defends it.
Silva has his hands clasped together around Ashton's back. He's all about the action.

Ashton is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Silva doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ashton.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva won't allow Ashton to pass to mount.
Ashton is working hard here to advance position.

Ashton is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Well, if Ashton is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Silva wants to improve his position but Ashton is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ashton wants to advance to full mount but Silva doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Ashton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Silva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Ashton's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Ashton drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Silva dives on top into guard.

Ashton can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Silva controls the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ashton 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.
Ashton trying to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Ashton dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Silva throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ashton stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Silva swinging wildly here.
Silva closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ashton goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Silva throws a counter combo.
Silva tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ashton was well out of range. Poor timing from Silva.
Silva takes a swing at Ashton's ribcage but misses.
Ashton bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Silva's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ashton stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Silva.

Ashton gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Silva's coach down at The Takeover was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Silva's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Silva pushes Ashton back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ashton lands an uppercut.
Silva gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ashton.
Silva stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ashton takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ashton stalling in the clinch but Silva improves position.
Ashton tries to throw a body punch but Silva avoids it by throwing Ashton back against the cage.
Silva looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Silva tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Silva lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ashton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ashton can't find room to land a body shot as Silva controls the action.
Ashton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Silva lands an elbow that stopped Ashton in his tracks for a moment.
Ashton takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ashton misses with a punch to the body.
Silva lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Silva gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ashton takes an elbow to the temple.
Silva lands an elbow that stopped Ashton in his tracks for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ashton is working Silva over against the cage.
A short uppercut from Silva.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ashton misses with a punch to the body.
Ashton tries a body shot but Silva blocks it.
Ashton tries to score a body lock takedown but Silva shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ashton misses with a punch to the body.
Silva works on Ashton's body with a couple of short punches.
Nice elbow from Silva.
Ashton digs a right hand underneath Silva's ribcage. Silva let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ashton has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Ashton digs a right hand into Silva's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Silva's gas tank.
Silva blocks an uppercut.
Ashton wants to take the fight to the mat but Silva manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Ashton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ashton can't get the takedown.
Silva creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ashton looking for a takedown.
Ashton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Silva blocks a body shot from Ashton.
Silva throws a head punch that misses.
Silva scores with a shoulder strike.
Ashton misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva lands a damaging elbow.

Ashton wants the takedown. Silva is fighting it off but Ashton persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Silva's guard against the cage.

Silva pushes Ashton off and gets back to his feet.
Ashton throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Silva cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ashton thumps Silva with a low kick.
Ashton pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Silva fails to land with a series of punches.
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!
Silva throws a hook but Ashton avoids it easily.
Ashton changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Silva throws a jab when Ashton was well out of range.

Silva closes the distance and clinches.
Silva lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Eric Ashton has been cut.
Silva lands a left hand.
Starling Silva seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Silva.
Still in the clinch, Silva scores with a nice short uppercut.
Silva doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ashton gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva controlling the position.
Ashton wants to control from the top but Silva keeps moving.
Ashton passes Silva's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ashton wants to free his trapped foot but Silva is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Ashton is working for a submission of some sort.

Ashton is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Silva has managed to free his arm - good work.
Silva is staying active underneath Ashton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Starling Silva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Eric Ashton's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Silva throws a head kick but Ashton moves out of range.
A slow jab from Ashton misses its intended target.
Silva lands with a slapping head kick.
Ashton connects with a solid leg kick.
Silva with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Silva scores with a jab to the jaw.
Silva moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Ashton closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Silva blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Silva creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Silva misses with some punches.
Silva lands a shot to the body.
Silva prevents a takedown attempt there.
Silva misses with a punch to the body.
Silva stops a takedown attempt from Ashton.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silva comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Silva works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ashton lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ashton misses with a body punch.
Ashton lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Silva.
Silva throws an elbow but it misses.
Silva lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ashton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Silva lands a body punch.
Ashton lands a shoulder strike.
Silva lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Silva lands a hook that snaps the head of Ashton backwards.
Silva lands a nice uppercut.
Nice elbow from Silva.
Silva lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silva scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ashton doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ashton struggles to land a body shot inside as Silva controls his hands.
Ashton tries a body shot but Silva blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva prevents a body shot from Ashton.
Ashton blocks a body shot from Silva.
Ashton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ashton - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Silva working aggressively here.
A short left from Silva.
Ashton tries to work over Silva's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Silva creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ashton misses with a body punch.
Ashton tries to throw a body punch but Silva avoids it by throwing Ashton back against the cage.
Ashton wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Ashton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Silva lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ashton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Silva prevents a takedown attempt there.
Still in the clinch, Silva scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ashton tries to work over Silva's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Silva.
Ashton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ashton avoids a wild elbow strike from Silva.
Ashton misses with a punch to the body.
Ashton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Silva makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Silva.
Ashton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Silva blocks a body shot from Ashton.
Ashton tries to work over Silva's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ashton drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ashton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Silva scores with a nice hook to the head.
Silva lands a hook that snaps the head of Ashton backwards.

Ashton is rocked!
A short left from Silva.
Oh Ashton is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Silva dips a shoulder and cracks Ashton with a mighty uppercut! Ashton falls back against the cage and Silva unloads with a barrage of strikes! Ashton is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Silva screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Starling Silva!