PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cobb Banes (ranked 4619 p4p, 363 weight class) and Wanderson Siliva (ranked 1661 p4p, 182 weight class). Siliva has chosen as his entrance music. Wanderson Siliva has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Banes
vs
Siliva

193 cm
25
252 lbs
8 - 7 - 1

191 cm
27
279 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cobb Banes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Wanderson Siliva!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Roberts and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Siliva is looking to clinch but Banes is avoiding it.

Siliva gets a double leg takedown into Banes's guard.
Siliva trying to control the position from guard on top but Banes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Siliva would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Siliva trying to control but Banes is working from the bottom.
Siliva told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Banes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Siliva doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Siliva manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Siliva trying to control but Banes is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banes can't keep his opponent in guard - Siliva advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Banes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Banes is trying to control but can't.

Siliva is working for a kimura but Banes is defending it quite comfortably.
Siliva tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Banes.

Banes looking for submissions off his back.
Still in half guard, Siliva seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Siliva is trying to control. Banes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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

Banes actively working from the bottom here.
Siliva throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Siliva wants to stand but Banes has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Banes is staying active underneath Siliva, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Siliva is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Banes has managed to free his arm - good work.
Banes trying to hold on to Siliva's head to control him but Siliva postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Siliva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Siliva working the head and body with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Banes looking for subs from the bottom but Siliva mounts him!

Siliva has hold of Banes's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Banes manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Siliva lands a heavy elbow.
Banes sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Banes is looking for a sweep. Siliva is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Siliva wants to pass the guard but Banes is defending well.
Banes wants to control but Siliva is keeping busy.
Siliva scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Siliva is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Banes defends it well.
Banes taking some punishment here, with Siliva in his half guard.

It looks like Cobb Banes has been cut.
Banes has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Siliva is working away from the top position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Siliva is looking to advance position but Banes won't allow it.
Siliva is controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderson Siliva dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cobb Banes's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Banes misses with the body kick

and Siliva counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Banes is pressing down on Siliva's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Banes working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Siliva has passed into half guard!
Siliva is looking to take a break and control but Banes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Banes won't allow Siliva to pass to mount.
Siliva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Siliva is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Banes is just riding it out for now. Siliva eventually gives up the hold.

Siliva is trying to work for a kimura but Banes is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Banes is defending against the submission attempts here by Siliva.
Still in half guard, Siliva seems content to control.

Siliva seems to be working for a kimura but Banes defends the submission attempt.

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

Siliva looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Banes trying to hold on to Siliva's head to control him but Siliva postures up.

Siliva is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Banes sees it coming and defends easily.
Siliva trying to control the action but Banes is working from the bottom.

Siliva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Siliva is pressing down on Banes's thigh, looking to free his foot. Banes is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banes trying to hold on to Siliva's head to control him but Siliva postures up.

Siliva is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Banes is just riding it out for now. Siliva eventually gives up the hold.
Banes tries to roll over but Siliva keeps him under control.

Banes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Siliva seems to be looking for submissions.

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.

Banes looking for submissions off his back.

Siliva seems to be working for a kimura but Banes defends the submission attempt.
Siliva landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Siliva seems to be working for a kimura but Banes defends the submission attempt.

Siliva is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Siliva throwing shots but Banes is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderson Siliva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Cobb Banes's cut.
That's time! Banes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Siliva dives in and grabs Banes's left leg, looking for a takedown. Banes pushes down on Siliva's head and hops out.
Cobb Banes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Banes slaps away a takedown attempt from Siliva, before circling back to the center of the mat.
It looked like Banes was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Siliva is looking to clinch but Banes is avoiding it.
Siliva looks for a takedown but Banes sprawls well.
Cobb Banes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wanderson Siliva.
Siliva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Siliva goes for a double leg but Banes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Banes continues to drive forward.
Banes is looking to counter with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Siliva closes the distance but Banes moves to the side
and Banes counters with a solid body kick.
A cross from Banes lands.

It looks like Wanderson Siliva has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Siliva walks into a left hand.
Nice body kick from Banes.
Siliva wants to clinch but Banes slips to the side
letting Banes counter with a right hand.
Banes throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Siliva on the side of the head.
Siliva misses with a body shot
and Banes counters with a slapping leg kick.
Siliva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Banes circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Banes misses the target.
Cobb Banes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Siliva takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Siliva takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The fight stays on the outside here - Siliva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Banes went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Siliva shoots and misses
and Banes counters with a stiff right hand.

That has opened up Wanderson Siliva's cut even more.
Siliva has his takedown stuffed
and Banes counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Siliva thinking.
Wanderson Siliva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Banes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banes tries to land a front kick but Siliva steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Banes lands the left hand.

Siliva closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Siliva is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Banes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Siliva working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Banes wants to control but Siliva postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Siliva is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Banes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Banes is trying to control Siliva's posture but Siliva avoids it.
Wanderson Siliva has got the better of the ground game so far.
Siliva controls the position from side control.

Siliva working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Siliva working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Siliva thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Siliva in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Siliva is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Banes knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Banes is trying to get back to half guard.
Wanderson Siliva is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Siliva has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Banes!

And that's the end of the fight!
Cobb Banes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Siliva 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wanderson Siliva!
An out of breath Wanderson Siliva thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.